28 replies to this topic

[stark]

WOW! what a strong gropu for us, i hope we can win all 3 matches, the final will be a Germany-England based on what i've seen in latest matches, Spain will fail to go to the final by loosing with Englang.

[Olympian2004]

faster, on 05 December 2011 - 01:12 PM, said:

Well if you could manipulate the 2012 qualifiers, you would add Turkey, Bosnia, Estonia and Montenegro. 3 of which were competitive with top tier teams. And then the top 4 3rd place teams were Norway, Switzerland, Armenia and Hungary. It would still be a competitive tournament.

And in fact, I'm glad that they've expanded the EURO. I mean, it's also nice that a EURO of 16 teams always was an intensely competitive tournament -- but actually it shouldn't a more competitive and exciting tournament than a World Cup. I know, Europe is full of good national teams, and that's why a EURO almost inadvertently has to be a highly competitive tournament. But I think that those many good teams should stand a higher chance of advancing to at least one knock-out match at the EURO. Therefore it's good that we'll have 24 teams and round of 16 matches from 2016 on.

[faster]

If you look through the qualified teams from 2002 to 2012 you will se plenty of teams that qualify for one tournament, then not the next. Even consistent teams like Croatia and Netherlands have missed tournaments, while teams like Israel, Norway and Bosnia have consistently been competitive down to the final matchdays and have yet to qualify.

I think in the end it will provide much more good for football in smaller European nations. Who wouldn't love to see Scotland vs. England play in Toulouse or Czech Republic vs. Slovakia, Slovenia vs. Croatia, Norway vs. Sweden. And finally have Hungary qualify again.

[deawebo]

I thought Montenegro was going to qualify for reals.... Bosnia deserved qualifying in that invented penaly on 83 minute agains France in Saint Dennis... But.... Cest la vie....

[RobH]

Fabio Capello has resigned as England manager.

[Olympian2004]

RobH, on 08 February 2012 - 02:28 PM, said:

Fabio Capello has resigned as England manager.

That's a big surprise. I didn't know that it created such a controversy that he kicked out John Terry as team captain again.

And in fact, I still think Capello should have actually stepped down already after the 2010 World Cup. He reminded me of Raymond Domenech after the bad performance of the French team at the EURO 2008 -- saying that everything is still heading in the right direction and there's no need for a change, even though his team has played much below their possibilities (and the public expectations). So it was somehow about time, even if it's bad timing that the team has look out for a new manager only four months before an important tournament.

[RobH]

Quote

That's a big surprise. I didn't know that it created such a controversy that he kicked out John Terry as team captain again.

He didn't take the Captaincy away from Terry, the FA did. That was the point. Capello felt his authority had been undermined. But under the circumstances the FA didn't really have any other choice but to take them armband from Terry.

[Olympian2004]

RobH, on 08 February 2012 - 03:00 PM, said:

He didn't take the Captaincy away from Terry, the FA did. That was the point. Capello felt his authority had been undermined. But under the circumstances the FA didn't really have any other choice but to take them armband from Terry.

Oops, sorry. I only merely heard the news that Terry had lost the captaincy again -- and didn't really notice who exactly kicked him out.

[Luffy]

Well you have to respect Capello for doing what he believes in, that the manager should have the last say on all the important questions.

Blanc was rumored to be fired too last week because the french FA's president feels he don't have enough power over him to say who should play or who shouldn't... these people are crazy! how can they do this to their countries five months before the tournament! it's just beyond me !

Anyway that's or nothing now for England, if the get Harry it might be an incredibly good tournament or a real nightmare, we will see.

I remain positive the winner can come from group D still, England & France have the talent, they just lack the spirit at the moment. And who know what Ukraine will be capable of on home soil.