NFT: Euro 2016 - Knockout stages begin

Milik bungles another easy scoring chance!

Is a minute in & is pretty exciting. Switzerland almost got scored in the first 45 seconds.

Almost scored. Typed the wrong team

Is absolutely dominating. If they don't have a goal in the next 5-10 minutes they are doing something terribly wrong.

Looks like shit. Dating back to his Dortmund days Idk if I've ever seen him play so bad. He can barely pass the ball & he's just taking shots from everywhere. None have even come close. He's trying way to hard to score.

What they should have done instead is have 12 teams advance to the knockouts instead of 16. The top four first place teams get a bye into the quarterfinals and teams 5 through 12 (the worst two group winners and all second place teams) play in the first round, very similar to the NFL playoffs

3 group stage games to eliminate 8 out of 24 teams is a waste of time. They should have made upped it to 32 teams and eliminated the group stage and went straight to knockouts, although that isn't a viable option because it would decrea$e the amount of fixtures.

But they added 8 teams to only eliminate 8. Dumb.

I do like the idea of the bye for the teams that earned it, then the France-Switzerland game, for example, wouldn't have had some meaning.

Shaquiri! 1-1!

has it's day.

In comment 13008732 giantBCP said:

Quote:

3 group stage games to eliminate 8 out of 24 teams is a waste of time. They should have made upped it to 32 teams and eliminated the group stage and went straight to knockouts, although that isn't a viable option because it would decrea$e the amount of fixtures.

This is the exact same format as the 94 World Cup.

that they've had similar formats in the past. Ranking third place teams in a simulated group doesn't make sense to me.

In comment 13008775 giantBCP said:

Quote:

that they've had similar formats in the past. Ranking third place teams in a simulated group doesn't make sense to me.

That's fair. I think it's a good format - for such a strong federation, I think 16 might be too few, and 32 is entirely too many. This strikes a nice balance I think.

all of the excitement out of the group stage.

Do you think Italy stands a chance now that Candreva has been ruled out? I think that's he's been their best attacking threat for some time now.

Candreva is the attacking wingback, and has done a pretty good job connecting the midfield/defense to the attack when in possession. But Insigne I thought showed a lot against Ireland, and I'd actually like to see him in that role without Candreva. Don't think it would be that much of a loss, especially since Italy will probably sit back a bit against Spain.

As Poland really did nothing after their goal, like a basketball team taking the air out of the ball too early.

I sure hope Bale can stay healthy & keep this form for an entire season. He has been the best player in the World since April. He's been unreal.


Portugal decided to sit Ricardo Carvalho today. Idk if it can get any worse. He needs to retire. He has been bad in the Euros.

or does William Carvalho look a lot like Joe Dumars?

!

They were putrid.

and it backfired. Dumb.

They played so well against Spain, and against a team as offensively challenged as Portugal they do this? Awful.

entirely too much credit. Sure, Ronaldo and Nani are dangerous, but Croatia had the squad to control the game regardless of Portugal's speed up front. Just bad bad bad.

Portugal with a horseshoe up its ass. Had no business winning that game. Both teams were pretty bad but Portugal didn't do shit all game. Ugly. And you know Ronaldo is pissed that Quaresma didn't let the ball go hoping it went in the net. Haha.

Ironic that Quaresma got the tap in because he's pretty much crap the whole tournament and is on the team because he's Ronaldo's boy.

Renato Sanches is so impressive for his age. With the finishing of his game that he will get at Bayern, he's going to be an absolute stud (Just like Ronaldo leaving Sporting for Man U). Imagine a bigger, stronger Vidal.

I thought 2 or 3 times the ball was going in the goal. Portugal's defense is crap. Oh well, the tournament is probably more exciting with Portugal in there. At least you know they have some goal scorers.

Bobby, agree on Sanches, physical, good skills, good awareness, and a load; he'll learn to lay off some of the unnecessary fouls

Croatia did play poorly...imo, was a big mistake to play Modric so low in the first half, I mistook him at times for a back. Without him leading the attack from high in the middle third, Croatia had absolutely nothing going. Even when he re-positioned forward in 2H, there wasn't much to look at, he was forced to play long and in the air to the corners, which yielded nothing. They missed a few headers, yeah, but Pepe missed the most open one. Bit of a tedious game.

In comment 13009134 ColHowPepper said:

Quote:

Bobby, agree on Sanches, physical, good skills, good awareness, and a load; he'll learn to lay off some of the unnecessary fouls Croatia did play poorly...imo, was a big mistake to play Modric so low in the first half, I mistook him at times for a back. Without him leading the attack from high in the middle third, Croatia had absolutely nothing going. Even when he re-positioned forward in 2H, there wasn't much to look at, he was forced to play long and in the air to the corners, which yielded nothing. They missed a few headers, yeah, but Pepe missed the most open one. Bit of a tedious game.

Rethinking it a little, doesn't he remind you of a young Essien? Just the physical presence?

they did nothing all match and created one chance at the end, but sometimes that's all you need. That being said, Croatia didn't really deserve to win either. It was a terrible match

not just the Euros. Easily goal of the tournament. That was a dirty bicycle kick. Shame that he lost but I was pulling for Poland anyway

Leads the hosts France 1-0.

be a very fun game. Pogba, Payet and Griezmann are three of my favorites to watch. Still have a hard time believing that Giroud is their best striker option. I'd rather have Griezmann as a false nine or get Martial on the pitch.