NFT: Euro Cup - Quarterfinals

idiocy never ends.

Are always exciting as hell. I just fucking hate when one of my teams has to take part in them lol

Don't judge all Italian fans because of this jack wagon.

If Ronaldo wants to lead his team, he'll take the first penalty. If he just wants the glory, he will wait for the fifth.

Poland has a strong midfield. Kryckowiak (sp?) is one of the best midfielders in Europe. Real Madrid it's going after Pogba, but this guy is significantly better.

I just hope you're not referring to Poland's midfielder who has seen most of his time on the right wing, timid over the ball and always goes for the safe pass, usually a back pass. I don't think that is Krychowiak though.

Haha. Why? Because he had some ridiculous tattoos on his face? He looks like a fool.

That said, Portugal probably deserved to win.

Playing with house money after their win against the Swiss.

Pepper... No I meant the defensive midfielder.

Poland is punished for playing for penalties.

That Portugal makes the Euro 16 Final. I have no clue how. They really aren't good. Yet here we are. I'd love to see Cristiano win the whole thing, but I doubt it. Who knows though he's do for a hat trick. Just needs to do it at the right time.

According to Marca this morning N'Golo Kante is Real Madrid's top target. What do you think of him fitting in with Madrid?

Zidane wants a new Makelele at the Santiago Bernabéu & feels Kante is the perfect fit. What are your opinions on that? Thanks for any input!

folks fellating Ronaldo for making a PK is hysterical. He was invisible for most of the game and whiffed on his one big scoring chance.

In comment 13016297 Big Rick in FL said:

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According to Marca this morning N'Golo Kante is Real Madrid's top target. What do you think of him fitting in with Madrid? Zidane wants a new Makelele at the Santiago Bernabéu & feels Kante is the perfect fit. What are your opinions on that? Thanks for any input!

I'm not Terps but if Kante is the guy Zidane is aiming for, then that's even better evidence (than the CL run) that he's a smart manager.

He was the guy that pushed for Casemiro to play over Florentino's objection. It's not a sexy position but the positive effect on Kroos and Modric was instant, and that trickled up to the forwards. Real was the best team in Spain from that point forward.

I read the same thing about Kante. Personally I still think Kryckowiak is better, and he has the benefit of being familiar with La Liga having been at Sevilla. Even so Kante is a good fit as Casemiro can be upgraded on.

I'd be worried about them signing Pogba. That would create the same problem they had before unless they move Kroos or Modric, which would be stupid. Typical Florentino, that would be.

Zidane is a star manager in the making. Just get out of the way and let him run the show.

This is about England's catastrophic failure, but it could easily be applied to USMNT. I'd especially note the last paragraph:

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But national teams don't so much need "identity" as they do a clear, continuously implemented system of play, with a coach who picks his players accordingly. Until England find a manager with the authority and know-how to drill the country's elite into playing as a unit at both ends of the pitch -- and players willing to do the same -- they will continue to underperform relative to their considerable ability.

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Before the Euros & I don't want him now. I don't think we sign him. Supposedly Juventus wants at least 120 million & Pogba wants 12 million a year. Madrid isn't willing to go over 100 million & 8 million in wages. I think the money can be spent elsewhere.

I know Zidane likes Pogba though. Fellow Frenchman. We also have to buy players to get us through to January 2018 as we will be banned from the winter & summer 2017 transfer windows.

I just read today that Zidane told James agent to find James a new team. Morata also wants out as he doesn't think he will get much playing time over Benzema. So that should be about 120 million from those new transfers. I also read today that Florentino is going to take a back seat when it comes to transfers & let Zidane handle it. No idea how true that is, but I hope it's true. We need to buy role players/bench players that fit the team. Not just go out & buy the newest Galactico. Zidane seems to want to strengthen the depth of the squad & build a team that actually works together. We have plenty of superstars that can score goals. We need the guys who won't mind alternating depending on the tournament/injuries.

So you think Kante is a better fit/player then Casemiro?

but he may take time to adjust, whereas Casemiro is already familiar with the team.

Another factor is that Casemiro is Brazilian, and thus counts as a foreign non-EU player. That became a bigger deal with Brexit making Bale a non-EU player. Kante obviously is an EU player so that may give him the leg up.

From what I've read though is that not EU stuff won't matter until 2018. Even then I've read they've given James the ok to leave & I can't see how they keep Danilo much longer. He was horrible last season.

My only problem with Casemiro is how bad he is on offense. If they press him in our half he makes a lot of bad decisions. It really hurts him. He will get the ball back & give it right back up. I saw about half of the Leicester games last year & Kante seemed much more comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Apparently they are lobbying for a foreign coach because they "aren't impressed" with the English candidates.

After this performance I'm not sure any of them should represent England again.

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The refs seemed to completely ignore the stutter step edict they made? Literally all but I think one of the Portuguese shooters stuttered.

Soccer refs might be the worst of them all.

Remember that no foul was called.

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In comment 13016775 Go Terps said:

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Jur-gen Klins-mann Clap Clap ClapClapClap

In comment 13016802 chopperhatch said:

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The refs seemed to completely ignore the stutter step edict they made? Literally all but I think one of the Portuguese shooters stuttered. Soccer refs might be the worst of them all.

Especially the last goal. He started, stopped and then took the shot. The announcers made a comment about the ref ignoring the rule.

Regarding the Copa America, there have been discussions whether to have the all Americas format of the Copa become permanent in the future.

In addition, there's talk that the winners of the Copa and the Euros may face off in an match in the year in between the Euro/Copa and the Confederations Cup.

They have been playing much better since the Italy loss. They should make the final with the side of the bracket that they are in.

Wow.

.

Might have to break out the orange slices and Capri suns before halftime. They're getting worked a bit.

They are playing tough! Can they keep it up?

Now they're controlling play.

Belgium are a bunch of whiny assholes out there.

It needs to happen. So many casual soccer watchers get turned off from it.

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by Robinson Cano

In comment 13016802 chopperhatch said:

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The refs seemed to completely ignore the stutter step edict they made? Literally all but I think one of the Portuguese shooters stuttered. Soccer refs might be the worst of them all.

Agree re. the stutter step non-calls, bit of a travesty (but I refrain from comment on your last declaration (:>...it's driven from above)

just want everyone to remember that I predicted a Wales Iceland final before this tournament started.

whoever is doing the color (Twet?) makes the comment I've been thinking and seeing for the past three Wales matches:

Ramsey has freedom to dictate, to set up, to advance aggressively (and Bale and Robson Canu feeding off him) and he's showing what a player he is and who he cannot be under Wenger's system and totem. A revelation and such fun to see this playing out.

But Fellaini and Lukaku are formidable in the box and Hazard looks determined, so too early to call.

bye Belgium. Wow. Incredible.

I'm disappointed to watch de Brunye do absolutely nothing other than complain and bitch and moan to the ref. He's kind of getting that reputation as a petulant child. Crying in his pram as the English say.

Night night Belgium.

3 - 1

Could you imagine Wales vs Iceland in the semis?

cross. Incredible back spin. And an even better flick header.

though it does damper seeing the top countries face off. But Wales earned this win.

Awful week for England, huh?

Good for Wales.

Damn, I've become a soccer fan.

Is either the third or fourth best team.



In the British Isles.

sucks though that Ramsey is out for Portugal, and it was a debatable caution, looked like he got his thigh out but his arm was raised too...the ref let reckless challenges go but he calls that?

With Ramsey, it's a toss-up in the semi-final, without him, will be very tough--depends which Portugal decides to show up

In comment 13018156 PaulBlakeTSU said:

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though it does damper seeing the top countries face off. But Wales earned this win. Awful week for England, huh?

Actually I hope this teaches some of these countries a lesson - have an identity and a strategy. Don't just roll out your all-star team.

You have a TEAM (Chile, Iceland, Wales, etc) beating a bunch of individuals.

If the US can ever get rid of Klinsmann and find a tactically proficient coach there is hope for us.

Of Italy v Germany will win the whole thing. I think Italy will do it

Unfortunately I have to watch one of my two favorite players lose. The positive is that one of them will be in the Finals. Bale has been awesome to watch since like late Match. He's definitely living up to his world record transfer fee. If he keeps playing like this Real Madrid will be a real threat to win the treble.

Does Bale's Euro performance put him on the Balon D'Or stage with Cristiano & Suarez? IMO it will be a real tragedy if the final 3 aren't Cristiano, Bale & Suarez.

In comment 13018227 B in ALB said:

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You have a TEAM (Chile, Iceland, Wales, etc) beating a bunch of individuals. If the US can ever get rid of Klinsmann and find a tactically proficient coach there is hope for us.

This. A million times this.

Think about how we played an inferior Belgium side two years ago, and look at how Wales approached it today.

Did the Welsh coach at any point say they couldn't win the tournament, like our coach did?