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NFT: Euro Cup - Quarterfinals

UConn4523 : 6/30/2016 9:32 am
games start back up today with Portugal/Poland at 3pm. Would be cool to see Poland advance but I think this may be on of the last times Ronaldo can make some real noise in a major tournament, especially on the easier side of the bracket. I see this 2-1 Portugal.

6/30 - Portugal/Poland - 3pm
7/1 - Wales/Belgium - 3pm
7/2 - Germany/Italy - 3pm
7/3 - France/Icelend - 3pm
Looking forward to Germany v Italy  
superspynyg : 6/30/2016 10:05 am : link
Italy has surprised many in this tourney including ex reigning champs Spain.

I will be watching from a hotel pool bar in Cocoa Beach Fl.


VIVA ITALIA!!!!
Go England!  
PatersonPlank : 6/30/2016 10:09 am : link
Oops, sorry. FU Hodgson. Okay, go Italy!
Portugal/Poland  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 6/30/2016 10:11 am : link
if you want to take a nap.
When this thing started  
Sec 103 : 6/30/2016 10:16 am : link
I was chastised for bringing up Italy...
Well then, they may even get past Germany.
Go Iceland!!!!
UConn  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 10:36 am : link
Good for you going out on a limb to hazard a final!

And I'm saying that as much as to shake my head in wonder at Nick in LA's pretty damn amazing handicapping of the two I's, Italy and Iceland.
haha  
UConn4523 : 6/30/2016 10:47 am : link
i'm rooting for 2-0 Poland though. Just don't see it, however. Ronaldo should get a ton of chances to score.
well,  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 10:55 am : link
Portugal did not play well against a feeble Croatia side, so I give Poland a decent chance--have not seen them play in these Euros yet, so I don't have much sense as to their quality here.

HalfFul getting lots of visible shelf space in our local supermarket
I'm actually surprised Croatia  
UConn4523 : 6/30/2016 10:57 am : link
didn't take them out, they looked like a top 3 or 4 team heading into the knockout rounds.

Not a fan of HalfFull, unfortunately. Been there 4 or 5 times and all their beers straight from the source always taste flat to me. Maybe i'll try again one day.
Actually  
mdthedream : 6/30/2016 11:01 am : link
Portugal has played really well. The goalies have stood on there heads.
I'm not either  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 11:05 am : link
too much sweetness and cuteness in their offerings...trying to schedule an outing to Bridgeport to get to Two Roads...Road to Ruin is just outstanding.

md, perhaps I was too harsh, but there wasn't much cohesion or building of attack from the red and green, and they couldn't seem to find Ronaldo in position to threaten until the 80th minute or so, as I remember the match, but memory can be faulty
Two Roads is puzzling  
UConn4523 : 6/30/2016 11:11 am : link
their Road 2 Ruin is awesome but the rest of their lineup is so underwhelming. I don't get it. They have such a presence, are growing like crazy, and have something like 30% of their brewery dedicated to subcontracting for smaller breweries.

My wife and I are trying to plan a trip to Vermont this year, not sure if we are yet but if we do we are going to get to 4 or 5 breweries easily.

Also, if you haven't had anything from Maine Brewing, I just had their MO and its the best Pale Ale i've ever had. Expensive, $6.99 a bottle, but Wagon Wheel up Long Ridge Road carries it (or atleast they did last week when I went).
RE: I'm not either  
Pete in MD : 6/30/2016 11:11 am : link
In comment 13015389 ColHowPepper said:
Quote:
too much sweetness and cuteness in their offerings...trying to schedule an outing to Bridgeport to get to Two Roads...Road to Ruin is just outstanding.

md, perhaps I was too harsh, but there wasn't much cohesion or building of attack from the red and green, and they couldn't seem to find Ronaldo in position to threaten until the 80th minute or so, as I remember the match, but memory can be faulty

My wife's cousin is a bartender at Two Roads. Weird to see it in a mentioned in a BBI post (in small world sort of way.)
Portugal  
Big Rick in FL : 6/30/2016 11:13 am : link
Has not played really well & I'm rooting for them. They've just played shitty teams & got lucky to get by on draws. Croatia was the only good team they've faced & they had a horrible game plan. They completely outplayed them & still lost.

I think they win today 2-0. Ronaldo with a brace to become the all time leading scorer at Euro tournaments.
Polsko, zwyciężysz!  
Pete in MD : 6/30/2016 11:18 am : link
CR7 is a pussy!
Pete in MD  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 11:36 am : link
masquerading as Go Terps this morning, lol
Pete, what is your wife's cousin's [first] name? I'll chat him up when we get there.

Rick, it would be difficult to fathom a second consecutive match in which Ronaldo played less of a role, so you could be on to something

UConn, where is Wagon Wheel? It rings no bells and I travel Long Ridge (albeit from up here across the NYS line) all the time. I've seen Maine Brewing mentioned on some BBI craft brewing threads but never had an offering; I'll look for MO, but, my goodness!! $6.99/bottle? License to steal, at 12 oz?
Two Roads' Workman's Comp is another I've had, meh, doesn't hold a candle to TwoRoads. Again, in our local market, there are usually three to four TR offerings: always Road to Ruin is the one that is selling briskly, the others, not so much.

RE: Pete in MD  
Pete in MD : 6/30/2016 11:45 am : link
In comment 13015477 ColHowPepper said:
Quote:
masquerading as Go Terps this morning, lol
Pete, what is your wife's cousin's [first] name? I'll chat him up when we get there.

Rick, it would be difficult to fathom a second consecutive match in which Ronaldo played less of a role, so you could be on to something

UConn, where is Wagon Wheel? It rings no bells and I travel Long Ridge (albeit from up here across the NYS line) all the time. I've seen Maine Brewing mentioned on some BBI craft brewing threads but never had an offering; I'll look for MO, but, my goodness!! $6.99/bottle? License to steal, at 12 oz?
Two Roads' Workman's Comp is another I've had, meh, doesn't hold a candle to TwoRoads. Again, in our local market, there are usually three to four TR offerings: always Road to Ruin is the one that is selling briskly, the others, not so much.

His name is Josh. He has a full beard and a man-bun which may or may not differentiate him from the other bartenders there (I'm guessing not.)
Wagon Wheel is after you pass taking a right on the Merrit  
UConn4523 : 6/30/2016 11:45 am : link
if you are going north, and in that same little shopping center behind Dunkin Donuts. Its a tiny store but the owner is super nice and everything they sell is at the state allowed minimum apparently. He often times gets really great craft beers and is the only place to actually sell me a 4 pack of Sip of Sunshine and did so for $13.50 (usually places will only sell you a single can for $5 each).

Maine Brewing MO comes in 500 ML bottles I believe, so slightly over a pint. Its worth grabbing just 1 for a try but I think I am going back at lunch to grab a couple for the holiday weekend. I'll post back here my findings.
had a teaching gig in Poland last November -  
Del Shofner : 6/30/2016 11:52 am : link
I was in a bar in Bialystok watching Poland-Iceland at the time the attacks were happening at the France-Germany match in Paris - the friendlies were all happening that night. It was a crazy segue ... the Poland match ended and the TV cut to the carnage at the match in Paris.

Poland has Lewandowski, who's an excellent striker, but they can be careless defensively.
I had Zoe from Maine Beer recently  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 6/30/2016 11:56 am : link
pretty good.
RE: Two Roads is puzzling  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 6/30/2016 11:58 am : link
In comment 13015405 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
their Road 2 Ruin is awesome but the rest of their lineup is so underwhelming. I don't get it. They have such a presence, are growing like crazy, and have something like 30% of their brewery dedicated to subcontracting for smaller breweries.

My wife and I are trying to plan a trip to Vermont this year, not sure if we are yet but if we do we are going to get to 4 or 5 breweries easily.

Also, if you haven't had anything from Maine Brewing, I just had their MO and its the best Pale Ale i've ever had. Expensive, $6.99 a bottle, but Wagon Wheel up Long Ridge Road carries it (or atleast they did last week when I went).


Road 2 Ruin is good, and I liked the Route of All Evil, but I know the Colonel was lukewarm on it.
.  
Gene : 6/30/2016 12:04 pm : link
Quote:
Poland has Lewandowski, who's an excellent striker, but they can be careless defensively.

I still can't believe Michal Pazdan is on the squad.
Lewandowski (not the Corey)  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 12:11 pm : link
Was it one or two Euros ago when he and Manjukić seemed to play such outsized roles in critical matches played in heavy rain?
I think  
mdthedream : 6/30/2016 12:11 pm : link
Ice land is better than most people think.
Bobby  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 12:13 pm : link
Route of All Evil is its second best, and I warmed to it considerably after getting into multiple bottles (at separate junctures, to maintain objectivity!)
RE: I think  
Go Terps : 6/30/2016 12:18 pm : link
In comment 13015552 mdthedream said:
Quote:
Ice land is better than most people think.


I think they can surprise France. France has some fundamental flaws, and Pogba is showing himself to be the most overrated player in the world.

Griezmann and Payet should still be enough, though.

Outside of Italy, Germany, and maybe Wales it's been a pretty poor tournament. The gulf in quality between club and international soccer has never been greater.
Poland has only  
Pete in MD : 6/30/2016 12:20 pm : link
conceded one goal so far in this tournament.
RE: Bobby  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 6/30/2016 12:24 pm : link
In comment 13015559 ColHowPepper said:
Quote:
Route of All Evil is its second best, and I warmed to it considerably after getting into multiple bottles (at separate junctures, to maintain objectivity!)


If you like session IPAs, try Alpine's Hoppy Birthday. I was quite pleased.
...  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 12:49 pm : link
Alpine's Happy Birthday: I will be on the lookout for it--new name to me, thanks, Bobby

Terps, aka Pete, Griezemann and Giroud seemed to be playing on different planets for much of the game, little playing off of each other, from what I saw. Coman and Gigniac lent some energy, I see them playing better. Is Benzema injured? Kanté is out with a yellow disqualification, but his play looked completely different from the key role he played with LC this spring.

Iceland is far better than widely credited for at the beginning of the tournament, and a wonderful story (esp. for the anti-Saxons), but I think this may be the match their fairy tale turns into a pumpkin at midnight. Obviously, they were on fumes late in 2H, but their workmanlike and disciplined style won't be enough, imo.
Portugal has  
BigBluePrestige : 6/30/2016 12:50 pm : link
outplayed all of its opponents without a doubt, except for Croatia. I expected Croatia to do more but Portugal's defense was actually more stout than I expected. The game was a snoozer but I give credit to Portugal for not allowing Croatia to do what it wanted. I think the result was earned. Croatia had what, like 17 shots and 0 on target? One went off the woordwork for them, but Portugal has hit the woordwork all tournament. it was bound for their luck to turn around and I'm glad it did.

This is not the same team that shit the bed during the last WC. I refused to watch their WC games because the squad that was selected was putrid and definitely not the best quality Portugal had to offer. Much to my surprise, there is a ton of young talent on this team and it appears that there will be more in the pipeline (given Portugal's recent success in the U tournaments). I believe they just beat Spain in U17 Euro final.

Regardless, I like their chances the rest of the way but remain moderately tempered in my expectations.

Força Portugal !
I think  
BigBluePrestige : 6/30/2016 12:56 pm : link
the player to watch this game (in addition to the givens on each side) is Renato Sanches for Portugal. Making his first start in this tournament for Portugal at the age of 18 and considered to be Ronaldo's successor.
CHP  
UConn4523 : 6/30/2016 12:59 pm : link
just got back. Scored 2 bottles of Maine Brewing MO (had 2 left when checking the back) and a 4 pack for G-Bot. Should make for a good holiday!
RE: ...  
Go Terps : 6/30/2016 1:00 pm : link
In comment 13015643 ColHowPepper said:
Quote:
Alpine's Happy Birthday: I will be on the lookout for it--new name to me, thanks, Bobby

Terps, aka Pete, Griezemann and Giroud seemed to be playing on different planets for much of the game, little playing off of each other, from what I saw. Coman and Gigniac lent some energy, I see them playing better. Is Benzema injured? Kanté is out with a yellow disqualification, but his play looked completely different from the key role he played with LC this spring.

Iceland is far better than widely credited for at the beginning of the tournament, and a wonderful story (esp. for the anti-Saxons), but I think this may be the match their fairy tale turns into a pumpkin at midnight. Obviously, they were on fumes late in 2H, but their workmanlike and disciplined style won't be enough, imo.


Benzema isn't on the team because of the blackmail scandal involving Mathieu Valbuena. Apparently Benzema is not someone you'd want to be friends with.
RE: CHP  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 1:12 pm : link
In comment 13015662 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
just got back. Scored 2 bottles of Maine Brewing MO (had 2 left when checking the back) and a 4 pack for G-Bot. Should make for a good holiday!


Gonna head right over and tell him you sent me. Thanks!
Benzema  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 1:13 pm : link
Quote:
Benzema isn't on the team because of the blackmail scandal involving Mathieu Valbuena. Apparently Benzema is not someone you'd want to be friends with.


Thanks, GT, totally missed that, guess I have to expand my news feeds.
here are some bookmakers' odds on Poland-Portugal  
Del Shofner : 6/30/2016 1:17 pm : link
for you guys to mull over. Interesting how they do it with different combinations of things ...
odds - ( New Window )
...  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 1:50 pm : link
I bet on winning a holiday in La Rioja and a booking in Lanzarote
Wow...Vertonghen OUT for the tournament  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 6/30/2016 2:48 pm : link
just heard on ESPN, some sort of ligament damage.
Poland scores in the 2nd minute.  
section125 : 6/30/2016 3:06 pm : link
Beautiful cross....
well that was quick  
UConn4523 : 6/30/2016 3:06 pm : link
1-0 Poland
Bigger WOW - Poland 1-0  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 6/30/2016 3:06 pm : link
2nd fastest goal in Euro Cup history. The Portugal fullback completely blew it.
Portugal  
Big Rick in FL : 6/30/2016 3:09 pm : link
Is pathetic. Goodness they really suck. How they hell are they a top 10 team in the World?
When Portugal was good it was because of their defending  
Go Terps : 6/30/2016 3:13 pm : link
They used to be a real solid outfit that was organized and had good goalkeepers.

Without that they've got nothing.
.  
Del Shofner : 6/30/2016 3:16 pm : link
In comment 13015967 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:
Quote:
The Portugal fullback completely blew it.


lol - just watched the reply - he sure did.
RE: When Portugal was good it was because of their defending  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 6/30/2016 3:18 pm : link
In comment 13015979 Go Terps said:
Quote:
They used to be a real solid outfit that was organized and had good goalkeepers.

Without that they've got nothing.


Their midfield once had Figo, Deco and Maniche. Now it's a 19 year old and a bunch of stiffs.
Portugal  
B in ALB : 6/30/2016 3:23 pm : link
Has no momentum or confidence right now.

I fully expect them to go into "diving" mode soon to get some set pieces and maybe some yellow cards.
RE: RE: When Portugal was good it was because of their defending  
Go Terps : 6/30/2016 3:27 pm : link
In comment 13015986 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:
Quote:
In comment 13015979 Go Terps said:


Quote:


They used to be a real solid outfit that was organized and had good goalkeepers.

Without that they've got nothing.



Their midfield once had Figo, Deco and Maniche. Now it's a 19 year old and a bunch of stiffs.


Seems a million years ago. People like to talk about forwards because they get goals, but the midfield is what feeds those goals. It's why Messi and Ronaldo are lesser players with country than with club. It's why Italy whipped Spain: Pelle marked Busquets out of the game and the entire team stopped functioning.

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.
Ronaldo  
UConn4523 : 6/30/2016 3:31 pm : link
just blew a golden opportunity right there.
Ronaldo  
AcidTest : 6/30/2016 3:33 pm : link
just got hammered.
That actually was a penalty on Ronaldo  
Gmen1982 : 6/30/2016 3:34 pm : link
I guess that's what he gets for diving so much.
I mean Ronaldo should've gotten a penalty  
Gmen1982 : 6/30/2016 3:35 pm : link
And as a type this they tie it up
Wow  
B in ALB : 6/30/2016 3:35 pm : link
That was pretty.
Wow.  
AcidTest : 6/30/2016 3:36 pm : link
What a strike by Sanches. Beautiful set up.
BBP  
UConn4523 : 6/30/2016 3:36 pm : link
nice prediction with Sanchez!
Eh  
B in ALB : 6/30/2016 3:36 pm : link
Deflected.
Ya looked better before seeing the replay  
Gmen1982 : 6/30/2016 3:37 pm : link
.
RE: That actually was a penalty on Ronaldo  
AcidTest : 6/30/2016 3:37 pm : link
In comment 13016014 Gmen1982 said:
Quote:
I guess that's what he gets for diving so much.


I only saw the end, so I’ll defer to you.
solid start  
PaulBlakeTSU : 6/30/2016 3:37 pm : link
to this game. Surprised there wasn't a foul called when Ronaldo got hit in the box.

Then again, I wouldn't want him to virtually get a free goal on a PK when the odds that he would have scored had he not been fouled would have been low anyway.
Both teams are putting good pressure on each other.  
Gmen1982 : 6/30/2016 3:39 pm : link
They need to be very fit to keep this up for 90. I think we will see a 2-2 game go into extra time.
That was only a four-roller from Ronaldo on the Polish foul?  
B in ALB : 6/30/2016 3:41 pm : link
I thought for sure it was a six or seven roller from his absolute anguish.
I like how he flops after the  
section125 : 6/30/2016 3:53 pm : link
ball is long gone.
Go Italy!!!!  
Nine lives : 6/30/2016 4:20 pm : link
Us sucks!!!
RE: Go Italy!!!!  
GMenLTS : 6/30/2016 4:21 pm : link
In comment 13016107 Nine lives said:
Quote:
Us sucks!!!


Kill yourself cuntrag!

Gotta at least try a little harder
Maybe spell Azzurri correctly this time?  
B in ALB : 6/30/2016 4:30 pm : link
Fucking middle schooler with no friends trolling a message board. Nice life you have going for you. Congrats!
RE: Go Italy!!!!  
Jon in NYC : 6/30/2016 4:30 pm : link
In comment 13016107 Nine lives said:
Quote:
Us sucks!!!


You know you guys sided with the Nazi's, right?
When does America  
Nine lives : 6/30/2016 4:30 pm : link
Play Barbados? Hope they can win.
Your dad planning on walking the plank successfully  
kicker : 6/30/2016 4:45 pm : link
this time?
Oh Ronaldo  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 6/30/2016 4:45 pm : link
you can't show up your teammates and then blow a play like that.
This is what Poland did in the Swiss game  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 6/30/2016 4:50 pm : link
they just try to get to PKs.
Joe Dumars  
B in ALB : 6/30/2016 4:51 pm : link
gets the yellow. He lost a shit ton of weight.
Awww. Isn't that cute.  
B in ALB : 6/30/2016 4:57 pm : link
Portugal has little yoga matts for their precious little flowers to lay on while their shaven legs are tended to.
That  
AcidTest : 6/30/2016 5:22 pm : link
idiocy never ends.
PK's  
Nick in LA : 6/30/2016 5:29 pm : link
Are always exciting as hell. I just fucking hate when one of my teams has to take part in them lol
Please  
Nick in LA : 6/30/2016 5:34 pm : link
Don't judge all Italian fans because of this jack wagon.
McManaman nails it  
Go Terps : 6/30/2016 5:35 pm : link
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 midfielder  
ColHowPepper : 6/30/2016 5:40 pm : link
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.
Bad boy of Portuguese football?  
B in ALB : 6/30/2016 5:45 pm : link
Haha. Why? Because he had some ridiculous tattoos on his face? He looks like a fool.

That said, Portugal probably deserved to win.
Poland was  
Nick in LA : 6/30/2016 5:46 pm : link
Playing with house money after their win against the Swiss.
Good for Ronaldo for stepping up  
Go Terps : 6/30/2016 5:46 pm : link
Pepper... No I meant the defensive midfielder.

Poland is punished for playing for penalties.
Somehow it's a real possibility  
Big Rick in FL : 6/30/2016 6:11 pm : link
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.
Terps  
Big Rick in FL : 6/30/2016 6:14 pm : link
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!
The ESPN  
Pete in MD : 6/30/2016 6:17 pm : link
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.
RE: Terps  
Ash_3 : 6/30/2016 6:18 pm : link
In comment 13016297 Big Rick in FL said:
Quote:
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.
Zidane knows what he's doing  
Go Terps : 6/30/2016 6:25 pm : link
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.
Great article  
Go Terps : 6/30/2016 7:01 pm : link
This is about England's catastrophic failure, but it could easily be applied to USMNT. I'd especially note the last paragraph:

Quote:
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.

Link - ( New Window )
I didn't want Pogba  
Big Rick in FL : 6/30/2016 8:28 pm : link
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?
He's probably a better player,  
Go Terps : 6/30/2016 10:50 pm : link
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.
Yeah that's a problem  
Big Rick in FL : 6/30/2016 11:09 pm : link
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.
These English players have a lot of balls  
Go Terps : 7/1/2016 1:46 am : link
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.
.  
Go Terps : 7/1/2016 1:47 am : link
.
Link - ( New Window )
Anybody else notice how  
chopperhatch : 7/1/2016 3:24 am : link
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.
Did anybody see Alexis' ankle?  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 7/1/2016 7:35 am : link
Remember that no foul was called.

Link - ( New Window )
RE: .  
Jon in NYC : 7/1/2016 7:38 am : link
In comment 13016775 Go Terps said:
Quote:
. Link - ( New Window )


Jur-gen Klins-mann Clap Clap ClapClapClap
RE: Anybody else notice how  
section125 : 7/1/2016 7:42 am : link
In comment 13016802 chopperhatch said:
Quote:
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.
Couple of interesting notes from the Guardian podcast this morning  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 7/1/2016 8:53 am : link
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.
Belgium should win this game 3-0 or 3-1  
Gmen1982 : 7/1/2016 2:59 pm : link
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.
What a fucking shot.  
Aspano! : 7/1/2016 3:15 pm : link
Wow.
What a shot  
Gmen1982 : 7/1/2016 3:15 pm : link
.
Wales  
B in ALB : 7/1/2016 3:18 pm : link
Might have to break out the orange slices and Capri suns before halftime. They're getting worked a bit.
Wow Wales ties it!  
Gmen1982 : 7/1/2016 3:32 pm : link
They are playing tough! Can they keep it up?
What an answer from Wales  
B in ALB : 7/1/2016 3:36 pm : link
Now they're controlling play.

Belgium are a bunch of whiny assholes out there.
I am wondering if we will ever see cards for flopping.  
Gmen1982 : 7/1/2016 3:39 pm : link
It needs to happen. So many casual soccer watchers get turned off from it.
This is awesome. Belgium underestimated them and they are bringing it!  
Gmen1982 : 7/1/2016 4:12 pm : link
.
that was an excellent goal  
PaulBlakeTSU : 7/1/2016 4:13 pm : link
by Robinson Cano
RE: Anybody else notice how  
ColHowPepper : 7/1/2016 4:24 pm : link
In comment 13016802 chopperhatch said:
Quote:
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)
I  
AcidTest : 7/1/2016 4:26 pm : link
just want everyone to remember that I predicted a Wales Iceland final before this tournament started.
Ramsey  
ColHowPepper : 7/1/2016 4:30 pm : link
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  
AcidTest : 7/1/2016 4:42 pm : link
bye Belgium. Wow. Incredible.
As a City fan  
B in ALB : 7/1/2016 4:42 pm : link
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.
omg  
ColHowPepper : 7/1/2016 4:42 pm : link
3 - 1
Holy shit! If people didn't watch they missed a great game!  
Gmen1982 : 7/1/2016 4:43 pm : link
Could you imagine Wales vs Iceland in the semis?
Fantastic  
AcidTest : 7/1/2016 4:43 pm : link
cross. Incredible back spin. And an even better flick header.
awesome for Wales  
PaulBlakeTSU : 7/1/2016 4:46 pm : link
though it does damper seeing the top countries face off. But Wales earned this win.

Awful week for England, huh?
Fun game.  
section125 : 7/1/2016 4:51 pm : link
Good for Wales.

Damn, I've become a soccer fan.
England  
B in ALB : 7/1/2016 4:57 pm : link
Is either the third or fourth best team.



In the British Isles.
B, lol  
ColHowPepper : 7/1/2016 5:04 pm : link
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

RE: awesome for Wales  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 7/1/2016 5:09 pm : link
In comment 13018156 PaulBlakeTSU said:
Quote:
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.
Again  
B in ALB : 7/1/2016 5:19 pm : link
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.
The winner  
Nick in LA : 7/1/2016 5:35 pm : link
Of Italy v Germany will win the whole thing. I think Italy will do it
Very excited for Portugal & Wales  
Big Rick in FL : 7/1/2016 6:07 pm : link
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.
RE: Again  
Go Terps : 7/1/2016 8:02 pm : link
In comment 13018227 B in ALB said:
Quote:
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?
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