Only team I don't fancy us to beat so far is italy
I know this was pre France - Germany, i personally feel we could beat Italy. Would be a tough game but with their aging defense (dinosaurs) if we played with pace up top they would find it very hard to deal with.
France last night although they let Germany play a bit and could have easily drawn, i feel they have alot more in the tank. Mbappe is frightening, only takes a split second for someone to lose him or for him to get behind, unlucky with the disallowed goal that was very ronaldoesque.
Portugal score flattered them, but on paper their side is very good and will be a tough last 32
Do we ever beat Italy?
Struggling to think of a time when we've ever beaten them in a competitive game.
I'm really struggling to think of memorable England vs Italy matches, other than the 1997 draw which got us qualification, and that's more for Paul Ince!
By contrast England have had so many big games against Germany.
If Russia don't get the second, it could bite them on the bum. If I was Finland I would see a draw as the whole outcome for them so risks have to be taken now.
wow people moaning, i dont understand. Even that game started of pretty decent a couple of chances. The heat has been pretty telling in alot of games where teams have had to manage the game, sit back.
Its still early doors really, its unlikely any of the main nations are going to go out in the groups so teams are just feeling their way in.
Personally i am enjoying it, there have been a few crackers and a few solid /good performances. Its still far too early but has the potential to be a great tourney, although more likely after the groups imo, or even on the final games if there is something on it or teams need to score more to make sure.
slow burner but trust me stick with, no need to judge it from game to game.
To be honest I still really don't like the 24 team format - 2/3 of the tournament is a group stage that only knocks out 6 teams, and the 16 team format had more quality so better games more often.
To be honest I still really don't like the 24 team format - 2/3 of the tournament is a group stage that only knocks out 6 teams, and the 16 team format had more quality so better games more often.
The trouble with 24 teams is that there isn't really a good format, it needs to be 16 or 32, but 32 would be far too many. 24 is too many for Europe but at least it gives the minnows like Finland, Albania and Scotland a chance to qualify.
To be honest I still really don't like the 24 team format - 2/3 of the tournament is a group stage that only knocks out 6 teams, and the 16 team format had more quality so better games more often.
The trouble with 24 teams is that there isn't really a good format, it needs to be 16 or 32, but 32 would be far too many. 24 is too many for Europe but at least it gives the minnows like Finland, Albania and Scotland a chance to qualify.
Be curious to see how the 48-team format will work for the World Cup
To be honest I still really don't like the 24 team format - 2/3 of the tournament is a group stage that only knocks out 6 teams, and the 16 team format had more quality so better games more often.
The trouble with 24 teams is that there isn't really a good format, it needs to be 16 or 32, but 32 would be far too many. 24 is too many for Europe but at least it gives the minnows like Finland, Albania and Scotland a chance to qualify.
The 48 team world cup will be worse, 16 3-team groups only knocking out one from each group.
To be honest I still really don't like the 24 team format - 2/3 of the tournament is a group stage that only knocks out 6 teams, and the 16 team format had more quality so better games more often.
The trouble with 24 teams is that there isn't really a good format, it needs to be 16 or 32, but 32 would be far too many. 24 is too many for Europe but at least it gives the minnows like Finland, Albania and Scotland a chance to qualify.
Be curious to see how the 48-team format will work for the World Cup
It's pretty open to abuse too, teams will be able to go into the last game in some cases knowing a certain result will see both teams though.
To be honest I still really don't like the 24 team format - 2/3 of the tournament is a group stage that only knocks out 6 teams, and the 16 team format had more quality so better games more often.
Agreed, personally agree it should be 16 or 32 teams. Also the 4 best runners up just seems ridiculous, with 2 qualify, 2 eliminated teams are more likely to go for it and would in turn be better games.
Although personally i do think its been good so far and not boring.
Could see a remarkable end to Group B with second based on who loses to Belgium by the least amount of goals.
If Russia win today... Belgium beat Denmark (and Finland), yet Denmark beat Russia
The last three will all be on three points
It’s not goal difference this tournament is it? If teams are equal points, then it’s straight to head 2 head games. Russia currently 2nd even though they have worse GD.
Could see a remarkable end to Group B with second based on who loses to Belgium by the least amount of goals.
If Russia win today... Belgium beat Denmark (and Finland), yet Denmark beat Russia
The last three will all be on three points
It’s not goal difference this tournament is it? If teams are equal points, then it’s straight to head 2 head games. Russia currently 2nd even though they have worse GD.
But then if Denmark beat Russia how does head to head work...
Russia finish ahead of Finland, Finland finish ahead of Denmark, Denmark finish ahead of Russia
Been some awful footballl in this tournament so far, hopefully it’ll improve after the group stages.
I must be watching a different tournament.
To qualify that I don’t mean there hasn’t been any great football, just seems quite scrappy at times, or is it I just got too used to watching our games on Charlton Live 😆
Could see a remarkable end to Group B with second based on who loses to Belgium by the least amount of goals.
If Russia win today... Belgium beat Denmark (and Finland), yet Denmark beat Russia
The last three will all be on three points
It’s not goal difference this tournament is it? If teams are equal points, then it’s straight to head 2 head games. Russia currently 2nd even though they have worse GD.
But then if Denmark beat Russia how does head to head work...
Russia finish ahead of Finland, Finland finish ahead of Denmark, Denmark finish ahead of Russia
If Denmark beat Russia 1-0 and each team loses 3-0 to Belgium, then Euro qualifying rankings from the Nations League are used to determine who finishes where.
In this case it would be 2. Russia (12th) 3. Denmark (15th) 4. Finland (20th)
To be honest I still really don't like the 24 team format - 2/3 of the tournament is a group stage that only knocks out 6 teams, and the 16 team format had more quality so better games more often.
The trouble with 24 teams is that there isn't really a good format, it needs to be 16 or 32, but 32 would be far too many. 24 is too many for Europe but at least it gives the minnows like Finland, Albania and Scotland a chance to qualify.
The 48 team world cup will be worse, 16 3-team groups only knocking out one from each group.
Could see a remarkable end to Group B with second based on who loses to Belgium by the least amount of goals.
If Russia win today... Belgium beat Denmark (and Finland), yet Denmark beat Russia
The last three will all be on three points
It’s not goal difference this tournament is it? If teams are equal points, then it’s straight to head 2 head games. Russia currently 2nd even though they have worse GD.
But then if Denmark beat Russia how does head to head work...
Russia finish ahead of Finland, Finland finish ahead of Denmark, Denmark finish ahead of Russia
If Denmark beat Russia 1-0 and each team loses 3-0 to Belgium, then Euro qualifying rankings from the Nations League are used to determine who finishes where.
In this case it would be 2. Russia (12th) 3. Denmark (15th) 4. Finland (20th)
Comments
2 nil in the Le Tournoi de France in 1997
Finland may get a bit lucky if Belgium rest a few in the last game, even if it's only by not losing by as many.
Its still early doors really, its unlikely any of the main nations are going to go out in the groups so teams are just feeling their way in.
Personally i am enjoying it, there have been a few crackers and a few solid /good performances. Its still far too early but has the potential to be a great tourney, although more likely after the groups imo, or even on the final games if there is something on it or teams need to score more to make sure.
slow burner but trust me stick with, no need to judge it from game to game.
Although personally i do think its been good so far and not boring.
Russia finish ahead of Finland, Finland finish ahead of Denmark, Denmark finish ahead of Russia