And another thing... WTF France? Pyro getting in to a ground.. AGAIN? First Russia, and now Croatia.
What was this nonsense about being worried about ISIS and other threats? You can't even get in to the o2 in December without going through airport style security checkpoints. The o2; like.. for a Starbucks, a film and a cheeky Nandos.
So clearly people aren't being searched prior to entering the ground, there's clearly no dogs being deployed either.. Yet merely days before the first whistle of the tournament we were warned that it was a legitimate target.
The French really are looking appalling with how they're handling these matches. Given the warnings prior to the tournament, and the subsequent security lapses, I genuinely don't think I'd feel safe.
And another thing... WTF France? Pyro getting in to a ground.. AGAIN? First Russia, and now Croatia.
What was this nonsense about being worried about ISIS and other threats? You can't even get in to the o2 in December without going through airport style security checkpoints. The o2; like.. for a Starbucks, a film and a cheeky Nandos.
So clearly people aren't being searched prior to entering the ground, there's clearly no dogs being deployed either.. Yet merely days before the first whistle of the tournament we were warned that it was a legitimate target.
The French really are looking appalling with how they're handling these matches. Given the warnings prior to the tournament, and the subsequent security lapses, I genuinely don't think I'd feel safe.
We commented at the match today that the security had been a lot tighter than at any of the other four games we'd been to - the police obviously had information that something was going to happen (evidenced by the hundreds of riot police who arrived long before the Croats started kicking office). How they got flares in given these circumstances is a joke.
And another thing... WTF France? Pyro getting in to a ground.. AGAIN? First Russia, and now Croatia.
What was this nonsense about being worried about ISIS and other threats? You can't even get in to the o2 in December without going through airport style security checkpoints. The o2; like.. for a Starbucks, a film and a cheeky Nandos.
So clearly people aren't being searched prior to entering the ground, there's clearly no dogs being deployed either.. Yet merely days before the first whistle of the tournament we were warned that it was a legitimate target.
The French really are looking appalling with how they're handling these matches. Given the warnings prior to the tournament, and the subsequent security lapses, I genuinely don't think I'd feel safe.
We commented at the match today that the security had been a lot tighter than at any of the other four games we'd been to - the police obviously had information that something was going to happen (evidenced by the hundreds of riot police who arrived long before the Croats started kicking office). How they got flares in given these circumstances is a joke.
What about the rest of the day, Craig? Would personally be very interested to hear your experience. My neighbour Mad Vincent is there and has no idea why the Croats kicked off like that. Has there ever been a moment like this where a team's own supporters so comprehensively fecked up their own team?
And another thing... WTF France? Pyro getting in to a ground.. AGAIN? First Russia, and now Croatia.
What was this nonsense about being worried about ISIS and other threats? You can't even get in to the o2 in December without going through airport style security checkpoints. The o2; like.. for a Starbucks, a film and a cheeky Nandos.
So clearly people aren't being searched prior to entering the ground, there's clearly no dogs being deployed either.. Yet merely days before the first whistle of the tournament we were warned that it was a legitimate target.
The French really are looking appalling with how they're handling these matches. Given the warnings prior to the tournament, and the subsequent security lapses, I genuinely don't think I'd feel safe.
We commented at the match today that the security had been a lot tighter than at any of the other four games we'd been to - the police obviously had information that something was going to happen (evidenced by the hundreds of riot police who arrived long before the Croats started kicking office). How they got flares in given these circumstances is a joke.
What about the rest of the day, Craig? Would personally be very interested to hear your experience. My neighbour Mad Vincent is there and has no idea why the Croats kicked off like that. Has there ever been a moment like this where a team's own supporters so comprehensively fecked up their own team?
I think in reality the thing that really wrecked Croatia was taking Modric off with half an hour still to go, that completely unbalanced their team and seemed to give impetuous to the Czech's. The hooligan stuff has given the team and coach a useful excuse for mucking up a very comfortable two goal lead, but given that this sort of disorder seems pretty common at Croatia matches the Croats should have dealt with it better than the Czech players. If that match had lasted another 5 minutes Czech Republic would have won 3-2.
I think the reason they kicked off was some sort of disagreement with the way the Croatian FA are run, there was trouble (not on that level) in their opening game against Turkey and I would imagine there's a very real chance that either Croatia will be thrown out now, or given a final warning and will be thrown out after it kicks off again during the Spain match - either way that should mean Czech Republic progress !
Yes, a lot of comment backing up your assessment. Taking Modric off now looks complacent and arrogant. Slaven Bilic on the fans:
Former Croatia manager Slaven Bilic has warned there will be more crowd trouble. “It’s unbelievable what those people are doing. The majority of the fans are telling them to not do it. Some of them are there on a mission. It’s probably not the last time they’ll do it,” he told ITV.
“Back home it’s not the greatest league, but it’s competitive. When there’s a big derby between (Dinamo) Zagreb and (Hajduk) Split people are not taking their kids because they know it’ll be dangerous.”
Bilic also briefly outlined the issue fans have against the Croatian Football Association. He said: “Croatia rarely play in Split, in my hometown, and they think it’s all about Zagreb. It’s between the north and the south, Zagreb and Split - the two biggest clubs. Now Zagreb is becoming the biggest club in the Balkan area while Split has no money, no everything. That’s the issue without going into the details.”
OK, this time no Fellaini in the Belgian squad Apparently Ireland will have to face these guys ... Courtois, Meunier, Vermaelen, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Witsel, Dembélé, De Bruyne, Hazard, Carrasco and Lukaku
I've been searched at least twice in every game that I've been to so far, and have seen bag checks been done to everyone. Slightly suprised that they have managed to get in what they have and concerned for future games but I think the security and policing has been pretty good from what I've seen. They will need to step it up another level after yesterday but that's not a bad thing
The Belgian team looks a lot better this time except Nainggolan is better than Witsel. KDB as a number 10 is better and they were crying out for someone like Dembele who can get on the ball.
Belgium look a totally different beast with Dembele starting for them. Created more in the opening 2 mins against Ireland than they did in 90 against Italy.
Ireland haven't got a single player with any real quality on the ball. At 1-0 down they had a chance. 2-0 and the game was over. Can't recall the Belgian keeper making a save.
Comments
What was this nonsense about being worried about ISIS and other threats? You can't even get in to the o2 in December without going through airport style security checkpoints. The o2; like.. for a Starbucks, a film and a cheeky Nandos.
So clearly people aren't being searched prior to entering the ground, there's clearly no dogs being deployed either.. Yet merely days before the first whistle of the tournament we were warned that it was a legitimate target.
The French really are looking appalling with how they're handling these matches. Given the warnings prior to the tournament, and the subsequent security lapses, I genuinely don't think I'd feel safe.
I think the reason they kicked off was some sort of disagreement with the way the Croatian FA are run, there was trouble (not on that level) in their opening game against Turkey and I would imagine there's a very real chance that either Croatia will be thrown out now, or given a final warning and will be thrown out after it kicks off again during the Spain match - either way that should mean Czech Republic progress !
Yes, a lot of comment backing up your assessment. Taking Modric off now looks complacent and arrogant. Slaven Bilic on the fans:
Former Croatia manager Slaven Bilic has warned there will be more crowd trouble. “It’s unbelievable what those people are doing. The majority of the fans are telling them to not do it. Some of them are there on a mission. It’s probably not the last time they’ll do it,” he told ITV.
“Back home it’s not the greatest league, but it’s competitive. When there’s a big derby between (Dinamo) Zagreb and (Hajduk) Split people are not taking their kids because they know it’ll be dangerous.”
Bilic also briefly outlined the issue fans have against the Croatian Football Association. He said: “Croatia rarely play in Split, in my hometown, and they think it’s all about Zagreb. It’s between the north and the south, Zagreb and Split - the two biggest clubs. Now Zagreb is becoming the biggest club in the Balkan area while Split has no money, no everything. That’s the issue without going into the details.”
Courtois, Meunier, Vermaelen, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Witsel, Dembélé, De Bruyne, Hazard, Carrasco and Lukaku
Will JBG add another million to his value?
Come on Sunderland, you can afford a poxy 8 million plus add ons.
Nice to hear other teams have taken on the Wigan/Northern Ireland "Will Grigg's on fire" song...
Townsend having a mare in the commentary box having to comment on how poor Ireland are.
It'll be interesting to see Dunphy, Giles and Brady afterwards on RTE.
*puts house on Ireland to win 4-3*