"Wow. As Belgium's players start to go over and thank the supporters, who are booing, Kevin De Bruyne instructs them not to do so but instead walk straight off the pitch."
The final group games have been turgid, whereas in the last World Cup they were brilliant. I think it’s largely down to this format with third placed teams going through.
The final group games have been turgid, whereas in the last World Cup they were brilliant. I think it’s largely down to this format with third placed teams going through.
Yep, too many teams are happy to settle for a draw to keep it competitive.
Will wake up again for the Last 16 though I'm sure.
One round of games completed… if the groups were final at this moment in time, the round of 16 would look like this:
Spain(1B) v Czechia(3F)
Germany(1A) v Denmark(2C)
Turkey(1F) v Albania(3B)
France(2D) v Slovakia(2E)
Romania(1E) v Slovenia(3C)
Netherlands(1D) v Portugal(2F)
England(1C) v Poland(3D)
Switzerland(2A) v Italy(2B)
Updated after two games played:
Spain(1B) v Slovakia(3E)
Germany(1A) v Denmark(2C)
Portugal(1F) v Slovenia(3C)
France(2D) v Belgium(2E)
Romania(1E) v Albania(3B)
Netherlands(1D) v Turkey(2F)
England(1C) v Austria(3D)
Switzerland(2A) v Italy(2B)
Update after Group A completed (teams in bold guaranteed):
Spain(1B) v Slovakia(3E)
Germany(1A) v Denmark(2C)
Portugal(1F) v Hungary(3A)
France(2D) v Belgium(2E)
Romania(1E) v Slovenia(3C)
Netherlands(1D) v Turkey(2F)
England(1C) v Austria(3D)
Switzerland(2A) v Italy(2B)
Update after Group B completed (teams in bold guaranteed):
Spain(1B) v Slovakia(3E)
Germany(1A) v Denmark(2C)
Portugal(1F) v Hungary(3A)
France(2D) v Belgium(2E)
Romania(1E) v Slovenia(3C)
Netherlands(1D) v Turkey(2F)
England(1C) v Austria(3D)
Switzerland(2A) v Italy(2B)
Not much changes - only Italy confirms their place tonight.
Croatia aren't done yet - but they are relying on us beating Slovenia 3-0 or by four clear goals tomorrow (plus a few other silly results go their way).
Update after Group D completed (teams in bold guaranteed):
Spain(1B) v Slovakia(3E)
Germany(1A) v Denmark(2C)
Portugal(1F) v Hungary(3A)
France(2D) v Belgium(2E)
Romania(1E) v Slovenia(3C)
Austria(1D) v Turkey(2F)
England(1C) v Netherlands(3D)
Switzerland(2A) v Italy(2B)
Update after Group C completed (teams in bold guaranteed):
Spain(1B) v Slovakia(3E)
Germany(1A) v Denmark(2C)
Portugal(1F) v Hungary(3A)
France(2D) v Belgium(2E)
Romania(1E) v Slovenia(3C)
Austria(1D) v Turkey(2F)
England(1C) v Netherlands(3D)
Switzerland(2A) v Italy(2B)
Update after Group E completed (teams in bold guaranteed):
The final group games have been turgid, whereas in the last World Cup they were brilliant. I think it’s largely down to this format with third placed teams going through.
Really don't remember the Group Stages being so conservative three years ago - Looking at the 3rd place teams from Euro 2020.
Three ended up with 4-pts, so all drew one game Three ended up with 3-pts, each getting one win
This time round
Two have 4-pts... One win / one draw One has 3-pts... Three draws One has 3-pts... One win / two draws (May go out) One has 2-pts... Two draws One has 1-pt... One draw, but play tonight.
So teams have been more shit? - More cagey this time around. Dont think its necessarily the format thats the problem, more the fact that H2H is the first tie-breaker. Meaning your f**ked if you lose to said team early on in the Group Stages.
The final group games have been turgid, whereas in the last World Cup they were brilliant. I think it’s largely down to this format with third placed teams going through.
Having only 8 teams going home out of 24 teams is a joke with the 6 group format.
Romania/Slovakia, great game (despite the late monsoon) played at pace and in good spirit, and at the end all the fans and the players joyfully enjoying the moment in total contrast to the England players and fans
I m o the standard of football, the officiating and player as well as fan behaviour has been super, all thoroughly enjoyable, excluding perhaps Group C ??
From the games I’ve seen, Slovakia have looked better than the Dutch. They’ve been shite.
With the 3rd place rule, it does seem like the lesser teams are happy picking up draws and the bigger teams are just going through the motions. I expect better performances from teams in the knockouts.
I'd be happy to play the Dutch. Depay is the only attacking threat, unless you count the giant lump Weghorst, and their defence which was meant to be the best in the competition hasn't convinced either.
Comments
Not that they look very threatening.
Will wake up again for the Last 16 though I'm sure.
Spain(1B) v Slovakia(3E) OR 3F
Germany(1A) v Denmark(2C)
Portugal(1F) v Hungary(3A) OR Slovenia(3C)
France(2D) v Belgium(2E)
Romania(1E) v Slovenia(3C) OR Netherlands(3D)
Austria(1D) v 2F
England(1C) v Netherlands(3D) OR Slovakia(3E)
Switzerland(2A) v Italy(2B)
Slovakia* will play the same as Serbia, Slovenia etc
Three ended up with 4-pts, so all drew one game
Three ended up with 3-pts, each getting one win
This time round
Two have 4-pts... One win / one draw
One has 3-pts... Three draws
One has 3-pts... One win / two draws (May go out)
One has 2-pts... Two draws
One has 1-pt... One draw, but play tonight.
So teams have been more shit? - More cagey this time around. Dont think its necessarily the format thats the problem, more the fact that H2H is the first tie-breaker. Meaning your f**ked if you lose to said team early on in the Group Stages.
Having only 8 teams going home out of 24 teams is a joke with the 6 group format.
Have 8 groups of 4 and only the top 2 go through.
More games to watch🤦🏻♀️
I m o the standard of football, the officiating and player as well as fan behaviour has been super, all thoroughly enjoyable, excluding perhaps Group C ??
Least England should notice its not personal
- Georgia beat Portugal or
- Czech Republic beat Turkey by 1-2 goals or
- Georgia beat Portugal and Czech Republic beat Turkey
Otherwise, England v Netherlands
If Czechia or Georgia win, they go on 4-pts and KO Hungary
With the 3rd place rule, it does seem like the lesser teams are happy picking up draws and the bigger teams are just going through the motions. I expect better performances from teams in the knockouts.
Edit - caught napping too! 🤣
As it stands:
Spain v Georgia
Germany v Denmark
Portugal v Slovenia
France v Belgium
Romania v Netherlands
Austria v Turkey
England v Slovakia
Switzerland v Italy