Euro 2012 (Football)

[arthursmedley]

Wow! Just when I thought Sweden were taking control Shevchenko turns the game on it's head!!

[mazex]

Originally Posted by arthursmedley

Wow! Just when I thought Sweden were taking control Shevchenko turns the game on it's head!!

Amazingly bad play by Sweden that in a brute way reminded us that we are only 9 million so why the heck do we think we have anything to do there? A whole team wrapped around one star and the days when the Swedish organizational skills made a difference are gone... The only hope is that England has not beaten Sweden in like 40 years But France? Sigh...

[arthursmedley]

Originally Posted by mazex

... The only hope is that England has not beaten Sweden in like 40 years ...

Is it really that long? Uh oh.

Wait a minute......we beat you 1-0 last November!

[pupo162]

Originally Posted by mazex

Amazingly bad play by Sweden that in a brute way reminded us that we are only 9 million so why the heck do we think we have anything to do there? A whole team wrapped around one star and the days when the Swedish organizational skills made a difference are gone... The only hope is that England has not beaten Sweden in like 40 years But France? Sigh...

well there are only 10 million portuguese, and we do come up with some fightign material. this isnt our best team ever, but there are some remarkable players. Miss the figo, Deco and Goalkeaper Ricardo..... lol.... i trully enjoyed euro 2004

[Bewolf]

9 or 10 million people is plenty material to chose from.
It is just about how you train them and how the teams play together, tactics and philosophy.
And most certainly it is about the "will" to win.

[arthursmedley]

Originally Posted by Bewolf

9 or 10 million people is plenty material to chose from.
It is just about how you train them and how the teams play together, tactics and philosophy.
And most certainly it is about the "will" to win.

Thats why, with a population of over sixty million we're still crap.

[SEE]

I have watched every match, ....Russia, Spain, Italy and Germany (who always get better each round) are the teams that have impressed me so far. Shevchenko....what a hero, enjoyed seeing him score two. Holland should be there with the favourites but it just isn't happening for them at the moment but that could change.

The teams I am supporting are Greece and England (as I am Half Greek/English) but other than that I m strictly neutral and enjoying watching all the teams/matches.

[Al Schlageter]

Originally Posted by arthursmedley

Thats why, with a population of over sixty million we're still crap.

To many furiners in the EPL.

[arthursmedley]

Originally Posted by Al Schlageter

To many furiners in the EPL.

Well yes, I think this is part of the reason. The EPL is awash with TV money and teams have buying power which has pushed transfer deals and wages to absurd levels. The richest game in the world was not the Champions League final but a match played a few days before at Wembley. The play-off for the final promotion place to next years EPL. It's worth at least £80 million to the winner.
I think I read a statistic a couple of years ago when TV schedules allowed the whole EPL to play on a single Saturday afternoon; Out of 220 players only 32 were eligible to play for England. At least two teams did not field any English players at all that day. Many teams have poor youth development schemes as they can buy in decent players from abroad as the pool of English talent is over-priced and over-payed which leads us to;

Originally Posted by Bewolf

Dunno. England regulary makes the impression it has 11 primadonnas on the field, not a "team". The talent is there for sure.

Yes, because many English players have been treated as prima donnas since the age of fourteen. Playing well for the team is not as important as ensuring the individuals earning power is maintained.

[Bewolf]

Originally Posted by arthursmedley

Thats why, with a population of over sixty million we're still crap.

Dunno. England regulary makes the impression it has 11 primadonnas on the field, not a "team". The talent is there for sure.