Euro 2020 Thread (11th June-11th July)

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Starts in under a week. Might be a fun summer of football to lift the gloom of the previous 12 months.

Groups:

Full Schedule:

Outright Odds:

Portugal to defend their title? France to go one better? Germany return to prominence? Belgium finally get it right? England bring football home? Or will Scotland shock the world?

[alfie]

Italy. Guess they have been the best team through the six games overall

If that’s the case, just emphasises how poor the tourney has been. Italy were woeful tonight, terrible v Austria, and lukaku’s misses let Italy off v Belgium.

Distinctly average side, for me. Pace ruins Italy, and we have that in abundance.

I probably should have said "better" of these two teams , over the total minutes played in six games

Wouldn't claim they've been anything special : but they have conceded very few goals (yeah , lucky at times , but still) and managed to keep winning. It's hardly a surprise they are in the final.

If England can win convincingly tomorrow I think they will have a good case for being the "best" team overall.

Which of course won't mean much when it comes to a showdown...

Getting ahead of myself. Let's concentrate on beating the Vikings first.

[Duty281]

Italy will be very tough for England to beat. They've got the physical presence and high quality from Bonucci/Chiellini to dominate Kane (worth remembering that, like Henry, Kane rarely turns up in big games); they will likely deprive England of possession and win the midfield battle; their wide attackers will keep England's full-backs busy so little extra support for Sterling and Saka/Sancho (if they play).

Stylistically, it's a nightmare for England. England would have sorted out Spain with no drama. But Italy are immensely tough to beat, it's why they haven't lost a football game since September 2018.

Denmark won't have a prayer against them. Their attacks will be dispelled with ease. But England do have a chance (maybe a 40% one) because they have such magic in their front-line, though it will be tough.

Got to get to the final first, though. Beat the Vikings, yes, like in 878, 1066 and 2002. Southgate the great.

[JDizzle]

Why any keeper would ever dive early on a Jorginho penalty is beyond me.

[Duty281]

The rumour mill seems to indicate that Southgate is on the verge of going with an unchanged XI for the first time in yonks, the only possible change being Saka over Sancho. Otherwise completely the same with a back four and Mount retaining his spot over Grealish.

Despite England's dismal record at semi-finals, one win out of six if the Nations League is included, I'm very confident of England's chances at this one. Like England Denmark have also only won the one semi-final, while losing two others.

[alfie]

Rumour mill not infallible but I won't be surprised if that is correct.

I noted your preference for Trippier over Walker , Duty : have to say it was also something I was contemplating. Looked back at a report on the losing semi against Croatia and indeed Trippier was voted England's best in the match . Suggests he is one for the big occasion , perhaps ? But I don't really expect him to start unless they revert to the back five...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Happy England make the Euros final day to all

[Duty281]

Rumour mill not infallible but I won't be surprised if that is correct.

I noted your preference for Trippier over Walker , Duty : have to say it was also something I was contemplating. Looked back at a report on the losing semi against Croatia and indeed Trippier was voted England's best in the match . Suggests he is one for the big occasion , perhaps ?  But I don't really expect him to start unless they revert to the back five...

Yes, I'm not expecting Trippier to start unless it's a back five, which looks unlikely. Overall I think Trippier makes fewer errors than Walker and is a more competent defender - against Ukraine Walker made two errors which could have been punished by better attacks, and the Walker/Stones combo looks the weakest part of England defence, which is concerning when Denmark's best attacking play comes down their left (England's right) flank. Walker is the better attacker of the two, but he's rarely been getting forward this tournament so I don't think that factor counts for a great deal.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Absorbing technical clash that one. Good standard of football, shame it's going to the lucky dip.

I enjoyed every minute of it, fantastic game of football. Given that a place in the final was I'd stake, I'd say it's the best match I've seen in the tournament, with France v Switzerland running it close, and the Netherlands v Ukraine third.

[BamBam]

I think Walker's recovery pace is probably more useful to us with two relatively slow centre backs.. I thought Trippier or James would have taken his place by now, but in the big game I think he'd still be my pick

[Soul Requiem]

I think Walker's recovery pace is probably more useful to us with two relatively slow centre backs.. I thought Trippier or James would have taken his place by now, but in the big game I think he'd still be my pick

This is a two edged sword somewhat though. Walker tends to be at fault positionally so he's bailing himself out whereas Trippier is positionally very good which you'd expect from a Simeone full back. It results in Walker doing more eye catching work.

[Duty281]

Seems to be widespread confirmation now that Southgate will make just the one change for tonight's fixture, with Saka coming in for Sancho.

[GSC]

I think it's probably just about the right call, Sancho and Walker is a pretty open right flank, helps dampen it down a bit. Might be a half time hook based on the Germany game

[Duty281]

England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Phillips; Sterling, Mount, Saka; Kane.

Denmark: Schmiechel; Christensen, Kjaer, Vestergaard; Stryger, Hojbjerg, Delaney Maehle; Braithwaite, Dollberg, Damsgaard.

England as expected with Sancho making way for the fit-again Saka, no DCL on the bench. Happy enough with that selection and tactical shape. Denmark unchanged from the win over the Czechs. Nice to have an air of continuity about the sides.

England win and they're in their first final since 1966. No pressure then!

Going for England to win 2-1 in 90 minutes. This defence has to concede at some point. Kane to score at the other end with Stones/Maguire to notch another from a set-piece.

Will be England's toughest test of the tournament so far.

[Duty281]

Interesting to observe Kane playing a lot deeper, like he has at Tottenham this season; in this tournament up to now he's been a classic number 9. Denmark haven't had a lot of ball, but England's defence is looking typically jittery when they do have it.

Should also have been a FK inside the area early on for England, but the referee didn't spot the backpass.

[alfie]

England looking good going forward but a bit shaky in defence...

Danes might be dangerous in the air as this goes on.

[Guest]

England finally being tested

[Guest]

What a goal

England being exposed

[Duty281]

Yep, England not responding well to the test at the moment. The midfield pair of Phillips and Rice getting bypassed with ease.

Saka's a real battler, but not getting any support from Walker when he's in possession.

0-1 Damsgard. I noted he could score rockets, what a hit!

Now a real test of England and Southgate's mettle.

[alfie]

Could see that coming...

Been a long time not conceding but not much Pickford could do with that.

Was a silly free kick to give away. Got a bit of work to do now.

[Samo]

Not a keeper in the world saving that.

[Guest]

Not a keeper in the world saving that.

Middle of the goal

Small arms Pickford was terrible. England being exposed as an average side

[Duty281]

England in panic mode. Throwing far too many forward. There's 53 minutes left!

1-1

Kane playing deeper is a fantastic tactical shift, working so far. Sterling missed a good chance just before that, he didn't get the luck on that finish like with the one v Croatia.

[Guest]

1-1 Kjaer og

[alfie]

Sterling

Great work from Saka. 1 -1.

[Guest]

Get Mount off second half. Awful, and anonymous.

[Soul Requiem]

Pickford is terrible, his errant passing invited the pressure in the first place and then at fault for the goal. Pope is saving that.

[owen10ozzy]

Rice...Phillips & Mount are passengers...

First two sit so deep that Denmark have complete control of the midfield. And Mount for all the talk is not creative enough to give them anything to worry about when he picks the ball up so they can essentially just leave him free.

Defence as has been stated look nervous, highlighted by two stupid free kicks given away in build up to the Danes goal.

He wont do it but if i was Southgate would be looking to make a change to try and get some control in the midfield. Shaw and Walker are far too narrow, the former particularly.

I make the Danes favourite from here unless some changes are made...England havent shown a massive ability to move through the gears in this tournament (except against a poor Ukraine) & unless they do then this game will get away from them

[Duty281]

Mad old half we all need to calm down, I think!

I know England got a equaliser pretty quickly, but I didn't actually like the way they responded to going a goal down. They seemed to engage panic mode early on, could have gone 0-2 down to a Danish counter-attack, but a lovely pass from Kane and strong cross from Saka got the ball over the line. If England go behind early in the second half they have to be calmer.

Kane's playing fantastically in that slightly deeper role, trying to draw out the Danes and allow Saka and Sterling to make the diagonal runs. Sterling and Shaw working the left flank brilliantly. Would like to see Phillips make more forward runs, too.

Mount's been ineffectual, again. Grealish must come on for him as soon as possible. Grealish is a match-winner who changes games, Mount hasn't done that so far (and doesn't look like doing so). Henderson also needs to come in for Rice to add experience, quality and composure.

Danes look good in possession, especially down that expected left flank. When England played Croatia, I felt if Croatia were braver in the second half - pushed up a few yards, closed down England quicker etc. - that they could dominate the game. They didn't and suffered for it. Denmark have a similar opening, if they're courageous enough.

[alfie]

OK actually an own goal ...but the poor defender couldn't do anything to avoid it. Excellent work by Kane and Saka to set that up.

Relief to see England reacted well to falling behind. Liked Southgate's"keep it calm" gestures on the sidelines in the minutes after the Danish goal.

More goals in this match I think. Still fancy England as they are getting into the area quite a lot and you'd think they would hope to score again : but when the Danes get on the quick counterattack they are making me very nervous - and also rattling England's defenders.

Good match again.

[Duty281]

Maguire on a yellow and he looks pretty wound up. Could be problematic...

[alfie]

Maguire on a yellow and he looks pretty wound up. Could be problematic...

Yes he needs to calm down. Might be a bit unlucky with that yellow but have to suck it up.

Previous red against Denmark might be preying on his mind I guess.

[Guest]

Phillips and Rice have no control

[owen10ozzy]

Englands midfield is horrendous!!! Absolutely nothing offering...

And when we do attack its a front 3 and no other players. This insistence on 2 holding midfielders and a guy who isnt a number 10 really will cost us.

[Duty281]

Magic save from Kasper.

[Duty281]

Rice gives the ball away then misses a simple interception. England starting to become reliant on the big punt as Denmark fence them in.

Time for Southgate to make the right calls and earn his corn.

[owen10ozzy]

Agreed Duty;

Luck of the draw and running into an era where national teams are generally pretty average comparative to past generations....now is the time to show he has the tactical nous to get this game under control and England into the final. He and er will never have a better chance.

Oh my god...two holding midfielders and neither can win the ball...

Mount...chooses the wrong option....Grealish in those positions scores or assists

[alfie]

Lively last five minutes... Think Mount might have done better there.

But they're putting some sustained pressure on Denmark after not having much ball for a while.

Expect Grealish on soon.

[Duty281]

Pleased that Damsgard is off, one of Denmark's livelier attacking threats.

Time for Grealish, Saka making way.

[owen10ozzy]

Wow...Saka off....

Southgate...clueless. Take off our brightest player...leave on a midfielder who has done nothing! Reckon Saka could have just gone into Mounts role and hed have fone better

[Duty281]

Rubbish refereeing. Kane wins the ball and gets stepped on.

Would like Foden to get on for Mount. Anyone, in fact, on for Mount would do. Sterling's looking quite tired, also, few heavier touches.

[alfie]

Can't see England scoring from a set piece against this lot. Need to get in behind.

Tiring legs out there. Mistakes could settle this one way or the other. Need to make the next chance count...

[owen10ozzy]

Keeping subs for E.T. is great....but that assumes we get to extra time!

Even if we get through we dont beat Italy...they are on a par in terms of starting XI but have a much better manager who is far more tactically astute.

[Duty281]

England the braver side, dominating possession and territory, but unable to create the chance to win this semi-final.

Rubbish in-game management from Southgate once again. Just one change in the 90 and that was likely a pre-planned one. No reaction to the game in front of him. Sterling tired and mostly ineffectual for the last 25-30 minutes. Mount anonymous for pretty much the full 90. Midfield frequently overran.

No point in a brilliant bench if you let them get splinters and don't use the options available. Sancho, Foden, Rashford, Henderson...game-changers, options most managers at this tournament would have in their starting XI, all ignored by Southgate.

England should be aiming to win this without penalties. Denmark have pulled up the drawbridge. Make the changes. Win the game.

[Guest]

Danes look physically done now. England been pretty poor, but we knew an increase in the quality of the opposition, would expose that.

Mount and two holding midfields still. Criminal

[alfie]

So . Extra time it is. Nervy stuff.

England dominated that last twenty minutes ...ounce of luck and they'd have had this. Have to start again though now.

Denmark have made a lot of substitutions already . Might be an advantage now for England - if Southgate makes the right moves.

Still not predicting ...

[owen10ozzy]

Dreaded ET....

Horrible record for anything ET & Pens....

On the bright side...got control of the game. Now just have to seize it!

Bring off Rice and put on James...push walker across and get Shaw & James attacking more. Create space in the middle for Kane and Grealish to operate in!

Take Mount off and put Foden on and Sancho for Sterling.

That wins us the game

[Duty281]

It's going to pens. Southgate subs himself on. Scores the winning penalty. Written in the stars.

[owen10ozzy]

WHAT ON EARTH!!!

MOUNT STILL ON THE BLOODY PITCH!

SOUTHGATE CLUELESS....! WIN OR LOSE THAT DOESNT CHANGE!!!

[owen10ozzy]

Shock horror no one there to follow!

Everything thats wrong with Southgates mentality in that moment!

[Duty281]

Why make a change a few minutes after the resumption? Why wait? You've obviously decided you're going to do it, so why not straight away?!

Decent chance for Kane, Kasper made a slight meal of it.

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