2024 Euros in Germany

[Charger]

But how do you translate that "fastest loser" into footsy? I doubt there would be a situation where there would be 4 teams that would have different points..and most likely there would still be more than 4 teams that would have 3 points...in the end it wouldn't really solve anything....

Anyways Portugal is struggling a bit...although it is quite evident that the ref is very much against them...I haven't seen that yet in these games that the ref favours one team over the other but here that seems to be the case.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Turkey and Georgia both won, to join Portugal in the next phase.

The line up for the Group of 16 is

Saturday
Switzerland vs Italy
Germany vs Denmark

Sunday
England vs Slovakia
Spain vs Georgia

Monday
France vs Belgium
Portugal vs Slovenia

Tuesday
Romania vs Netherlands
Austria vs Turkey

It's nice to see some of the less fancied teams are through... but this really is as far they go (famous last words )

France vs Belgium is probably the standout tie (FIFA Ranked 2 and 3 respectively)!

[Charger]

^^^
Belgium's FIFA ranking hasn't been representetive of the team in years. They've always been high on the rankings but their actual level has always been waaaaaay lower...as it is again. It shows that those rankings can be pretty damn off!
That being said, yes I do believe that France - Belgium is probably the most even matched of all games here in this stage....So many "weaker" countries advanced this time around.


So quarter final time!

Today we have

Switzerland vs Italy

and

Germany vs Denmark


The swiss played pretty solid in the opening rounds...Italy on the otherhand wasn't exactly oozing confidence...So this could be a tight one. Italy's lacking offence and the swiss have a very strong defence...to I wouldn't be overly surprised if this ended up all the way to the penalties...either that or one goal victory for Italy.


The lucky Danes haven't been quite as super lucky as they have in the past tournaments which is nice...but they did get super lucky to advance...3 ties only....frankly they shouldn't even be here.
Germany was very strong, much stronger than I expected in fact...so they have the clear advantage here. Although Denmark might just park that bus at the 20m line and Germany will struggle to get through as happened with the Swiss game...so I'm expecting a very low goal match here as well...but I do believe germany will win this one.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I had almost forgotten it was starting up again today!!

Switzerland vs Italy

Neither side excites this time around. Yes it could go all the way to penalties, but agreed if either team wins in normal play it will be the Italians by the odd goal.

Germany vs Denmark

Yes, this is far as Denmark go, a comfortable win for Germany here.

[Charger]

Italy is really struggling now...they can't get anything done here...The swiss on the otherhand are playing very well!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

The Swiss have played really well, and may regret not getting more than the one goal. The Italians haven't shown up. BUT, they've come back in all their games so far so I wouldn't rule out a come back here too.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Italy showed a little more endeavour in the second half, but it was too little too late. The Swiss scoring a second within 30 seconds of the restart really was nail in Italy's coffin.

Well played the Swiss... knocking the holders out!

[Charger]

Yeah...horrible game from Italy...But honestly I don't mind at all...glad to see Italy fall...

First bit of a surprise group heading to the semi finals!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I won't see the Germany/Denmark game... the girlfiend isn't interested iN football!!

[Charger]

That was unfortunate as it was quite a match!

Lots of happenings... Massive thunder/hail storm, offside goals, penalty kick and more....Very entertaining match eventhough Denmark was totally out of it for the most part...and Germany was very strong...bit of a miracle that it only ended 2-0...could have been 4-0 quite easily!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I did see the last 25minutes or so, so I got to see the second goal.

I understand there was some controversy with the penalty but I've still not seen it. If the last part was anything to go by I suspect it was quite comfortable for the Germans.

[Charger]

It was a clear penalty...The hand was in an unnatural position and he made himself bigger...pretty clear cut case as far as I can see.


England vs Slovakia

England has been playing with the handbrake on so far, now it's time to hit the gas...even though it's "just" Slovakia Tie is not an option here! England has to win...and frankly they should.

Spain vs Georgia

Georgia did manage to pull of an absolute miracle by winning Portugal but Spain has been absolutely stellar so even though Georgia is going to park that bus again and will try to kill the game entirely Spain is talented (and fast) enough to break through.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

England vs Slovakia

We are so desperate for England to remember how to play football! They've defended fine but seem to forget how to attack... hopefully the all of nothing nature of the game means they pick up the pace. I do think we should win, but not on penalties... we never win on penalties!

Spain vs Georgia

Georgia have exceeded expectations, Spain have looked good. I can't see Spain not winning easily.

[Charger]

YIKES!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Yikes Indeed!

They have to come out and play in the second half... cause it's a flight home otherwise!