In the Summertime, When the Weather is Fine | UEFA Euro 2012 | Poland/Ukraine

great write-up on The World's Best Left-Back™

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...easure-who-would-easily-grace-a-World-XI.html

Yes, apart from the stuff about the 'excellent Leighton Baines'... his brother, presumably

You know it's a berth wide on the right, and not a wide berth on the right, right?

Be quiet, small fry!!!

It's fine, I have the pace of a bag of chips, so I couldn't play there either!

Winning two trophies this year made everyone forget that Cole was pretty poor for much of the season. If we combing through the gameday threads we could find almost everyone bitching about him. He did well down the stretch but I hope he's more consistent (in a good way) next season.

Though it does help that we now have a great left back Waiting in the Wings.

That's certainly true, but there are two counterpoints. First, he's now 31 and needs more rest than we've given him. Bertrand's promotion is going to be great for us, since it will keep Ashley fit longer. Second, the whole team often played like shit under AVB, so lots of players had a miserable first half of the season. Frank, Drogba, Ashley, Terry and Cech are the ones that especially spring to mind. Mata was excellent under AVB, but that's because that sort of formation and style of play was more suitable for him and we hadn't worn him out yet.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...acism-says-Uefa-president-Michel-Platini.html

Gotta love the bit that says...

"For us, the Uefa system is three strikes and you're out," he said. "Fine and then another fine and then a ban or forcing teams to play behind closed doors.

How many times have players been abused in places like Spain? I remember the England squad fellas in particular suffering from it. They're gonna kick Spain out of the competition, are they? Well, good luck with that mate

Even better was (from Platini):

"How can you say outside the stadium, 'He's a racist – he can't come in, he's not a racist – he can come in'? You can't do it."

Well... you can, if it's based on decent evidence. The guy talks about English football making great strides with its social problems, then acts like he's never heard of a banning order.

My guess is that if a fan comes to the stadium with a banana, some crackers and maybe a juice box; he's probably good to go. A fan that comes in with 5 or 6 bananas and the same for his friends...er, I may see an issue with this....

What if he has a shitload of celery?

Always get the strangest urge to watch Victory the night before a big tournament.

http://imgur.com/a/0Ziph


Some great posters I thought (though Cech with that stare kinda frightens me).

Does he really need the head-gear for photo-shoots? I mean, that's like wearing shin-pads to a trophy presentation after a match that you didn't even play in.

How much time will the players get for a midyear break? After a long season and the Euros ... and preseason just around the corner.

Players involved in the Euros, especially ones who may go deep into the tournament, will be given a longer break than those who are not involved. Wouldn't surprise me if quite a few regulars aren't involved with the US Tour.

Good, we can see Marin in action.

anyone doing euro fantasy manager/got league set up? looking to join one if there is one set up. pm.

Lalas must be thinking to himself, "So thats a real footballer looks like in that seat."

We're a few minutes away.........from arguably the most boring game ever to start an exciting tournament. Definitely not skipping work for this one. At least Czechs Russia might be interesting.

Poland should play attractive footy...what they can do vs Greece is another story.

The Poles look like they're up for this and are throwing people forward.

i'll be rooting for poland to advance, would be nice if a home team could advance.

they're not my pick to win, or rooting to win, but i still wouldn't mind seeing them do well.

GO POLAND GO