let me see, in the quarter-finals, Spain gets to play Austria, a team not even ranked in the top 20, where as England has to face off against France, the third top rated teams in the world, and one that they;ve never beaten before, and if they get by them, then they'll probably play 6 times defending champs, Germany so what's so terrible?
Normally, I'd say this is a great draw. But we just lost to Scotland FFS. If Scotland can beat us (granted they had a lot of fortune but still) then I imagine Austria will look at this matchup with glee.
Saw both games, well not really much to say on Engand as it was their second string, Portugal and Scotland did better than I expect...after ther terrible first game...both teams clearly are too inferior in terms of everything to pass Engand and Spain but football is also play with heart and power of will...and both teams have it. Spain very very disappointing, their main problems is the lack of strikers movement without the ball, no change of rhythm and that excesive narcissism that players with very high technical abiltites have.....basically they love to look at themselves in the mirror too often. But I feel like just like France that fear to be close to a catastrophic elimination actualy woke them up.
So let's get this straight: - Spain loses today to a horrible team (1-0) - Spain hasn't scored a goal in over 2.5 games in this Euro (since the 1st half vs. Portugal) - Spain finishes with 3 points (it's very rare a 2nd place team in the group only has 3 points) And despite this, they advance. And who are they rewarded from "all of this achievement above" as their knockout round match? Freaking Austria? LOL (This is just as bizarre as Denmark getting to the Semifinal in 2013 despite not achieving a single victory).
I'm very up for facing France and potentially Germany. It would be a real statement to the world to show how good we are.
You finished 3rd this year at SBC and last year you came 4th. Your FA spends almost twice as much as France or Germany. England field like almost the oldest squad in the entire tournament. Talents like Bright or Kirby are not recognized before they are already over 20. So how good do you think you are actually?
Just finished watching highlights from the games. I guess Scotland's coach's idea of starting Erin Cuthbert was wise. I had liked her a lot vs Portugal and I guess we'll heard again from the young FW in the future. I am quite sad for Portugal: judging from highlights only, it looks like maybe they could have deserved advancing better than Spain...
did not want to comment as this is the ladies thread but as this was $%&*$"£ post i had to reply 1984 semi 1996 QF 2000 semi 2004 runner up 2008 QF 2012 semi 2016 winner with one of the best midfield we have had in a while and personally the reason we won with Danilo Pereira William Carvalho Adrien Silva Pepe the best defender at the euros world player of the year in the team as well the group stage Portugal out played all three team apart from the ball hitting the back of the net and b4 you say we were lucky with the draw! BS IF WE HAD WON THE GROUP we would of been still in the same side of the bracket you have to blame Spain and England they fvked up in their groups if they had won them they would of been on the same side as Portugal and Croatia every one fav and belgium were there
I've only just got round to watching most of the England v Portugal game. The game was a second string but I do think it highlights how Sampson has been way too loyal to his favourites/older players. Laura Bassett in particular had a very tough outing and there were questions marks as to whether she should be in the squad. Considering Stoney is 35 and Potter can play centre back it's bemusing that another younger option was not selected in that squad position. That game could even end up becoming the last ever match for four or five players. Parris can't play the main forward role imo. Took a goal well but her hold up and link play isn't good enough. I would have played her wide and move Carney central. It seems to be a trait of Sampson's to player the more technical options wide though.
No, Spain HOUSED Portugal earlier in this tournament. They were possessing and running circles around them, and even finished a couple of goals. Both teams struggle in scoring. But at least Spain can out-play other teams on the pitch in nearly every other category. Portugal and Scotland were the two worst teams in this tournament. Scotland was the worst by far. Spain dominated Scotland in their victory over Spain. It was a major fluke. I will say this, Italy deserves to be in above Spain, but of course Italy was drawn into the Group of Death, while Spain was in the easiest group (Group of Fluff-Cake). Spain never would have gotten out in Group B. Italy would have finished above Portugal and Scotland in Group D, and would be advancing.
PLUS Spain had to play England's A team, while Portugal only their scrubs, So hence a bit unfair. But then again, Spain did get beat by a very under manned Scot team which was missing not just Little & Beattie, but English League scoring champ, Jane Ross, and probably wouldn't of made it out of the other 3 groups Sampson seems to be switch to different styles; I've seen him use a high press, but ten against Spain it looked like he parked the bus, & just for go the midfield for long air balls. Be interesting what he has in store for France, especially since that team is so attack minded