Belgium-Italy was the best match for sure, other than that its been decent but not great. Quality is clearly lacking, the likes of Russia/Ireland/Sweden don't belong in my local park let alone the Euros. Should get much better in the KO stage when quality is a bit higher.

From Gazzetta (and other sources):

http://www.gazzetta.it/calcio/europei/2016/italia/14-06-2016/italia-squadra-piu-vecchia-sempre-un-europeo-corre-piu-tutti-1501065111611.shtml

Italy's starting 11 against Belgium was the oldest 11 fielded in eurocup history (31 years 169 days) but it was also the team that ran the most with 119.7 km.

That said, here is a clip of Conte yelling "I will kill you!" to his players after conceding a clear chance to Belgium:

https://twitter.com/addictedtoCFC/status/742864755803623424

Conte

rincon wrote:
That said, here is a clip of Conte yelling "I will kill you!" to his players after conceding a clear chance to Belgium:

https://twitter.com/addictedtoCFC/status/742864755803623424

Conte

*GULP* makes you pause and realize that now, with the logistical connections and operational expertise of Abramovich at his disposal, he will be ACTUALLY able to kill his players if he decides so

Pray for Nemanja Matic

Pedro is getting punched in face every day and twice on Sunday I bet.

If Germany don't win this sorry excuse of a competition, we should shoot Löw into space with a rocket.

Yeah after eyeing the competition, our shoddy performances seem a lot less bad.

That being said, I still can easily imagine us failing horribly at basically any stage. But oh hell, everyone else is in just as sorry a state as we are, so we really should nick it, given this tremendous chance.

Don't know about anyone else but I actually really enjoyed the first round of matches. People had doubts about expanding the competition but these weaker teams - Iceland, Albania, Hungary, etc. - have been competitive and haven't rolled over at all for the traditional powerhouses. The quality might not be as high but the games have been entertaining.

We've had some good moments already, too. Hungary beating Austria, France's last minute goals, Russia's last min goal, Italy beating Belgium.

From a talent perspective it's revealing how no one really has a quality and well-functioning front-line, and how big a reliance there is currently on midfield talent. The best strikers play for Poland, Sweden and England and none of those teams will win the competition. I feel there's a shortage of quality defenders as well. Italy and Spain have great backlines but that's about it.

I guess that's why the smaller teams have been so competitive. A lack of top class attacking talent makes defending that little bit easier, whereas lower quality defences are more prone to errors and lapses in concentration.

Agreed fully.

Agree too
This Euro is like the PL. Everyone is equally 'good'

VivaStPauli wrote:Yeah after eyeing the competition, our shoddy performances seem a lot less bad.

That being said, I still can easily imagine us failing horribly at basically any stage. But oh hell, everyone else is in just as sorry a state as we are, so we really should nick it, given this tremendous chance.

Yes well exactly.
The only way we do NOT win this tournament is if we do really, really stupid stuff like playing Mario Götze as CF or Höwedes at right back

Hapless_Hans wrote:Yes well exactly.
The only way we do NOT win this tournament is if we do really, really stupid stuff like playing Mario Götze as CF or Höwedes at right back

Yeah but luckily we took the chance a few years back and sacked Löw, or else we surely would go into this with three CBs and no striker. That would really make me nervous.

VivaStPauli wrote:

Hapless_Hans wrote:Yes well exactly.
The only way we do NOT win this tournament is if we do really, really stupid stuff like playing Mario Götze as CF or Höwedes at right back

Yeah but luckily we took the chance a few years back and sacked Löw, or else we surely would go into this with three CBs and no striker. That would really make me nervous.

Tonight, probably Gomez will start, Kimmich will play RB, I won't be able to complain about the line up and then Poland will beat us.

Then, tomorrow morning at 7:30h sharp my doorbell will ring, I'll open the door sleepily and Jogi Löw will be standing in there, yelling "I told you so" in his Black Forest hillbilly voice.
He'll then put his hand in his pants to smear some ballsweat all over my doorhandle, and slowly go back down the stairs, walking backwards, still fixating me.

I really hope he starts Gomez upront and Kimmich at RB  because Gotze as striker is as aforementioned by me is truly retarded thing to do.
Also;
@ Hans
Stop fantasising about some mid age man fondling his balls

He's fantasizing about some middle-aged man fondling his own balls, to be fair.

Typo mistake. Am sure Hans understands.

Hapless_Hans wrote:Agree too
This Euro is like the PL. Everyone is equally 'good'

VivaStPauli wrote:Yeah after eyeing the competition, our shoddy performances seem a lot less bad.

That being said, I still can easily imagine us failing horribly at basically any stage. But oh hell, everyone else is in just as sorry a state as we are, so we really should nick it, given this tremendous chance.

Yes well exactly.
The only way we do NOT win this tournament is if we do really, really stupid stuff like playing Mario Götze as CF or Höwedes at right back

Don't see how you beat us regardless tbh.

What's wrong with Hans fantasizing about me? I'm sure he's not the only one *cough* rwo *cough*

P

Art Morte wrote:What's wrong with Hans fantasizing about me? I'm sure he's not the only one *cough* rwo *cough*

stahp it pervArt Morte

Two Spanish fans seriously injured in hospital after being attacked in Cologne by Russian ultras heading back from Marseille. Six arrested.

Art Morte wrote:What's wrong with Hans fantasizing about me? I'm sure he's not the only one *cough* rwo *cough*

I only fantasize about a certain cute Swiss goalie

Hapless_Hans wrote:If Germany don't win this sorry excuse of a competition, we should shoot Löw into space with a rocket.

Oh well. Guess I calculated the proverbial tab without the host here ^^, who in this story is Spain, not France.

Yeah they looked like they took care of their shortcomings.

http://www.espnfc.com/european-championship/0/blog/post/2896548/payet-bale-boateng-bonucci-iniesta-shining-at-euro-2016

So Bale is apparently shining at the Euro

WTF is this

https://twitter.com/DanielHarris/status/744282624693264384

RealGunner wrote:WTF is this

https://twitter.com/DanielHarris/status/744282624693264384

Dorks