Euro 2020

[Oldstripy]

I suspect a couple of Danes associated with Notts will be very happy this evening, I wonder if the were in Amsterdam to watch the game.

[countygump]

Wanting Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland to win is on a par with wanting Forest to win IMO.

Nah, that's the equivalent of wanting Germany to win.

[jackal2]

I suspect a couple of Danes associated with Notts will be very happy this evening, I wonder if the were in Amsterdam to watch the game.

Probably just as well that our resident Welshman, Connell Rawlinson already signed his new contract! Wouldn't want him to be making a decision when he was peed off with the Danes!

[jackal2]

I'm surprised this Italy v Austria game has gone into extra time, I thought Italy would walk it. Team of the tournament for me, at least until tonight. Maybe they've peaked to soon!

... or then again, maybe not!

[Killerkline]

I'm surprised this Italy v Austria game has gone into extra time, I thought Italy would walk it. Team of the tournament for me, at least until tonight. Maybe they've peaked to soon!

... or then again, maybe not!

They may or may not go on to prove their a good side. I suspect they’ll fall short, probably in the next round. They’ve come through a very mediocre group and made hard work of Austria, credit to Austria for that.

I’ll be glad when they go out, not because I dislike them. But, because I’m fed up of hearing that their unbeaten in 30(?) games. Who have they played in those 30 games?

Rant over!

[countygump]

I'm surprised this Italy v Austria game has gone into extra time, I thought Italy would walk it. Team of the tournament for me, at least until tonight. Maybe they've peaked to soon!

... or then again, maybe not!

Decent match. Austria did really well, especially 2nd half. They scored a goal that was just a shade offside. Now if that goal had been allowed to stand? Who knows what would have happened.

[Notts78]

They may or may not go on to prove their a good side. I suspect they’ll fall short, probably in the next round. They’ve come through a very mediocre group and made hard work of Austria, credit to Austria for that.

I’ll be glad when they go out, not because I dislike them. But, because I’m fed up of hearing that their unbeaten in 30(?) games. Who have they played in those 30 games?

Rant over!

Completely agree. People all over the media and various platforms have got carried away with Italy. I think they are an OK side but would put a number of teams ahead of them in terms of Euro 2021 winners. 2 of them play each other tonight with one playing Italy in the 1/4 final.

[drillerpie]

They may or may not go on to prove their a good side. I suspect they’ll fall short, probably in the next round. They’ve come through a very mediocre group and made hard work of Austria, credit to Austria for that.

I’ll be glad when they go out, not because I dislike them. But, because I’m fed up of hearing that their unbeaten in 30(?) games. Who have they played in those 30 games?

Rant over!

That is the thing about coming out of the groups and into the knockout rounds. It's like horses when they win a race by a mile but then fail to 'frank' that form in a tougher field.

Italy beat Turkey, Switzerland and Wales, but Turkey were statistically the worst team in the tournament, Wales got crushed by Denmark, and now Italy have just squeezed through against Austria.

By that logic, France should wipe the floor with Switzerland!

[jackal2]

What has surprised me with Italy is the vibrancy of their play. Over the years I've come to expect Italy teams to be defensive and often quite boring to watch, grinding out results but rarely topping the entertainment ratings. This team seems to be far more willing to play fast, attacking football while still remaining reasonably solid at the back, and I give Mancini credit for that. It may well be that they have had relatively easy opposition and will lose in the coming rounds to a team with better quality players overall, but football is about entertainment and I've found this Italy team a surprisingly good watch.

[Notts78]

What has surprised me with Italy is the vibrancy of their play. Over the years I've come to expect Italy teams to be defensive and often quite boring to watch, grinding out results but rarely topping the entertainment ratings. This team seems to be far more willing to play fast, attacking football while still remaining reasonably solid at the back, and I give Mancini credit for that. It may well be that they have had relatively easy opposition and will lose in the coming rounds to a team with better quality players overall, but football is about entertainment and I've found this Italy team a surprisingly good watch.

It’s easier to be entertaining when you have absolute confidence you will win the game. Let’s see if they are vibrant against Belgium or Portugal in the next game.