Euro 2024

[Trollheart]

Yeah I saw it. BAM! Right against that guy's shoulder. They kept replaying it. Looked horribly painful. Belgium were shit, weren't they? It's opening up now. Weird looking tables in some of the groups.

[Trollheart]

TODAY'S MATCHES AND RESULTS


GROUP D
France 1 - 0 Austria


Netherlands still tops Group D, which is a surprise as France were more or less expected to overtake them, but as they only scored the single goal, Netherlands remain on top due to goal difference.

GROUP E

Romania 3 - 0 Ukraine
Belgium 0 - Slovakia 1

Romania top Group E, which very much is a surprise: Belgium were expected to head the group.

Tomorrow's matches

Only two matches tomorrow, both from Group F

Turkey v Georgia Expected outcome: Imagine the Turks will see off Georgia, though at the moment the way things are going, who knows? Prediction: 1-0 to Turkey.
Portugal v Czechia Expected outcome: The mighty Portugal should storm this one. Prediction: 4-0 Portugal


Controversies so far: Belgium shock by dropping 1-0 to the lowly Slovakia, a huge milestone for the Slovaks. Kylian Mbappe of France has his nose broken in an incident on the field (an accidental collision). France have two goals ruled out, one offside and one for handball. The latter decision is rife with controversy, placing us in the hands of the AI Gods of Football.

[jimmy jazz]

Interesting display of football violence and cuntery so far.

Turks and Georgians kicking the shit out of each other right now in the stadium.

I particularly liked the Serbians storming Albanians and English fans. Had gone all round the world and casual fans and know nothings had blamed England before the German police confirmed England fans had nothing to do with it and the Serbian FA has been charged.

50 odd Italians found with knives and paper bombs planning to attack Albanians too. That was kept very quiet for some reason.



I know I bang on about this, but just imagine 50+ English fans had done that.

[Trollheart]

You're right: credit where credit is due. Did you see the Paddypower ad with Danny Dyer? Fucking hilarious.

Balkan teams love kicking the shite out of each other, don't they? Lucky Russia isn't in the tournament!

[Trollheart]

TODAY'S MATCHES AND RESULTS

GROUP F

Turkey 3 - 1 Georgia
Portugal 2 - 1 Czechia


Turkey top Group F, something of an upset as Portugal were expected to be there, but are now second on goal difference.


Tomorrow's matches

Group A

Scotland v Switzerland. Expected outcome: ? Both teams are now fighting for their lives, so expect both to rise to the occasion, but only one can go through. Prediction: Not sure but it can't be a draw*, so let's support Scotland and give them a narrow win: 1-0 to Scotland.

Germany v Hungary. Expected outcome: you'd have to expect the Germans to triumph. Prediction: 3-1 to the Krauts.

Group B

Croatia v Albania. Expected outcome: Croatia should have the advantage here. Prediction: 1-0 to Croatia.


Controversies so far: Czechia score first in their game against Portugal, the football powerhouses not performing anywhere near as well as they need to, despite winning the match (one goal of their two was an own goal, the other coming in extreme extra time, two minutes before the end of four minutes added on). Turkey v Georgia, expected to be a pretty pedestrian match, turned out to be almost the best yet, real end-to-end stuff.

* Oh yes it can Trollheart you knob end!  And it was.

[jimmy jazz]

Turkey vs Georgia was definitely the best I've seen so far. Spice, goals, chances and the ending. Really good.

I think Scotland will lose again tomorrow but Croatia I agree with you on, except I think it'll be more than 1-0 to them.

[Trollheart]

TODAY'S MATCHES AND RESULTS

GROUP A

Scotland 1 - 1 Switzerland
Germany 2 - 0 Hungary

Germany top Group A and have already assured qualification on goal difference.

Group B

Croatia 2 - Albania 2


Spain remain top of Group B, and are more than likely shoo-in to qualify.


Tomorrow's matches

Group B

Spain v Italy Expected outcome: Repeat of the 2012 Euro Finals, so hard to say, but I think Spain should do it. Prediction: 2-0 Spain.


Group C

Slovenia v Serbia Expected outcome: could go either way. Serbia impressed against England (or perhaps it might be more accurate to say, England did not impress against Serbia, sorry JJ) so I would tend to go with them. Prediction: 1-0 to Serbia.

Denamrk v England Expected outcome: Denamrk were not very impressive in their first match. England may be able to take them. Prediction: 1-1


Another low-level (on paper) game, Croatia v Albania turned out to be our second thriller, with Albania scoring first, then Croatia levelling, going ahead and looking to have the victory before Albania scored a last-gasp equaliser, taking the heart out of Modric and Co. Superb. Scotland fought off a resilient Switzerland to grind out a - relatively unlikely, given their 5-1 thrashing by Germany - draw that leaves them in with a chance of still getting out of the group. A powerhouse performance, which left one of their team being stretchered off.

[jimmy jazz]

Cornish pasty > Danish pastry
Carling > Carlsberg
Coventry > Copenhagen

Come on England! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[Trollheart]

@jimmy jazz so long since I had a Cornish pasty! Can't get them here anymore. 

Aaannyway...

TODAY'S MATCHES AND RESULTS

GROUP B

Spain 1 - 0 Italy


Spain top Group A and have already assured qualification on goal difference.

Group C

Slovenia 1 - Serbia 1
England 1 - Denmark 1


England remain top of Group C and are assured of at least progressing, even if they don't end up going through at the top of the group (though they likely will).


Tomorrow's matches

Group D

Poland v Austria Expected outcome: dunno. Neither have fired on all cylinders so far. Probably a draw is the best we could expect here. Prediction: 1-1

Netherlands v France Expected outcome: France being one of the favourites, even with Mbappe's broken nose, they should triumph here. Netherlands are no slouches either, but failed to impress in their first match, whereas France were all over Austria, even if they only scored the one goal. Prediction: 2-0 France.


Group E

Slovakia v Ukraine Expected outcome: Ukraine were pretty dire against Romania, leading to the second-highest score in the tournament then or since. Should expect Slovakia to win. Prediction: 2-0 Slovakia.

Again, the "low-level" match was the one with the most excitement, Slovenia through until the very last second almost of extended time (actually longer; there were 5 minutes and Serbia scored in almost the seventh). A thrilling end to what looks to have been a great game, though I was out doing the shopping and missed virtually all of it. Boo me. England v Denmark was a tentative, edgy affair again and a draw was probably the best we were going to get. Neither team particularly distinguished themselves, with England's only goal coming from a mistake by Denmark, then Denmark's effort due to a mistake by England. Controversially, Southgate made a triple substitution of his best-known players - Kane, Foden and Saha. It didn't work. Spain v Italy was billed as a clash of titans but was a gigantic yawn, with Italy on the defensive for most of the time. Promised much but delivered little.

[jimmy jazz]

Serbia have threatened to leave the tournament because of racist chanting from Croatia and Albania fans.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cd110nzxwvko

The chant for those on X:

https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1803525994424496312

That is about as bad as it gets, not as if it was one or two. The majority of Croatia fans inside the ground clearly chanting "kill, kill, kill the Serbs"

[Trollheart]

Jesus. Well, we all remember Sarajevo right? Fucking hell: these people make the differences between out two countries look like a minor disagreement! So much for sport bringing everyone together!

[Trollheart]

TODAY'S MATCHES AND RESULTS

GROUP D

Poland 1 - 3 Austria
Netherlands 0 - 0 France


Netherlands top Group D and have already assured qualification. Poland become the first team to be eliminated.

Group E

Slovakia 1 - Ukraine 2


Romania top Group E, much to the surprise of the football community, who all expected Belgium to be there, not last, as they are currently.


Tomorrow's matches

Group E

Belgium v Romania Expected outcome: dunno. Belgium have failed to impress whereas Romania have been on fire and are currently topping the group. If the Belgians take the brakes off and remember to bring their shooting boots, could be a hell of a match. With no points (and everyone else the group having 3), no goals and a negative goal difference, if they don't turn it on they could be going home. Romania will want to retain their place at the top of the table and assure qualification, especially after Ukraine's surprise spurt against Slovakia. Prediction: 1-1, Belgium are on the plane home.

Group F

Georgia v Czechia Expected outcome: again hard to say. Both teams have been surprisingly impressive. Prediction 1-1

Turkey v Portugal Expected outcome: Portugal have to come good if they're going to retain their reputation in European football, though they're in a good position to go through anyway so with Turkey on top and not wanting to risk their position, maybe another nervy match? Prediction: 1-1

Two great matches, and neither were the one you'd have expected. Austria played Poland off the park, managing to knock them to the bottom of the table and making them the first team to go home, eliminated from the tournament. Ukraine, struggling against Slovakia and one goal down, came back in a quite unlikely turnaround and won the match. The "big match" between France and the Netherlands was mostly unremarkable, with some chances, but none taken, no real talking points and no goals. Le yawn!

[Trollheart]

TODAY'S MATCHES AND RESULTS

GROUP F

Georgia 1 - 1 Czechia
Portugal 3 - 0 Turkey

Portugal are top of group F, to nobody's surprise.

Group E

Belgium 2 - Romania 0


Romania top Group E, much to the surprise of the football community, who all expected Belgium to be there, though their performance tonight moves them into second place, so they should go through. An interesting point about this group is that every team in it, even the one on the bottom, has three points.


Tomorrow's matches

Group A

Scotland v Hungary Expected outcome: Scotland have ground to make up after their original thrashing by Germany in the opening match, while Hungary also suffered at the hands of the Germans, though while Scotland sort of redeemed themselves against Switzerland, Hungary rolled over (sorry) for the Swiss. Both teams have the same negative goal difference, with Hungary currently at the bottom of the table, so both will be eager to fight for their place. Prediction: 2-1 to Scotland.

Switzerland v Germany Expected outcome: Germany have already qualified top of their group, as expected, and may therefore field a slightly weakened team, in order to hold back their best players for the next round. Or not. Switzerland are already assured of going through, unless by some miracle Scotland score three or more goals, so a cagey affair is likely. Prediction: 1-1.


For the third or fourth time, a "small" match provided great entertainment, with Georgia and Czechia battling out a powerful 1-1 draw, in which it looked the latter team had the upper hand and would retain it, while for once a "big" match did not disappoint, as Portugal turned on the style, and while we have yet to see a Ronaldo goal, they, um, stuffed Turkey, showing why they are still regarded as one of the tourament's favourites, and still one of the best teams in Europe. Belgium finally turned on the style to steamroller over a shell-shocked Romania, one of their goals even coming from a badly-placed and badly dealt with backpass to the keeper, making it an own goal.

An interesting quirk of this tournament is that Belgium have so far had three goals ruled offside, and all scored by the same guy, Romelu Lukaku. Got to be some sort of unwanted record!

[FETCHER.]

I've not kept up with it too much because I was at Download festival.

The Scotland vs Germany game was on while we were watching bands, getting skudded 5-1 while you are in England is not ideal 😂.

[Trollheart]

At least they partially redeemed themselves in the next game. Tonight's will be crucial. To the skirl of the bagpipes! Or something. Fry up some haggis? Remember Robbie Burns? Arrest this man for racist remarks? What man? That rapidly-disappearing dot in the distance?