Euro 2012 - Group Stages

[Hoop Blah]

I'm not a Welbeck fan, and initially I thought the goal was an accident, but on watching the replay it's obvious he meant it.

He might not've been looking to use his heel, but he was certainly looking to direct it in between his legs so it doesn't really matter what part of the foot or leg he wanted to use, it went in and was a cracking finish in that position.

[Man Friday]

Wow, I didn't realise that some people still use the word "spastic" as an insult. Nice.

Classy, alongide 'Mong'. (Another chav-tastic phrase.)

[Man Friday]

Absolutely woeful performance from Young. Worst performance from an England player I can recall for many years. No redeeming moments at all.

Giving the ball away in our own half with just 30 seconds to go when simply shielding the ball was all that was required summed up his performance. Would have been better off playing with 10 men.

[TBM]

Which game is worth watching tonight?

I'm thinking the Poland v Czech game

[Ian Royal]

Hodgson has done very well with what he has, but one critisism, James Milner, i don't get it, i really don't get it, Adam Johnson must be scratching his head in disbelief, and Ashley Young, his form for United towards the end of the season, was dire, his England form has been similar, last nights game was crying out for pace, Walcott and the Ox should have come on earlier, that said, Walcott coming on, had the desired effect.

I agree with RR to a degree, you wouldn't have put money on either England or Sweden winning, based on last night, but England have a bit of guile about them at the moment, at 2-1 down, it was very easy to let your heads go down and fade away, which is what has happened in the past, but they showed a great deal of resilliance and that will increase your chances of winning games, the Ukraine team aren't going to roll over, they are a better side than the Swedes, should we get a result, it looks like Spain in the quarters, and there it ends.

Because with Gerrard in a two man midfield it would be inadvisable to play two lightweight wide players against decent teams? Milner is good utility player, he offers a bit going forwards, but is also defensively solid and hardworking. Perfect player to start the game wide for us right now.

[Ark Royal]

That was a spirited comeback and Welbeck's winner was definitely a brilliant bit of improvisation. But, as always England's problem is, and always will be, ball retention and spirit and hard work only takes us so far. We just give it away so much and at the rarefied levels of tournaments, the outcome is just inevitable. Looks like a park-the-bus operation against Spain awaits.

[Friday's Legacy]

Given's been Ireland's best pla- oh 4-0

[TBM]

Mark Bright is doing the co-commentary on the Russia/Greece game



Poland/Czech for me then

[Bumblebee]

Mark Bright is doing the co-commentary on the Russia/Greece game



Poland/Czech for me then

He's not that bad. I'm sticking with watching Russia.

[Ian Royal]

Poland for me. Mick McCarthy is always decent and it should be the better game. Especially now Czech's know they absolutely have to win now the Greek's have scored.

[TBM]

Why arent Greece currently top if it goes to head to head before GD?

[just some bloke]

Why arent Greece currently top if it goes to head to head before GD?

because it's a three-way head to head with Greece, Russia and the Czechs all on 3 points in the head to head mini league.

[TBM]

But Greece beating Russia should surely put them above them?

[just some bloke]

But Greece beating Russia should surely put them above them?

It's not just Greece and Russia though, mate. The Czechs also have the same number of points. The Czechs beat Greece but lost to Russia, so each of those wins cancels the others out.

[RFCSPACE]

But Greece beating Russia should surely put them above them?

It's not just Greece and Russia though, mate. The Czechs also have the same number of points. The Czechs beat Greece but lost to Russia, so each of those wins cancels the others out.

I get that between the 3, Russia won 4-1 so have better goal difference. But surely Czech beating Greece 2-1 is better than Greece beating Russia 1-0 due to goals scored?

[RFCSPACE]

But Greece beating Russia should surely put them above them?

It's not just Greece and Russia though, mate. The Czechs also have the same number of points. The Czechs beat Greece but lost to Russia, so each of those wins cancels the others out.

I get that between the 3, Russia won 4-1 so have better goal difference. But surely Czech beating Greece 2-1 is better than Greece beating Russia 1-0 due to goals scored?

Nvm, I got it. Czech has -2 goal difference to Greece 0.

Doy.

[just some bloke]

But Greece beating Russia should surely put them above them?

It's not just Greece and Russia though, mate. The Czechs also have the same number of points. The Czechs beat Greece but lost to Russia, so each of those wins cancels the others out.

I get that between the 3, Russia won 4-1 so have better goal difference. But surely Czech beating Greece 2-1 is better than Greece beating Russia 1-0 due to goals scored?

Read the rules:

http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Dow ... WNLOAD.pdf

First up is number of points between the teams equal on points. 3 each. That's equal for all three. Next up comes goal difference between the three teams. The Czechs lose out because they got hammered by Russia, who win the group because of the GD that 4-1 gave them. Greece basically fall through between the cracks. They're lucky, but if it stays 1-0 and 0-0 it's definitely them going through.

[TBM]

I understand now

[just some bloke]

I understand now

It's all academic now, TBM. All academic now.

[TBM]

I understand now

It's all academic now, TBM. All academic now.

NOW the Greece result against Russia comes in to play