Board 8 > Euro 2020 Topic 3

(+) Yeah! (+)

Happy for England but this is getting sad.

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Man I hope England aren't peaking here... I am a big believer in tournament pacing, so I wasn't too concerned about their indifferent performances up to this point as long as they got through. Just get ready for Denmark now!

Literally only one knockout game in my life where England have been this comfortable (Denmark 2002)

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Shevchenko might as well play himself.
England's confidence is going to be sky high heading into the next round.

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Ukraine's falling apart, that was a third goal of the exact same kind they failed to cover.

It has come to my attention that perhaps it's Danish media outlets that are annoying about England. The commentators are clearly cheering for them, which is fine, though don't be this blatant about it, but they also just trash talked Ukraine from before the match begun, outright saying they didn't belong in the top 8 at all, as if they never played well. That's annoying.

Contrats to England though! Definitely favorites against us, but they should not underestimate us. We put four against a much better looking Wales.

This probably doesn't end at 4 though.

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Well England have been generally favourites in every match they've played and if anything were overly cautious in their approach against a few sides.

So they clearly don't underestimate their opponents. In some ways I think it's the opposite where other countries expect England to have a mental block that sees them choke, when these specific players have gone through so much scrutiny already that they can handle all the pressure.

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Not expecting anyone on the pitch underestimating anyone.

Spectators on the other hand.


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*beats ze drum 8/9x* England!

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The Danish commentators (main channel isn't showing this, we have better) are simultaneously saying England is indescribably impressive by winning 4-0 in a quarter final while also saying Ukraine is a horrible team that doesn't deserve here and this is their worst performance on top of that. I don't quite think it can be both.

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It seems like isn't not really possible to get Danish fans to Wembley, that's quite a shame.

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Denmark will be a huge test. This is the part the last squad fluffed their lines.

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To anyone underestimating the magnitude of that win: it was England's most comfortable, comprehensive win in a knockout game *ever*. England have never removed nerves and simply cruised through like that. Denmark 02 is the only one even close in 60 years of tournaments.

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*dances Nobby's dance if it is a thing*

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Like I said, it's coming home lads.

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if youre English - enjoy the ride. I know its hard to but save a little piece of yourself to just happily enjoy this.

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Ive been watching a lot of Copa this year. Man there is so much drama in South America.

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metaIslug posted...

But for real, what's up with that Wembley stadium thing? UEFA looking hella sus

I can see the reasoning behind it. Kinda keeps it fair for the final 4 teams to be based in the same area instead of flying all over Europe. Originally it was between England and Germany to host the semi/final but Germany pulled out to host Euro 2024 instead.

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Originally, England was supposed to only have the semi-finals and finals IIRC.

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The whole format was a joke. Especially having venues in Russia (who only just had the WC) and Baku.

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Some fun with stats as we look forward to the semi-finals!

Denmark is tied for second most goals with 11 (same as Italy, Spain is in first with 12). Belgium is fourth with 9. Remove extra time and we're first, while none of them are penalties, many being from outside the box.

Denmark has 90 attempts, behind only Italy with 101 and Spain with 95. Switzerland is a distant fourth with 69. The same four are leading in attacks. Spain has 365, Italy 269, Denmark 251 and Switzerland 210.

This is again despite Spain and Switzerland playing an hour more and Italy playing half and hour more.

Denmark then had the most successful dribbles of any team with 86. Next are Italy's 83, France's 77 and then Belgium's 72.

Our offensive stats are ridiculously good this tournament. Plus, it's almost unbelievable we reached this point considering we had what might be the most unfortunate start ever with the Eriksen incident. We're not gonna be the favorites from here on out, but it sure shows we deserved to get this far as much as the others and regardless of how the rest goes, this is already a huge achievement. Really hyped for being in the streets of Copenhagen tomorrow!

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The game is being shown on ITV in the UK so i'd like to congratulate Denmark on making the final. We never win on ITV.

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I still favour defense as a strong indicator for performance in the knockouts.

Obviously not the single stat that decides everything, but by most metrics England have an edge.

I favour an England vs Italy final with England favs as they've got more depth tp weather injuries. But at the end of the day whoever wins I'm happy.
All teams have key Chelsea players and if Denmark does well then that's an added Brentford bonus.

I just want the exciting games from top half of the bracket to continue.

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Yeah, if you look at defensive capabilities then England looks a lot better, but it's hard to highlight in stats other than clean sheets, which they lead in. They've made 9 saves in the tournament, which is one more than Denmark. Denmarks then beats them in tackles and ball recoveries, the latter of which they're in the overall lead.

It doesn't tell the full story obviously, just trying to explain why that isn't as easy to point out this way.

As for exciting fans, well, that's been the downside of England's impressive structure. It works, but it's not the most fun football to look at imo.

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ill be happy if spain can get a goal

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Huh did Enrique really just drop Morata.
This looks a much changed lineup.

But I need the summer transfers to start flowing, we've seen a few big ones like Sancho, but other than that it's been dull on that front.
The most exciting saga was deciding who is the better appointment between Benitez and Nuno

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ctesjbuvf posted...

As for exciting fans, well, that's been the downside of England's impressive structure. It works, but it's not the most fun football to look at imo.

As a fan of a team who played the most boring football and achieved great success because of it, I was pretty excited about games being won.

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Pedri is basically guaranteed to get the best young player award at this point, isn't he? That's at least something they'll walk away with. Just looking at the teams left, because on the top of my head I can't remember anyone elimated that I know is young enough.

No one from Italy is taking it.

Damsgaard is possible, but he probably needs to have a very impressive last two matches to take it from Pedri.

England has Foden, Sancho and Saka might have been candidates, but none of them have gotten to show themselves nearly enough.

They'll probably consider Torres briefly, but if Spain is getting it, I can't see it not being Pedri. In any case, Torres winning wouldn't take it away from Spain.

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davidponte posted...

As a fan of a team who played the most boring football and achieved great success because of it, I was pretty excited about games being won.

Yeah, if you cheer for them it's entirely different, so no problem for most people in this topic.

voltch posted...

Huh did Enrique really just drop Morata.
This looks a much changed lineup.

Mostly just in the front. Morata was also pulled out in less than an hour last game. Moreno isn't even in either, but again, he looked a lot better in Villareal's Europa League dream run than he has in the Euros. But yeah, looks like no nr. 9. Worked out well enough for Spain in 12 I suppose.

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Donarumma is second favourite behind Pedri with the bookies for the Young player award.
Not far behind either!

Torres and Saka as the 3rd and 4th.

Foden is probably the most disappointing of the hyped prospects, mostly because the media hyped him up to have a Rooney style debut tournament. We know the guy is a massive talent, but the team's just more effective with other options like Mount, Sancho and Saka....yeah England to minimum WC final.

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https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1412337343256829961?s=19

Maybe it also cures cancer?

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Looks like Italy fancy this but do not count Spain out!

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I missed that Donnarumma is also young enough, yeah, that's definitely the second best bet.

Pedri sure making his case so far.

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Spain can't afford to do idiotic defending like that.

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Italy completely refused to score there.

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Donnarumma makes good saves, but he struggles at putting the ball into play.

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and Donnaruma making his case with saves like that! (His passing's been woeful though)

But gosh the BBC commentary team is awful, how is their lineup of colour commentators so poor.


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At least everyone can lay off ITV now lol.

Ref's letting a lot go

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Spain really needs a better finisher. Maybe Ansu Fati in a few years (or hell, now if he wasn't injured).

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What was wrong with Iago Aspas?
I don't watch Celta but he's apparently scored a ton for them

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Spain have been "better" but get the distinct impression that this is rope-a-dope. Guess you never know though.

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Italia :O

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Yep

If Spain come back now I'll be shocked

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voltch posted...

What was wrong with Iago Aspas?
I don't watch Celta but he's apparently scored a ton for them

No idea. Moreno scored a ton but wasn't hold enough. I haven't really seen Aspas either.

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It's gonna take something really special for England to win this. I think if we do it'll have something to do with the home support.

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How WiDE do u want that goal!

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i cant even pretend to be shocked

please get someone who can finish by next WC

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XIII_rocks posted...

Yep

If Spain come back now I'll be shocked

I wouldn't be, in all fairness. They could pull some Popeye shit!

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How do you miss that!?

shane15 posted...

It's gonna take something really special for England to win this. I think if we do it'll have something to do with the home support.

It's honestly ridiculous it has to be played there at this point. It's basically impossible to get there for the match.

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