Euro 2024

[airwolex]

@Wolex Soyinka, the Spaniards have played the midfield like the sweetest of sonnets in A-minor. Cucurella’s role has been invaluable to that. Defensively astute, he’s allowed Williams to thrive and in stepping inside, has given more control to the midfield when needed. That being said, Ousmane Dumbbele had them on the ropes out wide and Kilian MCrappe was given time and space on more than one occasion. Point being, their style of place, their aggression in the press offers chance in the transition.

England are both blessed and burdened by their pre-tournament talismen, Kane and Bellingham. Neither is fully fit, neither has 90 minutes in their legs, yet both are indispensable. The challenge then becomes getting the most from their 70%. If forced into a back five, all will be lost. England must stand tall, stand firm and swing with both hands. There’s nothing to fear. Bigger beasts have stood across the dividing line and been reduced to rubble. Berlin. 1945. Been there. Done it.

I don't see Mainoo and Rice coping to be honest. Also, England haven't scored 2 goals in 90 minutes and Spain has scored a bunch. Again, as long as the Spanish keep their cool, they will win.

[wiseone]

The United Kingdom has a complicated sports relationship with itself.

[wiseone]

How did Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (a Dutch member of England's coaching staff) feel about coaching the England strikers and helping England to beat his own country at the Euros?

[mcal]

@Wolex Soyinka, the Spaniards have played the midfield like the sweetest of sonnets in A-minor. Cucurella’s role has been invaluable to that. Defensively astute, he’s allowed Williams to thrive and in stepping inside, has given more control to the midfield when needed. That being said, Ousmane Dumbbele had them on the ropes out wide and Kilian MCrappe was given time and space on more than one occasion. Point being, their style of place, their aggression in the press offers chance in the transition.

England are both blessed and burdened by their pre-tournament talismen, Kane and Bellingham. Neither is fully fit, neither has 90 minutes in their legs, yet both are indispensable. The challenge then becomes getting the most from their 70%. If forced into a back five, all will be lost. England must stand tall, stand firm and swing with both hands. There’s nothing to fear. Bigger beasts have stood across the dividing line and been reduced to rubble. Berlin. 1945. Been there. Done it.

I don't see Mainoo and Rice coping to be honest. Also, England haven't scored 2 goals in 90 minutes and Spain has scored a bunch. Again, as long as the Spanish keep their cool, they will win.

...if they can curtail the 2 young wingers (Williams & Yamal) which is gonna be difficult, I don't think Spanish goalie has been tested yet vs England goalie who has risen to occasion many times.
Both sides have by now poured thru films of the others matches for weaknesses and strengths. So it's gonna be a case of who will cave first, and worse.

[Coach]

The only tape Gaz needs have on the box is “Nigel De Jong - The Reducer”. Get it in bright and early. Thunderous slide tackle, plenty of ball, enough gusto in the follow through to get the job done. If either survives, they’ll think twice about holding the ball for more than the briefest of moments.

Brigadier Nigel Wellington De Jong, Field Marshall, was a master of the art. Snap goes the fibula. No need to keep it clean, legal is plenty enough. Walker more than capable, Tripper, if he’s closed the distance, should be able to take out a knee. Would rather a Guehi or Konsa Ben Whiting wide left. Full throttle, full force.

Spain have the technicality, England must box clever. Make it as ugly as possible. Chelsea-Leeds, FA Cup 1970, game of the century. The sooner it becomes a slugfest the sooner the tide tips in our favour.

[Sleaky72]

The only tape Gaz needs have on the box is “Nigel De Jong - The Reducer”. Get it in bright and early. Thunderous slide tackle, plenty of ball, enough gusto in the follow through to get the job done. If either survives, they’ll think twice about holding the ball for more than the briefest of moments.

Brigadier Nigel Wellington De Jong, Field Marshall, was a master of the art. Snap goes the fibula. No need to keep it clean, legal is plenty enough. Walker more than capable, Tripper, if he’s closed the distance, should be able to take out a knee. Would rather a Guehi or Konsa Ben Whiting wide left. Full throttle, full force.

Spain have the technicality, England must box clever. Make it as ugly as possible. Chelsea-Leeds, FA Cup 1970, game of the century. The sooner it becomes a slugfest the sooner the tide tips in our favour.

Lol why do you make me keep calling out your Hackney Marshes/Brixton Heights approach to football, my friend?
It’s so funny. No wonder England look so pedestrian and bereft of ideas, and clinging to moments of individual magic rather than floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee. All I see are a bunch of tug boats struggling to be keep up with the smooth sailing Spanish yachts.

England have more than enough talent to match and even surpass the Spanish. But it’s this primitive mentality of blood, Thunder, cussing and swearing that keeps this great nation behind. If England had a real coach they’d be ready to take the game to the Spanish with their unique assemblage of pace, power, artistry and a unique style of play.

Sadly after nearly a decade under Southgate we are still banking on the guts and glory fight to the last man football mantra. Hell at this rate we should all tune into the BBC and wait for Winston Churchill to come back on and encourage us to fight on the beaches and fight on the shores and not give an inch to the enemy, rather than adopt a coherent and eye pleasing approach to the game that can defeat this Spanish team. Damn shame my friend

[airwolex]

@Wolex Soyinka, the Spaniards have played the midfield like the sweetest of sonnets in A-minor. Cucurella’s role has been invaluable to that. Defensively astute, he’s allowed Williams to thrive and in stepping inside, has given more control to the midfield when needed. That being said, Ousmane Dumbbele had them on the ropes out wide and Kilian MCrappe was given time and space on more than one occasion. Point being, their style of place, their aggression in the press offers chance in the transition.

England are both blessed and burdened by their pre-tournament talismen, Kane and Bellingham. Neither is fully fit, neither has 90 minutes in their legs, yet both are indispensable. The challenge then becomes getting the most from their 70%. If forced into a back five, all will be lost. England must stand tall, stand firm and swing with both hands. There’s nothing to fear. Bigger beasts have stood across the dividing line and been reduced to rubble. Berlin. 1945. Been there. Done it.

I don't see Mainoo and Rice coping to be honest. Also, England haven't scored 2 goals in 90 minutes and Spain has scored a bunch. Again, as long as the Spanish keep their cool, they will win.

...if they can curtail the 2 young wingers (Williams & Yamal) which is gonna be difficult, I don't think Spanish goalie has been tested yet vs England goalie who has risen to occasion many times.
Both sides have by now poured thru films of the others matches for weaknesses and strengths. So it's gonna be a case of who will cave first, and worse.

Going to be mighty tight but hoping the better team wins!! Espana

[Scipio Africanus]

The only tape Gaz needs have on the box is “Nigel De Jong - The Reducer”. Get it in bright and early. Thunderous slide tackle, plenty of ball, enough gusto in the follow through to get the job done. If either survives, they’ll think twice about holding the ball for more than the briefest of moments.

Brigadier Nigel Wellington De Jong, Field Marshall, was a master of the art. Snap goes the fibula. No need to keep it clean, legal is plenty enough. Walker more than capable, Tripper, if he’s closed the distance, should be able to take out a knee. Would rather a Guehi or Konsa Ben Whiting wide left. Full throttle, full force.

Spain have the technicality, England must box clever. Make it as ugly as possible. Chelsea-Leeds, FA Cup 1970, game of the century. The sooner it becomes a slugfest the sooner the tide tips in our favour.

It seems you enjoy playing the game with 9 men. Let them try that leg-breaking nonsense in the Euro final.

[wiseone]

"No wonder England look so pedestrian and bereft of ideas"

Despite being "pedestrian and bereft of ideas":

1) England has reached the Euros final for the second consecutive tournament;

2) Southgate has been undefeated in 86 of the 100 games he has managed England in;

3) Southgate has reached the semi-final in 3 of the last 4 tournaments he has been in; and

4) Southgate has a better record than any England manager except Sir Alf Ramsey (who won the World Cup).

No wonder England look so pedestrian and bereft of ideas, and clinging to moments of individual magic rather than floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee. All I see are a bunch of tug boats struggling to be keep up with the smooth sailing Spanish yachts.

England have more than enough talent to match and even surpass the Spanish. But it’s this primitive mentality of blood, Thunder, cussing and swearing that keeps this great nation behind. If England had a real coach they’d be ready to take the game to the Spanish with their unique assemblage of pace, power, artistry and a unique style of play.

Sadly after nearly a decade under Southgate we are still banking on the guts and glory fight to the last man football mantra. Hell at this rate we should all tune into the BBC and wait for Winston Churchill to come back on and encourage us to fight on the beaches and fight on the shores and not give an inch to the enemy, rather than adopt a coherent and eye pleasing approach to the game that can defeat this Spanish team. Damn shame my friend

[Coach]

@Africanus, there’s a beauty in the dark arts. Meaty tackles will turn the Yamals et al vegan. One can keep clean and have it as dirty as a mud wrestling hobo in a pigsty. 50:50s? Yes please. Any requests? Steaming in, well cooked follow through. Taa.

[Sleaky72]

…

[Coach]

^They “beat” the opposition, of whom they had no choice in selection. The route to a final is irrelevant, the ends obscure the means with a blanketing opacity of beer bottles and volleying chorus of “Hey Jude”. Three the hard way or adding 2 to 1, however they’re appraised, they’re 3 nonetheless.

Our boys’ arrival in the final is through conquer and conquest, nil else. All Europe had to offer, clobbered into submission. From the Belgians to the Germans, from the Austrians to the French, faced or unfaced is mere conjecture. They were all in the pool. As with all open waters, there are fish and there are sharks. Much like the Spaniards, England have gorged on the shoals and plankton. And much like Spain once more, have indulged the currents carrying the two carnivorous killer whales to a collision course.

The piano plays loud its ominous F and F sharp, the Mbappes, Lukakus, Verattis and De Jongs dive beneath the covers. Fear, cowardice. The oceans still. Two dorsal fins stand tall above the water. Only the best contest the final, all else cower in due course.

Tiller hard to starboard and let the canons roar till the bodies are strewn and sea sodden in crimson tide. May there be bends, breaks and by George, let there be blood.

[Coach]

@Sleaky, Hackney Marshes, Brixton Heights, alongside Market Road, they complete the holiest of trinities (*makes the sign of the cross). From the grassroots cometh dense forests and dazzling oasis.

Liverpool - Real Madrid, in the biggest of club games. Mo Salah vs Saint Sergio Ramos. Much like Mos Def, Two words. Reduced. There’s wisdom in a well timed, well in. A knowledge known only to the greats. T’is the brainless bootleggers that have lessened this immaculate art to drunken scrawls or graffiti. A fair but firm thunderous tackle, that disguises the little left on with recovery of all the ball, is the deftest of defensive magics.

Hit both Williams and Yamal low and bl**dy hard, early doors and that will give them plenty food for thought. How is the food Senõr? More Monsieur? Bosh!

[Coach]

England have more than enough talent to match and even surpass the Spanish.

If England had a real coach they’d be ready to take the game to the Spanish with their unique assemblage of pace, power, artistry and a unique style of play.

Agreed and at the same time, one would argue this is all euphemism. Pace, power, unique style of play…do detail how this looks in effect. And how it contrasts from the modern “English” game.

[fabio]

Praying and Hoping England wins tomorrow.

1)It vindicates Eze, he made the best decision playing for England.

2) It gives all English players of Nigerian heritage, the belief they will succeed with the three Lions.

3) Football Development is key. England built St. Georges Park and took u-17 and u-23 seriously.

4) Southgate picked players in form and not reputation or clubs they are playing for.

[Coach]

Eze needs no vindication, Nigeria cannot lay a glove on England. Eric “Easy E” Eze is an immense talent and simply put, too good for the sh*t on a stick masquerading as national representation. He’ll have a battle to hold down a regular spot but has the ability to emerge triumphant.

[mcal]

Praying and Hoping England wins tomorrow.

1)It vindicates Eze, he made the best decision playing for England.

2) It gives all English players of Nigerian heritage, the belief they will succeed with the three Lions.

3) Football Development is key. England built St. Georges Park and took u-17 and u-23 seriously.

4) Southgate picked players in form and not reputation or clubs they are playing for.

...abi no be so e suppose to be?
Our ingrained corruption will never allow the very good to come out of Nigeria.
They know they are doing something bad, detrimental, but yet proceed to do it at the expense of failing Nigeria.

[Orion]

No wonder England look so pedestrian and bereft of ideas, and clinging to moments of individual magic rather than floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee. All I see are a bunch of tug boats struggling to be keep up with the smooth sailing Spanish yachts.

England have more than enough talent to match and even surpass the Spanish. But it’s this primitive mentality of blood, Thunder, cussing and swearing that keeps this great nation behind. If England had a real coach they’d be ready to take the game to the Spanish with their unique assemblage of pace, power, artistry and a unique style of play.

Sadly after nearly a decade under Southgate we are still banking on the guts and glory fight to the last man football mantra. Hell at this rate we should all tune into the BBC and wait for Winston Churchill to come back on and encourage us to fight on the beaches and fight on the shores and not give an inch to the enemy, rather than adopt a coherent and eye pleasing approach to the game that can defeat this Spanish team. Damn shame my friend

You guys need to just STFU!!!!!

How has England performed in the past with all kinds of managers? Diddly squat!

Oh, now you have the best players in the world and should be trouncing every team? Seriously?? I thought it was only the white English supporters who had this kind of "superior" attitude of entitlement that has generated so much hate towards the English team over the years.

Previous English teams were rank losers again, and again, and again. Unable to close games, even when they had the upper hand, and they lose on penalties every damn time. A bunch of wilting LOSERS!

Now you have a team winning on their penalties, able to actually close the game down, and not go to penalties every damn time. Yet you now have more whingers than ever.

Southgate has been the best manager England has had, maybe since the 60s!

England has been to 3 major finals in its whole footballing history. Southgate now has 2 of those - 2/3.

I'm rooting for him to win the cup tomorrow just to silence these whinging babies!

[Coach]

Orionigwe! It shall be well with you. May the Gods of the Ancestors carry forth your words to fruition. Bob Saka, Jim Bellingham, Barry Guehi, Defenders of the faith. Bastions of the good book. Sheep of the good shepherd. For King, for country, for Christendom. Inshallah.

[felarey]

At the pub chatting with an Englishman yesterday:

Me: Spain are a dominant side, England will need to pull off something outside the box to beat them, I see a Spain victory.... Then praised Pedri, Olmo as top 2 midfielders.
Englishman: What league does Pedri play in?
Me: La Liga
Englishman: Who was the best player in La Liga last year?
Me: Bellingham
Englishman: Ok, what league does Olmo play in?
Me: Bundesliga
Englishman: Who was the top scorer in the Bundesliga?
Me: Harry Kane
Englishman: So England have the best team at the Euros. That's why the bookies had England as the winner at the start. If Saka, Foden, Bellingham and Harry Kane come to play, England will win! Every team has a ah ha! moment in a tournament when they click, for England it was the semi final. Did you watch the FA Cup final? Did you see how many poor crosses the french played?
Me: I'll take your number and we'll talk on Sunday.


The English players have a remarkable body of work behind them, but not current form.

[Bigpokey24]

[Sleaky72]

No wonder England look so pedestrian and bereft of ideas, and clinging to moments of individual magic rather than floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee. All I see are a bunch of tug boats struggling to be keep up with the smooth sailing Spanish yachts.

England have more than enough talent to match and even surpass the Spanish. But it’s this primitive mentality of blood, Thunder, cussing and swearing that keeps this great nation behind. If England had a real coach they’d be ready to take the game to the Spanish with their unique assemblage of pace, power, artistry and a unique style of play.

Sadly after nearly a decade under Southgate we are still banking on the guts and glory fight to the last man football mantra. Hell at this rate we should all tune into the BBC and wait for Winston Churchill to come back on and encourage us to fight on the beaches and fight on the shores and not give an inch to the enemy, rather than adopt a coherent and eye pleasing approach to the game that can defeat this Spanish team. Damn shame my friend

You guys need to just STFU!!!!!

How has England performed in the past with all kinds of managers? Diddly squat!

Oh, now you have the best players in the world and should be trouncing every team? Seriously?? I thought it was only the white English supporters who had this kind of "superior" attitude of entitlement that has generated so much hate towards the English team over the years.

Previous English teams were rank losers again, and again, and again. Unable to close games, even when they had the upper hand, and they lose on penalties every damn time. A bunch of wilting LOSERS!

Now you have a team winning on their penalties, able to actually close the game down, and not go to penalties every damn time. Yet you now have more whingers than ever.

Southgate has been the best manager England has had, maybe since the 60s!

England has been to 3 major finals in its whole footballing history. Southgate now has 2 of those - 2/3.

I'm rooting for him to win the cup tomorrow just to silence these whinging babies!

The fact that you get so triggered says enough about you. You should seek help.
It’s banter and light hearted fun and you’re acting like a mad woman. Seek help

[Sleaky72]

@Sleaky, Hackney Marshes, Brixton Heights, alongside Market Road, they complete the holiest of trinities (*makes the sign of the cross). From the grassroots cometh dense forests and dazzling oasis.

Liverpool - Real Madrid, in the biggest of club games. Mo Salah vs Saint Sergio Ramos. Much like Mos Def, Two words. Reduced. There’s wisdom in a well timed, well in. A knowledge known only to the greats. T’is the brainless bootleggers that have lessened this immaculate art to drunken scrawls or graffiti. A fair but firm thunderous tackle, that disguises the little left on with recovery of all the ball, is the deftest of defensive magics.

Hit both Williams and Yamal low and bl**dy hard, early doors and that will give them plenty food for thought. How is the food Senõr? More Monsieur? Bosh!

#INCORRIGIBLE