UEFA Euro 2012

[LN Strike Eagle]

Germany impressive again, Dutch not so. Again.

[Trevsy]

Germany impressive again, Dutch not so. Again.

The Germans did look very good, very similar to Jose Mourinho's Chelsea team a few years back; direct and powerful.

For England the Sweden game for us is a must win game, I think we may only draw against the Ukraine.

[stuart n]

What has happened to the Dutch!?
In the World Cup final they tried to kick the Spanish into next week, now they couldn't kick the skin of a rice pudding! They looked very lightweight last night.
Been a great tournament so far

[DeanW]

Great tekkers from Szczesny...

[JackyRIATWilson]

Been a cracking start to the tournament, as a proud Welshman it might come as a bit of a shock to most of you to find out that I am actually supporting England (girlfriend is English so I don't really have a choice! ), but I'm assuming it will be a win overall for the Germans, with the Spanish finalists. Seem to think Russia will get third, that's my prediction anyway. Don't know if anyone else is the same?

[jimbob1194]

Absolutely incredible atmosphere from the Irish! Despite the score, they just didn't stop singing! Amazing! Best atmosphere of Euro 2012 so far.

James

[StevenH]

It was a good atmosphere but its a shame too as it highlights how little Irish fans expect from their team.

[Macc]

It was a good atmosphere but its a shame too as it highlights how little Irish fans expect from their team.

It's understandable. (Coming from a Scotsman, to who such a feeling is just natural.)

[ericbee123]

"The Fields of Athenry" is hardly the most upbeat tune ever though, it sounded even more melancholy last night after their defeat, it is a song about defiance and acceptance of fate, rather than a song of victory.

It's a bit like "You'll Never Walk Alone" or "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles", can be sung happy or sad in victory or defeat.

[DanH]

Ukraine vs France suspended a few minutes into the match due to heavy rain and severe lightning

[LN Strike Eagle]

What a terrific watch that England game was this evening.

[DeanW]

Top finish from Welbeck for the 3rd goal, really excited to see how him and Oxlade-Chamberlain develop over the next few years.

Still some weak links in the England side though - Milner, Johnson...

[jimbob1194]

Add Young to that list....

[DanH]

I actually thought Johnson did alright. He made a few important challenges and only really messed up when he was pulled out of position to mark people who others were supposed to be dealing with.

[ILoveLightnings]

I thought the whole team was workmanlike tonight apart from Milner, who had his second poor game for me. Gave it away too often and was at fault for the second goal free kick. Thought the foul for the first was nothing short of a dive Top finish from Walcott and Wellbeck and a cracking combination for the first of Gerrard and Carroll, (hopefully looking good for my lot next year) and maybe just maybe we are about to step up a gear with the return of Rooney.
So on we go to face Ukraine........

[Russ]

It's much more fun and enjoyable watching England when you have no expectation of them and don't care whether they lose. If we get out of the group it will be a decent achievement given the rebuilding process.


Good to see Olof Mellberg score twice. The man. The beard. The legend.

[DanO1978]

What a terrific watch that England game was this evening.

Aye, it was.

Milner the weak link, in an otherwise exciting England team. Welbeck's goal had the pub jumping up like mentalists!

[Skyflash]

Great game last night, pleased for Mr Roy and England (it's so much easier to tolerate you lot when you're not proclaiming yourselves the greatest team in existence...)

Have to feel a bit for Sweden though, played well in both their games and out the tournament! Tight margins.

[Abingdonman]

Terrific delivery by Gerrard and even better header from Carroll a magnificently precise cross by Walcott for a finish we all love to see by Welbeck,sandwiched in between was a Walcott strike of the kind we all like to see.....caught everyone out that one!
overall a fair performance,but I certainly wouldnt have put money on the result till the whistle blew...

[skyhigh]

Bringing on Theo Walcott when they did, was a stroke of genius.
Just a question now of taking the momentum forwarded to the next game.

[Craig]

Bit puzzled by what happened last night, Greece have a goal difference of 0, compared to Russia's 2, but Greece go through because of their head to head record. Since when did this happen? Does that mean GD is irrelevant, and Holland go through if they beat Portugal tonight?

[aviodromefriend]

Bit puzzled by what happened last night, Greece have a goal difference of 0, compared to Russia's 2, but Greece go through because of their head to head record. Since when did this happen? Does that mean GD is irrelevant, and Holland go through if they beat Portugal tonight?

That rule has been on for a few tournaments already (including the Champions League), main purpose is that if team A faces team B that cannot qualify anymore, but gave their very best against team C, team C is not disadvantaged when team B isn't motivated for its match against team A, so team A can easily score a lot of goals to improve its goal difference. And for tonight, Holland has to win by at least two goals difference against Portugal, and hope that Germany beats Denmark.

Goal difference still comes into play if the head to head scores are equal.

[Craig]

Bit puzzled by what happened last night, Greece have a goal difference of 0, compared to Russia's 2, but Greece go through because of their head to head record. Since when did this happen? Does that mean GD is irrelevant, and Holland go through if they beat Portugal tonight?

That rule has been on for a few tournaments already (including the Champions League), main purpose is that if team A faces team B that cannot qualify anymore, but gave their very best against team C, team C is not disadvantaged when team B isn't motivated for its match against team A, so team A can easily score a lot of goals to improve its goal difference. And for tonight, Holland has to win by at least two goals difference against Portugal, and hope that Germany beats Denmark.

Goal difference still comes into play if the head to head scores are equal.

But then what happens with a 3 way tie? After tonight, Portugal, Holland and Denmark could all be on 3 points. And they'd all have beaten each other if that happened!

[aviodromefriend]

Bit puzzled by what happened last night, Greece have a goal difference of 0, compared to Russia's 2, but Greece go through because of their head to head record. Since when did this happen? Does that mean GD is irrelevant, and Holland go through if they beat Portugal tonight?

That rule has been on for a few tournaments already (including the Champions League), main purpose is that if team A faces team B that cannot qualify anymore, but gave their very best against team C, team C is not disadvantaged when team B isn't motivated for its match against team A, so team A can easily score a lot of goals to improve its goal difference. And for tonight, Holland has to win by at least two goals difference against Portugal, and hope that Germany beats Denmark.

Goal difference still comes into play if the head to head scores are equal.

But then what happens with a 3 way tie? After tonight, Portugal, Holland and Denmark could all be on 3 points. And they'd all have beaten each other if that happened!

Goal difference from the matches played between the three tied countries (that is where the needed two goal win for Holland is coming from).

[Craig]

Bit puzzled by what happened last night, Greece have a goal difference of 0, compared to Russia's 2, but Greece go through because of their head to head record. Since when did this happen? Does that mean GD is irrelevant, and Holland go through if they beat Portugal tonight?

That rule has been on for a few tournaments already (including the Champions League), main purpose is that if team A faces team B that cannot qualify anymore, but gave their very best against team C, team C is not disadvantaged when team B isn't motivated for its match against team A, so team A can easily score a lot of goals to improve its goal difference. And for tonight, Holland has to win by at least two goals difference against Portugal, and hope that Germany beats Denmark.

Goal difference still comes into play if the head to head scores are equal.

But then what happens with a 3 way tie? After tonight, Portugal, Holland and Denmark could all be on 3 points. And they'd all have beaten each other if that happened!

Goal difference from the matches played between the three tied countries (that is where the needed two goal win for Holland is coming from).

Yep I see that now. Used to be a damned sight simpler!