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    So, so far then, then

    Seven games.
    Every country that has conceded first has lost. Except Russia.
    Every country that I've not visited in any shape or form has lost. Except Russia.
    Ho-hum...

    #2
    So, so far then, then

    There's a lack of surprises, but I guess that the format is designed to protect the big sides. It's more like a Champions League group phase than a 16 teams Euros in that respect.

    Lots of goals from outside the box, which will please TV companies but not goalkeeping perfectionists.

    Standard is OK, but some teams are rusty (France) or playing in 2nd gear (Germans yesterday).

    Comment


      #3
      So, so far then, then

      So far, the story of the expanded competition leading to more whipping boys has proven unfounded.
      Probably because a large number of the so-called whipping boys would have qualified for the 16 team tournament.

      Comment


        #4
        So, so far then, then

        Satchmo Distel wrote: some teams are rusty (France) or playing in 2nd gear (Germans yesterday).
        Friends theme tune earworm, thanks.

        Much of the football seems to have been ridiculously fast-paced. I know this is something that happens incrementally each season and often it's only when you see footage from past decades that it hits you; but the game seems to have gone through some sort of watershed point, that's suddenly made me think "Slow down". I'm almost pining for a bit of languid tikka-takka. Almost.

        Comment


          #5
          So, so far then, then

          Tactical Genius wrote: So far, the story of the expanded competition leading to more whipping boys has proven unfounded.
          Probably because a large number of the so-called whipping boys would have qualified for the 16 team tournament.
          Ireland can't get more whipped than they were last time.

          Comment


            #6
            So, so far then, then

            The overall quality of attacking play has been very poor so far. Partly because until the last few moments of games they were losing, some teams have hardly left their own halves, which in turn of course makesit difficult for teams we'd normally expect to be flowing up the pitch to o aything of the sort. That's been brought on by the desire not to get off to a loss - all the more crucial in this format - so hopefully, now for some teams it is win or bust in the second roundof games, we might see some more expansive and risk taking play.

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              #7
              So, so far then, then

              Take away Croatia's performance yesterday and there's been fuck all quality so far. And very few goals – 13 in seven matches. That's really poor. It works out at 1.86 per match. Euro 80, the worst EC of the modern era, had 1.93. Italia 90, another shocker, had 2.21.

              Early days, of course. We've yet to see Spain or Belgium or Portugal. But the competition needs something good in a hurry.

              Comment


                #8
                So, so far then, then

                Marcel Mumpeau wrote:
                Much of the football seems to have been ridiculously fast-paced. I know this is something that happens incrementally each season and often it's only when you see footage from past decades that it hits you; but the game seems to have gone through some sort of watershed point, that's suddenly made me think "Slow down". I'm almost pining for a bit of languid tikka-takka. Almost.
                That was Germany's second half v Ukraine. As a spectacle it was far less exciting than the first, but I found myself muttering "Ooh, they're doing it properly. It's June, it's a tournament, yay!"

                Comment


                  #9
                  So, so far then, then

                  Just realised that I've not been to Switzerland...

                  Comment


                    #10
                    So, so far then, then

                    I had a Wolves poly reunion, so have only caught up on highlights this morning.

                    Germany was my only full 90 so far, and that went kinda predictably, though their 'false 9 or shit Gomez' dilemma may get interesting.

                    Glad to see I'm right that Croatia are very good, betting-wise.

                    I suggested in the AEB thread that Ingerlund were likely to be found out, even though they'll have lots of attacking creativity. Just didn't think it'd happen in the 1st game.

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                      #11
                      So, so far then, then

                      I'm disappointed with myself again, Clive.

                      Before every tournament I promise myself that I'll sort out the RTE situation and I never actually get round to it.
                      No Giles and Dunphy insanity or Après Match laughs, instead another few weeks of having to listen to ITV and BBC mundanity beckons.

                      Arse.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        So, so far then, then

                        Giles is retiring (or, rather, being retired) when the competition is over.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          So, so far then, then

                          Damien Duff, probably.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            So, so far then, then

                            Is there an RTE app which shows the matches live?

                            Comment


                              #15
                              So, so far then, then

                              RTE Player - but the live streaming's geo-restricted to the Republic, I think.

                              Comment


                                #16
                                So, so far then, then

                                I checked it out.
                                Euro '16 'extras' but no live broadcasts.

                                Oh well.
                                I'll sort it for 2018.
                                Maybe.

                                Comment


                                  #17
                                  So, so far then, then

                                  I liked the fact that the first eight games were former Eastern Bloc countries against non Eastern Bloc countries. Well, it's the most interesting thing I've come up with over the last four days.

                                  Comment


                                    #18
                                    So, so far then, then

                                    You could quibble abut Albania being "eastern bloc" (and also about Czechia and Slovakia and Croatia being ex "eastern bloc countries"), but that aside, yes, nice spot

                                    Comment


                                      #19
                                      So, so far then, then

                                      Albania, Czechia and Slovakia were all members of the Warsaw Pact, but Croatia was not.

                                      That said, a good portion of the country that now plays as "Germany" was also a member.

                                      Comment


                                        #20
                                        So, so far then, then

                                        Borracho wrote: Take away Croatia's performance yesterday and there's been fuck all quality so far. And very few goals – 13 in seven matches. That's really poor. It works out at 1.86 per match. Euro 80, the worst EC of the modern era, had 1.93. Italia 90, another shocker, had 2.21.

                                        Early days, of course. We've yet to see Spain or Belgium or Portugal. But the competition needs something good in a hurry.
                                        Well, Spain vs Czech Rep and Ireland vs Sweden have brought the average down a bit more.

                                        This tournament reminds me a but of World Cup 2010: most matches have been entertaining enough; none offered anything really memorable.

                                        Comment


                                          #21
                                          So, so far then, then

                                          Nobody's managed 3 goals yet, somebody tell me that's not a record.

                                          If it weren't for old Schweinsteiger we wouldn't even have a two-goal margin.

                                          Comment


                                            #22
                                            So, so far then, then

                                            OK, 1996 was a worse start. Funny how a 4-1 game repeated a hundred times blocks out a dozen others.

                                            Comment


                                              #23
                                              So, so far then, then

                                              tee rex wrote: Nobody's managed 3 goals yet, somebody tell me that's not a record.

                                              If it weren't for old Schweinsteiger we wouldn't even have a two-goal margin.
                                              That's not a record (yet). At Euro 96 it wasn't until the fifteenth game that any side scored three, Germany breaking the duck in a 3-0 win over Russia.

                                              After that seven sides scored three or more in the nine remaining group games (Russia and Czech Republic both doing this in a 3-3 draw. Things settled down after that with no side scoring three in the seven knockout games (only Germany managed to even score twice).

                                              Comment


                                                #24
                                                So, so far then, then

                                                This tournament has been a bit reminiscent of Euro 96, so far, right down to France beating Romania and Croatia beating Turkey in the opening round of games.

                                                Comment


                                                  #25
                                                  So, so far then, then

                                                  I've visited all of the winners except Croatia, and have not visited all of the losers except for Belgium.

                                                  It has been very reminiscent of Euro 96 - especially England's opening game being slightly promising before conceding a pointless equaliser. Which means we're due a slightly flattering 2-0 victory over a home nation, featuring a brilliant goal from the much-maligned star player.

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