Euro 2016

GROUP A  

Friday, June 10: France v Romania (20:00, Stade de France, Paris)

Saturday, June 11: Albania v Switzerland (14:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)

Wednesday, June 15: Romania v Switzerland (17:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)

Wednesday, June 15: France v Albania (20:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Sunday, June 19: Romania v Albania (20:00, Stade de Lyon)

Sunday, June 19: Switzerland v France (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

GROUP B

Saturday, June 11: Wales v Slovakia (17:00, Stade de Bordeaux)

Saturday, June 11: England v Russia (20:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Wednesday, June 15: Russia v Slovakia (14:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Thursday, June 16: England v Wales (14:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)

Monday, June 20: Russia v Wales (20:00, Stadium de Toulouse)

Monday, June 20: Slovakia v England (20:00, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne)

GROUP C  

Sunday, June 12: Poland v Northern Ireland (17:00, Stade de Nice)

Sunday, June 12: Germany v Ukraine (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Thursday, June 16: Ukraine v Northern Ireland (17:00, Stade de Lyon)

Thursday, June 16: Germany v Poland (20:00, Stade de France, Paris)

Tuesday, June 21: Ukraine v Poland (17:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Tuesday, June 21: Northern Ireland v Germany (17:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)

GROUP D  

Sunday, June 12: Turkey v Croatia (14:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)

Monday, June 13: Spain v Czech Republic (14:00, Stadium de Toulouse)

Friday, June 17: Czech Republic v Croatia (17:00, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne)

Friday, June 17: Spain v Turkey (20:00, Stade de Nice)

Tuesday, June 21: Czech Republic v Turkey (20:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)

Tuesday, June 21: Croatia v Spain (20:00, Stade de Bordeaux)

GROUP E  

Monday, June 13: Republic of Ireland v Sweden (17:00, Stade de France, Paris)

Monday, June 13: Belgium v Italy (20:00, Stade de Lyon)

Friday, June 17: Italy v Sweden (14:00, Stadium de Toulouse)

Saturday, June 18: Belgium v Republic of Ireland (14:00, Stade de Bordeaux)

Wednesday, June 22: Italy v Republic of Ireland (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Wednesday, June 22: Sweden v Belgium (20:00, Stade de Nice)

GROUP F  

Tuesday, June 14: Austria v Hungary (17:00, Stade de Bordeaux)

Tuesday, June 14: Portugal v Iceland (20:00, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne)

Saturday, June 18: Iceland v Hungary (17:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Saturday, June 18: Portugal v Austria (20:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)

Wednesday, June 22: Iceland v Austria (17:00, Stade de France)

Wednesday, June 22: Hungary v Portugal (17:00, Stade de Lyon)

LAST 16  

Match 1: Runner-up Group A v Runner-up C (14:00, June 25, St-Etienne)

Match 2: Winner D v Third-place B/E/F (20:00, June 25, Lens)

Match 3: Winner B v Third-place A/C/D (17:00, June 25, Paris)

Match 4: Winner F v Runner-up E (20:00, June 26, Toulouse)

Match 5: Winner C v Third-place A/B/F (17:00, June 26, Lille) 

Match 6: Winner A v Third-place C/D/E (14:00, June 26, Lyon)

Match 7: Winner E v Runner-up D (17:00, June 27, St-Denis) 

Match 8: Runner-up B v Runner-up F (20:00, June 27, Nice)

QUARTER-FINALS  

Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2 (20:00, June 30, Marseille)

Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 (2000, July 1, Lille)

Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6 (20:00, July 2, Bordeaux

Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 8 (2000, July 3, St-Denis

SEMI-FINALS  

Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 (20:00, July 6, Lyon)  

Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 (20:00, July 7, Marseille) 

FINAL 

Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (20:00, July 10, St-Denis)

I am almost looking forward to this ~ One hopes it turns into a great competition and not one remembered for things that happen off the pitch.

I have high hopes for a good tournament. Not necessarily for England, worried about their defence, but France and Germany look strong and I am looking forward to see the likes of Poland and Austria.

Croatia is another team I feel will do well.

How the fuck Jackie Wilshere get's on the team and Danny Drinkwater didn't is utterly mind boggling. Probably the Michael Carrick syndrome.

Fun fact: Leeds United have had six (6) managers since Jack last played a full 90.

Woy very nearly got this right. I'm hopeful that Rooney displaces Jack in midfield and the tattooed shit head from Arsenal doesn't see the pitch unless we're up big...or getting shagged.

I'm almost excited for this.

Rooney gets the nod for the final friendly game and manages to make England look like utter shite for 80 minutes. He is so bad that a ten minute cameo by Adam Lallana, ffs, restores England's shape and results in the winning goal.

To put Rooney in perspective, he is the 17th ranked English attacking player for last season, a number of places behind Rashford. He certainly does not deserve a place, and I will guarantee that England stand no chance if Whoy keeps playing him.

This nonsense takes me back to the wasted years trying to play both Lampard and Gerrard in the same team, when just settling on one or the other would have gvien England a much better chance in prior finals. Guys like Rooney, former stars, we just can't seem to move on from them, and try to build the whole paying style around their inability to actually be good in one position.

Tend to agree on Wilshere, however he isn't the first and won't be the last injured player to get the nod based on prior performances, and he was very good for England during the qualifiers. Drinkwater, personally was just Kante's sidekick, so I don't get the clamour for his involvement.

Its still amazing to me that despite an outstanding perfect qualifying group, England's manager does not seem to know his best formation let alone his best line-up.

Since I've kicked Whoy in the nuts for his indecisiveness I figured I should pomy up what I would do.

I'd play 4-3-3 with the 3 front men split to have a right and left wide attacking outlet.

Hart

RB - Rose (Could be Clyne, they are not much different)
CB's - Cahill, Smalling
LB - Bertrand (really earned his corn for Saints this year)

CM - Dier (a risk here but he has done very well for Spurs and I like the idea of the spine of an in form team)
RM - Milner (his assist from crosses is spectacular this season, best in the premier league, and usually from second phase play)
LM - Alli (love this kid, threat to score, and very creative)

RF - Sturridge (he has pace to get behind the line on the break, likes to carry the ball, and scores a ridiculous number of goals coming in off the right onto his left foot._
CF - Kane
LF - Sterling

Milt wrote:

Since I've kicked Whoy in the nuts for his indecisiveness I figured I should pomy up what I would do.

I'd play 4-3-3 with the 3 front men split to have a right and left wide attacking outlet.

Hart

RB - Rose (Could be Clyne, they are not much different)
CB's - Cahill, Smalling
LB - Bertrand  (really earned his corn for Saints this year)

CM - Dier   (a risk here but he has done very well for Spurs and I like the idea of the spine of an in form team)
RM - Milner  (his assist from crosses is spectacular this season, best in the premier league, and usually from second phase play)
LM - Alli  (love this kid, threat to score, and very creative)

RF - Sturridge (he has pace to get behind the line on the break, likes to carry the ball, and scores a ridiculous number of goals coming in off the right onto his left foot._
CF - Kane  
LF - Sterling

With that team you better hope the front three score a lot of goals.

Most of the opponents will play 5 across the middle and your midfield will be out numbered and over ran. Without both Dier and Wilshere helping out the CB's will be exposed and neither are world class.

I agree Rooney poses a problem.  He can't play as a striker, even a second striker behind Kane.  If he is to start he has to play in the midfield.  I don't think either Sterling or Sturridge will start, maybe they should but they won't.

Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Dier, Wilshere, Alli, Rooney; Kane, Vardy,  seems to be the opinion of the pundits.

4-3-3 is a pretty standard set-up these days, won most of the silverware around Europe this season, Played with the three mids in the right way, there is plenty of defensive cover.

I'm not buying any team that includes Rooney anymore. Certainly not in midfield.

I would play Rooney and he would partner Kane up front.

Kane and Varny are both greedy, Kane more so. Neither of them play well as a pair and would benefit with a giving player. Sturridge would get next in line for me over Varny.

I believe Rooney is that player to give to either of the Spurs or Liverpool forward.

Plenty of knockers on Rooney just now and yes, he isnt the player he was, but for me, there isnt a player in the squad better than him.

The other thing I would do is play Stones as the Holding Midfielder.

I am sorry, I dont think Dier is a good enough player to fill the role and would have plumped for Drinkwater over Dier. However, Dier as a CH would make my squad.

Alli -- My tip to be sent off in one of the 3 opening games, is sure to start. There is no denying he has been the find of the season.

Not keen on most of the Midfielders, but I would have to find a place for Wiltshire who has only been overtaken by Alli in my eyes as most worth to the midfield.

Defence is as poor as I can remember. As you all know I am not a fan of Smalling. Gary hasnt had his best season & should be thankful the rest of the available CH's are of a low standard. No left sided CH is likely to burn us at sometime, a position we are still to be comfortable in since John retired. We also have really missed John reading the game at the back n helping all around him. I cant stress how important it is to have someone talking you through games who has the ability to position you in the right area. The perfect example of that was during the last world cup, Rooney playing wide against Italy, a position he was not too familiar with and was caught out numerous times when Italy have the ball, one of which lead to a goal. John would have had him in the correct position as many football wise heads pointed out at the time.

I know John is now 34 and maybe too old, but I hope you agree, even now he is the best CH in the premiership. He sure is the best English at least.

Full backs, I am with Milt on Bertrand. He is a very progressive young player, one I believe is a better player than Rose. I would plump for Clyne over Walker. Walker for me has not improved his defending since he joined Spurs. Granted he is a excellent over lapping player with pace to burn, but I feel and so do many Spurs fans by the way, there is a mistake in him about to happen in most games. Clyne has been a sound investment by Liverpool and would get my nod.


Have to say I am looking forward to Friday and have ordered the steaks for Saturday night. Fingers crossed on a dry night and a well lit Barbecue!

naw mate, John in his prime, sure, but now he's way off the pace. He'd maybe do OK vs the group stage teams but he'd get absolutely battered by a more attack minded team. Internationals are played vastly different to the prem. The speed alone would take him out of the running. I agree, he's excellent when on form, but he's past this.

I don't think Sterling and Sturridge can be in the same front line up. They don't do enough of the back shuffle for me.

I hear the internet rhetoric about Danny Drinkz being Kante's coat tail rider, but I don't buy it. He's a nice player and would have been an asset. Wilshere, while historically a creative threat, I think hasn't done anything to deserve the place. Tough luck for the lad, but he's a liability.

I'd like to see a 4-4-2 line up with a diamond mid. Rooney at the tip, Kane and Rashford (I know) up top. It'd daring, and worth a punt vs the easier group games. With a 4-5-1 option with Vardy up top for teams with better midfields.

It's going to be interesting watching Roy manage this side. There's a lot of options here.

One thing's for sure Milt...Rooney's playing every game.

How can you bring up Speed when talking about John Terry??

He has been the slowest player on the pitch since he first run on the pitch as A substitute 700+ games ago.

If he was still available, he would be captain and starter.

Its that simple.

Probably, but then again Wayne Rooney gets a game so it's not saying much really.
I guess it makes sense. Terry is better than Cahill and nobody bats an eyelid at his inclusion.

Mats Hummels is no quicker, didn't stop him winning a World Cup winners medal though.

The England Band was banned and now allowed to show up for games. Utterly disgraceful stuff. Was really hoping to see an end to this.

I brought up John Terry's speed because the game is vastly different even in the last five years. The players are faster, especially up front.

But hey...fuck me...What do I know.

Busby wrote:

The England Band was banned and now allowed to show up for games.  Utterly disgraceful stuff.  Was really hoping to see an end to this.

I brought up John Terry's speed because the game is vastly different even in the last five years.  The players are faster, especially up front.  

But hey...fuck me...What do I know.  

Quite a lot, actually.

You don't like the English band Busby?

Busby wrote:

The England Band was banned and now allowed to show up for games.  Utterly disgraceful stuff.  Was really hoping to see an end to this.

I brought up John Terry's speed because the game is vastly different even in the last five years.  The players are faster, especially up front.  

But hey...fuck me...What do I know.  

Everything alright in your world?

Striker Jamie Vardy, 29, is set to be dropped from England's starting line-up for their Euro 2016 opener against Russia on Saturday, with midfielder Adam Lallana, 28, and winger Raheem Sterling, 21, expected to start.

So say most of the leading papers this morning...... Meanwhile

Vardy, is 80% likely to turn down a move to Arsenal from Premier League champions Leicester.

It's been a long time since playing two out and out strikers worked, so no surprise that one of them is benched. Kane more like a Lineker and Vardy more like a Steve Bull, pretty obvious who would sit.

Finally a goal, now a penalty, game livening up. 1-1.

Great goal by Payet, a worthy winner. He's too good for West Ham, they could have trouble keeping on to him.

Very disappointed..... Had money on the draw.... Fucking west ham player

Is this the first attempt by clubs to get Payet away from West Ham?


West Ham set €70m price-tag for Dimitri Payet

According to Gianluca di Marzio, Premier League side West Ham United have set a €70m price-tag on the head of French international Dimitri Payet.

The player currently earns €5m a year and recently signed a new contract with West Ham until 2021.

Chelsea have made a recent enquiry for the player, but the price-tag that the Hammers have set is so enormous that a deal is likely to be difficult.

Difference between a buy out clause and "setting a price".
If a club comes in for him and he wants to leave then they are faced with a problem. That's a reality that all but two or three clubs face.

Swiss beat Albania with a goal from a goalkeeper error, and then needed their keeper to keep out the ten men of Albania. Entertaining if lacking a bit of quality.

"Gareth Bales Wales" next.

Both Romania and Albania looked better than expected and deserved to get something for their efforts. Group stage games are always tight cautious affair efforts but Group A looks like a tight one.