[JeanJaq]

(06-14-2016 11:38 AM)Space Cowboy Wrote:  

Hooligan culture is a fucking disgrace and I hope all the yobs get deported.

Well Ok, but then both should get deported right? Not only the Russian side. There have been some retaliation from English fans against Russian fans on the streets as well.

[rudebwoy]

(06-14-2016 08:44 AM)britchard Wrote:  

Hang on where is this idea that Belgium have a world class team coming from? As far as I'm concerned, they have 2 world class players (Hazard and Kompany). The other good players are Courtois, De Bruyne and Alderweireld.

A lot of the other players wouldn't even get in England's team, and that's saying something. Our full backs, strikers and midfielders (excluding Hazard/De Bruyne) are better.

Also got the pleasure of listening to the wonderful Italian national anthem, that would really get you pumped as a player!

Think that is a strong statement. What English players would get on the Belgium team?

I would take De Bruyne over Milner, Henderson, Rooney and Lailana.

I would also take Courtois over Hart.

The only quality England has is Kane, Alli, Vardy (at the moment), Sturridge when he is healthy.

[911]

Those Russian thugs should be thrown in jail for the duration of the tournament then barred from ever entering the EU. Same with the English meatheads.

You have families, shopkeepers, locals and vacationers spending their hard-earned money, trying to enjoy a terrasse summer drink and those mobster-culture thugs come down swarming like locusts, ruining the atmosphere for everyone.

[Foolsgo1d]

They're Ultras and those types of people are nothing but scum. Majority of English fans went the opposite direction when they realised what was coming.

They're losers and as I said before - should be in the military getting blown up or bossed around.

Youtube Ultras fight in Russia and the number of videos showing their organised mass brawls will make you wonder why they're even allowed into Europe.

[RaccoonFace]

A surprising win for Hungary! I actually expected a lot from Austria this tournament, they have been playing quite well the past year.

[Caravaggio]

^^ Austrians performance was a disgrace. You have to be a masochist here to be a soccer fan. My brother was close to tears at the end of the game haha.

[Belgrano]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo​oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo​ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Against Hungary, unbelievable. Hungary!
Ridiculous, what a disgrace.
Disgrace!
Bunch of losers, none of them is worthy of wearing the National Team's shirt.
And the referee, what an asshole! His license should be revoked, and whoever allowed him to show up at a Euro game should lose his job too.
Idiots!
Now our best defender misses the next game, our best OM is injured and out, we lost the game, and our next opponent is Portugal.
It's over.
Fuck all that shit, just fuck it.

[britchard]

(06-14-2016 09:32 AM)PhDre Wrote:  

(06-14-2016 08:44 AM)britchard Wrote:  

Hang on where is this idea that Belgium have a world class team coming from? As far as I'm concerned, they have 2 world class players (Hazard and Kompany). The other good players are Courtois, De Bruyne and Alderweireld.

A lot of the other players wouldn't even get in England's team, and that's saying something. Our full backs, strikers and midfielders (excluding Hazard/De Bruyne) are better.

Also got the pleasure of listening to the wonderful Italian national anthem, that would really get you pumped as a player!

The Belgian team apparently has the highest market value of all participating teams, that's where the assumption comes from.

But I agree with you, a lot of that value comes from Hazard, Benteke and Lukaku who are some of the most overvalued players in the world for me.

According to me:
world class players: Courtois, Kompany, De Bruyne
very good players: Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Witsel, Naingolan, Dembele, Carrasco, Hazard, Mignolet
decent players: Lombaerts, Mertens, Batshuayi
not good enough to ever win something: all the rest

Basically I think we are as strong (or stronger) than any team on the goalkeeper, center back, defensive midfield and number 10 positions.
Our strikers and wing backs suck, wingers are a mixed bag (and Wilmots refuses to use them) - England (and other teams) is indeed a lot stronger on those positions.

Courtois has had a bad season for Chelsea, I'd say that Neuer, Hart and Lloris are all better shot stoppers, but Courtois is brilliant in the air at defending crosses and corners.

(06-14-2016 12:04 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

(06-14-2016 08:44 AM)britchard Wrote:  

Hang on where is this idea that Belgium have a world class team coming from? As far as I'm concerned, they have 2 world class players (Hazard and Kompany). The other good players are Courtois, De Bruyne and Alderweireld.

A lot of the other players wouldn't even get in England's team, and that's saying something. Our full backs, strikers and midfielders (excluding Hazard/De Bruyne) are better.

Also got the pleasure of listening to the wonderful Italian national anthem, that would really get you pumped as a player!

Think that is a strong statement. What English players would get on the Belgium team?

I would take De Bruyne over Milner, Henderson, Rooney and Lailana.

I would also take Courtois over Hart.

The only quality England has is Kane, Alli, Vardy (at the moment), Sturridge when he is healthy.

I'd take a fit Wilshere and Dier over Fellaini and Witsel. I was really disappointed with Witsel yesterday, also looks like he's settled for money too in his career (he's still playing in Russia).

I'd say there are English left backs who aren't even in the squad who are better than Vertonghen at left back (I am aware he is a centre back by trade though). Luke Shaw, Aaron Cresswell aren't in the squad and would both get in.

Kyle Walker has really impressed the last 2 games, and Clyne isn't a bad player either. Would definitely get ahead of that Cimens guy who was playing yesterday at right back.

Sturridge, Vardy, Kane would all get ahead of any Belgian strikers. I think Alli would just lose out to De Bruyne/Hazard. I agree with leaving out Henderson, Milner, Lallana, etc.

Our best goalkeeper, Jack Butland is injured at the moment too. Don't forget pacy wingers like Oxlade Chamberlain who are injured too (although he's had a bad season).

[Clemmo]

So much for Belguim being the favorites. They look like a group of individuals playing together for the first time. There was no movement and a bunch of long range shots in front of defenders.

The less talented Italians showed a masterclass in teamwork and tactics against them

[Clemmo]

Iceland's having a good start so far. I would have expected to see them parking the bus. But they already have 2 good chances against Ronaldo and crew.

[marty]

HUUUUUUUNGAAAAARYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!! What a win! Surely no one expected that.

[leanmeansexmachine]

(06-14-2016 11:38 AM)Space Cowboy Wrote:  

"Proud hooligan culture"

Hooligan culture is a fucking disgrace and I hope all the yobs get deported.

Hooligan culture ruined Italian football, it fucked English football, and it's senseless wankery.

Cracking down on hooligans and supporter clubs would simply be another nail in the coffin of European culture.

You would actually be suprised at how many of these hooligans are just normal men with good jobs and families. For them, fighting is a way to unleash testosterone and fight for a cause. Something they have been denied by modern society. Senseless violence is never good, but many of these supporters actually make arrangements before the games that they are going to fight, so why not just let them ? It is their life.

Then there are also numerous political and cultural associations between supporters and their clubs, ties that you do not severe so easily.

Now my predictions for this world cup : I think Germany will win, they have the experience, quality and organisation.

I think England will go far aswell, dynamic young team.

Belgium and France have alot of individual quality but no unity in the team and on the pitch.

The dark horse for this world cup is Croatia i think. They have some great players and the team flows well. They also have the most underappreciated player in the world, Luka Modric, what a master that guy is. If only he was born on our side of the border.

[mikado]

(06-14-2016 06:18 PM)leanmeansexmachine Wrote:  

(06-14-2016 11:38 AM)Space Cowboy Wrote:  

"Proud hooligan culture"

Hooligan culture is a fucking disgrace and I hope all the yobs get deported.

Hooligan culture ruined Italian football, it fucked English football, and it's senseless wankery.

Cracking down on hooligans and supporter clubs would simply be another nail in the coffin of European culture.

You would actually be suprised at how many of these hooligans are just normal men with good jobs and families. For them, fighting is a way to unleash testosterone and fight for a cause. Something they have been denied by modern society. Senseless violence is never good, but many of these supporters actually make arrangements before the games that they are going to fight, so why not just let them ? It is their life.

Then there are also numerous political and cultural associations between supporters and their clubs, ties that you do not severe so easily.

Now my predictions for this world cup : I think Germany will win, they have the experience, quality and organisation.

I think England will go far aswell, dynamic young team.

Belgium and France have alot of individual quality but no unity in the team and on the pitch.

The dark horse for this world cup is Croatia i think. They have some great players and the team flows well. They also have the most underappreciated player in the world, Luka Modric, what a master that guy is. If only he was born on our side of the border.

They are already starting shit against Wales and England supporters in the North of France.
Remember: next time something happens in a stadium: ban from the competition.

[911]

(06-14-2016 06:18 PM)leanmeansexmachine Wrote:  

Cracking down on hooligans and supporter clubs would simply be another nail in the coffin of European culture.

You would actually be suprised at how many of these hooligans are just normal men with good jobs and families. For them, fighting is a way to unleash testosterone and fight for a cause. Something they have been denied by modern society. Senseless violence is never good, but many of these supporters actually make arrangements before the games that they are going to fight, so why not just let them ? It is their life.

For one, there is a lot of collateral damage, "civilians" from the other side or neutrals who get assaulted, or whose property they wreck. Kids or families who no longer attend games. Supporter clubs are cool, but if they're set up like paramilitary groups as done in Eastern Europe, encouraging fighting for fighting's sake outside of the proper channels (MMA, boxing rings, etc), it's not cool. And it's not really part of European culture, it being a recent phenomenon that started in Britain a few decades ago and spread to the Continent.

Supporter clubs do have a role to play as a kind of brotherhood providing support for their clubs, as well as serving as representatives of the fan community, doing things like influencing club management, organizing trips, selling fan merchandise or keeping ticket prices reasonable, that's great. Even providing informal, low-key security by virtue of just being there is great, as opposed to acting like a paramilitary militia/fight club and going out of their way to seek confrontation rampaging through road venues and opponent fan sections.

[leanmeansexmachine]

Yes that is true, i said this in my post aswell. If innocents are touched they need to be punished.

But the reality is that banning them from the stadium will not stop the fighting. They will simply do it outside of the stadium. If they want to find a way, they will find it.

The only way to stop it is to put more police in the neighbourhood of the stadium.

If they want to fight then, they will have to do it away from the public, this is how it happens here in Serbia. They meet somewhere in a park and then squash it out.

[Space Cowboy]

(06-14-2016 06:18 PM)leanmeansexmachine Wrote:  

Cracking down on hooligans and supporter clubs would simply be another nail in the coffin of European culture.

Then let it die. Violent nationalism is shit and the ultras are the last fuckups you want as the torchbearers for your culture.

Why not let them fight? Because they're vandals. They destroy private property, they injure and scare bystanders, they tie up local law enforcement and other emergency services, and they're bad for business.

[rudebwoy]

Britchard - Kyle Walker played very well in the first game and to be fair, Lailana had a good game as well.

I am a Arsenal fan and a supporter of Wilshere, but I fear too many injuries will cut his career short. He is very fortunate to be on this squad.

I was talking to my mate that lives in Iceland, he said the place is going crazy and they think they can win the tournament. LOL

[papaiela]

Quote:

I am a Arsenal fan and a supporter of Wilshere, but I fear too many injuries will cut his career short. He is very fortunate to be on this squad.

Wilshere should not have been called the guy hasn't played for months and his 20 minutes against Russia attest of that, Drinkwater should have been in France.

I actually find that England and Belgium share a lot in common - Talented players, a beta coach and an inexperience of the team.

Wilmots and Hodgson are great coaches to build a team but not to win a tournament. They are simply not good tacticians.

[leanmeansexmachine]

(06-14-2016 08:07 PM)Space Cowboy Wrote:  

(06-14-2016 06:18 PM)leanmeansexmachine Wrote:  

Cracking down on hooligans and supporter clubs would simply be another nail in the coffin of European culture.

Then let it die. Violent nationalism is shit and the ultras are the last fuckups you want as the torchbearers for your culture.

Why not let them fight? Because they're vandals. They destroy private property, they injure and scare bystanders, they tie up local law enforcement and other emergency services, and they're bad for business.

Unless these groups are somehow disbanded they are going to keep on fighting each other. So the solution is, let them do what they want, but just keep it away from the common public.

I live near the stadium of Red Star, there used to be constant fights outside my apartment. Storewindows and restaurants smashed, broken bottles on the street.

2 Years ago the government put more police on the streets, seperating fans from rival teams. Since then, no incident.

It is the fault of the Euro Cup security for not recognising these situations and keeping the fans seperated.

[rudebwoy]

(06-14-2016 08:55 PM)papaiela Wrote:  

Quote:

I am a Arsenal fan and a supporter of Wilshere, but I fear too many injuries will cut his career short. He is very fortunate to be on this squad.

Wilshere should not have been called the guy hasn't played for months and his 20 minutes against Russia attest of that, Drinkwater should have been in France.

I actually find that England and Belgium share a lot in common - Talented players, a beta coach and an inexperience of the team.

Wilmots and Hodgson are great coaches to build a team but not to win a tournament. They are simply not good tacticians.

Hodgson is not a great coach and Wilmots is terrible.

Sometimes I seriously wonder who makes these decisions. Wilshere and Sterling shouldn't be on this team based on the performance they had this season.

Surely Drinkwater and Dafoe would have been better choices. I sure Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland wished they had players of that quality on their team.

[papaiela]

Quote:

Hodgson is not a great coach and Wilmots is terrible.

Well, I think that Wilmots and Hodgson belong to this category of coaches who can only motivate the player and nothing more. The motivational speakers, these guys need a team that is both experienced and talented to achieve something best example that comes to my mind is Zizou with Madrid.

Blessed with the best players is great but if you don't know what to do with them they become useless. Football is like game after all, you can be the 6 ft guy blessed with good genetics - England and Belgium in this Euro but if you don't work out, don't approach, don't have a strategy to follow you will face some serious problem when competing against a slightly above average guy with tight game aka Italy.

You will beat guys who are ugly and have no game aka the 2nd tier European teams but that's about it.

When asked about Pirlo, Conte said that he does not "fit" into the tactical scheme.
Deschamps said the same thing about Ben Arfa and how it was all about creating a group that can live together.

It's a shame that a country so big in Football like England does not produce one decent tactician given their history. I'd be frustrated if I were English or Belges.

[britchard]

(06-14-2016 08:12 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

Britchard - Kyle Walker played very well in the first game and to be fair, Lailana had a good game as well.

I am a Arsenal fan and a supporter of Wilshere, but I fear too many injuries will cut his career short. He is very fortunate to be on this squad.

I was talking to my mate that lives in Iceland, he said the place is going crazy and they think they can win the tournament. LOL

I think Wilshere should give it one more shot this season, and if it doesn't work he should move abroad. If he's fit, he's a brilliant player and would get in to any premier league team. He is also England's best player when fit.

[JeanJaq]

"I'm sorry ma'am"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gv5EDw8aDU
What a disgrace

[godzilla]

Live from France: The scene is Lille is pretty calm today other then an arrest this morning. French news reported that English fans were throwing change at children. That's a bit false. The children were giving bread to pigeons close to the bar and fans were trying to get them to go away. Apparently gypsy children, but I don't know. Russian fans looked pretty drunk going to the game and the English are now currently boozing in the center awaiting their game in Lens tomorrow. Might be interesting but seems like cops are in the right places for this game. With a Russian loss, this feud continue after the game. The English look pretty calm though. Good thing this is a 3 o'clock game and not a night game.

[RaccoonFace]

What a great goal from Hamsik! https://streamable.com/kheq

The first one of Slovakia and the 1-2 of Russia weren't too bad either.