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- A Private Eye
- Rep: 77
Re: EURO 2016 Thread
Tonight not withstanding I think Englands most likely next opposition (statistically) is Romania and least likely Spain, with 14 other teams (inc Germany and NI) being possible last 16 opponents.
Re: EURO 2016 Thread
I think we (I use that term loosely) would be happy with England or France. Not, because we'd win... it would just be a big occasion.
If we did beat France though and this is unlikely, it'd be the biggest upset ever.
- A Private Eye
- Rep: 77
Re: EURO 2016 Thread
Englands statistically most likely next round opponents, Romania, have just gone out 
It's too hard to predict now with the third place teams involved. Just finish as high as possible and see where it leaves you.
Re: EURO 2016 Thread
France and Spain have the easiest way to the final. Particularly Spain, where England, Portugal or Belgium are looking to be their major challengers. France will have to square off with either Germany or Italy to win their almost guaranteed semi final.
This is England's time to do it though. If they win the group they can look forward to an easy round of 16 game, then face off against Belgium/Portugal (worst case scenarios), both doable.
- A Private Eye
- Rep: 77
Re: EURO 2016 Thread
04 was our year to win it. We'll never have a better chance. An excellent team while other big nations were transitioning.
James
Neville
Terry
Ferdinand
Cole
Beckham
Lampard
Gerrard
Scholes
Owen
Rooney
That team should have done so much better than a QF against Portugal.
That said nobody looks invincible this time although I wouldn't want to meet Spain or Germany if we can avoid it.
Re: EURO 2016 Thread
I agree APE no doubt.
However that Portugal side was alot stronger back then than it is now, if you look at their team too. England still should have won, but I think people (the media) shouldn't have dismissed that Portugal side back then... including in 2006.
Personally though it should have the Czech Republic's year. Can't believe they lost to Greece.
Re: EURO 2016 Thread
Greece strangled that tournament. France had a good, exciting team too, but were stopped short by the negative tactics. Beat them in the QF, then a marvelous Czech team in the SF, before extinguishing all joy in Portugal in the final.
Was entertaining when it all happened, but in hindsight it turned what could have been a great EUROs into one of the worst.
- A Private Eye
- Rep: 77
Re: EURO 2016 Thread
France were strong that year too but again got dumped out by Greece. I seem to remember Beckham missing a penalty against France when we were 1-0 up which would have probably won us the game and ultimately the group and changed our poosible course to the final completely.
Portugal were a stronger side than now, and helped by home support as well. By 06 we were transitioning a bit. The team didn't seem to be responding to Sven anymore (the fake sheikh saw to that), Scholes had retired, Owen was fading and Rooney was completely unfit. Portugal were arguably a better side in 06 than in 04 as well.
This probably does represent Englands best chance since 04. For once we have several players who are genuine goal threats. The last decade we have relied on Rooney for goals and he's not delivered in the big tournaments. Now we have 3 or 4 strikers all capable of getting 20+ Prem goals a season, then guys like Rooney and Alli who can get goals from midfield. The pressure is off any one individual to get goals. That's a luxury we haven't really had for 10 years.
My concern is defence. In years gone by we've had guys like Tony Adams, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry. World class centre backs and unfortunately Cahill and Smalling just aren't in their league. Against better teams that might be there undoing. Same with Walker and Rose, excellent coming forward but when asked to do more defensive work they might struggle.
Re: EURO 2016 Thread
It'd be good if England and Wales won tonight. Especially if England hammered Slovakia, to improve NI's chance of 3rd place qualification.
- A Private Eye
- Rep: 77
