Euro 2024

[bigfluffylemon]

FWIW the Opta prediction is 4/7 Spain, 3/7 England to win the final.

So Spain favourites, but not much in it.

[alfie]

Not on FTA in Australia, so not sure if I can watch the final without forking over $25 for an Optus subscription. Not sure it'll be worth it...

Yeah I don't think you will find a "less than legal" streaming service to view it , unfortunately (though I suppose they exist for those much craftier technologically than I - which is not hard !)

I paid my $29 for Optus at the start of the comp...figured it would be worth it for a month. Glad I did, whatever happens on the weekend. The times aren't always very convenient but that's one good thing about being retired

[Durhamfootman]

I did watch the second half this morning and I was disappointed but unsurprised to see England revert to type. Most passes were square or behind in that second 45. Koeman recognised the England midfield dominance in the first half and tweaked his formation to counter it, something Sir G wouldn't know how to do, but in truth Holland were helped enormously by England going back into their shell. Foden cut a very frustrated figure after the break. I think every goal threatening move came from the Dutch until about the last 15 minutes when Saka got behind and laid the perfect cut back for Kane right in the middle of the box.... but, of course Kane hadn't got there yet. A moment of brilliance from Watkins perpetuates the myth that Southgate does know what he's doing when he fails repeatedly to make changes when things are not going well and waits until he has no choice but to gamble with a big fat punt in the dying minutes.

I've come to the realisation that Southgate is a bit like me when I'm looking after my grandkids. He spotted them charging around in the first half and dragged them over at half time to tell them to "Stop that at once.... it'll only end in tears"

It's a shame, because England were great in that first half. As well as the change of shape by Koeman, which cut down the amount of free space England had in the middle, the introduction of Shaw will have contributed to the muted second period. I was trying to work out if England had switched to a back 4, but I don't think they had; they mostly defended with either 4 or 5 at the back depending on where Saka was at the time, so I think the formation stayed the same, but Shaw was a lot less willing (or unable) to get as high up the pitch as Trippier. Maybe Trips was feeling something and that forced the change at half time, but it could equally have been an effort to slow England down

Still.... onwards and upwards. I ignore the odds because there never is much difference in them in a 2 horse race, but Spain will be huge favourites. It's their title to lose, but as SP pointed out, France showed that Spain can be got at if England can stop them from running away with it. I think the SF second half will be a better guide as to how England choose to play in the final. Any attacking intent to knock Spain out of their comfort zone will only come if England go a couple of goals behind, imo. I hope I'm wrong

I'll find out on Monday

[Durhamfootman]

I note that there is no 3rd place play off this time and I'm delighted about that. It was always a stupid idea

[Durhamfootman]

Koeman is complaining bitterly about VAR, accusing it of 'breaking football'. He may have a point about the penalty award, but from what I've seen of this tournament VAR has been largely unobtrusive, which I guess is precisely how it should be.

This tournament has given me a bit more hope for the future of VAR, if I'm honest

[Gingerfinch]

I thought it was a pen.

Given what happened in 1993, tough titties, Ronald.

[Durhamfootman]

oh yes, definitely tough titty

somebody else can claim 'we wuz robbed' for once

[Durhamfootman]

FA want Southgate to stay on, but he won't, if you ask me, not after Molineuxgate and then beerglassgate. He said he wouldn't outstay his welcome. Hopefully he'll keep to his word

[Durhamfootman]

Allotment for me, even though it's as black as a witches hat and everything will be wet.

I haven't watched a single England match live and I'm not going to start now. I'm making absolutely sure that if football doesn't come home then it won't be my fault

good luck everybody

[bigfluffylemon]

Well, I'm up but stuck with the radio, after a brief unsuccessful attempt to find somewhere open showing the game.

[bigfluffylemon]

The equaliser!

We can't come from behind to win again, can we?

[bigfluffylemon]

It appears not.

Injury time to get it back.

[bigfluffylemon]

Bye bye Gareth.

So near and yet so far. Can't really be too disappointed, the best team in the tournament won.

[sussexpob]

Who would have thought ay.... 1-1, getting battered, Southgate kept 3 attacking midfielders on. Something only a clueless amateur would do ...

Oh wait.

Close the door on the way out you clown

[Durhamfootman]

I was out the back shelling broad beans, but I knew it wasn't coming home when it got to 2155 and I couldn't hear any cheering. I had heard some a little while earlier, so I figured England had scored, but the deafening silence outside at 2155 told me they'd probably lost, rather than into extra time

I guess the only thing left to be decided is which honours list will award Grandadgate his knighthood. It will probably be Prinny W bothering his dad, but there is a chance Starmer might go early, because he's never had the opportunity before. Then there's Sunak as outgoing PM, but his might have already happened or too late to change or something. Whichever way it goes, old Gareth will be Sir Gareth no later than the NY honours list. As long as he ***** off, I don't mind really...... just as long as he ***** off