UEFA Euro 2012

[webding]

Yeah, the paper I read gave him England man of the match too. I thought he was far from his best, and didn't get involved enough for a central midfielder. He also should have scored to put us top of the group. He wasn't terrible, but - the assist aside - I don't think he had any real influence on the game.

Nevermind, I'm not expecting anything, and it's been a brilliant tournament so far; certainly the best first round of a finals I can really remember. Cue a string of nil-nils.

[witchfinder]

Gerrard (anonymous, apart from the cross for Carroll's goal)
Young (absolutely awful)
Johnson (may as well have put a traffic cone at right back)

I agree with two of these (although Gerrard's cross for Carroll was a peach) but Johnson has by far been England's best defender so far, covering for Terry's slowness and making at least one great interceptions in each of the two matches so far. Ashley Cole was good in the first game but was over-committing a lot last night. I expect Young to be dropped to make way for Walcott and/or Rooney in the next game.

The marking for Sweden's second last night was completely non-existent though - not sure whose fault that was but it was disgraceful!

Good to see lots of goals in the matches so far - 16 games in and not a 0-0 draw to be seen yet!

[webding]

A lot of Johnson's (admittedly good) interceptions and last ditch challenges are down to his poor positional sense seeing him being in the wrong place to start with; he's got himself out of jail a fair few times because he's pretty quick. I'm with Merson on this one: "he can't defend for toffee." It was his fault that two Swedish players were onside for his own goal, for example.

But I agree, Terry is slow and getting slower. The defence as a whole are all over the shop, and that's something Hodgson and Neville need to work on before the next game. As well as stopping Young from being cack (I'll bet you he drops Carroll for Rooney, and Young will play).

[DreamcastRIP]

...it's been a brilliant tournament so far; certainly the best first round of a finals I can really remember. Cue a string of nil-nils.

... Good to see lots of goals in the matches so far - 16 games in and not a 0-0 draw to be seen yet!

Both current matches 0-0 at half time. You two bloody jinxed it!

EDIT:
Greece just scored in the dying seconds of the first half... so I take it back!

[Negative Creep]

I'm hoping Poland go through, always had a soft spot for them and would be nice to have one of the home nations in the next round (since we obviously can't have Ukraine going through)

[thl]

What a turn around for the Czech Republic as they topped Group A. Pity to see Poland went out of the tournament as their hope faded away from them. Didn't expect Greece to progress through too as they looked likely to lose against Russia. That goal proved crucial for the Greeks and they're likely to face Germany in the quarter finals.

[The Laird]

Was a big shock to see Russia go out, they were my dark horses and looked bloody good in the first game

[crusto]

Cakes

[Roo]

Czech Republic go through as group winners! Craig Levein: you've seriously, completely, spectacularly blown it.

[resident paul]

A Swedish reporter spied on the English camp on their preparation between England vs Sweden.
He's relayed the information to Swedish camp & they use that info but it was a fat use to them.

Link: http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/england-shrug ... g-incident

[webding]

Is it me, or does everyone hate Portugal more than Germany these days? Pretty sure it's due to everyone's favourite Portuguese winker.

[DreamcastRIP]

Is it me, or does everyone hate Portugal more than Germany these days? Pretty sure it's due to everyone's favourite Portuguese winker.

For me at least - yes and hell yes!

[The Laird]

Nah, I still hate Germany more.

C'mon Denmark!!!!!

[psj3809]

I agree i'm anti-Germany as well !

Was exciting last night at one stage when it seemed 'perhaps' there was a chance of Germany missing out if Denmark had scored. Tonight should be quite exciting

[Liamh1982]

Not-sssscho-sssschexy football anymore...

Typically I tipped the Dutch to win it!