Excellent game from Italy! Once can never be very surprised if they win tough matches, but I am a little bit... Spain had been quite brilliant up until now!
I somehow think this has a lot to do with the coach that Italy has: Conte seems to always manage to make the best use of what he has, and make the team-play greater than any individual talent. Supposedly this team had no great star quality. Right.
Top coach that Conte! Congrats Italy!
Now looking fwd to Icelandic feat. Not the most likely result, but entirely plausible I think.
Yes, that's exactly the point, and what I wrote when we started. He is the added value to this team. Just look at what he did after our second goal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8UBZ5-etqc
I can't wait for Conte to take over at Chelsea. Italy have been the biggest surprise this tournament for me. They didn't just beat Spain... they dominated the game.
Anyone else horribly sad about Messi retiring from international football? I still think he's going to change his mind.
Well, I didn't read the question before the match, but still wanted to answer.
I am a bit worried by the athletic endurance, so far I think that we are the team that is running the most, and our success also depends on how effectively we manage to close the spaces and to press who has the ball.
I was of course just teasing Davide - but as said, you could be right! Hope you shall not have minded my request for prophecies, once you are proven one, haha!
Germany has not had the magnificence it had in the world cup, even if it has been solid and could always find an extra gear. @Davide - I am a little unsure as to why the quality difference feels so great - what do you think?
Could you not send Conte to coach Belgium, pretty please?? I think the squad has great talent, but just has not been uplifted as a team. It frustrates me!
France has shown occasional greatness but has been painfully inconsistent. Need to find two extra gears, I think. Maybe home-crowd will give.
Funny I thought exactly the same of Iceland as you do of Italy - the commentator mentioned they had run I think 2 km more than England, and you could see it from hour of play on that their accuracy was deteriorating.
Portugal might have the Barbie-boy, but I will be looking forward to a Polish surprise victory there! How could I do other? Portugal is too centred around a single great individual, Poland as a team has had true grit.
The WAL 1-NIR 0 result seems a bit unfair when Wales voted to leave and Northern Ireland to remain :P
Let's take it as a sign of hope, rather, if we can: it is Wales that now safeguards our UK fellow fans from a full Brexit, and surely everyone in the UK shall unite behind Wales in support!
I congratulate @TStael with the first right exact score. Germany showed they are very, very strong, much stronger than I thought before the tournament started. blockquote>
Hahaa, the beast is loose! Thx JB - I'm glad I got at least one right.
@lolien - great tournament for HU, sorry there had to be a loser in HU-BE game. But at least we still have Iceland in the game!
Quarter finals - my predictions so you know what not to bet on.
It's is often said that there are no easy matches in international football. This is particularly true for European quarter finals. I expect all four matches to be close.
Poland - Portugal: 1-2. Looks like Ronaldo & Co are getting in shape.
Wales - Belgium: 1-2. Wales disappointed me a bit against Northern Ireland but I doubt Belgium can keep Bale from scoring. I also doubt Wales can keep Belgium from outscoring him.
Germany - Italy: 2-2, Germany wins on penalties. A totally unpredictable meeting of two giants. It doesn't get less unpredictable in a penalty shootout, since both teams have world class goalkeepers. I go with Lineker's Law: The Germans win in the end.
France - Iceland: 2-1. Sorry to our Nordic brothers and their many fans abroad but France writes the last chapter of the Icelandic saga. I would love to be wrong, though!
Poland/Portugal: 1-1 draw, overtime victory for... Poland. Neither of these teams are real contenders, but should be an interesting match.
Belgium 3 Wales 1: Welsh spirit is strong, but Belgium seem to finally have gotten things together.
Zee Germans 2 Italy 1: Hardest match to predict, and the best match of the round. Should be exciting. Italians could cement their place as the one team that beats zee Germans, but Germany does have the strength to break down Italy's back three.
France 2 Iceland 0: Iceland has been brave, but all good things must come to an end. The hosts will win this one, but Iceland will win our hearts.
Germany has not had the magnificence it had in the world cup, even if it has been solid and could always find an extra gear. @Davide - I am a little unsure as to why the quality difference feels so great - what do you think?
On our side, I think that it is quite understandable to underrate our team, when you consider that we always had on the pitch quality players like Baggio, Del Piero, Pirlo, Cassano, and bombers like Vieri, Toni, Inzaghi and similar, plus legends like Baresi, Cannavaro, Nesta and Maldini as defenders (even though in this ward we cannot complain too much, at the moment). On the Germany side, they are probably not yet shining as in the last WC, but the players are more or less the same, many of which are really great (Neuer, Ozil, Muller and so on) and they are for sure one of the best teams Germany ever had. The part where we are doing very well up to now, that is organisation, is also something they are quite good at too, so this time it might not give us too big an edge as it happened against Spain, and especially against Belgium.
I think that this is the best chance Germany has to avoid what always happened in WCs and ECs up to now against us. My only hope is that a possible overconfidence on their side, in preparing the match, might be their chink in the armour on Saturday.
Poland - Portugal: 0 - 2: I've talked about Portugal gearing up for some time now but only really saw it in their last game. They haven't really impressed me so far, but I think they will step up, take command and win this game. Poland is a good team, but Portugal have more experience and, of course, that one player who can win the match on his own. I think they will start with scoring, forcing Poland to move forward, thus opening up their defensive for a counter attack and another score.
Belgium - Wales: 2 - 0: Belgium is the better team of course, but Wales got the spirit! I think Belgium with their momentum from the last game will show the world the difference between a "great" team vs a "good" team though.
Germany - Italy: 2 - 1: This is the one I'm looking forward to. I've voted Germany as winners, so I have to stay true to that. But based on Italy's performance in the last game, I actually feel they might very well come out on top this time. Nonetheless, I have to vote Deutschland. I predict a tense, tight game with two of europe's absolute best teams pitted against each other. Oh how I wish they would have met in the finals instead!
France - Iceland: 2 - 0: Iceland, magnificent Iceland. How I love and admire what you have accomplished in this championship! The coach is swedish, as many of you prolly know, and at the end of his time as coach for Sweden, he was considered old-fashioned and too defensive. Cool to see how his coaching style obviously works wonders for Iceland. Also, it's funny to read chronicles/articles from journalist now praising him as the jesus of football, the same journalists who hated him back when he was Sweden's coach! Damn hypocrits.
Ok, let me get my predictions in for the next round:
POL 2 - POR 1 GER 2 - ITA 2 (Germany wins penalties) WAL 1 - BEL 2 FRA 1 - ICE 1 (Iceland wins penalties)
Cannot help it, have to predict Iceland to go forth - surely an entirely emotionless prediction!
Put my trust in Polish team-play over CR7 superstar, and hope Belgium will perform, even if I think it will be a painfully close fought match.
I admit I am really at a loss to guess whether Germany or Italy wins! Germany has not been as great as in the World Cup, and Italy has been very unified and convincing. However, one has to assume that the German team will find an extra gear to shift now that it matters. I am expecting a very close match.
Before the tournament I predicted Poland to be in the semifinals. However, the team never hit their stride, IMO. They have had very few opportunities and scored few goals; Lewandovski I believe still has no shots on target. Hence, I must give today's prediction to Portugal:
Yes, it's a very hard match to predict. Basically, both @Skatan and you give advantage to Ronnie and Co, while I put my faith in Lewa. I think he'll score in this match, with the confidence he took from the penalty shoot-out.
Well, there were tons and tons of expert opinions in Polish press why Lewandowski didn't score yet. I think it's that he's working a bit too hard in the back instead of just... scoring the goals. And I think defenders did their homework, he's most fouled player on the tournament. It's a miracle he didn't catch a serious injury after Schaer mauled him in the 1/8. But Portugese defense do not inspire too much confidence, so he may be able to squeeze one or two goals in.
I am yet to forget his hat-trick +1 against Real in Champions League when he still was with Dortmund, he was magical in that match. Just magical...
Anyone else left Windows 10 upgrade a bit... last moment? I hope I am finished before the match actually starts, but in case there are any others guilty as charged, strongly recommend you search slate.com for walkthrough how to optimise the infamous privacy settings! Getting to it now...
I am yet to forget his hat-trick +1 against Real in Champions League when he still was with Dortmund, he was magical in that match. Just magical...
Anyone else left Windows 10 upgrade a bit... last moment? I hope I am finished before the match actually starts, but in case there are any others guilty as charged, strongly recommend you search slate.com for walkthrough how to optimise the infamous privacy settings! Getting to it now...
That was quite a feat of Lewy, indeed. Another magical moment was that 5 goals in 9 minutes with VFL Wolfsburg when he was a 2nd half substitute.
I'm actually now next room because I really find penalties such unfair way to resolve a match, even if part of the modern rules...
The player that fails will probably feel so culpable after 120 minutes of fair combat that it pains me. "Tragic figure" says the commentator, of the Polish fellow that missed. Indeed!
Okei... so, Portugal fwd.
Was pleased that Lewondowski, a favorite of mine, scored! Thought there was not enough accuracy and timing in Polish forward passes towards the attack zone today, I thought. The PT defense was very quick to swarm, and all power to them.
I already thought that the equalizer from Portugal was a sweet goal, but when the commentator mentioned that its author is actually a teenager, just 18, I became very impressed.
This Sanches boy - one to watch I think! And even took penalty - based on far-off dreadlock observation - what acool handed youngster.
Gutted for Poland. Penalties is a nasty way to go at this stage.
Well I am glad POR advances. They clearly had more to offer than POL who were just retreating after the first period.
Honestly, neither should be in a semi-final. That side of the draw was really bad. To have Germany, France, Spain and Italy on one side just doesn't seem right.
Comments
Just look at what he did after our second goal.
Anyone else horribly sad about Messi retiring from international football? I still think he's going to change his mind.
Germany has not had the magnificence it had in the world cup, even if it has been solid and could always find an extra gear. @Davide - I am a little unsure as to why the quality difference feels so great - what do you think?
Could you not send Conte to coach Belgium, pretty please?? I think the squad has great talent, but just has not been uplifted as a team. It frustrates me!
France has shown occasional greatness but has been painfully inconsistent. Need to find two extra gears, I think. Maybe home-crowd will give.
Funny I thought exactly the same of Iceland as you do of Italy - the commentator mentioned they had run I think 2 km more than England, and you could see it from hour of play on that their accuracy was deteriorating.
Portugal might have the Barbie-boy, but I will be looking forward to a Polish surprise victory there! How could I do other?
It's is often said that there are no easy matches in international football. This is particularly true for European quarter finals. I expect all four matches to be close.
Poland - Portugal: 1-2. Looks like Ronaldo & Co are getting in shape.
Wales - Belgium: 1-2. Wales disappointed me a bit against Northern Ireland but I doubt Belgium can keep Bale from scoring. I also doubt Wales can keep Belgium from outscoring him.
Germany - Italy: 2-2, Germany wins on penalties. A totally unpredictable meeting of two giants. It doesn't get less unpredictable in a penalty shootout, since both teams have world class goalkeepers. I go with Lineker's Law: The Germans win in the end.
France - Iceland: 2-1. Sorry to our Nordic brothers and their many fans abroad but France writes the last chapter of the Icelandic saga. I would love to be wrong, though!
Belgium 3 Wales 1: Welsh spirit is strong, but Belgium seem to finally have gotten things together.
Zee Germans 2 Italy 1: Hardest match to predict, and the best match of the round. Should be exciting. Italians could cement their place as the one team that beats zee Germans, but Germany does have the strength to break down Italy's back three.
France 2 Iceland 0: Iceland has been brave, but all good things must come to an end. The hosts will win this one, but Iceland will win our hearts.
On the Germany side, they are probably not yet shining as in the last WC, but the players are more or less the same, many of which are really great (Neuer, Ozil, Muller and so on) and they are for sure one of the best teams Germany ever had.
The part where we are doing very well up to now, that is organisation, is also something they are quite good at too, so this time it might not give us too big an edge as it happened against Spain, and especially against Belgium.
I think that this is the best chance Germany has to avoid what always happened in WCs and ECs up to now against us. My only hope is that a possible overconfidence on their side, in preparing the match, might be their chink in the armour on Saturday.
Belgium - Wales: 2 - 0: Belgium is the better team of course, but Wales got the spirit! I think Belgium with their momentum from the last game will show the world the difference between a "great" team vs a "good" team though.
Germany - Italy: 2 - 1: This is the one I'm looking forward to. I've voted Germany as winners, so I have to stay true to that. But based on Italy's performance in the last game, I actually feel they might very well come out on top this time. Nonetheless, I have to vote Deutschland. I predict a tense, tight game with two of europe's absolute best teams pitted against each other. Oh how I wish they would have met in the finals instead!
France - Iceland: 2 - 0: Iceland, magnificent Iceland. How I love and admire what you have accomplished in this championship! The coach is swedish, as many of you prolly know, and at the end of his time as coach for Sweden, he was considered old-fashioned and too defensive. Cool to see how his coaching style obviously works wonders for Iceland. Also, it's funny to read chronicles/articles from journalist now praising him as the jesus of football, the same journalists who hated him back when he was Sweden's coach! Damn hypocrits.
POL 2 - POR 1
GER 2 - ITA 2 (Germany wins penalties)
WAL 1 - BEL 2
FRA 1 - ICE 1 (Iceland wins penalties)
Cannot help it, have to predict Iceland to go forth - surely an entirely emotionless prediction!
Put my trust in Polish team-play over CR7 superstar, and hope Belgium will perform, even if I think it will be a painfully close fought match.
I admit I am really at a loss to guess whether Germany or Italy wins! Germany has not been as great as in the World Cup, and Italy has been very unified and convincing. However, one has to assume that the German team will find an extra gear to shift now that it matters. I am expecting a very close match.
POL 2 - POR 1
GER 2 - ITA 1
WAL 2 - BEL 2 (BEL win on pens.)
FRA 1 - ICE 2
As usual I'm probably waaay off
Wales vs Belgium - 0:2
Germany vs Italy - 2:1
France vs Iceland - 1:0
Wales vs Belgium - 1:2 (Bale's last stand)
Germany vs Italy - 1:1 (Italy wins in penalties)
France vs Iceland - 2:0 (I hope I'm so wrong about this)
POL - POR 0-1
Messi comes back, and then England retires from international football instead
I am yet to forget his hat-trick +1 against Real in Champions League when he still was with Dortmund, he was magical in that match. Just magical...
Anyone else left Windows 10 upgrade a bit... last moment? I hope I am finished before the match actually starts, but in case there are any others guilty as charged, strongly recommend you search slate.com for walkthrough how to optimise the infamous privacy settings! Getting to it now...
The push should have been a penalty against Poland
Amazing goal by Renato Sanchez
The player that fails will probably feel so culpable after 120 minutes of fair combat that it pains me. "Tragic figure" says the commentator, of the Polish fellow that missed. Indeed!
Okei... so, Portugal fwd.
Was pleased that Lewondowski, a favorite of mine, scored! Thought there was not enough accuracy and timing in Polish forward passes towards the attack zone today, I thought. The PT defense was very quick to swarm, and all power to them.
I already thought that the equalizer from Portugal was a sweet goal, but when the commentator mentioned that its author is actually a teenager, just 18, I became very impressed.
This Sanches boy - one to watch I think! And even took penalty - based on far-off dreadlock observation - what acool handed youngster.
Gutted for Poland. Penalties is a nasty way to go at this stage.