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Not for the first time, Europe is at war, and unlike the last two occasions, there is no need for American intervention!

For the next two weeks, I want this thread to be a realm of banter, gloating, despair (If you're an England fan) and generally anything to do with the tournament. Goals, injuries, psychic octopuses, whatever!! In all likelyhood, this thread will probably descended into a discussion about how bad England are, but I extended the invitation to our dakka brothers (and sisters) from Europe to get involved.

I can almost hear the groans of despair from across the Atlantic, but fear not, our American brothers (and sister) can still get involved. For example, if you are Frazz and you love weiner dogs, you can support Germany. If your ancestors came from Poland you can err...Support Poland Anyway, I'm not expecting much from England, but If we beat Germany, I'll die a happy man!!
Just over 24hrs to go, and the excitement is building already

As a reminder, here are the groups:

GROUP A
Greece
Poland
Russia
Czech Republic

GROUP B
Germany
Netherlands
Denmark
Portugal

GROUP C (group of debt )
Italy
Spain
Croatia
Republic of Ireland

GROUP D
England
France
Sweden
Ukraine


Finally, I'll finish with a rallying cry:

This day is called the Feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day and comes safe home
Will stand a-tiptoe when this day is named
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall see this day and live t' old age
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours
And say, "Tomorrow is Saint Crispian."
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars
And say, "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words —
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester —
Be in their flowing cups freshly remembered.
This story shall the good man teach his son,
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered,
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition.
And gentlemen in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's Day.

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:Not for the first time, Europe is at war, and unlike the last two occasions, there is no need for American intervention!

For the next two weeks, I want this thread to be a realm of banter, gloating, despair (If you're an England fan) and generally anything to do with the tournament. Goals, injuries, psychic octopuses, whatever!! In all likelyhood, this thread will probably descended into a discussion about how bad England are, but I extended the invitation to our dakka brothers (and sisters) from Europe to get involved.

I can almost hear the groans of despair from across the Atlantic, but fear not, our American brothers (and sister) can still get involved. For example, if you are Frazz and you love weiner dogs, you can support Germany. If your ancestors came from Poland you can err...Support Poland Anyway, I'm not expecting much from England, but If we beat Germany, I'll die a happy man!!
Just over 24hrs to go, and the excitement is building already

As a reminder, here are the groups:

GROUP A
Greece
Poland
Russia
Czech Republic

GROUP B
Germany
Netherlands
Denmark
Portugal

GROUP C (group of debt )
Italy
Spain
Croatia
Republic of Ireland

GROUP D
England
France
Sweden
Ukraine


Finally, I'll finish with a rallying cry:

This day is called the Feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day and comes safe home
Will stand a-tiptoe when this day is named
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall see this day and live t' old age
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours
And say, "Tomorrow is Saint Crispian."
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars
And say, "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words —
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester —
Be in their flowing cups freshly remembered.
This story shall the good man teach his son,
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered,
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition.
And gentlemen in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's Day.

Wait is this football, or betting which countries get kicked out of the Euro in the next 30 days?

Either way Germany will do alright.

GROUP A
Greece
Poland
Russia
Czech Republic

GROUP B
Germany
Netherlands
Denmark
Portugal

GROUP C (group of debt )
Italy
Spain
Croatia
Republic of Ireland

GROUP D
England
France
Sweden
Ukraine

My predictions

I mirror HM's predictions...

I am unexcited about the tournament so far, but will no doubt watch the England games. My expectations for success couldn't be lower though. I would not be overly surprised if we failed to make it out of the group stage.

Flashman wrote:I am unexcited about the tournament so far, but will no doubt watch the England games. My expectations for success couldn't be lower though. I would not be overly surprised if we failed to make it out of the group stage.

TBh I think that was the FA's plan when they got Hogson instead of Redknapp, lower the expectation and hype that is usually generated by the media

Hlaine Larkin mk2 wrote:

Flashman wrote:I am unexcited about the tournament so far, but will no doubt watch the England games. My expectations for success couldn't be lower though. I would not be overly surprised if we failed to make it out of the group stage.

TBh I think that was the FA's plan when they got Hogson instead of Redknapp, lower the expectation and hype that is usually generated by the media

Nah, was probably more to do with 'Arry being a gak manager, who either (according to his defence in court) can't read or write at a primary school level, or is a tax dodging fethhead and who has bankrupted every club he's ever been at. While Roy is dignified, experienced and can make astute tactical decisions.

Frazz, this is football!!!

Holland could potentially pip Germany to top spot. We shall see.

Fact of the day: Roy is the only English manager to have read crime and punishment

Anyway, the England team has arrived in Krakow. Exciting times ahead. Meanwhile, our Ukranian rivals have been laid low by food poisoning.

reds8n wrote: Either way Germany will do alright.

Haha!

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

but If we beat Germany, I'll die a happy man!!

So if yours win you'll die? Rest assured we'll save your life and beat them!

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
GROUP A
Greece
Poland
Russia
Czech Republic

GROUP B
Germany
Netherlands
Denmark
Portugal

GROUP C
Italy
Spain
Croatia
Republic of Ireland

GROUP D
England
France
Sweden
Ukraine

Contribution to the wild guesses:

Frazzled wrote:
Wait is this football, or betting which countries get kicked out of the Euro in the next 30 days?

Its a tourny to decide who gets kicked out and when. The finalists gets to keep the Euro.

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Anyway, the England team has arrived in Krakow. Exciting times ahead. Meanwhile, our Ukranian rivals have been laid low by food poisoning.

Good plan, sharing your food with them beforehand..

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:Frazz, this is football!!!

As I read this, I imagined you kicking Frazz into a pit filled with hungry wiener dogs I admit I giggled a little, and got some odd looks from around the office

I'm not a fan of football, in fact, I only ever watch it when England play in the World Cup (So, maybe 1 game every 4 years ) I might watch England play the Euro, but, lets face it, we fething suck. We won't last long

My guess.

I was hoping to see a debate on the incompetence of the European Union's governing bodies, but then found out it was about soccer instead.

Sad panda.

Wait, I didn't notice my two teams in the sweeps are from the same group.. *sadface* going to have to hope France implodes again.

My choices.

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Anyway, the England team has arrived in Krakow. Exciting times ahead. Meanwhile, our Ukranian rivals have been laid low by food poisoning.

See if 'arry had been manager he would have brought the spurs cook and England would have food poisoning.




Automatically Appended Next Post:

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote: going to have to hope France implodes again.

They might, but Blanc seems a really good manager, but then it is France and they argue like the Dutch teams of old. I just want to see Evra and Nasri have a little cry.

So if yours win you'll die? Rest assured we'll save your life and beat them!

Never! There will always be an England! It is the dream in every man's heart!

As I read this, I imagined you kicking Frazz into a pit filled with hungry wiener dogs I admit I giggled a little, and got some odd looks from around the office

In the past, I have been tempted You look fairly new to this forum, so I'll let you into a little secret about Frazz:
Publicly, he declares his love for Texas and Nancy Reagan, but privately, he yearns for European socialism and the metric system to be imposed on Texas

I was hoping to see a debate on the incompetence of the European Union's governing bodies, but then found out it was about soccer instead.

Sad panda.

No excuse for not getting involved!

See if 'arry had been manager he would have brought the spurs cook and England would have food poisoning.

Every man and his dog knows it was the gunners that sabotaged the spurs lasagne!!

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

See if 'arry had been manager he would have brought the spurs cook and England would have food poisoning.

Every man and his dog knows it was the gunners that sabotaged the spurs lasagne!!

And that is why we eat lasagne every year when St. Totteringhams day comes round.

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

As I read this, I imagined you kicking Frazz into a pit filled with hungry wiener dogs I admit I giggled a little, and got some odd looks from around the office

In the past, I have been tempted You look fairly new to this forum, so I'll let you into a little secret about Frazz:
Publicly, he declares his love for Texas and Nancy Reagan, but privately, he yearns for European socialism and the metric system to be imposed on Texas

Texas is basically Spain, so he is technically already a European socialist.

I usually favor Germany and I want them to win, but they have had some difficulties during the past month. Team Germany/Bayern Munich has not been able to close convincingly. But then again Germany is not unknown for having a weak run-up to a major tournament only to find their footing during the first game and then play like they are on fire.

dæl wrote:

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

See if 'arry had been manager he would have brought the spurs cook and England would have food poisoning.

Every man and his dog knows it was the gunners that sabotaged the spurs lasagne!!

And that is why we eat lasagne every year when St. Totteringhams day comes round.

Fething gooner /\ (there is no worse insult.)

But in Anycase

DEUSTCHLAND will win.

I have to say I am holding out hope that England will surprise everyone and win it to prove everyone wrong now that they are getting the negative comments. However, realistically, I reckon Germany will claim the cup.

Azza007 wrote:I have to say I am holding out hope that England will surprise everyone and win it to prove everyone wrong now that they are getting the negative comments.

Isn't that what everyone says, every time?

captain collius wrote:

dæl wrote:

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

See if 'arry had been manager he would have brought the spurs cook and England would have food poisoning.

Every man and his dog knows it was the gunners that sabotaged the spurs lasagne!!

And that is why we eat lasagne every year when St. Totteringhams day comes round.

Fething gooner /\ (there is no worse insult.)

But we've stolen it as a name that now instils pride.

Tibbsy wrote:

Azza007 wrote:I have to say I am holding out hope that England will surprise everyone and win it to prove everyone wrong now that they are getting the negative comments.

Isn't that what everyone says, every time?

Difference is this time I actually hope its true. There has been so much negativity that they might win out of spite.

Azza007 wrote:

Tibbsy wrote:

Azza007 wrote:I have to say I am holding out hope that England will surprise everyone and win it to prove everyone wrong now that they are getting the negative comments.

Isn't that what everyone says, every time?

Difference is this time I actually hope its true. There has been so much negativity that they might win out of spite.

England will not win for the English, but as a giant 'feth you' towards the English?

I can see them doing it, selfish enough most of them. Then again they could end up just being lazier than ever.

Eight hours to go!! Yeah!! Hopefully the opening ceremony will be USA 94 style and Diana Ross!!

Match Previews:

1) Greece Vs Poland

Given that Poland haven't won a game at the Euros since 2008, and Greece have only scored 10 goals in the last 14 games, don't expect a free-flowing festival of football. Ignore the sentiment about Poland having home advantage. This has 0-0 stamped all over it.
Prediction: 1-1


2) Russia Vs Czech Republic

Given that the Czech Republic struggled against Scotland in the qualifiers, then don't expect miracles from these goal shy Bohemians. Polish vodka is almost as good as Russian vodka, so expect the Russians to be in a good mood as they clock up a win. And if they don't they could always send in the tanks again!

Prediction: 2-0 to the Russians.

I reckon the Poles might do alright, they've got a great keeper.

And I think the Czechs will beat Russia.

We shall see soon enough.

If the Czechs beat Russia, then I'll bare my backside in front of the Kremlin! And you can quote me on that!

There is no way the Czechs are going to win. They struggled against Scotland!!!

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:If the Czechs beat Russia, then I'll bare my backside in front of the Kremlin! And you can quote me on that!

There is no way the Czechs are going to win. They struggled against Scotland!!!

The ghost of Nedved shall possess each and every one of them.

Also, that wouldn't be very nice for the Russians, they'd not only lose, but also have to put up with someone mooning them.