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Torres still proves, that even after his amazing goal against Barca, he is still a bit of deer in the headlights when in front of goal.
His confidence seems like it might never recover.

Other than that, the game was okay, a lot of nice passing play, but also a lot of sloppy passing play, but it kept my interest up.
Will be quite interesting to see how the next game goes down, a Croatia win might get both the Italian and Spanish boys a might concerned, as a slip up might mean curtains.


As to the itv coverage, aye its a bit like pulling teeth in places, but its stream on the net is a beauty, so happy for that while trapped here at work.

Beating Germany, England won't since both will not be in a clash at Euro 2012. I guess the English team will not win a game in group D.
But if Germany will not find how it played during the last two years, they will be out soon.

So much for 0-0, the Croatians might run away with this judging by the difference in technical ability, shame really 'cause the Irish are great fans.

I really like these brave Irish men.

dæl wrote:So much for 0-0, the Croatians might run away with this judging by the difference in technical ability, shame really 'cause the Irish are great fans.

The Irish just needed a single sleeping croatian defender it seems.

Funny watching Dara O'Briain tweet during the game, well done Croatia, Now Spain just need to win both their games and Croatia to beat Italy and I get group C spot on

What a shocker from Torres. Chelsea have ditched Drogba but held Torres...I mean WTF WTF WTF x 1000

As for Ireland, the Irish jig ground to a halt. You need inspiration at this level, perspiration will only take you so far. Still a slice of humble pie for me, so much for 0-0. Good game to watch, though.

But today is a date with destiny. It's 1415 again, Henry V part 2. England Vs France.
England expects everyman to do his duty... in other words, It'll be 2-0 to the French.
TBO, I don't mind England losing to America, or Australia, or even the Germans (god forbide) but to lose to the French!!!
Nay nay and thrice nay!!!

Croata were fantastic, always forget how good they really are.
Can definatly see them beating either Italy or Spain (Spain more likely on their showing) and the game against Italy on Thursday could be one of the best in the tournament if both teams play like they did yesterday.

Group B was boring, 3 fantastic teams, and one decent team. Was expecting much better.

Group A wasn't all that bad, Poland game wasn't exactly the best, but Russia beating the Czechs fairly easily provided some good play.

Not sure what to expect form England today, suppose France will win. They've got a very good side, I hope Walcott and Ox start, at least that way we have two fast exiting wingers who pose a threat. If Downing starts and were playing poorly in the first 15/20, i'm just going to stop watching. Downing is rubbish, outscored and assisted by the Everton goal keeper this season. Why on earth is he in the squad? Let alone likely to play...

The other game will be interesting, Ukraine on home turf (unless their playing in Poland?) against a pretty decent Sweden side, could be entertaining.

There is my summery so far

Group B was always going to be tight, but the Dutch need to win against Germany, so expect a decent game there.
Walcott has pace, but he couldn't cross a football coupon, so his attacking threat is nullified.
Downing is in the squad because...er...er...er...shrugs shoulders

Walcott is still dangerous.
He often appears to lack (footballing) intelligence, doesn't know what to do with the ball. But his pace often gets him into positions that mean what ever he does with the ball, there is going to be some threat.

As for Downing, there are so many better wingers. Pilkington at Norwich, played for Ireland youth team, but is English (so can play for either) and despite being I believe the top scoring 'Irish' player in the Prem (8 goals, I'm sure I read top scoring, but thats without checking how many Long, Doyle or Keane scored) wasn't picked by Ireland, maybe he's told them he wants to play for England. Also they didn't pick Hoolahan for some strange reason, better than most of the Irish midfielders... Anyway, so Pilkington, Dyer and Sinclair at Swansea, Adam Johnson despite limited game time is better, Joe Cole would be a better option. So I can think of 5 players easily more effective than Downing without having to think to hard or look at squads.

On Walcott, I'm a gooner so slightly biased but on the other hand I watch him week in week out, he set up a lot of goals for RvP this year and scored a few too. His decisions are still a bit lacking but he's improved loads this season, I think the Ox helped by actually showing what a multi million pound teenage winger from Southampton should play like. Hope the Ox gets at least half an hour on the field. Sky Sports reckon Hodgson will play Milner and Downing on the wings. I hope to god that's not the case. France look a decent side, especially with Blanc in charge, their certainly beatable though. Come on England.

The rumoured line up now has OX and Young on the wings... Welbeck upfront.

The BBC wrote: England are expected to pair Ashley Young and Danny Welbeck in attack against France on Monday, with James Milner on the right wing and Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left.

Manchester City's Joleon Lescott should partner John Terry in central defence.

BBC Radio 5 live's senior football reporter Ian Dennis said: "The team won't be confirmed until an hour before kick-off but this will be the England team which starts here at Euro 2012: Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Ashley Cole, James Milner, Steven Gerrard, Scott Parker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ashley Young, Danny Welbeck.

It makes sense to have the two goal scorers from the warm up games starting I guess. Other than Ox (which in my mind it a good choice) It seems like a pretty obvious starting line up, at least until Rooney gets to the end of his ban.

rodgers37 wrote:The rumoured line up now has OX and Young on the wings... Welbeck upfront.

Hell yes! I am now a happy camper. If France play Mexes then we should have him on pace.

What was with Chiles slagging off the French tracksuit, bit sad.

Azza007 wrote:What was with Chiles slagging off the French tracksuit, bit sad.

Worthwhile advice there from the notorious fashionista Chiles.

I hate football and don't have the least bit of interest in the euro 2012...

Expect this comment to be reversed if by some miracle we manage to win the game against Denmark on Wednesday.

Another injury in warm up for England, this time the goal keeping coach tears his achilles tendon. I think there is a curse on the time, it is ridiculous.

Cabaye shouldn't be on the field any more, two professional fouls stopping counter attacks.

Agreed, at the least he needs to be booked. Just gutted the fact this is from a Newcastle player (NUFC fan here). Milner though needs to be slapped for missing that open goal.

England lucky to go in level IMHO. France have looked the sharper team, although I don't think their defence is anything special.

Flashman wrote:England lucky to go in level IMHO. France have looked the sharper team, although I don't think their defence is anything special.

Don't think lucky is the right word.. France havent done anything to deserve the lead to be honest

France have been lucky they are not 2-1 down. Not sure what the ref is thinking though, all these fouls and he does nothing.

Aye the ref was annoying me by the end, but I'd take a draw against France at the start of the game, so at least we got a point.

My heart skipped a beat when Benzema took that shot at the death and it sorta bobbled towards Hart mind.

Azza007 wrote:France have been lucky they are not 2-1 down. Not sure what the ref is thinking though, all these fouls and he does nothing.

That referee wants shooting after that. I hope they don't let him loose on any other match. It is interesting that he's Italian, who if they qualify will face someone from England's group.

The Ox was superb for a teenager, fair play to the lad.

Thanking God engalnd didn't win,

And the ref was being perfectly fair, just the fact the English players were diving all over the place looking for freekicks

Hlaine Larkin mk2 wrote:And the ref was being perfectly fair, just the fact the English players were diving all over the place looking for freekicks

I take it you were watching a different game then. Why would people dive on the halfway line when they are on a counter and have two against two? This happened a few times. The Gerrard incident on the edge of the box was a foul, looked like a dive at first but it was a foul. The Milner getting shoved over was also a foul with no intention to do anything other than foul him. There were many, many more, but those are probably most important ones.

Hlaine, you're talking absolute gak, son.

The ref missed clear fouls by French players. He had a shocking game, really. Fair played to The Lads, though - I thought they looked good against a fairly 'one-note' French team. The goal we conceded was fairly unlucky too, I thought. If Hart's view hadn't been blocked, I reckon he would have had it covered. Also, Milner should have done better with his chance, to say the least - I don't think it would have been beyond his capabilities to dink it over the keeper, first time.

All in all, a good England performance. We looked tidy.

England vs. France was one of the less exciting games at the Euro, with a very slow pace. The possible opponents in the quaarter final Spain and Italy seem to be in better shape.

Yes, not very favourable refereeing. If he's Italian, I guess he's just fed up with seeing people fall over whenever an opposing player comes near them

But considering the poor refereeing decisions (or lack thereof), I thought the game was played in the right spirit with very little whining or complaining from either side (besides some face clutching nonsense from Parker in the first half and Ribery in the second). Proper North European football that