[Closed] Euro 2016 begins!

England reminded me a bit of Utd under LVG - lots of possession, bit slow and stodgy, not many clear chances created but doing enough (just) to win. Wales were absolutely dire to be honest. Quite a turnaround needed v Russia if they're not to blow qualification. I agree with all the comments re Sterling! 5 minutes of Rashford and you can see what he has that Sterling lacks - a football brain and a bit of awareness.

I am surprised how well Rooney is doing, he wouldn't have been on my team sheet for this tournament, he would barely have made the squad on last seasons performance.

Sterling is an easy target, its just a continuation of the vitriol directed at him by the bitter ex Liverpool players masquerading as pundits. Kane has been equally as bad these two games, I wonder if he will get the same treatment when united pay 60mill for him.

Agreed - but I suspect better sides won't give him as much time and space.

Do we know if Low and his assistant have matching shoes on as well? And I wonder who decides on the outfit?

C'mon now. Lets have no trouble in the thread.

It's not like we're rugby fans....

Missed part of the middle of the game, bastarding boss came down! grrrr.

I'd imagine he thought be highly unlikely to be watching and England game 😉

@binners agreed totally I can't see Sterling on last seasons form or this garbage lasting too long under Pep. I do feel for Kane as I think had Vardy or Sturridge come on at half time against Russia Kane would still be at 9. Chapeau to Rooney too, if he keeps this up we'll be seeing him in that role for 4 more years. Hard to see any other team against Slovakia than Vardy/Sturridge/Llana etc

good result for England..but in reality Wales werent at the races. Wasnt impressed with Delle Alli and Sterling. Not as sharp as in the first game and a bit complacent in the passing.

Was hoping for Rashford to score.. but glad Sturridge did if only for his impression of Crouchys robot. Oh how I miss the robot.

Just in a Youtube blackhole while watching the Germans huff and puff.

Who knew Gordan Strachan had such a gift for comedy....

I thought Alli's touch was poor today as well, would have swapped him for Lallana going off when Rashford came on.

I'd like to see Kane and Sturridge start on Monday; keep Vardy for impact and Sturridge's better vision and flicks and passes will give Kane more to work with. We haven't seen the best of Kane and I don't think we've seen the last of him either.

Well....that was a snooze fest.

Looks like Deadly Serious was 1/3 right.

Could well see three draws today.

The Poles just played a strong defensive game against the Germans. Although supporting Germany, I couldn't help but cheer a bit for the spirited Poles.

aye crap game.

Does make Group C a bit more interesting...

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Doesn't suit NI 🙁

Not a total shocker to see them play out a 0-0 as its fine for them both

Given this guys reaction at 1-1, I hate to think how he ended up after the winner went in 😀

https://streamable.com/geei

Continuing the tradition of making terrible predictions:

[b]Italy[/b] v Sweden
Czech Republic v [b]Croatia[/b]
[b]Spain[/b] v Turkey

As usual, I never ever predict draws 😀

On a side note, while the unpredictability makes me poorer, it certainly makes the tournament richer. Great to see the so called 'smaller nations' going out swinging.

Everyone very happy (with sore heads) here in Norn Iron. After a poor opener we played well as a team, just like in qualification. Better than the some of our parts and all that.

Good to see England, Wales and Norn Iron have all at least won a match. Time to cross fingers that we can all get through the group stages.

Italy v Sweden
Czech Republic v Croatia
Spain v Turkey

You're not exactly going out on a limb Bongo! 😉

As with the game last night it's going to be more difficult to predict the final group games, as a lot of teams will be set up to avoid losing, rather than going out to win. Bit like us really....will Woy select a team that will hit on the break rather than start on the front foot v Slovakia

Good to see England, Wales and Norn Iron have all at least won a match. Time to cross fingers that we can all get through the group stages.

Agreed and hopefully joined by the Republic

You're not exactly going out on a limb Bongo!

I know. As every other time I have gone out on a limb, it's got torn off 🙁

Agreed and hopefully joined by the Republic

Yes, really hope they can get a win against Belgium. They really deserved one against Sweden....just hope it doesn't come down to the Italy match.

If Zlatan turns up, then Sweden will win.

Otherwise, bore-score-draw.

I imagine the quality of the laydeeeees in the crowd is of a particularly high standard in this clash of nations .

Indeed.

I was just thinking there really hasn't been enough pervy cameramen in this tournament. Brasil WC was 50% football and 50% ladies in the crowd.

Its been cool to see the players wives with the kids at the stadiums.

Zzzzzzzzzz

Its been cool to see the players wives with the kids at the stadiums.

Oh go on then as its Friday afternoon, it must be WAG time!

Ludivine Sagna

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OR Ludivine Payet

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+35mins

Just watching a bit of Italy v Sweden and Fat Zlat is merely wandering around the centre circle!

Arse!!! Had a few quid on that being a nil nil draw! 😥

Likewise.

What is it with this tournament and late goals?

I've never seen my father in law so angry. Haha! Unlucky Sweden , thought that was a penalty on first sight

Unlucky Sweden

Not really. They've not had a shot on target in two games.

Zlatan and Ronaldo will probably go out for a drink tonight and moan about being gods among men.

What a miss by Zlatan 😳 😆

Which is an interesting point which of the big stars has turned up or failed to deliver?

Off the top of my head Payet and Bale definitely have turned up. Ronaldo, Zlatan, Kane so far at least less so.

Can't disagree with Bale based on stats, 2 games, 2 goals, both spectacular free kicks.....

But in general play he was either very well marshalled or just disappointing yesterday. I didn't really feel whenever he got the ball 'Uh oh.....' apart from when he was lining up the FK.

And i want more from the multimillion pound players than just a dead ball routine.

1 man teams will only go so far, they need some sort of back up.

I don't think anyone would have begrudged Sweden for getting a 0-0 draw ,

When did Clattenberg join the priesthood??

I don't think anyone would have begrudged Sweden for getting a 0-0 draw ,

With £50 coming for that outcome, no, no I wouldn't have 😀

Croatia going to get kicked out.

Scenes. [url= https://streamable.com/rmsf ]Thought that guy got blown up.[/url]

No police at all? Anywhere?

Ffs what is so difficult about stopping these people from bringing flares into the grounds? Thought one of the stewards was hit too.

What a crazy 10 minutes.

As much of a Spurs fan as I am there is one name here which doesn't belong just yet in a list of greats

Ronaldo, Zlatan, Kane

What a game this is -

Did it look like the Croatian players were trying to stop the fans? They were certainly down that end?

Also was it the fans having a go at whoever chucked the flare on that caused trouble to flare up (I'll get my coat...)

Yeah. Were trying to calm shit down. Funny thing is those dickheads have lost their team 2 points, as that break in play 100% messed with the Croatian players' heads.

Dear oh dear....what was all that about! And they were winning FFS! 😯

Here we go - will Spain keep me awake...

Spain? To keep you awake? With their death by a thousand inconsequential passes?

Will need some more flares to wake me up.

C'mon Turkey! I'm bored with Spain, now.

Busquets. Such a ****.

C'mon, Turkey!

Sorry dozed off there...

Have Spain done anything exciting?

No idea. Was sleeping like a baby.

Only woke as I head Clive Tyldesley telling Tony Pulis about a dramatic semi.

Tony Pulis has been to the Michael Owen school of excitement.

No upset here tonight

I guess that's my Turkey/Spain HT/FT bet gone then.

Are McDonald's trolling De Gea. Behind his goal it's scrolling "Player Escorts .... I'm loving it." 😆

Well. Yesterdays predictions were more or less on the money until Croatia decided to have a meltdown. They were safe choices, but a decent return would have been had on a reasonable stake.

But onto today....

Belgium v [b]Republic of Ireland [/b](ITV)
[b]Iceland[/b] v [b]Hungary[/b] (BBC One)
Portugal v [b]Austria[/b] (BBC One)

Not quite as obvious choices as yesterday. Interesting to see if Belgium really are as bad as Wilmots is trying to make them. I have ROI in the STW sweepstake, so I may be a bit biased in predicting them the win. Thing is, if the land of waffles turns up as a team rather than a disjointed group of individuals they can blow ROI away. I am going for them underperforming again.

Iceland v Hungary is 2 underdogs going at it. Playing safe, and going for a draw. Although, it'll probably be a one niler.

Hopefully Austria remember how to play football, and can give Ronaldo Utd another fun afternoon in France.

Good luck to our Irish brothers and sisters out there, and of course good luck to everyone's new favourite second team, Iceland. Ronaldo's hate only makes out love grow stronger.

Bongo did you really have to jinx the Irish? Poor show my friend, poor show! 😆

It's how I roll 😀

In other news, I am now in positive balance on my bets. +£31...wooo!

I think I'm retiring, I stuck in a tenner the other day. Yesterday I would have been fine and up a bit if they Croatians never flung those flares on the pitch, as it stands my betting career now rests on the fate of the rather lonesome looking 1 pound in my betting account!

What you want to do is sign up for a different bookies, and get some free bets.

Of the top of my head, if you're a new customer you can get:

Betstars/Betfair/PaddyPower = Deposit and make one £10 bet and get 3x£10 bets

https://freebets.uk/ has some decent info.

Obviously gambling is bad, and no-one should do it.

Tough match for the Republic

should have been a penalty before the first goal
however they were well beaten

aye should have been a penalty, but belguim could have taken another 2 off thm if they didn't take their foot off the gas. Still a chance though.

Great game between Iceland and hungary ..either could nick it i reckon. As for luck of the irish ..errr just no.

I think Bong must be ramping the market with his predictions 😉

That was never a penalty in a million years.

I would like to take this opportunity to announce my 4th and final retirement from gambling.

😀

woohoo ..thats gone and blown the doors open.. nice one onmeheadson

Bongohoohaa - I would also like to announce my retirement from gambling. After a great start, my form has collapsed.

Mrs Binners, on the other hand, is absolutely quids in after a serious streak of apparently ridiculous bets that have all come In! She correctly called the 2 nil to Norn Ireland the other night, for example. She's actually had the good grace not to gloat either. So far...

I've got Iceland to win this, so expect a 92nd minute equilizer 😥

The only reason I am not in negative balance, is because I put £10 on England to win 2-1 at 9-1. Nearly everything else has been torpedoed by these plucky underdogs....and russia.

Euro 2016 - Home Of The Late Goal

As I was saying.... 😥

I'm just going to start betting on there being a goal in the 87th minute of every game!

That goal, like a flare, just exploded 5 bets. 🙁

Although, if Hungary score in the next 2 mins, I will win £40. Which, given as I actually need a last minute goal now, I imagine won't be forthcoming.

Edit: Of course no more goals.

Right, I'm feeling crazy, so just banged £10 on Austria to win. So am ready for Ronaldo to produce a masterclass and bang in a hattrick.

I've gone for a draw. So expect Austria to score early, and hold on to the lead until the 89th minute, then Ronnie will indeed get a hatrick in 3 minutes

Single bet on Grumpy Ron to score from outside the box.

I reckon he'll at least have a couple of freekicks, and a few other chances.

Just had a punt on a Portugal player being sent off, if they carry on being frustrated like this. A few are getting pretty wound up already. And Pepe is always good for an elbow in the head, or a 2 footed studs up challenge

And right on cue.... 😆

Is it me or Austrian no 7 is a brother of Zlatan Ibrahimovi??

Is that the new trend in footballer long hair styling? 😆

Austria really don't look like scoring.

At this rate I will have to retire from gambling for a 5th time 🙁

Jesus Christ, how shit is this crossing? Missing the target area by 30 yards at times.

Austria were touted as the dark horses of the tournament.

Turns out they're just shit. Can't even give me one measly goal.

Talking about shit, Pepe gets away with some.

They could still win though!