Oh England...(And other Euro 2012 stuff)

[punchanello]

....Yet another penalty shoot-out exit. And all against the usual backdrop of ridiculous expectations and enormous egos.

I can't pretend not to have enjoyed it just a bit.

[anselmo]

As an England fan I can't say I enjoyed it
But I'm not surprised

Frankly, they did well to get as far as they did given how technically and organisationally poor they are
Fitness must be an issue as well (Gerard with cramp after 70 minutes?)

I did enjoy watching Pirlo at work though
The man is a master of his trade and his passing thoughout and his sublime penalty in the shootout just reinforced that
How on earth did Milan agree to let him go, let alone to Juventus of all clubs

[Ado]

Excellent. We can unite in our hatred of the Azuri.
I missed the match. Was there much holding of faces while rolling on the ground?
Would the socceroos even make the Euro finals? Me thinks not.

[Zed]

I liked the mach and I was backing ENG.
It had the look of a match against Barca (or Spain). You aren't going to see the ball so you better defend like the Great Wall. ENG had some chances to steal it and did have some pretty passing mixed in there, and they kept themselves in it...Until Ashley F'n Cole stepped up. I think I could have stopped that one, it was so telegraphed. At least it wasn't Terry again (a la Champions league '07). He might have done something drastic, afterwards.

I can't back Spain as I'm still bitter at Iniesta for the WC final goal v NED. I can't back Germany on principal. I can't back the Italians because they play like Italians. I can't back POR because of that Ronaldo thing.
Other than all that it's been a good tourney. I guess I'll have to just enjoy the footy at face value in the semis. We'll miss it when its gone.

[anselmo]

Was there much holding of faces while rolling on the ground?

Not as much as I expected

[anselmo]

I can't back Spain as I'm still bitter at Iniesta for the WC final goal v NED.

really - Netherland in the WC were abominable - everything that was bad about their game was on show (yes Van Bommel I'm talking about you)
I can't back Spain because they've become a cliche of themselves

I can't back Germany on principal.

I can't back Germany because they've gone back to being uber-efficient and quite dull (Ozil aside)
Where has Klinsmanns crazy gang mentality gone

I can't back the Italians because they play like Italians.

Ditto, except Pirlo

I can't back POR because of that Ronaldo thing.

Ditto, if he gets closed out or injured Portugal are goners. I haven't seen such a one player team since Argentina circa 1986

Other than all that it's been a good tourney. I guess I'll have to just enjoy the footy at face value in the semis. We'll miss it when its gone.

EPL will be back within 6 weeks
At least no-one to support means no cares about who wins
Its funny to dislike all the teams left and have no genuine underdogs

[millonario]

If England had been able to maintain the intensity they showed after the break they may have scored. As for the quality of chances, England's were as good as Italy's despite being fewer in number. the same could probably be said of a lot of Australia games. I realise the quality of the England squad is not that of other euro nations but it's not that bad either. I have a ridiculously misplaced soft spot for England (a massive soft spot for Scotland). I guess I'll have to go for Portugal now as Spain have been way too successful of late.

[dru]

Spent 10 years in the old dart. Can't do that as a blue blooded sportsmen and not become an English football fan.

What a frustrating life, and what a bunch of underperforming primadonnas. If you take they entire amount of money spent on sport in England, the percentage that is spent on those 11 donkeys is extraordinary. It can't really be contemplated in Aus. Take the whole of the AFL, the wallabies, the state of origin, all of Australian swimming. As a percentage we are starting to get close. On 11 blokes. Then add 2 1/2 times the population. The money they are on is mind blowing.

If ever there was a fan base that was entitled to expect better, it is English football fans.

[millonario]

Spent 10 years in the old dart. Can't do that as a blue blooded sportsmen and not become an English football fan.

What a frustrating life, and what a bunch of underperforming primadonnas. If you take they entire amount of money spent on sport in England, the percentage that is spent on those 11 donkeys is extraordinary. It can't really be contemplated in Aus. Take the whole of the AFL, the wallabies, the state of origin, all of Australian swimming. As a percentage we are starting to get close. On 11 blokes. Then add 2 1/2 times the population. The money they are on is mind blowing.

If ever there was a fan base that was entitled to expect better, it is English football fans.

Well said mate. Is that their fault tho? A player is entitled to bargain for better conditions, but if CLUBS weren't prepared to pay...you have heard it before. uefa's fair play financial rules will hopefully kerb this trend.

[dru]

Is that their fault tho?

For me, yep. But I'm not saying they're are the only guilty parties. I think the fans can and should hold them responsible. On a value for money basis, I can't think of a more useless bunch.

My immediate solution. Until it changes (premier grade attitude), make 50% of their income subject to making the national team. Then ban them from the national team. Select players from the Championship. Now anyone would assume this crew would do at least as well as the soceroos. And we would make it through to the Eurocup more times than not. Give it time, and quality without the brain numbing ego (ego is fine, it's how it is handled) would gradually get selected.

Pox on this useless over-rated bunch. (buy me a beer and I'll tell you what I really think.)

I love England, but something is wrong. I'm bloody glad that Aussies are going the Dutch route for football. It's not English for a start.

[millonario]

Is that their fault tho?

FoI'm bloody glad that Aussies are going the Dutch route for football. It's not English for a start.

Lol! at least you have maintain a sense of humour. Hey, you didn't happen to buy me a jug of beer as a gesture of apology for giving me such a hard time when England beat Argentina at the 2002 world cup? Me being the only Argentina supporter in a sea of red and white at the Hornsby RSL.

[dru]

Is that their fault tho?

FoI'm bloody glad that Aussies are going the Dutch route for football. It's not English for a start.

Lol! at least you have maintain a sense of humour. Hey, you didn't happen to buy me a jug of beer as a gesture of apology for giving me such a hard time when England beat Argentina at the 2002 world cup? Me being the only Argentina supporter in a sea of red and white at the Hornsby RSL.

Very happy to offer a pint or five. Argies hey? How exactly did you become a UK supporter? Disconnect. No its the Italans who get me, I was actually watching Soceroos v Italy in a pub in Florence. Tough. Cheating bastards.

Now, I can support the Puma's (and they are coming).

[millonario]

Dont ask. It is beyond logic. it must be a guilt induced deal from the hand of god
Punchanello doesn't get it and he's a relative. Yes indeed! PUUUMAAAASSSS!

[dru]

Dont ask. It is beyond logic. it must be a guilt induced deal from the hand of god
Punchanello doesn't get it and he's a relative. Yes indeed! PUUUMAAAASSSS!

Pumas I'm barracking for, other than against the Wallabies. But they're in for an Irish experience.

HOW THE HELL does an Argie become an England fan? Weird. Serious. Weird.

[anselmo]

Pumas I'm barracking for, other than against the Wallabies. But they're in for an Irish experience.

I don't know
I can't imagine anyone playing THAT crap