Euro 2021 non-Scotland games

[He's here!]

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Amazingly, Denmark will be the highest ranked team England will have faced yet.

If they win the trophy, every team they'll have played will have been ranked below them.

Hardly amazing when England are the third highest-ranked team in the tournament.

Annoying as it may be to those who can't bring themselves to admit it, England are clearly a good side and have done well at this tournament.

[He's here!]

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England have a very good side, but given that they avoided Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain and only had to face very poor Germany and Ukraine sides, suggesting that they've had an easier run is pretty accurate, no?

Or just sour grapes

When you're one of the top ranked sides in the world (or indeed one of the top performers in any sport which features knock-out competitions), so-called 'easier runs' are surely the norm? We tend to moan about the tough draws Scotland get in qualifying but they're tough because we failed to reach a major tournament for 23 years and were consequently always in seeding pots which pretty much ensured tough draws.

[ekhibee]

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Definitely not the worst Germany in history. 2004 and 2018 teams easily worse.

England have had a favourable draw, but actually they always had to play 2nd from the France, Germany, Portugal group, so it didn't exactly look easy then.

But how it looked and the reality were totally different. Germany were poor before they played England and couldn't beat Hungary, in fact Hungary deserved to win on the night, and Ukraine were poor and only really qualified because Sweden had a man sent off. That said, it would be foolish to write off England, they've got some great young players, and they are definitely capable of beating better sides than the ones they've played, but I do feel Italy have better form as it stands, so we'll see.

[Malthibby]

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Hardly amazing when England are the third highest-ranked team in the tournament.

Annoying as it may be to those who can't bring themselves to admit it, England are clearly a good side and have done well at this tournament.

You are absolutely correct, it's very annoying.

[Hibernia&Alba]

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England have a very good side, but given that they avoided Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain and only had to face very poor Germany and Ukraine sides, suggesting that they've had an easier run is pretty accurate, no?

On the other hand, France were knocked out by Switzerland, a team I'm confident England would have beaten. So perhaps it's just as valid to say all those teams avoided England. France, Portugal and Belgium weren't good enough to get to the latter stages. Italy look good and appear the team likeliest to stop England.

[Onion]

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Hardly amazing when England are the third highest-ranked team in the tournament.

Annoying as it may be to those who can't bring themselves to admit it, England are clearly a good side and have done well at this tournament.

England are a decent side and done well. To have played Croatia, Germany, Czech and Scotland and not lost a goal is impressive, despite most games at Wembley. However, there's no question the competition is the weakest it's been in years. This England side would not get close to Spain or France from just a few years ago. Only team I can see giving them a game is Italy at this point.

[ekhibee]

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England are a decent side and done well. To have played Croatia, Germany, Czech and Scotland and not lost a goal is impressive, despite most games at Wembley. However, there's no question the competition is the weakest it's been in years. This England side would not get close to Spain or France from just a few years ago. Only team I can see giving them a game is Italy at this point.

Fair comment.

[Iggy Pope]

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On the other hand, France were knocked out by Switzerland, a team I'm confident England would have beaten. So perhaps it's just as valid to say all those teams avoided England. France, Portugal and Belgium weren't good enough to get to the latter stages. Italy look good and appear the team likeliest to stop England.

Germany, poor as they were imagined to be, papped Portugal soundly and we’d probably all be thinking / hoping Portugal would’ve given England a game somehow.
It’s sore to watch but they’re where they are on good results and largely effective performances . I think they’ll win it, they are in good shape and thought that before last nights stroll and subsequent hysteria. Gotta hope Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Jenasw get the **** s or something first though.

[Hibernia&Alba]

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Germany, poor as they were imagined to be, papped Portugal soundly and we’d probably all be thinking / hoping Portugal would’ve given England a game somehow.
It’s sore to watch but they’re where they are on good results and largely effective performances . I think they’ll win it, they are in good shape and thought that before last nights stroll and subsequent hysteria. Gotta hope Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Jenasw get the **** s or something first though.

Jenas never shuts up. He's meant to be the co-commentator, but the commentator can't get a word in.

[Hibbyradge]

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Or just sour grapes

When you're one of the top ranked sides in the world (or indeed one of the top performers in any sport which features knock-out competitions), so-called 'easier runs' are surely the norm? We tend to moan about the tough draws Scotland get in qualifying but they're tough because we failed to reach a major tournament for 23 years and were consequently always in seeding pots which pretty much ensured tough draws.

I don't have a chip on my shoulder about England and I'll be perfectly comfortable if they win the tournament. Scotland are not in the same league as Southgate's team, that's a given, but the left side of the draw was much tougher than England's side. Every person I've spoken to about it in York feels the same and they're all England fans.

[Bristolhibby]

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I don't have a chip on my shoulder about England and I'll be perfectly comfortable if they win the tournament. Scotland are not in the same league as Southgate's team, that's a given, but the left side of the draw was much tougher than England's side. Every person I've spoken to about it in York feels the same and they're all England fans.

It’s without a doubt easier, but that is quite literally the “luck of the draw”.

Anyone who says they haven’t had an easy run are wrong.

If say Italy win it, they will have put in the hard yards.

J

[A Hi-Bee]

Oh they are a good team alright, with a population 10 times the size of ours, how much have they spent to get to this stage, with a relatively easy run to the semi final they bloody well should be favourites to win this and if you look at their record over the past 50 years and compare it like for like with the other 4 major football playing countries they are in fact pretty pisch. they get to play most of their games at home but according to some this does not give an advantage **** right off this is a huge advantage. Consider travelling to butt **** nowhere and back for a round trip of 5,000 miles playing a game in Asia in temps over 35 degrees, not going to listen to anyone saying they have not had it easier than some other teams and they are about to meet one of them in the semi final which the pundits tell us is just a formality on the way to it coming home!!!wherever ****ing home is...even Boris is at it, call it soar grapes I for one is sick to ma back teeff taking ***** of them. Did they manage to beat us, with all there multi millions did they **** I demand that we get to say we are at the very least joint Euro chumps, or is it champs, Kane is a ****in cheating ***** as well.
**** them I say.

[JohnMcM]

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Oh they are a good team alright, with a population 10 times the size of ours, how much have they spent to get to this stage, with a relatively easy run to the semi final they bloody well should be favourites to win this and if you look at their record over the past 50 years and compare it like for like with the other 4 major football playing countries they are in fact pretty pisch. they get to play most of their games at home but according to some this does not give an advantage **** right off this is a huge advantage. Consider travelling to butt **** nowhere and back for a round trip of 5,000 miles playing a game in Asia in temps over 35 degrees, not going to listen to anyone saying they have not had it easier than some other teams and they are about to meet one of them in the semi final which the pundits tell us is just a formality on the way to it coming home!!!wherever ****ing home is...even Boris is at it, call it soar grapes I for one is sick to ma back teeff taking ***** of them. Did they manage to beat us, with all there multi millions did they **** I demand that we get to say we are at the very least joint Euro chumps, or is it champs, Kane is a ****in cheating ***** as well.
**** them I say.

Get off the fence and tell us what you really think.

[Jim44]

Mark Hateley on Sportsound earlier today, reckons the English performance last night was the best from a national team he has seen for a long time.

[MWHIBBIES]

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England have a very good side, but given that they avoided Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain and only had to face very poor Germany and Ukraine sides, suggesting that they've had an easier run is pretty accurate, no?

You cant say they're lucky to avoid Portugal but Germany, who battered Portugal 4-2, are very poor IMO.

Germany weren't that bad, England beat them fair and square.

[MKHIBEE]

[QUOTE=Jim44;6610439]Mark Hateley on Sportsound earlier today, reckons the English performance last night was the best from a national team he has seen for a long time.[/QUOTE
Has he been living in a jungle since he left Rangers?

[MWHIBBIES]

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England are a decent side and done well. To have played Croatia, Germany, Czech and Scotland and not lost a goal is impressive, despite most games at Wembley. However, there's no question the competition is the weakest it's been in years. This England side would not get close to Spain or France from just a few years ago. Only team I can see giving them a game is Italy at this point.

France are a stronger personel wise than 3 or 5 years ago. They just fell to bits.

Its not the weakest its been in years. Portugal won the Euros in 2016 winning 1 match in normal time. That was a poor tournament. Italy were weak and only done so well because of Conte. France were good but bottled the final big time, and struggled to beat both Albania and Romania in the groups, and ROI in the last 16. Germany were decent but lacked a striker big time. Belgium lost to Wales. This tournament has been very good, a high level across the board, record amounts of goals etc and England haven't conceded a single one.

England have done well, thats it. They're good. No ifs or buts.

[Smartie]

England’s defending impressed me last night during the 1st half.

They were under a wee bit of pressure with Ukraine finding little pockets of space but they were unable to create anything meaningful.

They then stepped it up a bit going forward in the second half and got the goals that killed the game off.

I actually thought that Ukraine were abysmal though. The defending for the first goal (which was always going to be significant) was pitiful and we’d be slaughtering Scotland of Hibs if they’d lost it.

I can’t see anything other than an England Italy final at this stage and ominously England look like they might have a few more gears to me. Italy have probably played more tough matches though, so will likely be more confident that they can take care of a tough match, given Scotland have probably given England their toughest match so far.

[Since452]

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It’s without a doubt easier, but that is quite literally the “luck of the draw”.

Anyone who says they haven’t had an easy run are wrong.

If say Italy win it, they will have put in the hard yards.

J

Italy have proved me wrong big time and deservedly beat the number one ranked team in the world. Some of their football was fantastic. England have won the games I'd have expected them to win apart from against us. I expect England to beat Denmark and reach the final. Italy or Spain will be a step up from anyone England have faced so far but with the final at Wembley will give them another huge advantage.

[ekhibee]

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You cant say they're lucky to avoid Portugal but Germany, who battered Portugal 4-2, are very poor IMO.

Germany weren't that bad, England beat them fair and square.

Portugal were poor against Germany but still put 3 past Hungary, and Germany were very fortunate to get anything against Hungary. In at least 2 of their games Germany didn't play with any recognized strikers. You're quite right to say England beat them fair and square but this German team is a very ordinary one. Compare them with the team that thrashed Brazil and went on to win the 2014 World Cup, the only European team to win it outside Europe, and there is obviously no comparison, I hope you agree. Even with all the top class players that Belgium have, Italy still beat them and deservedly so. IMO that is much better form than beating an average German side and a poor Ukrainian team but you might argue otherwise. On that basis I would pick Italy as the best team in the tournament so far, but I certainly wouldn't dismiss England lightly.

[MWHIBBIES]

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Portugal were poor against Germany but still put 3 past Hungary, and Germany were very fortunate to get anything against Hungary. In at least 2 of their games Germany didn't play with any recognized strikers. You're quite right to say England beat them fair and square but this German team is a very ordinary one. Compare them with the team that thrashed Brazil and went on to win the 2014 World Cup, the only European team to win it outside Europe, and there is obviously no comparison, I hope you agree. Even with all the top class players that Belgium have, Italy still beat them and deservedly so. IMO that is much better form than beating an average German side and a poor Ukrainian team but you might argue otherwise. On that basis I would pick Italy as the best team in the tournament so far, but I certainly wouldn't dismiss England lightly.

germany are certainly poorer than 2014, but they're far from Rubbish. They'll be right back in there with a very similar squad in 18 months time with Flick in charge.

Italy have been the best side, but struggled past a very average Austria side.

[Tambo]

Work will be interesting on 2-10 down here next week, not fussed either way how it goes but hopefully a Italy vs england final.

[Hibbyradge]

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You cant say they're lucky to avoid Portugal but Germany, who battered Portugal 4-2, are very poor IMO.

Germany weren't that bad, England beat them fair and square.

They did.

My point is still valid. Every team would have preferred England's side of the draw.

[Wakeyhibee]

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They did.

My point is still valid. Every team would have preferred England's side of the draw.

I think every team in our group would have preferred to finish in a position to play Sweden/Spain, rather than a potential Germany, France or Portugal.

[Scouse Hibee]

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England are a decent side and done well. To have played Croatia, Germany, Czech and Scotland and not lost a goal is impressive, despite most games at Wembley. However, there's no question the competition is the weakest it's been in years. This England side would not get close to Spain or France from just a few years ago. Only team I can see giving them a game is Italy at this point.

But we’re not playing teams from a few years ago! We’re playing teams from this year and so far no one has scored against us, get over it. Of course it’s the weakest it’s probably ever been especially if England were to win it!

[flash]

It's been a great tournament with some cracking games.
We are down to the last four with all of the teams left having a chance of lifting the trophy.
Personally I like this England team and I like Southgate as a human being so I can live with them winning it.
If I had to pick I have a wee sneaky for Spain especially if one of the strikers hits form at the right time.
Looking forward to the last wee bit of what has been one of the best tournies I have seen in my time.

[jacomo]

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It's been a great tournament with some cracking games.
We are down to the last four with all of the teams left having a chance of lifting the trophy.
Personally I like this England team and I like Southgate as a human being so I can live with them winning it.
If I had to pick I have a wee sneaky for Spain especially if one of the strikers hits form at the right time.
Looking forward to the last wee bit of what has been one of the best tournies I have seen in my time.

Agree it’s been a good tournament.

I’m tired of people saying that ‘obviously the champions league is the pinnacle now’.

Obviously international sides aren’t as intensively coached as club teams but the quality of football has been good, and it’s more engrossing as a neutral than some clash between two clubs bankrolled by oligarchs or oil states.

[flash]

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Agree it’s been a good tournament.

I’m tired of people saying that ‘obviously the champions league is the pinnacle now’.

Obviously international sides aren’t as intensively coached as club teams but the quality of football has been good, and it’s more engrossing as a neutral than some clash between two clubs bankrolled by oligarchs or oil states.

Totally agree. Hibs are my first love and always will be but much prefer international tournaments to club ones.

[hibsbollah]

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I’m tired of people saying that ‘obviously the champions league is the pinnacle now

Obviously on a purely technical level it’s true, because a manager like Pep has opportunities daily to transform a group of players into a tactical machine. International tournaments are far less tactically complex, it’s much more about winning individual battles and having a system everybody understands. As an armchair fan world cups and european championships are the pinnacle for me, I love the history and the way summer seems to revolve around it no matter who you speak to around the world there’s an enthusiasm that the champions league can’t get close to.

[CJHibby]

Not poopooing England as a team-obviously they have some great players-but the massive advantage of playing at home in practically all their games can't be underestimated..good luck to them all the same.