⚽UEFA EURO 2020 Discussion Thread | Winner: ITALY!

[mv1986]

So the knock out stage will give us 2 early finals already. Those to matches are England vs Germany and Portugal vs Belgium. I can say those two matches as early finals because those 4 teams are strong teams that has good chance to reach Final in general. Hard to predict those two matches but I'll go for England and Portugal.
England vs Germany: Although England seems to be a team that has scoring goal difficulties in the group stage but Germany is also not that good in defense.
Portugal vs Belgium: Portugal has many great midfielders but they did not really show their best like what they show in their club. Ronaldo will be still the one to make a change on the match. On other side, Belgium has better result in group stage with 100% win but they won it all against mediocre teams only.

Ronaldo didn't really perform that well. He just scores penalties all the time. What is Portugal going to do without penalties? I see Belgium is a bit ahead of Portugal. De Bruyne is such a strong key player, I think he will make the difference in that match up.

As for Germany vs. England, that is a tough one. I have no idea. I would say if Germany plays its best they win even against a good performance of the English team. However, there will only be 2,000 German fans I think. As far as I know over 30,000 English fans. I don't like that rule that much. It kind of distorts the fact that usually the teams at a EURO should have equal conditions and chances except for the home team of course. But look at how many games take place in Wembley, that is clearly an advantage. On the other hand Germany had that advantage in the group stage of course.

[Jackl87]

One thing I liked about Hungary is that almost their entire team was of Hungarian descent (the only exception I could find was Loïc Négo). On the other hand, the Western European nations fielded squads that were predominantly composed of players who were born in Africa or Latin America. Obviously in football the eligibility rules are quite tight and you can't include non-citizens in the squad. But many of these players (Kimpembe, Pogba, Mbappé, Dembélé.etc) had the option of representing their country of descent as well. They chose European countries for obvious reasons. Now this is a disadvantage for the poorer countries.

You forgot to mention Willi Orban, he was born in Kaiserslautern, Germany and is living in Germany for his entire life now. He even played for the German under 21 national Team. In 2018 he decided to play for the Hungarian national team instead, i guess because he thought his chances for regular appearances are higher there than in the german squad and it worked out for him as he is a starting player their. He can play for Hungary because his dad is from hungarian.
On the subject of the French national team. France used to be a colonial power. That's why there are more people of African descent in the country than in other countries. It is true that they are over-represented in the national team, but it is a fact that black people are usually better athletes and coaches will always just the best players that are available to them.

[KTChampions]

So the knock out stage will give us 2 early finals already. Those to matches are England vs Germany and Portugal vs Belgium. I can say those two matches as early finals because those 4 teams are strong teams that has good chance to reach Final in general. Hard to predict those two matches but I'll go for England and Portugal.
England vs Germany: Although England seems to be a team that has scoring goal difficulties in the group stage but Germany is also not that good in defense.
Portugal vs Belgium: Portugal has many great midfielders but they did not really show their best like what they show in their club. Ronaldo will be still the one to make a change on the match. On other side, Belgium has better result in group stage with 100% win but they won it all against mediocre teams only.

I support the Portuguese national team, so I will refrain from commenting on their chances 
As for the England - Germany match, at the moment, although we see a loud name, I have strong doubts that these teams are, on average, stronger than the rest of the playoffs - too weak a game was shown at the group stage.

[Roidz]

So the knock out stage will give us 2 early finals already. Those to matches are England vs Germany and Portugal vs Belgium. I can say those two matches as early finals because those 4 teams are strong teams that has good chance to reach Final in general. Hard to predict those two matches but I'll go for England and Portugal.
England vs Germany: Although England seems to be a team that has scoring goal difficulties in the group stage but Germany is also not that good in defense.
Portugal vs Belgium: Portugal has many great midfielders but they did not really show their best like what they show in their club. Ronaldo will be still the one to make a change on the match. On other side, Belgium has better result in group stage with 100% win but they won it all against mediocre teams only.

In this year's euro, we have seen several times the early final (bigmatch) has occurred, such as the match between France vs. Germany in the previous group stage, and interestingly the bigmatch will happen again in the last 16 match, where several big teams will face each other in the live dead match and of course it seems to be the final for some teams such as England vs Germany and also Belgium vs Portugal, and in my opinion the England and Germany meeting will present a fierce feud with the honor of their respective countries because indeed the two teams have become classic rivals so far.
My prediction is Germany and Belgium will move to the next phase.

[slaman29]

Even though England played at home but still I don't believe that was the trigger to win and even, these two teams played at home during the group stage but still the result was bad. But if I had to choose who would win, I personally would still choose Germany even though basically I don't like them because they don't look very good in the group stage and tend to look boring.

Yup! England have a funny relationship with their fans actually and I personally even think some of the English players play worse under the pressure of expectation (talking about Sterling esepcially). Germany on paper have to be the favorites but maybe after group showing bookies will favor England.

@joker_josue man I hope it doesn't go to penalties otherwise I have one bet wrecked early:)

[Ratash]

So the knock out stage will give us 2 early finals already. Those to matches are England vs Germany and Portugal vs Belgium. I can say those two matches as early finals because those 4 teams are strong teams that has good chance to reach Final in general. Hard to predict those two matches but I'll go for England and Portugal.
England vs Germany: Although England seems to be a team that has scoring goal difficulties in the group stage but Germany is also not that good in defense.
Portugal vs Belgium: Portugal has many great midfielders but they did not really show their best like what they show in their club. Ronaldo will be still the one to make a change on the match. On other side, Belgium has better result in group stage with 100% win but they won it all against mediocre teams only.

Indeed all these teams are big teams even in their weak form they can make a difference i would go wIth england and belgium because i think germany and portugal are a little off balance first germany with a difficult win against hungary plus they conceided two goals and portugal on the other hand lost to germany and they have defence issues i think against a team with a strong attack like belgium they will have difficulties.

[babo]

tomorrow, italy with austria
not big match.. for real but is necessary for understand if italy is good for going in final or not, of course in my humble opinion

i hope is funny with many goals eheh

[hahay]

Even though England played at home but still I don't believe that was the trigger to win and even, these two teams played at home during the group stage but still the result was bad. But if I had to choose who would win, I personally would still choose Germany even though basically I don't like them because they don't look very good in the group stage and tend to look boring.

Yup! England have a funny relationship with their fans actually and I personally even think some of the English players play worse under the pressure of expectation (talking about Sterling esepcially). Germany on paper have to be the favorites but maybe after group showing bookies will favor England.

@joker_josue man I hope it doesn't go to penalties otherwise I have one bet wrecked early:)

But I wonder why the England - Germany match will be held at Wembley Stadium, while for the other matches at least they don't play at home or in their own country. I realized that even though England were playing at home it would still not win, and I think this would be unfair because in other matches they played at neutral venues. Is there an explanation regarding this or this is still not a final decision which may still be subject to change.

[OcTradism]

tomorrow, italy with austria
not big match.. for real but is necessary for understand if italy is good for going in final or not, of course in my humble opinion

i hope is funny with many goals eheh

Since when Italy match brings many goals?

I think Italy have changed too much with Roberto Mancini. They are not a traditional Italy with Catenaccio and now they begin matches with intention to have dominant goal possession and try to score as many goals as possible.

They are not Brazil but their matches are more entertaining and goal productive. Austria are not good enough to beat Italy.

UEFA European Championship Injuries & Suspensions
Italy have Chiellini is back in training and Florenzi might come back next few days.

[Lafu]

But I wonder why the England - Germany match will be held at Wembley Stadium, while for the other matches at least they don't play at home or in their own country. I realized that even though England were playing at home it would still not win, and I think this would be unfair because in other matches they played at neutral venues. Is there an explanation regarding this or this is still not a final decision which may still be subject to change.

I guess this was on the plan already before they have knowen who will play against who and they will playing there also even England not getting into next round.
For sure it looks like something of an Home advantage for England but that hasnt to say anything when you look at germany the first 3 games.
I dont think that this will be changed and is already fix that they play in Wembley Stadium.

[acquafredda]

Mancini is leaning towards re-proposing the same team seen against the Swiss, with Acerbi in place of the injured Chiellini and Di Lorenzo wide on the right in the role that was Florenzi's, who also trained separately in recent days. Regarding midfielders, Jorginho is untouchable, with Barella returning as a starter after being rested. Verratti will be selected instead of Locatelli. Few doubts about the guys in the front, with Immobile and Insigne together with Berardi.

[joker_josue]

But I wonder why the England - Germany match will be held at Wembley Stadium, while for the other matches at least they don't play at home or in their own country. I realized that even though England were playing at home it would still not win, and I think this would be unfair because in other matches they played at neutral venues. Is there an explanation regarding this or this is still not a final decision which may still be subject to change.

Euro 2020 is being played in several European cities, and that's why the countries that are in competition and have their city in the tournament, play all or almost all games at home.
This model has already been criticized by several teams, but it was more a scheme of the former management of UEFA, which is being accused of corruption.

@joker_josue man I hope it doesn't go to penalties otherwise I have one bet wrecked early:)

Honestly... I think the game will be decided in penalties. Only if Germany scores first can it be different, otherwise I have my doubts.

[Joca97]

Mancini is leaning towards re-proposing the same team seen against the Swiss, with Acerbi in place of the injured Chiellini and Di Lorenzo wide on the right in the role that was Florenzi's, who also trained separately in recent days. Regarding midfielders, Jorginho is untouchable, with Barella returning as a starter after being rested. Verratti will be selected instead of Locatelli. Few doubts about the guys in the front, with Immobile and Insigne together with Berardi.

Too bad for Chiellini his experience would mean a lot in this match for Italy but i think that the squad need Chiesa he hasnt started the first two games at all and just went in from the bench and only started in third match. For me he is the best player in the squad but not playing much

[condoras]

Mancini is leaning towards re-proposing the same team seen against the Swiss, with Acerbi in place of the injured Chiellini and Di Lorenzo wide on the right in the role that was Florenzi's, who also trained separately in recent days. Regarding midfielders, Jorginho is untouchable, with Barella returning as a starter after being rested. Verratti will be selected instead of Locatelli. Few doubts about the guys in the front, with Immobile and Insigne together with Berardi.

They say that "team that wins, doesn't (usually) change", and Mancini knows that saying for sure. Besides the injured thus a necessary change of Chiellini, IMO Italy don't need any other. If Florenzi is ok, then it will be on the starting eleven. Veratti can come from the bench depending on how the match will go.
My eyes though will be mostly on the game between Wales vs Denmark. I believe that Wales can make the big step and win this if they don't miss the chances for scoring...

[tyz]

tomorrow, italy with austria
not big match.. for real but is necessary for understand if italy is good for going in final or not, of course in my humble opinion

i hope is funny with many goals eheh

Before the start of the tournament, France was the big favorite for me. In the meantime, I think Italy is better overall. That's why I see it like you do. It's a good test to see if Italy is really that strong. I think Austria has no chance tomorrow. Although they certainly have a talented team.

[oHnK]

Mancini is leaning towards re-proposing the same team seen against the Swiss, with Acerbi in place of the injured Chiellini and Di Lorenzo wide on the right in the role that was Florenzi's, who also trained separately in recent days. Regarding midfielders, Jorginho is untouchable, with Barella returning as a starter after being rested. Verratti will be selected instead of Locatelli. Few doubts about the guys in the front, with Immobile and Insigne together with Berardi.

But the good news, Chiellini is not seriously injured and may only miss the game against Wales. But it didn't really affect their position because it was confirmed that his team had qualified for the last 16. I think this is the right moment for Chiellini to take a short break so that in the next match Italy can play better and become champions in this league.

[babo]

tomorrow, italy with austria
not big match.. for real but is necessary for understand if italy is good for going in final or not, of course in my humble opinion

i hope is funny with many goals eheh

Before the start of the tournament, France was the big favorite for me. In the meantime, I think Italy is better overall. That's why I see it like you do. It's a good test to see if Italy is really that strong. I think Austria has no chance tomorrow. Although they certainly have a talented team.

From my point of view, i full agree with you man. I want many strong teams in a tournament, because matches is more funny!!
If italy win, ok is good.. but is match is boring for me is not worth
i want see footbal in tv for my fun

[KTChampions]

tomorrow, italy with austria
not big match.. for real but is necessary for understand if italy is good for going in final or not, of course in my humble opinion

i hope is funny with many goals eheh

Judging by the odds of the bookmakers, at the moment it is 1.5 - 4.2 - 7.4 for Italy it will be a fairly easy match, so it will hardly be possible to seriously assess its championship ambitions in this match. Maybe if it will be a big easy victory or, on the contrary, a victory against a well-playing opponent with a large number of goals.

[mig6r]

Ronaldo with 5 goals, but I kind of dislike the fact that he scores so many penalties all the time. It feels like it distorts the true top scorer list. He has always been scoring a good chunk of his goals per season with penalties. I am not sure but I think there was a time when penalties didn't count to the overall total, am I wrong?

It is indeed a fact that some goals are scored on penalties but it can't be denied it's still a goal every country can do the same so there's nothing strange there it's normal unless only Portugal can get a goal from a penalty that might be weird.

It is a goal, yes but think about this: if the number of goals is supposed to determine the best scorer during the championship, someone with four penalties outcompetes someone with three free kick goals from 30 yards and more. To me the free kick goals are way more impressive than the penalties, yet Ronaldo is going to win the award because he scores all these penalties. I just dislike that, not sure if you guys agree but it bores me to see someone getting an award for scoring the most penalties over someone maybe scoring three or four outrageous dream goals.

[cryptofrka]

Yeah, I agree that it's not really fair to players who aren't taking penalties. But the award goes to the player that scores the most goals, penalties are goals and to be fair, a player has to be among the best in his team to get a chance to take them.

These individual rewards are irrelevant anyway, football is a team game and the only important thing is winning the cup. Therefore the team itself wants their best player taking them.