Lucas

About 5 of the Spanish lads really, but I'd have to say Xavi Simons looked a threat for the Dutch. Always seemed to be involved in what was good for them going forward.

The only thing that's been obvious to me in this tournament is we've produced our better football being a goal down. I don't know why we've needed that to happen, but for whatever reason, suddenly the shackles come off and we play more freely. We up the pace, we force the issue a bit more. Last night, despite being outplayed, despite being the second best side on the pitch, we actually got ourselves back in the game at 1-1. That was the moment. The first bit of momentum we had and if we were ever going to win that game, that was where we needed to carry on taking the game to Spain. There was an opportunity there to really take the game to them because we'd upped our tempo and pressure and just scoring the goal from nowhere was a big psychological lift. I think it shocked them us equalising. But we retreated. We reverted to type, let them come back on to us. We even had the warning from Yamal moments before the winner and still sat off. We were very reactionary all tournament and that's what disappoints me most because no one can tell me we don't have the players to dictate games.

Rodon has returned. Official. Very good deal from us given he had PL interest from the three mentioned below. Could have gone to the PL but he's bought into staying and fighting for this club, he obviously has enjoyed it here. No question he made a big difference when he came into the team.

I do get the public outroar but we've never been a free flowing, entertaining side that racks up goals and smashes teams. It's never been the England way. Every now and then, like smashing Holland 4-1 in '96 or Germany 5-1, we get treated to a truly exceptional performance. 100% I expect more from this team, the personal etc and I don't rate Southgate at all, I think he's our major achilles heel. It's a real struggle and graft with us at the moment, tough watch etc but the most important thing to date is.....we're still in it. Greece won this by being dour. Portugal win it by being as equally dull. If we were to win it by scraping through each game in unconvincing fashion, no one is going to give a monkeys if we end up lifting the trophy, let's be honest. We got a massive get out of jail moment yesterday but the way in which we saved ourselves so dramatically and then won it, has surely given the players a shot in the arm. I feel like maybe the shackles might come off for us a bit now and am hoping we'll take some confidence into the Swiss game. We'll need to improve to beat them for sure.

I'm gutted to see him go so soon. I thought we'd likely keep him another season at least and sell Summerville, Gnonto, Meslier etc but is such a heavy price to pay not going up. Changes your whole outlook which is why it annoys me to see cheats profit still but that's another matter. Anyway, he is a generational talent. Hands down best we have produced to date, and he's going to get better and better. He can play a few positions but midfield will be where he'll grow best. So composed on the ball for 18, nothing seems to faze him. £40m is an absolute steal too. Spurs will double that fee in no time and we'll be looking on in envy. Can't help but feel Leeds have undersold yet again and will wait for what the 49ers comments when its done. Is it a clause? Is it for PSR reasons? Either way, they have sold someone who wanted to stay for the time being and its upset the Gray family from those behind the scenes. @Storts You are going to love him. I was hopeful we'd maybe get a loan back for a season but I think he's probably already able to compete for a place at Spurs so can't see it.

Saturday 29th June, 2024 Switzerland 1-1 Italy, 17.00 Germany 3-1 Denmark, 20.00 Sunday 30th June, 2024 England 2-0 Slovakia, 17.00 Spain 3-1 Georgia, 20.00 Monday 1st July, 2024 France 2-1 Belgium, 17.00 Portugal 2-0 Slovenia, 20.00 Tuesday 2nd July, 2024 Romania 0-1 Netherlands, 17.00 Austria 2-1 Turkey, 20.00

Portugal Mbappe 22nd

England

Man City's run in from March onwards... Blimey, can't see them losing a game after potentially Spurs A end of Feb. Arsenal having to go to Liverpool 3rd game from the end smells like bad news already. They rarely win there. Is that where they lose the title this year?

Underwhelming however, you got to question what pulling power Leicester have in their current predicament. Impending deduction, financial issues, it's a hard sell unless someone is prepared to take a chance they might not otherwise get. Cooper fits that mould. Feels very much like they are preparing for The Championship a year in advance. Feel a bit for the fans because the excitement and euphoria should naturally carry on into the new season, but it all feels very doom and impending gloom.

Absolutely useless and overweight in his small time with us. Honestly don't think he gave a fuck if we stayed up or got relegated and his performances showed that. Would be a hard avoid for me.

I don't know if Germany have the defence to win it all. Scotland were woeful but Hungary exposed some weaknesses for me, they just missed that clinicality that the top level sides have. Could be wrong, maybe the attack will be enough but if I had to call it now, I think they'll come unstuck somewhere and it will be because of the defence.

Wednesday 19th June, 2024 Group A Germany 3-1 Hungary, 17.00 Scotland 1-2 Switzerland, 20.00 Group B Croatia 2-1 Albania, 14.00 Thursday 20th June, 2024 Group B Spain 1-1 Italy, 20.00 Group C Slovenia 1-2 Serbia, 14.00 Denmark 1-1 England, 17.00 Friday 21st June, 2024 Group D Poland 0-1 Austria, 17.00 Netherlands 1-2 France, 20.00 Group E Slovakia 1-1 Ukraine, 14.00 Saturday 22nd June, 2024 Group E Belgium 1-1 Romania, 20.00 Georgia 2-1 Czech Republic, 14.00 Turkey 1-2 Portugal, 20.00

VAR working like an absolute dream in this tournament. You can't really pick a fault in it so far. Let's hope the Premier League are watching.

The best thing I've loved about this tournament so far is tuning in to watch games that don't look appealling on paper and yet, they've been thoroughly entertaining as well as having great atmosphere. This game could well be up there as the best I've seen so far.

Germany please

It's all about that front four for Belgium isn't it. Everything else looks a little average. Never been the same defensively since they had prime Vermaelen, Vertonghen and Alderweireld.

I missed that one but I'd have definitely have been all over that considering they have 3 games each. The superboosts are always a great way of doubling your money and giving you your stakes to play with.

Have to say, from what I've seen they are going to give the current Belgium side a game on this showing. Ukraine look exactly what they are tbh, a young, inexperienced side. They'll learn a lot from this though.

Feels like a home game for Romania judging by the sound of their support. They're playing like their life depends on it. Love to see someone unexpected make a statement. They are also my work sweepstake team

Bit late to the party but these were my bets before a ball was kicked. Portugal to win 13/2 (Free £20 bet) Returns £130. France to win, Mbappe Top Scorer 12/1 - £10 returns £130 Kane & Mbappe to score 4+ goals, Lukaku & B.Fernandes to score 3 goals, 35-1 - £5 returns £180 Portugal & France to reach semis, Holland, Belgium & Spain to reach quarters, 33-1 - £5 wins £170 Portugal, Belgium & Germany to score 2+ goals each group game, 55-1, £5 wins £280. Very punty, but fun bets. £25 spent doing it however, I've won that back already winning 3 Superboosts at evens odds of various players to be fouled or take a shot on target which was the plan. (McTominay to make 1+ foul, Musiala 1+SOT, Bellingham and Foden to be fouled)

Sweet, I got it cheers. Quite far behind already by looks of it I do enjoy a challenge though.

I'm a bit late to this, wasn't gonna bother but day off today and have whipped up a team late to get involved. Will obviously have to miss whoever has got points already. Whats the code to join the league?

One of the biggest things we've always seem to have done, is play what you'd call the 11 best players we can and then shoe horn them into positions. Looks great on paper but then doesn't translate onto the pitch. Look what we did with Paul Scholes for years. Same for when we tried playing Lampard/Gerrard together. Obviously we have very little choice at LB right now but that is hurting us not having a natural left footer there. Trent did ok first half when we had the ball, but feel we lacked the energy and protection needed second half when we didn't have it from him. Still feel you need a natural in there like Mainoo, Wharton, Gallagher etc. Foden I feel sorry for because he's obviously better in the centre. But Fabregas was bang on when he shot Micah Richards down last night on BBC. Jude carries big game personality, and last night showed exactly why it would have been an insult to him to have pushed him back with Rice when he was running the game for us First Half. That's the level he is at now and we can't sacrifice that. Not sure Foden quite has that yet. Tremendous player, but the mentality level perhaps isnt there in an England shirt yet. There was no outball 2nd half and even if you managed to punt it down the wing just to get out, you'd have Anthony Gordon tearing after it If he was in that front three so I get the arguement to have him in. Food for thought that one. It's so easy to get excited when you have so many star names but equally, you can get blindsided for the overall efficiency of the team. Never been a Southgate fan but I think it's difficult to get the recipe right when you have so many tempting names to pick from, but that's what seperates the great coaches.

Didn't know that but I'd find it hard to leave a game I'm quite invested in with Gaffr. And I doubt I'd do two in the same league.