Group E - Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Sweden

[James]

13 June 2016
Republic of Ireland v Sweden
Stade de France, Saint-Denis

13 June 2016
Belgium v Italy
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon


17 June 2016
Italy v Sweden
Stadium Municipal, Toulouse

18 June 2016
Belgium v Republic of Ireland
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux


22 June 2016
Sweden v Belgium
Allianz Riviera, Nice

22 June 2016
Italy v Republic of Ireland
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille

 

[Uppercut]

I only just realised Verratti and Marchisio are out. Italy looking a lot weaker than I'd expected.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Zlatan appears to have more international goals than the entire Italy squad.

Oh well sticking by my pick, this is a crazy football season.

 

[vogue]

Very good atmosphere for Sweden vs Republic of Ireland ..great singing from the latter fans..

 

[flibbertyjibber]

If only that had fallen to anybody but O'Shea.

 

[sledger]

Ergh, Mark Lawrenson.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Only kick Zlatan has had so far has been on Irish legs.

 

[sledger]

I really wish the commentators would stop falling over themselves to blow smoke up Zlatan's arse.

Yes, we get it, you think he's a great player. Please stop referring to him as "the Maestro" and Euro 2016 as "His tournament".

 

[Furball]

How has that rat McCarthy not been sent off yet?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

How has that rat McCarthy not been sent off yet?

Quite amazing really, surprised they haven't taken him off as he looks a certainty to get one.

 

[Uppercut]

Can't ****ing believe he took Hoolahan off. Really happy with that performance though.

 

[BoyBrumby]

A draw seems about right on the balance of play.

Not sure it suits either side especially though. Unless there's six draws it leaves both needing to beat yer Eyeties or yer Phlegms.

 

[Uppercut]

I thought we definitely would have deserve a win more than Sweden, but managed the game so poorly at 1-0 that we can't really complain about the draw.

I'm reminded of why I don't rate O'Neill, he doesn't consider attacking cohesion at all. Taking off Hoolahan meant we had to go long, but he'd already taken off Walters.

I think the structure makes draws almost useless. The third place teams to go out will probably be with two draws, possibly even with three.

 

[GIMH]

A draw seems about right on the balance of play.

Not sure it suits either side especially though. Unless there's six draws it leaves both needing to beat yer Eyeties or yer Phlegms.

Yeah, wouldn't be surprised if this group was one of the two where 3rd doesn't qualify

 

[vogue]

Italy vs Belguim, really looking forward to this game,I understand Belguim is one of the favoured sides to win this tournament .

 

[Uppercut]

Lol, Fellaini and Witsel start but no Dembele. Wilmots is such a joke of a manager.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Yeah, wouldn't be surprised if this group was one of the two where 3rd doesn't qualify

I'd put money on it to be honest.

 

[Furball]

Lol, Fellaini and Witsel start but no Dembele. Wilmots is such a joke of a manager.

Dembele is up against Nainggolan to be fair, and Fellaini is generally excellent for Belgium.

Amazing to think Belgium's front 3 could all have been playing together at Chelsea if Mourinho wasn't a knob.

 

[Uppercut]

Dembele is up against Nainggolan to be fair, and Fellaini is generally excellent for Belgium.

Amazing to think Belgium's front 3 could all have been playing together at Chelsea if Mourinho wasn't a knob.

I rate Nain and Fellaini but Dembele is their best player after De Bruyne.

And why couldn't he play alongside Nain? They're both excellent defensively and Fellaini gets through a ton of defensive work from 10.

 

[vogue]

Good goal..great finish