Group D - Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Scotland

[Howe_zat]

Never a pen for Czech though.

Genuine question - does intent matter when determining whether or not something is a foul? Elbow did strike face with enough force to draw blood after all.

 

[wpdavid]

It's the first time England have ever won their opening game at the Euros.

Yeah, I heard that too. I was also thinking about world cups, where we start badly more often than not.

 

[Howe_zat]

I suppose a population of 4m is going to occasionally struggle to produce enough high quality players to be really good. And 24 teams was always likely to provide some pretty mediocre sides who wouldn't have made it previously.

Croatia might be just getting to the point of over the hill, but they were the most recent world cup finalists, easily qualified for this tournament as group winners and are still in the top 10 ranked European sides, so it seems a bit of a stretch to say they wouldn't have qualified in prior editions.

 

[wpdavid]

Croatia might be just getting to the point of over the hill, but they were the most recent world cup finalists, easily qualified for this tournament as group winners and are still in the top 10 ranked European sides, so it seems a bit of a stretch to say they wouldn't have qualified in prior editions.

Maybe. I heard that their recent track record isn't too clever, but I wouldn't claim to know more about them than what we're seeing here. Maybe they've declined a bit since they qualified around 18 months ago.

And regarding your last point, yup, fair enough.

 

[wpdavid]

James and Shaw in for Walker and Trippier respectively.

 

[Furball]

Genuine question - does intent matter when determining whether or not something is a foul? Elbow did strike face with enough force to draw blood after all.

Nobody would have argued if he'd one it challenging at the halfway line to win the ball from a goal kick being punted long.

 

[sledger]

This game has potential lols written all over it, get the feeling it could kick off at any moment, will be funny no matter who loses

 

[Furball]

Ref status: At it

 

[sledger]

Great save that. Credit to the angriest keeper in the world.

 

[Furball]

Get McTominay out the defence. He's constantly getting caught wrong side.

 

[Furball]

Credit to the angriest keeper in the world.

Allan McGregor isn't playing.

 

[Howe_zat]

The comms are praising a lot of the balls in for the England forwards to run onto, and saying Sterling/Kane/Foden just haven't been able to collect. But if England are consistently finding the ball two metres in front of the run, aren't they just overhitting the passes?

 

[sledger]

Haha England have not been good imo, but this is an entertaining game

 

[sledger]

Not being able to find a place for Grealish in this side is pretty criminal.

Side needs more Bukayo Saka as well.

 

[Tangles]

Has Kane slowed down or is he not fully fit?

 

[thundaboult]

kane is so slow these last 2 games...

also bring on grealish ffs

 

[Tangles]

kane is so slow these last 2 games...

also bring on grealish ffs

Grealish a good call.

 

[sledger]

There is just no need for both Rice and Philips in this team. Turns everything into an almighty stodge when in possession. Everything just so ploddy.

 

[James]

This game needs some Rooney, Owen, Lampard, Gerrard, Beckham, Scholes....

 

[sledger]

Why in the ever loving **** is Foden going off