Euro 2020 — Day 5

Great start to Day 5 with the pic of Ericksen looking well.

I'm hoping for 2 decent games today... with plenty of goals too.

Have to support France today after all the Norman's civilized us.

I come from Celtic stock Keiran,so the above doesn't apply to me!...but the Krauts did bomb our chippies so a French win would be fine for me also...as long as there's plenty of goals,shooting from range and both teams being brave and going for it,I'll be happy.

Looking forward to seeing Hungary too,still have a soft spot for them since Spain in '82.

Looks like Jordan Pickford's starting berth just got further cemented. United's Dean Henderson withdrawn from the tournament with a hip injury and Sheffield United's Aaron Ramsdale called up as his replacement.

The uncapped Ramsdale of course has been relegated from the PL with his last two clubs, Bournemouth and the Blades. The 3rd keeper is from another relegated club, Sam Johnstone from WBA. Jordan in a league of his own by comparison.

Never got the enthusiasm some expressed on here for Ramsdale.

Bit confusing looking at that Hungarian line up. Three men called Sally playing.

Cmon Mighty Magyars! Suck it Pepe

Thought crowd numbers were supposed to be limited?

Watching this game has just reminded me that we haven't been linked with William Carvalho for a while.

Bill

Each country sets its own rules. The Hungarian president broke with the EU and started buying any vaccines he could get his hands on months ago. Hungary is now one of the most vaccinated countries in Europe (albeit some got the 51 percent effective Chinese one). He wants to show that it's business as usual in his fiefdom hence the full house

Andrew, that's because Steve Ferns hasn't posted about William Carvalho for a while.

Thanks for that Kieran. For some reason I was thinking it was UEFA who set the limit.

Mike, it's a name that seems to come up at every tournament

Bill

UEFA just set a requirement that countries admit a certain amount of fans as a minimum. Ireland weren't comfortable with covid doing that so they pulled out but there's not a cap.

Just as an aside any ToffeeWebbers planning to go to Orlando for the friendlies?

Magnificent crowd for this game...but yet to spark into life on the pitch,so far.

Commentator said you need proof of covid vaccinations to get into this match, these would have been available along with tickets the touts were selling outside.

I wonder what 90,000 crammed into that stadium has done for infection rates?

Missed the first half. How has this one been?

My head is with France tonight, mein Hertz mit Deutschland.

Don't think I've seen a single mask in the crowd.

Just makes you wonder why our fabulous world-beating vaccination programme has not allowed this to happen in the UK? We need vaccination passports. Boris the Bungler has got this so wrong.

Where's this being played Michael?

See what you mean. And pretty much full capacity stadium too by the looks.

Danny, Budapest, they said on 5 Live when I was driving home... and the only stadium that can have full capacity.

Hungary is not exactly an upstanding an honest nation, at least the Government anyway.

Their vaccination programme has involved mass procurement from countries like China and Russia of vaccinations that wouldn't pass any sort of acceptance test in civilised nations so 60,000 maskless and inadequately vaccinated people mixing together is not a good thing.

Didn't know that Joe, thanks for the info.

Not a lot to talk about in this one. I was caught in 3 minds on Sallai. Looks a decent player but that recent incident on the left when Pepe eventually fouled him:

1. Great feet and skill to skip past a couple of players as he was being crowded out.

2. He looked up and had nowhere to go, so turned back into trouble.

3. He realised he's beaten 3 players, so turned back to try and do it again. Hungarian Peter Beagrie.

I'll go for a blend of 1 & 2.

Andrew.

"Their vaccination programme has involved mass procurement from countries like China and Russia of vaccinations that wouldn't pass any sort of acceptance test in civilised nations"

You sure about that?

Jammy shits

Go on, boring Thomas, enlighten me.

Okay, one man with a black mask, in a crowd of thousands.

Pure luck. Deflected pass, deflected shot.

Now that is how to take a penalty.

Michael

Is it Batman?

Yes, that's a cool penalty.

36 years old. Shows you can stay at the highest level if you a fortunate with injury and look after yourself.

Oh and god given talent helps too.

It is possible / probable that the top 3 go through from this one right?

175 games for Portugal. That's a heck of a lot.

Class player but an arrogant prick.

Still prefer Messi!.

Danny #31, probably yes as it would be expected for France and Germany to beat Hungary also and draw when playing each other and Portugal.

Game and spirited by Hungary, but all the class and football came from Portugal.

Flukey opener, definate penalty clinically scored, superb 3rd goal. Weakest link for Portugal today appeared to be Jota who was in good positions to play in CR7 but failed to do so every time.

CR7 set to break a few more scoring records yet. Phenomenal athlete.

Game and spirited by Hungary, but all the class and football came from Portugal.

Flukey opener, definate penalty clinically scored, superb 3rd goal. Weakest link for Portugal today appeared to be Jota who was in good positions to play in CR7 but failed to do so every time.

CR7 set to break a few more scoring records yet. Phenomenal athlete.

Ronaldo - legs gone and avoids contact like the plague but his footballing brain still ticks like a precision time piece. Very few have the touch and mental coolness to go round the keeper in the 6 yard box - stunning.

Ronaldo and Messi the last of the Mohicans no one coming through to take their place, such a shame

So Matthew, everyone's got a threshold as to true world class and I have mine. I don't know why, but when people talk of Pele, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Mardonna and yes, Messi, I personally wouldn't hold Ronaldo in that category.

My word that's harsh as he is fantastic. Guillit too.

Exactly Barry, football is in the brain as much as in the legs.

Thoughts?

Although I never saw them play, I would add Puskas and Eusebio to that list Danny (based on what my dad told me and saw them play at Goodison in 66 although Puskas was fading then).

Cristiano one of the all-time greats for me Danny, scored bags of goals in four different leagues and never failed anywhere. No doubting Messi either but there's always that thing how would he have done in another league.

I said it was harsh Anthony! Yes, he is definitely one of the all time greats, without doubt.

Neil, my dad would have agreed with yours on Eusebio.

It's tough to hold modern players up against players from previous eras due to the lack of physical contact in the game today.

Would Messi, Ronaldo etc. have handled the punishment handed out to Pele, Best or Maradona? Could they have dribbled like Matthews with on old leather ball and heavy, muddy boots?

I can't comment on that Andrew!!

Although if you watch footage and recall how Maradona was hacked and kicked.

Likewise George Best.

Or at least players tried to hack and kick them. Often they were hacking and kicking their shadow!

If we had the good fortune to see either Messi or Ronaldo play for Everton at their peak, and we could only have one, I think I'd plump for Messi, but Ronaldo is a very special player too.

Jinky Johnston anyone ! Elvis would of been jealous of that swivel of the hips. I'd say easily in a par with George best. As for the word great I'd say our Bally but I'm biased. For all round game it has to be pele surely.

Duncan Mckenzie is the greatest footballer of all time!!

Andrew #42, I think they are good points but it's all relative, would Pele, Best and Matthews been fit enough for the modern game? Very difficult to compare across generations, better I think to accept they were world class at that particular time both in the past and present.

Colin, around 1977 (I think), that's what my Dad had me believing! His true love was Alan Ball though.

Have you seen those 2 line ups?

A classic on the cards or the proverbial game of football chess and a stand off?

Michael (18), ‘ Boris the bungler has got this so wrong' Michael I don't to make this thread extra long, but when did Johnson get anything right.

36 years old. Shows you can stay at the highest level if you a fortunate with injury and look after yourself.

Oh and god given talent helps too."

...and anatomically favourable genes.,"36 years old. Shows you can stay at the highest level if you a fortunate with injury and look after yourself.

Oh and god given talent helps too."

..and anatomically favourable genes.,,,1,19:30:40,,82.2.50.200,ok,19747,06/15/2021 19:30:40,overdrive,reader,,,no 1165692,40925,toffeeweb,15/06/2021,Jimmy Hogan,MM@Consigliari.com,"Bill has lost the plot. First he advocates bringing back Moyes or Martinez, now it's him pushing for Benitez. As Thatcher the old witch once said, NO, NO, NO.

It's a generational thing, Danny. Apart from Messi and Ronaldo no present day footballers come close to my heroes like Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Ball, Best, Pele etc…and of course, 🎶We all agree, Duncan Mckenzie is magic🎵

Neil (39), yes Ferenc Puskas deserves to be on the list of world class players, a fantastic footballer, he didn't play in the 1966 World Cup however, he's last games in that competition was in 1962 for Spain.

So many truly top players listed there folks,each one a true great...but the greatest?.

Before my time,but it has to be BEST...then again even Shankley thought it was THE man himself...

DIXIE.

Aye, Matthew - or maybe Robin Friday!

A lot of talent in this French side. wonder what that lot would cost in todays market

I agree it makes a difference if the players were current in one's time, Colin, for the full context. So many greats from all eras. In contrast to his management (and other) abilities, Koeman was some player, in a less fashionable, less celebrated role.

Still Maradona, for me. For a short time, I thought we were seeing his eventual successor in Rooney.

Can't give you an estimate Darren but I think Mosh would pay four times their actual value.

Duncan was a wonderful player,skill,control,touch and awareness,a player that always made the faithful smile.

We need to find another,to bring to the younger generation of Blues some much needed joy.

I loved Kingy too,even watching THAT Derby winner now makes me cry (am a sensitive soul,I even drink mild!).

2 good teams lining up here. Just think the French have the attacking edge.

Koeman; ignoring his Everton disaster, what a player. What a bullet of a shot.

Just saw Digne going down the steps.

How come the players don't point and go crazy when their faces come on the big screen?…..miserable sods!

Is right Danny

Whatever else you say about koeman. I don't think I have seen anybody strike a ball so sweetly. So often.

He's still a c**t though

McKenzie was a helluva an entertainer for sure. Mentally almost too far ahead of other players a lot of the time. Also jumped cars, threw golf balls the full length of football pitches; fantastic.

Will, don't forget the Cloughie impressions a true all rounder, deffo.

Jeff - yes!

I remember him doing 3 hours stand up at the Hippodrome, Tommy Cockles was livid!

Dave #52, thanks for the correction, my dad must have been making it up! (hes long gone now so looks like he got away with one). I think Puskas was famous for the win against England, their first defeat at Wembley?

Link

Towards the end, about 12 mins in (?), grainy shot of the golf ball throw, and that mini jump, in staggered photos.

Hummels making a mark on his return

Will ( 63) Golf balls… jumping over cars.. yes. The romantic image matures over the years. That's what I paid my admission for… those amazing skills. However… like a lot of things… he did that not at Everton (sadly). Some guys who do it consistently for the team..the Tommy Jackson's… John Hurst..Alan Harper..Leon Osman….et al.., forgotten heroes. McKenzie was / is one of the great wasters of a shirt. Occasionally did it when arsed… disappeared when disinterested…no big club was ever interested in him… legend in his own mind. Good old Everton Romantisism… been going on for centuries. Hate to say it the RS.. Utd saw past this chancer in those days and that says volumes why we are always the bridesmaids etc. But I understand your view but James is the latest one. Ah as Dylan said ”And it's a dirty rotten shame”

Kieran, if Hummels leaves it, Mbape probably scores anyway, difficult for him either way.
Not sure which way I want this one to go, probably favour France who have bit more flair.

Wasn't it Hummels whose goal beat France at the WC?

Life's little ironies.

Brent, great find! Have a look at vid from just before the minute mark. Does it (Almost) remind you of anything?

Chris, if you'll notice, I called McKenzie a great entertainer, not a great player or contributor. Considered overall, his tenure didn't work out that way. Doesn't take away from some goals and fantastic skills though - and I still maintain he was mentally too far ahead of most others. Rare player.

Neil Copeland 67

Maybe your dad was talking about Puskas at Goodison with Panathanikos he was manager when they knocked us out of the european cup in '71.

Remember his team bus getting pelters upon leaving GP after the previous home game when he was reconnoitering pre the first leg. He was at the front of the bus like a fat hob-goblin aghast at the abuse

Will, are you thinking Rooney?

Barry #74, cheers I didn't know he managed them and yes he may have got it mixed up because he went to that game also.

Neil 76

Pleasure, mate

Brent, yes! There's another example, from a lower league team, 1 or 2, from several years back, that I can't recall right now, but the goal was scored. It was identical to Rooney's.

Nice to see some crosses going in from Kimmich. Weirdly out of fashion despite being so hard to deal with. A real aversion in other games to getting the ball and bodies into the box.

BRILLIANt disallowed Mbappe goal

looking forward to the next Wales game. I remember two hilarious posts last time they went deep into a tournament It was as if they were there watching the game.

Come on the Taffs

Cue german equaliser

Griezmann is pure class. An elite attacking player, running all over the pitch winning strong tackles. And on Mbappe's disallowed goal it was Griezmann who released Pogba with that lovely little chip.

Don't know why he hasn't succeeded at Barca, but he'll make a great replacement for Cristiano at Juventus. Same level of commitment.

Who was the team mate of Duncan who said - Too 'ffin right he is magic. Get's on the pitch and disappears.

Anybody remember?

I hope we can do a lot better than sign that Rabiot bloke!.

Average at best.

Good start from France, played within themselves. Plenty more to come.
Backed them at 6/4.
Happy days.

The SE of the current was on talk shite today...He tipped the French to go on and win it.

Evens for tonight was a bit stingy though

He gave me the tip.

EVENS??

Your not still using a bookies runner are you?

Joachim just seems a bit Löw to me.

Matthew #85, I've been saying that for a year now, since I watch him at Juventus. Actually, I thought today was one of his best defensive performances.

Phil @84
I don't remember who may have said it, but I reckon that Mike Pejic or Dave Jones would be my educated guess, if it was said by an Everton player. It was probably someone at Leeds like Norman Hunter who actually said it.

Neil (67), yes, give your dad a walkover over Puskas, he really was something special, he became known with that fabulous performance at Wembley along with quite a few Hungarian players in that 6-3 win, including that drag back with his foot near the corner flag, left Billy Wright, I think, on his arse. He did even better a few months later in Budapest when Hungary beat England 7-1,left his country after Russia invaded Hungary and joined Real Madrid playing alongside my favourite player Alfredo di Stefano in many European Cup games, a player to admire indeed.

Dave #91, cheers for the information. Dad may have been pulling my leg, he had my brother believing that Everton wanted to sign him when he was playing for Dunlop's (NW Counties I think) when in actual fact it was New Brighton! It was only when we were reminiscing at his funeral a couple of years ago that my brother learnt the truth off me. The funny part is that he had been telling anyone that would listen that Dad was wanted by Everton!

Koeman could hit them like a perfectly aimed shot down the range Darren @62. I cannot dispute your closing comment on the same post!

Well, intriguing game from my perspective. France let Germany have lots of possession. In the first half, I thought Germany's shape was too narrow, whilst France tried to exploit the flanks due to the 3 at the back. Always a risk with 3 at the back; you leave your flanks open if the midfield doesn't protect. Personally that's why I think if you're going to do it, go 3-5-2, not 3-4-3. But I'm just Danny, not Joachim Low.

Germany seemed to still have a lot of possession second half but tried to play with more width, although could still not crack that incredible French back line. We talk about the Italians but how good is that French defence? How do you score against a brick wall?

I don't swear a lot on here or in conversation, but how fucking quick is Mbappe? Rapid, but a good footballer to go with it. We often don't get that balance and often just have quick players who are not necessarily good ones.

Final point on Neuer. Has to be the best keeper in the world right now. Calm and commanding. Always looking to play the ball out to the best placed defender of deep sitting midfielder before considering smashing it up the pitch, which he can and will do when he needs or wants to.

France look strong and difficult to beat as well as rapid on the attack when they need to be. I'm sure they'll play different against other teams, this was tactical. Germany as I suspected are a transitional team, but I wouldn't discount them. Let's see what they're like against someone else first.

France still my favourites for this one, but watch out for Italy.

I enjoyed that one.

Danny #93, I've seen three surveys in the past three years that that ranked Mbappe as the fastest footballer in the world. The most recent one I saw ranked him #4 behind Davies of Bayern, Hakimi of Inter, and young Haaland... with guys like Traore, Aubameyang, Salah and Mane also on the list.

https://sportsgeeks.net/fastest-football-players-in-the-world/

As recently as last year, Everton had a player listed in the top 10. Want to guess who it was? Hint: he was proof that pace doesn't necessarily make a good footballer.

PS... Belgium for me.

Mike - Walcott.

Mike

Not Davies of Everton? I'm shocked

Ps Portugal for me

Correct, Will. 7th fastest in the world in 2019.

Pretty impressive for a guy past 30.