Euro 2020 – Day 11

Taking the opposition into account, but Dumfries is impressing again.

Great ploy from Bobby BS there wearing his mask for the Belgium anthem!

Never seen a point in Belgium, but that's a separate discussion.

Goalkeeper's head stops an own goal off Kevin De Bruyne's cross there.

I wonder if Lukaku is going bald. And does his mummy love him? Mine would of had those dreads squashed in a photo album.

Bit samey samey this. Finland look pretty solid so far.

I think he's following his manager's style David.

Commentator man of the match so far. He's clearly been practising his Finnish name pronunciation. Top drawer.

Have you ever posted something and then thought “I might have over-shared there.”?

If this score (Denmark) stands then Swtiz, Eng, Czech, France and Sweden officially qualify for round two.

It's sad to see the demise of a once great player like Eden Hazard, 2 broken ankles in Madrid seem to have taken there toll and really slowed him down, he looks a shadow of his Chelsea days at the moment, hope it's temporary.

What's your assessment of the Denmark goal Kieran? Absolute ‘worldy' or do you think the Russian goalkeeper was either badly positioned or very flat-footed?

I'm trying not to do the maths Kieran as it gives me a headache. I think if Belgium score, the "as it stands" table would see Finland, Denmark & Russia all on 3 points?

Denmark & Finland equal on points and goal difference?

Would Denmark be 2nd on goals scored?

Or Finland on the basis they beat Denmark?

Confuses the heck out of me.

Its rock, paper, scissors, spock

Si

I thought the keeper was flat footed but I'll give the scorer the benefit of the doubt.

Danny

I think it would go on goal difference as Den would have beat Rus who beat Fin who beat Den. So I assume the head to head negates itself and it goes to goal difference.

David (12), what's happened to the lizard?

Ha Ha, a lot to be said for being slow to get back after an attack, lol.

Russian defense definately at fault that time

I've never been more happy for a team and country I literally have nothing to do with. Let's go Denmark!

Blind back pass. Ouch

LF is up? cool. Just gave it the ol' "hello?" as no one is on there! 😂

Denmark look like they want more

So a Belgium goal and Denmark are 2nd as I see it.

Lukakuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

Sorry Si, missed it out.

Jeff, l get you with Hazard. Seems weird to me that not long ago l was watching a 16 year old Rooney. And now he's retired.

I wonder if Kane goes to City will he ever be worth that money or will he be a Torres

Lukaku scores , err no he doesn't

Oh no he doesn't! Wow, very tight though. VAR. has been good in the Euros so far but not convinced by that one.

Or not.

F. Bullshit. I had de bruyne to assist lukaku. I did that dance for nothing

The ridiculous offside rule strikes again.

That aside. Lovely simple pass from De Bruyne, but what I really liked was Lukaku's body shape and how he opened up to receive the pass and make the space for the finish.

Shame.

David it's the rapid change in Hazard that's so surprising, 20 months ago he was bossing the Prem, now he looks so slow, and jaded, hope he just needs game time and will show more as the comp progresses.
You want to see world class players shine in the big tournaments.

Goalllllll

Oggy

Neil, I thought Lukaku was onside, but it looked like his foot( don't know which one?) was furthest forward, so offside. That one stands though. Oggy by the keeper. 😨😨😨

Rob, yes it was his left foot. Stupid rule though, surely it has to be more clear cut than that?

Looks like it might not matter now, which is probably about the right outcome.

Goallll Denmark

HOLY SHIT OOOOHHHHHHHHH

And there's no God Michael???? HAHAHAHAHA

Denmark again !!!

Finns are finished

Lukaku again, a great finish. He's on fire.

Jeff, completely agree!

Lukaku, shit him... lazy b'stard

I will never, ever forget this game. Wow!

Denmark vs Wales as it stands, could be a very good game that. After what happened to Eriksen it would be great to see them finish 2nd.

Oh, looks like they will now.

Ouch, that game is in Russia

Yeah shit first touch,couldn't trap a bag of cement,get rid of him

Even better David! I hope they wallow in misery to be honest.

Started time wasting at 2 minutes. Dove for a pen. Vladimir is an asshole.

Screw 'em.

Yes Anthony, don't forget lazy and that Man U thought the same. He attributes his success in Italy to new training regime and diet that Conte imposed on him.

Lukaku could be shit and lazy every single game as long as he kept up his goals ratio, Bob Latchford anyone?

You do not score that many goals being lazy, he is permanently switched on ,that's not being lazy!

David, # 43. What game is in Russia? Do you mean Russia v Denmark? If so, it's actually in Copenhagen. Belgium v Finland is in Russia, St. Petersburg

Complete centre foward

I knew Denmark wouldn't give up but just emotionally I thought it might be a bridge too far for them to raise their spirits again for the last chance saloon. But what a wonderful performance and what great character.

Sorry Jeff, disagree, for me, any player in an Everton shirt has to give 100% minimum in every game, just as we would in an astroturf 5 a side. Last season we had quite a few short of 100%.

Denmark v Wales good tie that

That game was a microcosm of why I watch sport.

Just beautiful. Well done Denmark. Couldn't write a better script.

Jamie, bad losers Russia.

I don't know if you remember the fight between them and Canada 1987 in the ice hockey? All out brawl involving every player https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2vjcr0_NKEA

Reminds me of a few nights at the Blue Angel in Liverpool

Frank, what I'm saying is he is not lazy, he is 100% concentrated for the full game, totally switched on waiting for THE chance, and invariably he takes it, he is in no way lazy, he is a natural goal scorer and I wish we still had him or someone like him.

David, their state sponsored doping in Olympic sports over many years is worse.

David #54, the Blue Angel, now you are talking, what a classy place!

Jeff

I fancy them to beat Wales. The taffs have two superstars and a lot of average. Denmark have no (healthy superstars) but are good across the whole 11. Plus Schmeichel can be a match winner on his day.

Or this, David.

Link

Still well up every single time I see it. I was 12. I went apeshit crazy, as did my Dad.

Russia losing just brings a smile to my face.

Ukraine will be happy too. Finland have a worse record than them so one more 3rd place team needs to be worse and Ukraine will make it

I know Frank, what they tried to get away with...
Jeff, he used to be a little lazy! On occasion.

Anyway, very pleased for Denmark. Nice to see

Kieran #58, I quite fancied them as dark horses at the start. They will match Wales for effort, it will be a tight one but I think the Danes may come out on top also.

Reasonable win for Belgium and good to see Rom back to his best but can't see them troubling any of France, Italy, Holland or Germany with Hazard a passenger

Tough one to call for me Kieran, Wales have a bit more than Bale and Ramsey, Dan James is rapid and Ward in goal has played well, pens maybe? Fancy Schmeichel if it does, he psyched our lot out in that league cup tie a couple of years ago!

I'm glad I watched the Denmark-Russia game. The Belgium game sounds pretty dull.

Germany and Portugal would both have to lose by 4 goals for a team from that group to be worse than Finland. Or by 3 to be worse than Ukraine. So pretty much the worst place third is between Scotland/Cro and the Spain group

Colin, I'm sure 'The' Backpass reminded you of a team we know !

It was Colin.

Jamie, l love hockey. I accidently moved to Winnipeg for 5 years and it kept me sane till they moved to Phoenix. Brilliant game to watch live. I played a game once, even though l could hardly skate and ended up with pins in my shoulder.

Now if Hungary can pull a miracle in front of 65,000 partisan, non-covid-fearing fans? 😜

Neil

I fancied them too. They beat England pretty comfortably last year. I didn't realize they'd cope so well post Eriksen's situation though. Also, they've got more long range shooters than I realized.

Finland patked the bus. Belgium will be better against teams that want to have a game of football

Haha David. I skate better than I walk. Hockey is fantastic.

I honestly believe any footy fan plunged into hockey would absolutely love the sport.

Jamie, l was lost without being able to go to Goodison but got given a ticket and fell in love with it. The fast pace, the checks into the boards, the fights. Wpg got Tie Domi, so it was a lot of fun!!

Jamie

The game will be in Munich in front of about 12,000 somewhat covid fearing socially distant Germans

Oh no! I thought it was in Budapest!

ugh.

Tie Domi was a snarky little fuck of a player, David.

He reminds me of my own snarky little fuck: Brad Marchand.

Love them both. The little shits that slash, poke, crack ya when the ref's head is turned, and have skill you can only dream about.

Up the rats!

David, I'm bemused, how does one accidentally move to Winnipeg for 5 years, a one way ticket on the wrong bus ? Brilliant
Jamie, your description of those hockey players reminds me of our noisy neighbours.

They used to show the hockey on Saturday sport over here about 40 years ago. Cracking game to watch particularly when it's a close one or a grudge match. Not sure why they stopped showing it as it was popular from what I can remember.

Some of the challenges are brutual, almost a war on ice!

Made up for Denmark, not just because of the obvious tragic situation they've had to deal with, but I had them as my total outside dark horses before the tournament kicked off. They've got some really good players coming through.

Lukaku. I never understood why supporters got frustrated with the first striker we'd had in years who could consistently score 20 goals a season because he was perceived to be lazy. He scores goals. Good scenes at the end where Henry is still educating and schooling him after the match. And he was listening and learning.

20 plus goals a season and some still not happy, at Everton ffs! Only at Everton!
We are an ungrateful, nitpicking, strange support, we really are.

Lukaku could be “a little bit lazy “ every single game for me as long as he kept scoring, which he did, has continued to do, and will carry on doing...

Because he didn't chase corner flags and work hard like Marcus Bent Jeff.

I being pedantic. Seriously, I just want my strikers to score goals. That's what they're there for. Lukaku does that.

Jeff #80, United didn't fancy him either, nor did Chelsea, didn't start putting in a shift, til he shifted a load of weight in Italy. No question of his ability. Can't play a pressing game with him.

Jamie, and licking hah brutal at times and makes you wonder how they get away with it. Especially the fact that they still have players on the team whose only job is to drop the gloves and fight.

Frank, sorry for the late reply my intetnet went down. Its always a girl! I arrived on 5rh January... it was -55 with the wind chill but l thought l would be okay because l had 2 jumpers on.

And if anyone on here hasn't watched the NHL... its curently the playoffs. Watch it. Its an amazing game.

Ah ok David, perfectly good reason, well done ! There's always a perfectly reasonable answer, lovely story

But Frank, were not United or Chelsea are we?

we haven't won a pot for 26 years, but some fans were not happy with a 25 goals a season striker! Unfuckingbelievable.

Frank, nightmare ending. Don't go to Winmipeg!

Ok Jeff, we can disagree but we couldn't win anything with him either and won't playing with 10 men plus a guy who is good, nay great I would say, at taking scoring chances but not a team player. A waste of his talent. Every interview he gave after a game, he mentioned continuing to work hard, strange that !

David, I certainly won't be going by accident or without me jumper !

Go Canadiens! The only underdog left. suck it Vegas.

ok Frank we'll agree to disagree, but I really think he has gone on to prove the problem was with our other 10 players, not the 1 knocking them in every week.

Which is kind of what you are saying too, I think.🤔

Great result for Denmark and well deserved for their fans, and that should be a good game v Wales.

Belgium looking very handy too.

So for tomorrow and let's see if England can put in a decent performance for a change.

At least the Euros, are providing some decent games and entertainment and is a welcome distraction to the Everton managerial saga.

I found it strange in Canada. I later moved to Toronto. I have one friend that follows the Habs in hockey, The Patriots in nfl, the Blue Jays in baseball, and Spurs is 'soccer'
At least fans don't have an off season.

Frank and Dale, where are you living?

Perhaps some Evertonians could see that Lukaku could have been much much more than just a goalscorer whilst he was wearing the Everton shirt, I know I did. His touch was poor on lots of occasions whilst he was at Goodison and that continued at Old Trafford. It's only the past couple of years where he has become the player many thought he would be, but he was ambitious for himself, and regardless of what we as fans thought about him as a player, he wanted to go to a more competitive club, and that's why he went to United and then on to Milan.

Did I celebrate when he was sold, of course not, every man and his dog knew we'd miss his goals, we all knew he was a natural finisher. Tonight he scored one and had one disallowed, in a somewhat disjointed performance from Belgium, that's what top goalscorers do, but even at the end of tonight's game, Thiery Henry was offering Lukaku more advice.

I find it so tiresome that quite a few posters on here, want to blame the fans for most of Everton's ills. We don't choose who to buy or sell, we don't choose the manager, we merely proffer our opinion on individuals and the team, some do it quite loudly some with humour, some with sheer emotion.

That's what fans do, up and down the country, in every country at any club on the planet, Evertonians aren't different to any other fans, because they all have fans who nitpick, want better, want success and are ungrateful. There isn't a totally satisfied group of supporters anywhere, including at Man City, despite their dominance in recent years.

Agree Paul, not a great tournament so far but good enough to keep us entertained and debating.

David, I'm in Dublin, not the Ohio one !!!

I'm actually enjoying it Jeff, although maybe that's because it's a welcome distraction! I do think the matches are getting better though.

I picked that up just a few posts back Barry. Intriguing to see Henry giving Lukaku a debrief after the match. And Lukaku listening and nodding. Why wouldn't you though?!!

Barry, well put.
Its a shame, sometimes as a blue you see us sell Lukaku and we don't buy a direct replacement. Those obvious things that drives us all crazy.

And is it my imagination or did City have greater support when they were in divisions 1 and 2?

Danny, I think it's easier when we're not as emotionally involved as we would with Everton, it's more relaxing. Still too much sideways and back passing in the games for my liking.

Yeh Danny I'm enjoying it too, bit bloated at the mo with only a few teams going out in the early part, but some decent games going on and these last group games are providing interest and drama even if it's only for sorting out the knockout fixtures.
I'd much rather have a summer with a tournament going on than one without.

Frank, its good to be close to the source of Guiness. I always loved going to lreland, the people are always friendly and welcoming.

Frank, unfortunately, I think the sideways and backward passing and playing it out from the goalie is here to stay, it's called the modern game apparently !

What I've enjoyed about the tournament so far, is the referees have allowed tackling to be part of football and not stopping the game every minute, due to someone falling over, not in every game but in most matches the game has been allowed to flow.

Plus the speed of the VAR decisions has been much faster than we've witnessed in the Premier League. Not every decision has been correct, but at least they've been made efficiently - which proves that it isn't the system that undermines VAR in England it's the way it's used.

Good man David, kind words, I worked there as an intern during one college Summer. The lifers got a couple of free bottles with their lunch, not the students !!!

Frank & Jeff,

Yes, there's always that sort of cautious stand off in the early group games, but now we're getting to the stage where teams are needing results, its getting more interesting. And then we hit the knock outs so teams have to go for the win.

Barry, the VAR difference has been notable. They are mostly using it much more effectively. It makes you wonder how much the Premier League has been using it to play to the cameras and add to the drama or give the pundits something to rant about. Conspiracy theorist in me at play there, so I apologise. But it just seems to be being used to better effect, in a slicker manner and without the fuss we got accustomed to last season.

Isn't it weird, Frank, that the further away you get from Dublin, the more watery it gets. It's not even close to being a myth.

Danny, Problem with VAR in the Premier League is with the guys looking at the footage plus the tampering with the rules. For instance, level used to be onside, even if a big toe was offside, the torsos were level so onside. Lukaku's goal tonight caused by his size 11s rather than size 10's.

David, a heresy I know, but always preferred the lighter beers myself, shame on me, so not an expert on the quality or soundness of the faraway pint of Guinness, although have heard the complaints from the aficionados.

I liked it when they had that "daylight" rule for offside Frank. I'm not sure what happened to it.

I know there would still be marginal decisions but it gave the advantage to the attacker, which is what we want to promote in the game right?

Exactly Danny, that was always the way. Daylight seems an easier rule to implement. I'd hate to be a lines-person, having to watch a ball being struck and also the exact position of defender and attacker.

There was an incident in an earlier Belgium match, v Russia I think, where Lukaku was two yards offside when ball was played to him, but the defender mishit a clearance back to him and the goal stood. I confess I don't know the rule anymore. For me, the whistle should have gone for first offside.