Euro 2012 finals general thread

[RichC]

why thank you - my finest man skirt in that piccy

[Craig_H]

the long socks just complete the look. It's all about the confidence!

[RedReet]

I don’t see the significance of an oversized lollypop though.

[RichC]

it's a MAN size lolly pop!

[Imy]

TV Schedule

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16137701.stm

Group games

8 June: Poland v Greece (BBC), Russia v Czech Republic (ITV)

9 June: Netherlands v Denmark (BBC), Germany v Portugal (BBC)

10 June: Spain v Italy (ITV), Republic of Ireland v Croatia (ITV)

11 June: France v England (ITV), Ukraine v Sweden (BBC)

12 June: Greece v Czech Republic (ITV), Poland v Russia (ITV)

13 June: Denmark v Portugal (ITV), Netherlands v Germany (BBC)

14 June: Italy v Croatia (BBC), Spain v Republic of Ireland (ITV)

15 June: Ukraine v France (ITV), Sweden v England (BBC)

16 June: Greece v Russia (BBC), Poland v Czech Republic (BBC)

17 June: Portugal v Netherlands (ITV), Denmark v Germany (ITV)

18 June: Croatia v Spain (BBC), Italy v Republic of Ireland (BBC)

19 June: Sweden v France (ITV), England v Ukraine (ITV)
Knock-out stages

Quarter-finals (21, 22, 23, 24 June) - BBC has first & fourth picks, ITV has second & third

Semi-finals (27 & 28 June) - BBC

Final (1 July) - BBC & ITV

[Muddled]

Has any one looked at the England kick off times and worked out days to book for annual leave to 1/ catch the match, and 2/ recover from drink?

[RichC]

Nope, I'll no doubt watch the games but my interest in the national side is minimal at best these days

[Darkon]

Anyone know when the preliminary squads have to be announced?

[Alex]

End of May, beginning of June time. Like a week or so before the first game or something. They need a manager first

[Muddled]

Nope, I'll no doubt watch the games but my interest in the national side is minimal at best these days

I'm not *that* fussed about England neither, but it'll be an opportunity to have a few beers.

We play:

Monday 11 June, 5pm
Friday 15 June, 7.45pm
Tuesday 19 June, 7.45pm

Quarter Final as runners-up of Group D is Saturday 23 June
Quarter Final as winners of Group D is Sunday 24 June

I'm being optimistic if I go any further.

Half day needed 11th, full day duvet day needed 12th and 20th, possibly 25th.

[Darkon]

End of May, beginning of June time. Like a week or so before the first game or something. They need a manager first

Wouldn't that be the final squads? I'm almost certain the managers have to name a squad of ~30 or so and then cut it down to 23 by the time you say.

[Daniel 7]

I wonder if white van man will be flying the St George's flags from the windows this year. the meeja have been quite downbeat in the buildup so far. Capello and the new manager recruitment will be driving Ingerlund coverage for the next few months rather than the 50 years of hurt or whatever.

[Muddled]

England have ditched their kit (that they've worn 8 times) for a new kit, just in time for the Holland game and the upcoming Euro's ...

[Muddled]

FA goes on the defensive over England kit change

When the FA signed a new eight-year deal with Umbro just after the World Cup, it was made clear in the contract that kits would be changed roughly every 18 months, rather than the two-year cycle previously in operation.

However, it is only now that the full impact is being discovered following confirmation that England will be wearing a new shirt when they take on World Cup finalists Holland in a prestigious Wembley friendly on Feb 29.

It also means the home kit will be changed during the middle of the next lot of World Cup qualifiers.

The FA insists the move is not of their making and that Umbro called for an 18-month turnaround in their negotiations.

And, whilst they understand the complaints of some fans, in completing their lucrative contract with Umbro, the FA were mindful of the funds required to help develop the grassroots of the game.

"The FA is a not-for-profit organisation that reinvests more than £100 million every year, including more than £50 million into grassroots football," said an FA spokesman.

"The FA and Umbro have a long-standing partnership including investment at all levels of England teams and in St George's Park which opens this year.

"As a sportswear company with great history and expertise they are best placed to take decisions on kit cycle, and we support them in their long term strategy."

It was confirmed on Thursday afternoon that interim manager Stuart Pearce will unveil his squad for the game next Thursday.

Previous coach Fabio Capello informed clubs of a provisional squad in the week prior to the game, then confirmed the actual party on the weekend.

However, Pearce, who will also face the media on Thursday for the first time since Capello lost his job last week, has decided to change the format to give players more notice, even if it leaves him open to a number of withdrawals following the weekend Premier League fixtures.

Linkage: The Telegraph

[Craig_H]

"not-for-profit organisation"