Euro 2020 (In 2021)

[Buzzo]

Surely the denial is more of a statement than allowing this could ever be?

Uefa has declined a request to illuminate the Euro 2020 stadium in Munich in rainbow colours for the Germany v Hungary match because it believes the gesture has a political context.

European football’s governing body said it received the request from the mayor of the German city, Dieter Reiter, on Monday.

Uefa said that the mayor’s reason for the request was a response to legislation passed in Hungary banning gay people from appearing in school educational materials or programmes for under-18s.

On that basis, Uefa said it could not grant the request and proposed alternative dates for the stadium to be lit up in rainbow colours.

“Racism, homophobia, sexism, and all forms of discrimination are a stain on our societies - and represent one of the biggest problems faced by the game today,” a statement from Uefa read.

“Discriminatory behaviour has marred both matches themselves and, outside the stadiums, the online discourse around the sport we love.

“However Uefa, through its statutes, is a politically and religiously neutral organisation. Given the political context of this specific request – a message aiming at a decision taken by the Hungarian national parliament – Uefa must decline this request.”

[Angryred]

So anyone catches your eye in Euros 2020 yet?... I like the look of Schick, big & mobile...think he's gonna be on someone's shopping trolley this summer along with his teammate, Alex Kral...David Luiz lookalike might be interesting to the likes of West Ham

Isak of Sweden & Orcun of Turkey along with Eljif Elmas (North Macedonia) are ones to keep an eye on for this summer coming to the EPL

[Mark79]

I think the format is amazing. Every single game has something in it.

Do they though?

If every team can still qualify by the 3rd round of group games, then how important really were the first 24 games of the tournament?

[Buzzo]

Do they though?

If every team can still qualify by the 3rd round of group games, then how important really were the first 24 games of the tournament?

They are really important

Not every team can still qualify or will still qualify, but enough can to ensure that each game has meaning - look at the games last night. The dynamic changed almost minute by minute. With each team having a stake and Belgium the only team guaranteed to go through.

Now Russia, who lost may well miss out in third place but, could go through depending on other results. It’s great.

You disagree though - that’s fine - :handshake.

[Kenneth]

So Mount self isolating will force Southgate to shake things up and he’ll accidentally stumble in to a more effective set up.

[Mark79]

They are really important

Not every team can still qualify or will still qualify, but enough can to ensure that each game has meaning - look at the games last night. The dynamic changed almost minute by minute. With each team having a stake and Belgium the only team guaranteed to go through.

Now Russia, who lost may well miss out in third place but, could go through depending on other results. It’s great.

You disagree though - that’s fine - :handshake.

I just don’t think the group games are as critical as they ought to be if 2 thirds of the teams are going to qualify anyway.

[Buzzo]

So Mount self isolating will force Southgate to shake things up and he’ll accidentally stumble in to a more effective set up.

Definitely

England’s journey feels pre-ordained. The fact he is still scrambling to find his best team AND formation 2 weeks into the tournament is 100% down to him being a **** coach.

[Buzzo]

I just don’t think the group games are as critical as they ought to be if 2 thirds of the teams are going to qualify anyway.

What difference does the percentage of teams that qualify make? Teams are eliminated until two are left. Who cares what percentage go out and when? They key is participation and meaningful involvement.

I dunno. How do you narrow it down without the group games? You can’t go straight to knockout. This way the Group games are all key. The groups are important because after a year long qualification period teams need to have more than one game to make it worthwhile, hence the tournament format. The interest from fans off each nation is more because participation is for a minimum of three games.

Looking at it from a scotland perspective we could be watching on to hope England and Czechs don’t draw. Instead each of the 4 teams has something on the line. Nothing is pre ordained, nobody can take any chances.

[Mark79]

What difference does the percentage of teams that qualify make? Teams are eliminated until two are left. Who cares what percentage go out and when? They key is participation and meaningful involvement.

I dunno. How do you narrow it down without the group games? You can’t go straight to knockout. This way the Group games are all key. The groups are important because after a year long qualification period teams need to have more than one game to make it worthwhile, hence the tournament format. The interest from fans off each nation is more because participation is for a minimum of three games.

Looking at it from a scotland perspective we could be watching on to hope England and Czechs don’t draw. Instead each of the 4 teams has something on the line. Nothing is pre ordained, nobody can take any chances.

Because I don’t think that 36 matches just to eliminate only 8 from 24 is meaningful involvement. Neither is being able to go through without winning a single match or just turning up a winning your final group game and going through.

The Euro’s didn’t need to be expanded at all, it was fine as it was prior to Euro 2016 when it was 16 teams in 4 groups with the top 2 of each qualifying for the knock outs.

UEFA just wanted more games because that means more money, it hasn’t improved the standard of the tournament at all.

[ChesterDave]

What difference does the percentage of teams that qualify make? Teams are eliminated until two are left. Who cares what percentage go out and when? They key is participation and meaningful involvement.

I dunno. How do you narrow it down without the group games? You can’t go straight to knockout. This way the Group games are all key. The groups are important because after a year long qualification period teams need to have more than one game to make it worthwhile, hence the tournament format. The interest from fans off each nation is more because participation is for a minimum of three games.

Looking at it from a scotland perspective we could be watching on to hope England and Czechs don’t draw. Instead each of the 4 teams has something on the line. Nothing is pre ordained, nobody can take any chances.

Then why eliminate any teams at the group? Play 36 group games to establish a seeding rank and play an extra knockout round

Do what they do for 3rd place teams with each position. The 1st places take seeds 1-8, 2nd 9-16 etc. 1st place seeds play a 4th place team, 2nd place seeds play a 3rd.

I don't buy the argument some make that it is a way to give smaller teams a chance. It strikes me as a way to ensure a big nation doesn't get eliminated (and consequently keeps earning more ranking points to maintain their position at the top of the seedings). To me Its like the proposed Champions League Wild Card options for high ranked teams that fail to qualify on merit.

[Buzzo]

Because I don’t think that 36 matches just to eliminate only 8 from 24 is meaningful involvement. Neither is being able to go through without winning a single match or just turning up a winning your final group game and going through.

The Euro’s didn’t need to be expanded at all, it was fine as it was prior to Euro 2016 when it was 16 teams in 4 groups with the top 2 of each qualifying for the knock outs.

UEFA just wanted more games because that means more money, it hasn’t improved the standard of the tournament at all.

Well, it also gives the smaller nations a better chance, and an opportunity so the expansion means that more countries get to go to the tournament. Otherwise we just watch England, France, Germany, Italy, Holland etc etc every 4 years. The qualifying is seeded to it would be boring.

I have a vested interest, but I think the games have been good. You guys can keep on hating the format. I think it has improved the standard and the interest.

But we can disagree??? I'm cool with that

[Buzzo]

Then why eliminate any teams at the group? Play 36 group games to establish a seeding rank and play an extra knockout round

Do what they do for 3rd place teams with each position. The 1st places take seeds 1-8, 2nd 9-16 etc. 1st place seeds play a 4th place team, 2nd place seeds play a 3rd.

I don't buy the argument some make that it is a way to give smaller teams a chance. It strikes me as a way to ensure a big nation doesn't get eliminated (and consequently keeps earning more ranking points to maintain their position at the top of the seedings). To me Its like the proposed Champions League Wild Card options for high ranked teams that fail to qualify on merit.

Who knows.

I'm enjoying it. And the format. And have some hope, not much but some, that it will all work out for us.

[Saveloy]

Why are mount and Chilwell isolating but none of the Scottish squad are? Are the FAs following different guidance?

[Mark79]

Well, it also gives the smaller nations a better chance, and an opportunity so the expansion means that more countries get to go to the tournament. Otherwise we just watch England, France, Germany, Italy, Holland etc etc every 4 years. The qualifying is seeded to it would be boring.

I have a vested interest, but I think the games have been good. You guys can keep on hating the format. I think it has improved the standard and the interest.

But we can disagree??? I'm cool with that

Shake up the format for the qualifiers for the tournament to give the smaller nations a chance of participation then. The answer can’t continue to always be to add more and more games.

Sorry, I just keep seeing and hearing this "there’s no dead rubbers" argument and to me it’s pretty much the opposite.

Of course we can disagree. I’m just sharing opinion, same as you.

[Buzzo]

Shake up the format for the qualifiers for the tournament to give the smaller nations a chance of participation then. The answer can’t continue to always be to add more and more games.

Sorry, I just keep seeing and hearing this "there’s no dead rubbers" argument and to me it’s pretty much the opposite.

Of course we can disagree. I’m just sharing opinion, same as you.

I cant believe I am going to bite!!!!

Which games have been dead rubbers?