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Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

I'm not sure how you can say that about Portugal?.....Yes, they have a go and show skill against opposition who they know they are superior or equal to, but, as proven against Germany, when up against better opponents, they revert to the negative, defensive football that you are criticising other sides for.

To be honest, I've nothing against sides who realise that there only chance of success is to set themselves up to be difficult to score against and just hope to pinch one themselves - Yes, it isn't pretty, but what would be the positive in going out there gung-ho and getting themselves battered?

As people have said before, football isn't just about attacking, surely good defence is as commendable as having your hopes dependant on the form of one man, which is definitely the case with the Portuguese?

Agreed. All this romanticism about retaining possession is way over the top. It may be called the beautiful game but there's only so much stroking it around the park without creating something that one can put up with (and probably why the Germans are the most attractive team to watch in the comp). It's why RL is better because great defence in RL can be visually spectacular, whereas in football it can lead to too much stifling of attacking play.

Roddy B wrote:

With these tournaments being when they are, the chances of everybody playing top quality football are getting lower and lower. International breaks and so on are really extending seasons that are already long enough, the sport is becoming more and more demanding, which is resulting in players putting so much into their club seasons, they have very little left when it comes to the international calendar.

Did you read this?

http://www.newstatesman.com/lifestyle/l ... -out-shape

[John_D]

Conroy wrote:

Is it me, or has the standard in these Euros been terrible??

It's you. Two poor games so far: France v England and Czechs v Portugal, but even those had their moments.

McClennan wrote:

Did you read this?

http://www.newstatesman.com/lifestyle/l ... -out-shape

No, but it's a good read.

John_D wrote:

It's you. Two poor games so far: France v England and Czechs v Portugal, but even those had their moments.

I actually agree, although I haven't seen every game due to work. The game between Italy and Spain was outstandingly good.

I think the standard has been high so far, certainly better than the last world cup.

Conroy wrote:

Is it me, or has the standard in these Euros been terrible?? 5 of the 8 Quarter Finalists are sh*te (or at least have been in this tournament so far).

Wouldn't go so far as to say terrible, but it's been a disappointment. I've actually lost interest to a certain extent as I've been unimpressed by the vast majority of sides. Germany are head and shoulders above the rest IMO.

Spain line up with no centre forward again.

I don't see why everyone jizzes themselves over spains football. A million intricate 2 yard passes resulting in one chance is not my idea of good football when the germans can create the same chance in less than 20 passes.

Germans more direct approach, for me, is more enjoyable to watch.

Wilbred T Pricklepop wrote:

Spain line up with no centre forward again.

I don't see why everyone jizzes themselves over spains football. A million intricate 2 yard passes resulting in one chance is not my idea of good football when the germans can create the same chance in less than 20 passes.

Germans more direct approach, for me, is more enjoyable to watch.

You're entitled to your opinion, but have a think about it for a second. As somebody tweeted the other day: "In fifty years time: How good were Spain, grandad? Oh, I don't know. I spent my life arguing they were dull."

They don't just pass it to create, they keep the ball so they can't be punished; their strength is their passing.

Roddy B wrote:

You're entitled to your opinion, but have a think about it for a second. As somebody tweeted the other day: "In fifty years time: How good were Spain, grandad? Oh, I don't know. I spent my life arguing they were dull."

They don't just pass it to create, they keep the ball so they can't be punished; their strength is their passing.

Its the Spanish way. Martinez at Wigan always says the same about keeping the ball. They csnt score and eventually you will get the chances. For most of the season it didnt work but when it dion that run we had we were sublime at times.