The Euros

moulesy

There are so many positives to take from this tournament. Harry Kane, thought not at his very best, and Raheem Stirling will undoubtedly take most of the plaudits.

But for me the real star of the show was Luke Shaw, a player who has come back from a career threatening injury, had to suffer the derision of his own former (so called "special") manager and had not played for the national team for 18 months. Some very special performances for home to remember!  

Takethedogalong

I can fully understand Sterling not taking a penalty, and know what’s in store for those three young lads who missed. Playing for their teams next season will bring out every racist and nasty know all every time they touch the ball. Sterling has had a taste of this already.
I think they could have come on earlier as well, but they will have had a game plan, penalty taker list, and all credit to those who stuck up their hand and said “ok Guv, I am brave enough to have a go” Dont forget, Italy’s Mr 100% missed his penalty last night. It really is all down to luck🤞

Italy’s goalie was huge. Pickford did well. Chiellini looks like he should be yelling abuse from the top of Hadrian’s Wall😁 can just see him in a Centurion’s helmet😂

Graydjames

Takethedogalong wrote:

"I loathe penalty shoots outs, would prefer a Golden Goal ending"

I agree I hate penalty shoot outs too and I never feel - whether I support the winning or losing team - that it properly wins the game, let alone the whole tournament. The trouble is, it is so difficult to come up with an alternative that is going to work. That is apart from replays, of course, but even then the question is: how many replays should we have? And in tournaments like the Euros and the World Cup, replays don't really work. 

I remember the FA Cup saga between Ipswich and Leeds in 1975. That went to four matches, memorable for me because the second and third replays were played at Filbert Street, Leicester, and I attended both games. That was when the FA Cup really meant something. I realise you could not do that now with all the European football - but it's a shame in my view.   

But to return to the original point, a Golden (or Silver) goal rule won't necessarily prevent penalties and, in fact, failed to do in more cases, pro-rata, than had been the case previously. It was supposed to mean attacking football, but it mostly resulted in the opposite, especially where the stakes were very high, and, hence, it was rightly abandoned.

Fisherman

The final was a master class by the Italians. They had a plan, stop Kane and Sterling by any means. They did it at the expense of 5 yellow cards. Cynical yes but if the ends justified the means they were happy. The worst part was the fans and hooligans creating havoc. It was an exciting match to watch.