Euro 2020

[The Bear]

Doesn't the 3rd places available reduce the amount of dead rubbers in the last group games though?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

It creates a load of other problems. See Croatia not being able to overtake us, even if they have the same points and a better goal difference. Or the Austria vs Ukraine situation. Or teams being able to play for a draw (or even loss) when under the normal run of things they should have to try and win.

Wales today never ever had any incentive to try and win that game. I'm not blaming them that they didn't try. That's a dead rubber in itself, Italy are through, Wales don't need to do anything other than not lose 10-0 (and even then it probably wouldn't matter)

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Having 24 teams is what screws it, on various levels.

Agree whole heartily with all the comments , found out today that the architect of this formula who went to Blatter with it was our own John Delaney it's almost cathartic that not only did he toyally screw us up but he managed to take fuck up Europe as well.

Sorry folks....

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Oh and Group F will know exactly what they need to do to finish 3rd and qualify. Which no other group has. Fantastic, superb integrity there.

 

[jd1981]

The fact is simple with qualifying reduce it about 4 teams per group for 10 groups and 3 groups of 5.
Top 2 qualifying meaning along with the best places 3rd team. The other spots go to the nation league play offs.

Group would be for example England, Sweden Lithuania, San Marino. Only need to play 6 games.

 

[jd1981]

Oh and Group F will know exactly what they need to do to finish 3rd and qualify. Which no other group has. Fantastic, superb integrity there.

This is a good point on the 3rd place qualifying makes a mockery of integrity. Oh and in 1986 World Cup some teams reached the knockout stages by getting just 2 draws. Plus Switzerland have to sit waiting now until Wednesday to see if they’re staying or going.

 

[BillyDee]

The obvious answer is not have all teams have to qualify, as is the case in the majority of international sporting events. The problem is that qualifying is part of the "product"...

 

[jd1981]

Final point on this format it’s the only reason Portugal are reigning champions. The format allowed them to draw their way out the group in 3rd place. They should have waved goodbye at the first hurdle.

 

[WolfmanOz]

The only way a 24 team tournament could ”work” is to adopt the format used in Spain’82.

6 groups of 4, top 2 go through.
4 groups of 3, top goes through to the semis.

Now I agree you lose out on the knockout rounds of 16 and quarters but in effect the 2nd round group games are cut-throat. Also removed a team shit-housing their way through via penalties.

Not saying this is ideal but it’s the only way I’ve seen a 24 team tournament sort of work. Spain’82 was certainly one of the better World Cups IMO.

But of course, 16 and 32 are way preferable - but at least you remove the absurd qualification of 3rd place teams in the 1st round group games.

 

[Throbber3]

Three points for a win. 1 point for a draw. 1 point for every two goals scored. That sorts it for me . Never a dead game as you could get 5 points from a 4 0 win . Three points from a 4 4 draw. It would encourage positive play entertaining football and go some way to removing dead rubbers in group matches. Maximum of 2 bonus points a game

 

[Quirkafleeg]

Billy Gilmour has The Rona and will be out for the Jocks game against Croatia.

 

[Sniffer]

Billy Gilmour has The Rona and will be out for the Jocks game against Croatia.

Bad news for them and a terrible shame for the lad. Hopefully it hasn't spread further.

 

[Quirkafleeg]

Bad news for them and a terrible shame for the lad. Hopefully it hasn't spread further.

Souness is current in tears apparently..

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Ousmane Dembélé out of the tournament, knacked.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Austria in front, Ukraine need to do a lot more. Just hoping Yarmolenko does something isn't good enough.

 

[Jack Regan]

Dutch in front too, brief sweat over a VAR check but goal given.

 

[Freddeno]

Im not that much against the format, i really dont think games are played for a 0-0, look Austria leads..think it is more a great window for players to show themselves(even playing for a worse team) as all eyes are on them in a tournament like this. Was nice to see Hungary for example against both France and Portugal.

 

[Freddeno]

But much much easier to qualify for the euro champs then the world cup

 

[Jack Regan]

One of the best moments of the tournament as Clive gets fooled into commentating on a replay as if it's live. Anyone would think they're not there in the stadium or something...

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Im not that much against the format, i really dont think games are played for a 0-0, look Austria leads..think it is more a great window for players to show themselves(even playing for a worse team) as all eyes are on them in a tournament like this. Was nice to see Hungary for example against both France and Portugal.

No-one gets signed off the back of a tournament any more, that went out of the window nearly 20 years ago.