Freaking wow - Euro2016 - spoiler

[malaise]

It's Wales 3-1 - Belgium out.

That means a Portugal v Wales semi-final - first big time semi ever for Wales. First British team in a semi in 20 years.

[drray23]

1. its their swan song?

Their last euro cup before they brexit? I am partially kidding. I have no idea if being a member of the EU is required to play in the euro cup. May be its not, just being part of the geographical area is enough.

[Orangepeel]

2. Iceland played, and they aren't in the EU

That's the extent of my ability to contribute to the conversation.

[Spider Jerusalem]

3. UEFA members (Union of European Football Associations)

which includes, confusingly, Israel, Azerbaijan and Turkey.

[Ace Rothstein]

13. They are all in UEFA for different reasons.

Israel is there for political reasons. Half of the Asian Federation would refuse to play them.
Part of Turkey is in Europe.
All countries that were part of the USSR were offered UEFA membership after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

[malaise]

4. If you're in the UEFA Confederation you can play

[mcar]

5. Wales deserved that win!

I'd love to see a Wales - Iceland final. How cool would that be?

[TubbersUK]

6. Very :) n/t

[malaise]

8. France will have something to say about that

Tomorrow is the 'big league match' - Germany v Italy. Sunday is France v Iceland. Don't see how Wales beats Portugal, or Iceland beats France, but it's football

[SDJay]

7. Just Watched the Match in Dublin.

Everyone in the pub was going insane. This is like March Madness where a couple of Cinderellas make deep runs.

Make no mistake, though... Wales deserved the win. They kicked Belgium's ass. Good for them!

[malaise]

9. Yep they played really well

Think about it - Belgium left the Wales cappo unmarked - geez he hadn't scored a goal in 68 previous attempts - big mistake - football is like that - and then they scored two great goals in the second half. Belium had her chances and blew them.

[Ron Obvious]

10. Go Iceland!

Love the Icelandic Haka performed by fans and players alike. I for one would LOVE (just love it!) a Wales - Iceland final.

Nearly 10% of the population of Iceland are in France supporting their team. How cool is that?

[malaise]

11. I'd love them to win just to hear Gudmundur Benediktsson's euphoric commentary

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/26/iceland-commentator-euro-2016-viral-loses-day-job


https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2016/jun/28/icelandic-commentator-goes-wild-again-as-team-beat-england-at-euro-2016-video

[Ron Obvious]

12. That was great wasn't it?

All that cool, Northern reserve. I love that!

Lest anyone forget, this Iceland knocked Holland out of the qualifiers by beating them twice. This is a very good squad!

[malaise]

14. True but France is playing at home

That will be serious pressha as we say. Would be a stunning upset.

[Ron Obvious]

15. Yeah...

I can't see it happening to be honest, but I'd love to be proven wrong!

[malaise]

16. Same here

Don't how any of them beat Germany - we shall see.

[AntiBank]

17. 2 big losses though for Wales due to yellow card accumulation

Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies. Not having Ramsey is going to sting. He is the spring on their clockwork.


Also Belgium was just decimated in their back four as Jan Vertonghen (injured) and Thomas Vermaelen (yellow card suspension) were out. Pre tournament they already had lost 4 other defenders to injury, Nicolas Lombaerts, Dedryck Boyata, Björn Engels and their captain, Vincent Kompany.

Lombaerts, Kompany and the 2 who missed this game are all world class defenders. It really showed tonight. Wilmots is a shite manager too.

I don't see how Wales can beat Portugal without Ramsey unless Bale has a superhuman game. He could possibly do it.

Italy has never lost in history to Germany on a competitive match. I think that streak finally ends.

France should end Iceland's run.

Germany over France, then they crush Portugal in the final.

If France beats Germany, same thing.

[malaise]

18. Excellent summary

[AntiBank]

19. I detest cumulative yellow card suspensions in tournament.

Especially just 2 and you are out over 5 games. It robbed Germany in the 2002 WC when Michael Ballack missed the final due to a professional foul yellow in the semis.

[malaise]

20. It's the only way to stop deliberate violence

No problem with it.

[AntiBank]

21. IMHO that's what red cards are for. If they have to have the

2 and out rule at least wipe them after the group stage.

[malaise]

22. Remember they used to do that

and men deliberately fouled others knowing that they would be erased. Indeed coaches gave said instructions.
Lots of great players suffered too many injuries - they had to stop it.

[AntiBank]

23. many ways to get a yellow other than a dodgy tackle

look at Ramsey. His disqualifying YC was for a somewhat shady hand ball.

[malaise]

25. True

and I agree that refs do make bad calls - but more than a few cases of very clear hand ball ended with a goal for the wrong side- another case of deliberate cheating

[Lizzie Poppet]

24. You both have good points. I'd compromise w/ "3 and out."

That is, with this many games after the group stage, I'd go with three bookings before a suspension, not two. That still calls for pretty careful play from booking-prone positions like CBs and d-mids.

[malaise]

26. Sounds reasonable

but remember the guys who are out because you caused their injury/broke a bone for them/dislocated a collar bone/etc are out for way longer

[AntiBank]

27. yes but those brutal types of tackles are usually straight reds

I hate thugball as much as you, I just hate to see superb players tossed out for 2 ticky tack yellows over 5 games. I could live with 3 and out as a compromise.

[malaise]

30. 3 is not unreasonable

but believe me when we worked with youth football in our old community we saw too much deliberate violence and all sorts of cheating.

[Siwsan]

28. I haven't stopped smiling, yet!

Never, EVER underestimate the power and determination of a nation represented by a Red Dragon!

[malaise]

29. Hehehehehheheh

You deserve to celebrate