…in 2021 lol.

Pulling for Belgium to finally get a trophy. Wouldnt mind England and Italy has a really fun squad. Totally different style than Italy’s of the past.

Italy’s squad is actually… fun

Man, what a scary sight with Christen Ericksen and Denmark. Just stumbled and collapsed as a ball was passed to him. Team surrounded him as paramedics tried to resuscitate him — and last I saw he was conscious being taken to hospital. But for a moment, wasn’t sure he would live

That was scary as hell. Glad he appears to be okay. Last I saw he was in stable condition.

Pretty awesome. Romelu Lukaku scores for Belgium and says, “Chris, Chris, I love you.” 

Ericksen and Lukaku both play on the same club team — Inter Milan.

What a day on saturday! scary shit with Eriksen, especially for me with my son just starting to elevate into more competitive play and his existing heart condition that really hit home. Follow that up with the Belgian team ripping the shit out of the Russians who refused to take the knee. 

Spain and Sweden today is a nice little appetizer to get us ready for the France vs Germany game tomorrow. Kind of weird thinking that the WC is next year and this tournament is 1 year delayed but it's exciting stuff.

posted by j_crazy

What a day on saturday! scary shit with Eriksen, especially for me with my son just starting to elevate into more competitive play and his existing heart condition that really hit home. Follow that up with the Belgian team ripping the shit out of the Russians who refused to take the knee. 

Spain and Sweden today is a nice little appetizer to get us ready for the France vs Germany game tomorrow. Kind of weird thinking that the WC is next year and this tournament is 1 year delayed but it's exciting stuff.

And CONCACAF WCQ hasnt even started yet! Gonna be a really packed calendar year for soccer fans.

Spain absolutely dominated but can’t but one in net

I know this is the 2nd tournament since expansion, but I am not a fan. The old format was a better tournament.

posted by like_that

I know this is the 2nd tournament since expansion, but I am not a fan. The old format was a better tournament.

Agreed. We haven’t got to many of the big boys going head to head yet. Knockouts should be fun though

I don’t hate expansion for Euros. Think 16 was too small for that continent. The amount of talent there is absurd. Probably could’ve expanded without doubling the number, though.

Expansion for the WC sucks though. Adding trash teams Throughout the world doesn’t do it for me. The WC expansion should’ve been 4 more from Africa and 12 more from Europe lol.

posted by Laley23

I don’t hate expansion for Euros. Think 16 was too small for that continent. The amount of talent there is absurd. Probably could’ve expanded without doubling the number, though.

Expansion for the WC sucks though. Adding trash teams Throughout the world doesn’t do it for me. The WC expansion should’ve been 4 more from Africa and 12 more from Europe lol.

This is why I liked the old format.  With the exception of a match or two, there were not any "gimme" games, because all of the teams were good.  I always said it was the toughest tournament, because the WC has trash teams, but now I can't make that argument.   This tournament is also now TOO forgiving. 

posted by like_that

This is why I liked the old format.  With the exception of a match or two, there were not any "gimme" games, because all of the teams were good.  I always said it was the toughest tournament, because the WC has trash teams, but now I can't make that argument.   This tournament is also now TOO forgiving. 

I probably would've gone to 20 teams. Keep the bottom 4 out. I just think Europe has too much quality to have stayed at 16, but agree I loved that it was all the best teams and no walkovers.

20 teams would be:

• 5 groups of 4
• Top team advances
• The 4 top 2nd place teams advance
• Knockout round would've stayed at 8

I'm also a big fan of the corresponding places of other groups competing with each other for bids (in this example 2nd place). Because then you get a lot more action in a 2-0 game in first matchup since GD is critical, etc. Makes every match and every goal much more meaningful.

Yeah as much as I liked seeing Macedonia in the tournament they did t provide much

TheSlovakia keeper with an own goal for the ages lol. Smacked it right into the net trying to clear it over the bar after the Spain shot hit the crossbar and went straight into the air. 

Soccer need these games on the weekend. Absolute craziness and goals galor

That was a great ending. 

Knockout round has been good so far and France goes bye-bye.

Amazing games today. And agree, too bad they were on a Monday. Absolutely would’ve converted some young kids had they been watching. 

It’s always stupid to bring in a sub who hasn’t touched a ball in play to take a PK

posted by sportchampps

It’s always stupid to bring in a sub who hasn’t touched a ball in play to take a PK

Also stupid to do all that stutter bullshit. Sure let’s make it easier on the GK… lol

posted by Laley23

Also stupid to do all that stutter bullshit. Sure let’s make it easier on the GK… lol

Agreed the guys who just step up know where their going and bang it home seems more successful then the guys who try to get the goalie going one way then take it. I wonder if there’s analysis on that.

It was pretty crazy in Italy on Sunday night.  I don’t think the country slept. 

posted by like_that

It was pretty crazy in Italy on Sunday night.  I don’t think the country slept. 

I would love to be in Europe during the parties for a World Cup or Euro being in the winning nation must have been awesome

posted by sportchampps

I would love to be in Europe during the parties for a World Cup or Euro being in the winning nation must have been awesome

I was in France for 1998, but we left during the knockout rounds. It was still wild being there for the Group Stage, thoguh I was only 12 so didn't quite comprehend what was happening. I only had the American "view" of a World Cup, so knew it was huge and this awesome event of a sport I love. But yeah, I'd love to experience it again now that I'm older.

posted by sportchampps

I would love to be in Europe during the parties for a World Cup or Euro being in the winning nation must have been awesome

Definitely a once in lifetime experience (potentially). I was actually supposed to be in Spain for work, but the trip got cancelled. I am glad it did.