European Championship Qualifiers 17th - 21st June - Game Thread

[fletcherpost]

Loads of Euro Qualifiers over the next few days as well as the Nations League final and 3rd place play off.

Just in case anyone has an urge to post. Scotland are playing Norway in an hour. Wales lost to Armenia yesterday. England came through against a tough Malta side.

Luxembourg have just beaten Liechtenstein 2-0 in a clash of the Ls.

Close Season be damned.

 

[67YAZ]

Watched Poland-Germany last night was was fairly surprised to see how thin the German talent is. Emre Can started and all.

The Germans set up to control the match, but couldn’t hold possession. So the Poles kept countering and countering without hesitation. Poland was pretty wasteful and should have potted more. They knew their plan, Germany not so much.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Excited for Scotland at noon…Belgians on at 2:45 on a channel I’ve never heard of . They’ve been playing much better under Tedesco (as I suggested reports of their inevitable demise are greatly exaggerated) although a trip to Austria should be their toughest match of qualifying, especially without DeBruyne or Openda.

 

[CodPiece XL]

Porteous and Hendry gives me the fear trying to contain Halaand. Hopefully he’s still hungover.

 

[fletcherpost]

Porteous and Hendry gives me the fear trying to contain Halaand. Hopefully he’s still hungover.

Craig Levein
Former Scotland manager on BBC Sportsound
"I thought John Souttar might play, but Jack Hendry has those attributes. He's quick and Scotland will need some pace.
He's played well in recent matches. They're in for a tough night. We're going to have to be really diligent with our defending. It'll be down to our defenders whether we come away with any points tonight."

You're kinda on the same page as Craig Levein. I can't think that's a good sign. Maybe it is. Levein doesn't realize that to get 'points' as oppose to point, you need at least one goal, which puts some responsibility on the attacking players. I used to work in this place on Saturdays that had the saturday footie on the Radio Scotland - Levein doing punditry. I'd contribute to his retirement fund that's all I'm saying.

 

[CodPiece XL]

Craig Levein
Former Scotland manager on BBC Sportsound
"I thought John Souttar might play, but Jack Hendry has those attributes. He's quick and Scotland will need some pace.
He's played well in recent matches. They're in for a tough night. We're going to have to be really diligent with our defending. It'll be down to our defenders whether we come away with any points tonight."

You're kinda on the same page as Craig Levein. I can't think that's a good sign. Maybe it is. Levein doesn't realize that to get 'points' as oppose to point, you need at least one goal, which puts some responsibility on the attacking players. I used to work in this place on Saturdays that had the saturday footie on the Radio Scotland - Levein doing punditry. I'd contribute to his retirement fund that's all I'm saying.

The same Craig Levein that played 6:4:0 formation. I don’t think he puts a premium on scoring somehow. In fairness Scotland do tend to score a lot of goals from midfield.

 

[fletcherpost]

If Scotland can actually pass the ball, not linger too long on the ball, not be afraid of the ball, they might have a shot here. At the moment it's like they're rugby players unused to a spherical object.

Other than that decent start.

 

[CodPiece XL]

Fuck, these US commentators are shite. Just referred to Scotland as England’s little brother. WTF. Missed first 20 mins due to wife’s arrival with truck full of groceries.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

5 atb without the ball and it looks like they're trying to man-mark Norway's CM to prevent any through balls up the middle to Haaland.

 

[fletcherpost]

5 atb without the ball and it looks like they're trying to man-mark Norway's CM to prevent any through balls up the middle to Haaland.

I can see why Clarke has set up the way he has, fine with it. But they've had some decent turnovers where a forward pass and a run or two might have got us some joy. Maybe in the second half we'll show more ambition cos Norway are leaving spaces on the park.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

They're getting a few looks down that left side (unsurprisingly)...I can see the pressure getting to Norway if the good guys can get some good balls into the box.

Oof...lot of running for nothing there

 

[CodPiece XL]

So in summary, one header by Norway straight at the keeper and a blocked shot by Scotland are the highlights. I didn’t miss much. Norway have to go for it in the second half. A draw effectively ends their tournament, maybe Scotland can exploit space Norway will leave but Dykes is so slowwwwww.

 

[fletcherpost]

Some of this feels a bit like a pre season match. Some poor touches and sluggish bodies.

Dykes is a good hold up player. But i think we need more than that. A goal threat perhaps.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Haaland sold that but Scotland has been playing with fire this half in terms of putting their hands on him in the box.

 

[fletcherpost]

All that comes from terrible play by Scotland with the ball, playing back to the keeper who gives the ball to the oppostion out wide and the cross comes and a penalty awarded.

Hate the negative play. Only got oursevles to blame, playing like amateurs.

I'd maybe bring Gilmour on. He's not afraid of the ball, he can pass the ball and he has a good first touch. Some of these Scottish players look like golfers having a kick about. Fuckin disgraceful.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I think they probably were playing for the draw…problem is that Gilmour is the only creative attacking player they can bring in. I like Liam Cooper but I don’t see how that helps.

 

[CodPiece XL]

Are Brendan Rogers and Billy Gilmour related?

 

[fletcherpost]

Are Brendan Rogers and Billy Gilmour related?

They have the same scowl that's for sure.

 

[Bozo Texino]

Nice!

 

[CodPiece XL]

Yes!!!

 

[mic99]

Crazy goal

 

[Bozo Texino]

HO-LEE.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Lol…what a mess. Will take it though

 

[nayrbrey]

Wow x2

 

[mic99]

have to be kidding me

 

[CodPiece XL]

Yesx2!!!

 

[fletcherpost]

I willed it.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Nice football from Dykes, Scotland just trampling this group so far

 

[Bozo Texino]

Congrats, Fletch!

 

[fletcherpost]

Congrats, Fletch!

Never in doubt.

 

[CodPiece XL]

Some of this feels a bit like a pre season match. Some poor touches and sluggish bodies.

Dykes is a good hold up player. But i think we need more than that. A goal threat perhaps.

This was the main difference in the last 15 mins. Fresh legs to push forward and support Dykes. There was too much of a gap with the midfielders. Not enough urgency.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Looks like I get the Belgian game after all. Bless you Fubo. In Belgium too…thought it was in Austria

curious to see how they line up…lot of attackers

edit: 343?

 

[Dummy Hoy]

That was dumb.

 

[fletcherpost]

Scotland get sunburnt everywhere we go.

View: https://twitter.com/Lewis1876/status/1670135484696219654?s=20

 

[fletcherpost]

Just not happening for Belgium at the moment. You can see the quality of the players but just a bit disjointed. Austria's game plan seems to be working. But I never root for Austria.

 

[CodPiece XL]

Scotland get sunburnt everywhere we go.

View: https://twitter.com/Lewis1876/status/1670135484696219654?s=20

I’m still trying to come to terms with this Scotland side winning football games. The way Norway lost was so “ Scotland” over the past couple of decades. That’s exactly how Scotland would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The game was on regular cable here, the game on Tuesday isn’t so I have to figure out a way to watch it. I think Viaplay may notice I’m not in the UK currently.

 

[Pesky Pole]

I recorded the Scotland game and just watched it, Wow, that was shocking in a good way. Congrats @fletcherpost on this inspired start to qualifying.

How am I so soccer starved already that I’m watching Iceland-Slovakia now?

 

[fletcherpost]

I recorded the Scotland game and just watched it, Wow, that was shocking in a good way. Congrats @fletcherpost on this inspired start to qualifying.

How am I so soccer starved already that I’m watching Iceland-Slovakia now?

Yeah, like Codpiece said, we usually lose those games - we sometimes draw them...we almost never win them. I'm still in shock to be honest.

Iceland-Slovakia is an offbeat choice. I went for Belgium-Austria but i'm already feeling club footie withdrawal. I'd watch some MLS if i can stay up late enough.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Hate to give up points at home in qualifying but to play without DeBruyne, blood a bunch of kids, try some new tactics (Castagne in the Stones role), and cap tie Al-Dakhil? Not a bad day.

 

[CodPiece XL]

It’s a bit convoluted, but I swear I read somewhere that the two top teams from a group of 5 automatically qualify for the finals. Can anyone confirm? Not that it’s a mystery to why I’m asking. My wife has never been to Germany…. Just sayin’.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Correct. 10 groups, top 2 join Germany. Final 3 come out of some sort of Nations League connected playoffs.

 

[CodPiece XL]

Correct. 10 groups, top 2 join Germany. Final 3 come out of some sort of Nations League connected playoffs.

Thanks. I thought there were some weird permutations about the top two in a group of 6 not being automatic. As opposed to a group of 5.

 

[OCST]

Scotland have the eye of the tiger, man. I wouldn't want to have to beat them to advance.

 

[fletcherpost]

Grabbed these from the BBC Website. Decent reports with stats and team details.

Check out some match reports here...
England 7-0 North Macedonia - Congrats to Saka for scoring a hat-trick.
Turkey 2-0 Wales - This, sadly, might be the decline years for Wales - no Bale and Ramsay still starting.
Northern Ireland 0-1 Kazakhstan
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Gibraltar
France 1-0 Greece

 

[fletcherpost]

Scotland have the eye of the tiger, man. I wouldn't want to have to beat them to advance.

Huge match tomorrow mate. Huge cos it's one we're supposed to win. Huge cos 12 points from 4 games would be a madness.

 

[67YAZ]

Wowsah.

 

[Kliq]

I'll always have a soft spot for the Alpine Messi.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

That's ridiculous. I broke out into a big stupid grin at that. Can't wait to show my kids.

 

[67YAZ]

I'll always have a soft spot for the Alpine Messi.

Look, I curse at Shaq every week as a Fire fan, but I can’t help but be charmed when he breaks out the skillz.

 

[Schnerres]

Who has a clue about the Tedesco/Courtois situation?
Will the coach lose the team and then his job?