The Eurocup QF Thread: Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, Vaarwel, Adeus, and...Goodbye to Croatia

Zososoxfan

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Friday, July 2
Switzerland vs. Spain, 12 p.m. (ESPN)
Belgium vs. Italy, 3 p.m. (ABC)

Saturday, July 3
Czech Republic vs. Denmark, 12 p.m. (ESPN)
Ukraine vs. England, 3 p.m. (ABC)

Who would've thought that the French, Germans, Dutch, Portuguese, and Croats would be gone by the QF. What a wild R16 we just witnessed. I overestimated the Group of Death teams, but having them all out this early is simply batshit.

Belgium-Italy is quite the headliner this round. Belgium is currently the stodgy defensive team and Italy is the more expressive and expansive side. Belgium will be at a big disadvantage without KDB and to a much lesser extent E Hazard out. Spain-Switzerland is also a terrific matchup and I don't think any side should be underestimated at this point. The Czechs and Danes must be thrilled at the chance to advance to the semis without having to go through any pre-tourney favorites. And finally, this defensive English side will have to tangle with the Ukraine in order to take advantage of the knockout draw.
 

67YAZ

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the Athletic’s long exploration of France’s internal turmoil that focuses mostly on…Rabiot’s mother.

It’s clear to me that a number of players who spent huge minutes in the pitch during a condensed club season struggled to turn up in June - Bruno (4900 minutes!), Mbappe (3800), Ruben Dias (4800). Some dudes really need a break.
 

the1andonly3003

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the Athletic’s long exploration of France’s internal turmoil that focuses mostly on…Rabiot’s mother.

It’s clear to me that a number of players who spent huge minutes in the pitch during a condensed club season struggled to turn up in June - Bruno (4900 minutes!), Mbappe (3800), Ruben Dias (4800). Some dudes really need a break.
France family feud....I'd pay to watch the Pogbas go up against the Mbappes and Rabiots. Maybe the Girouds will chime in late
 

coremiller

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Jul 14, 2005
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That's a huge loss for the Swiss. Legitimately changes the way I feel about that Spain-Switzerland match. Not as much as KDB for Belgium, but not that far either.
Xhaka would be a good entry for your plays-better-for-country-than-club XI. Arsenal fans have been trying to get rid of him for years, but he's essential for Switzerland.
 

Zososoxfan

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Switz setting up pretty differently in defense compared to the France match. 4 at the back instead of 3. Elvedi played as RCB against France and did a great job against Mbappe, and now he's at CB against Spain, with Zakaria coming in for the suspended Xhaka.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Jul 22, 2006
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Already missing Xhaka. Not a sentence I expected to write.
Missing good Xhaka, who is a coin flip to show up anyways (although seems a member of the better for country squad).

Losing Embolo hurts. Coleman had the right of it- he's the one guy to get behind that high line.

If you had told me that Spain would score early and Embolo was hurt, I might not have turned it on, but I've been fairly entertained. Switzerland is having the little moments of incisive attack that could turn into something and Spain doesn't seem in a rush to get their second, so this could be an interesting second half.
 

Tangled Up In Red

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Fantasy whine, but what is the rule on own goals? I thought if a shot was on frame, it counts as a attacker goal, even with a deflection. Own goal if shot *not* going in but for the deflection.
ESPN has it as an Alba goal, UEFA has own goal with Alba assist. Weird.
 

Nick Kaufman

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After 10+ years of watching Spain play tiki taka brand of football, I am starting to believe that imposing a shot clock in football is a good idea.
 

Ale Xander

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Totally forgot about this. Good to see a tie when I turn it on. 12pm Friday sports events aren’t in my system yet
 

DJnVa

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That seems awfully harsh
Yeah. I'm not a fan of officiating different levels of games differently, but that's harsh in a 1-1 game in a knockout round.

I agree with what announcer said---yellow, and if box calls down for a review then at least someone else is thinking there's something there.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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It’s harsh as a straight red but it’s a reckless challenge and the type that often goes less punished than it should. Don’t go in studs up.
 

67YAZ

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Don’t you need more creativity not less when down a man?
You need legs and discipline. Plus, I don’t think Shaq has played a full 90 yet this tournament. The coaches clearly don’t think he’s good for it.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Jul 22, 2006
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Belgium line-up out

Courtois
Alderwiereld--Vertonghen (c)--Vermaelen
Munier--Witsel--Tielemans--Hazard
DeBruyne---------------------Doku
Lukaku

I don't love KDB back in to start unless they're sure he isn't going to get re-injured. You base your gameplan around your starters, and losing him blows things up (see Second Half, Portugal). I'd rather he is held in reserve if needed.

Love Doku in though...I think Belgium needs to play the same pragmatic low block they did v. Portugal to protect the CB, and try to hit on the counter, Doku's speed and creativity could really come in handy. This is Big Rom's game though if Belgium is to win.