EURO 2016

not much to separate these two after 120 minutes 

Why make it hard for yourself and take a thousand steps?  Just take a normal run up and hit it into the corner.

Jeez, Zaza. Subbed on to take the penalty then does that...

This is nearly the worst penalty shootout I have ever seen.

Another stuttering run up that leads to a penalty going more to the middle than the corner.

Holy shark, Schweinsteiger saves the worst for the last of the 10.  That's into outerspace.

Awful shootout.  Germany march on.

Not as bad as Brazil-Paraguay shoot out from Copa America in 2011, but getting close.

The rules need to be changed so that when extra time games involving Germany finish tied, Germany automatically advances. At least it would spare everyone 10 minutes of their lives, without affecting the outcome.

Some dire penalties today, but Germany were the better side although Italy did look good on the break. 

Hate to see any game go to penalties.

Boadance

Barca v Steau Bucharest was probably the worst I've seen. Juve v Milan was bad as well. 

I disagree, the game was reasonable  to watch with some good football from both sides.

Yep - it was a game between two cagey but competent rival with a lot at stake. 

Both coaches were highly entertaining too - and the handball by Boateng was classy, he could always have a future in the AFL.

Anyway...

I would say Italy was a bit more unlucky overall, but in the end noone would say Germany deserved their win less than Italy.

Yep - it was a game between two cagey but competent rival with a lot at stake. 

Both coaches were highly entertaining too - and the handball by Boateng was classy, he could always have a future in the AFL.

Anyway...

I would say Italy was a bit more unlucky overall, but in the end no-one would say Germany did not deserve a win.

Damn. Iceland down 2-0 in 20 minutes. Looks like France will be crushing their dreams. 

Goes to show how crap England was though!

Clinical from France. Looking forward to the semis...

Wales v Portugal

Germany v France

Rout now. Probably just as well we didn't end up in this game.

Giroud brace and off. 

2 goals for Iceland, respect.

Semi Final will be

Thursday 7am: Portugal va Wales

Friday: Germany vs France

Sad to say, but I guess Portugal will win against Wales and the final will be Germany vs Portugal on Monday.

That game was a bit of an anticlimax. I think Iceland blew their wad in the England game 

It's looking like the final will be one of the semis - I reckon winner of Germany v France takes the final over winner of Portugal v Wales relatively comfortably.

Germany will be missing several players through injury and suspension, and their quarter final would have been much more draining both physically and mentally. France should beat them I think, even if Germany are generally the stronger team. 

I picked France to win it all before the tournament started, so wouldn't be unhappy with that. The backline has been the French weak point, but I think that they have enough in the front third to take it even against the full-strength German team.

Having said that, fully expect that game to go to extra time/penalties.

If Iceland can ship 2 goals against France, Germany can do, too. Mueller is overdue. But can France score more than one?

Hummels(2nd yellow) and Gomez (injury) out. Goetze for Gomez. And maybe Emre Can in the midfield if Khedira and Schweinsteiger are not fit for the game. Howedes/ Mustafi likely to replace Hummels.

A  Geordies calm and reasoned take on England's exit from the Euro's

NSFW !

Epic rant there.

Prime TV is screening the semi on Thu morning according to their guide.

https://www.primetv.co.nz/tv-guide

Wales could do it..Portugal haven't looked that great.

Portugal have been shark, but they've been jammy. That's what will probably get them through again.

Time will tell. Poland was well organised but largely ineffective upfront against Portugal. In contrast, I think Wales has a potent attack (scored more goals than Poland throughout the tournament) and Belgium was arguably as tough an assignment for them as Portugal, so Wales is there with a strong chance.

Think Ramsey is probably too big a loss, though Portugal haven't looked great. Portugal to go through with another draw.

Unlike Belgium, Portugal have defenders. They also play fairly conservatively, and I think Wales will struggle to hit them on the break. I sense a 1-0 to Portugal, and a fairly unwatchable game.

Like you say, time will tell, but like Iceland, I think Wales have played their big game, and Portugal will jammy their way into the final while looking distinctly ordinary throughout the tournament.

I wasnt looking forward to the Portugal v Wales. but i have just realised it will be Ronaldo v  Bale. 

The most expensive ego vs the most expensive player. 

One is one of the best players of his generation, but who isnt having the best tournament vs one who needs a hair cut. 

there could be some cracking free kicks in this game. 

Ronaldo's free kicks for Portugal are on par with Phoenix corners. I think he kicked 42 and never scored. In the last game he kicked one from 40m straight into the wall instead of swing it into the box, embarrassing. Sometimes he did not get even past a one man 1.7m wall, this was a good laugh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_YNlqK32ZY

There could also be some comedy gold ones, as they both try to show each other up, and get it horribly wrong.