Euro 2012 Q/Final Match 4 England v Italy

How the * would you know what happens within the Russian media? And I wasn't referring to any competition specifically, I was talking about how a larger population doesn't necessarily mean a better national team. Stop twisting my words you utter tool, I have not once stated that I thought England are "much better" than either of the countries I listed.

 

Touched a nerve, have I? Hurting because yet again, the media overhyped your team and they bottled it when it mattered? Its okay mate, I'll give you the link for RangersMedia (judging by your posts so far, you're probably too * daft to get there yourself) and you can join the mass hysteria over there.

I have no clue what happens in the Russian media, but I would hazard a guess at them not feeling the need to talk about their team's chances the way that the English press do. They are realistic about their chances in major tournaments, whereas the likes of Lineker and Shearer are a little too optimistic, to say the least.

Also, a larger population does improve a national team significantly. I'd say that both Russia and the USA have more talent in their ranks than England and "soccer" isn't even the number 1 sport over there.

 

when watching the pre match build up, gabby logan was saying to ashley cole that the final will be his 100th cap *cringe*facepalm*

 

Oh, how original, someone has a different perspective to you, lets brand them a hun! Don't know how the * you worked that one out. I've always been and always will be a Celtic supporter thanks.

Obviously haven't read my posts very well have you. Once again, to put it clear, I don't really care for England's national team. They're mediocre at best, I've stated that numerous times. But they're still leagues ahead of Scotland, which is why I can't understand the constant bashing. I for one cannot stand the media's bullshit, but you're going to be subjected to it because you watch English television. So, how on earth could you possibly know whether or not another country's media hypes up their chances? Exactly, you don't, so you can't really make assumptions.

 

For someone that supposedly doesn't care about them, you seem to be spending a lot of time in this thread attempting to justify their poor tournament. And where did I call you a Hun? I merely suggested that you would fit right in with all the greeting currently going on at RangersMedia.

Again, let me reiterate. If Scotland had the talent pool available to them that England have, then we'd at least be on equal footing as footballing nations. More people are eligible to play for England than are eligible to play for a country that is tiny in comparison, eg. Scotland. Therefore, there is a much higher chance of England finding better players. It doesn't take a mathlete to figure it out.

 

England had on average 39% of the possession in their four games, their lowest figure at a tournament since Euro 1980 – and the figures get worse

30 Cristiano Ronaldo has had more shots in his first four games at Euro 2012 than the entire England squad (29) had at the tournament

20 Italy had more shots on target in their quarter-final match than England had in total in their four matches in Ukraine

88 England conceded more than twice as many shots to France, Sweden, Ukraine and Italy than they had against those teams

39 England had on average 39% of the possession in their four games, their lowest figure at a tournament since Euro 1980

29 Ashley Young and James Milner put in 29 crosses in the four games. Only three reached an England team-mate

300 England averaged 300 passes per match. The four semi-finalists have averaged 479

15 England completed only 15 passes in the 15 minutes of the second period of extra-time against Italy

18 England's most successful passing combination against Italy was the goalkeeper Joe Hart to the substitute striker Andy Carroll

115 Andrea Pirlo had more passes against England than England's four starting midfielders had against Italy

18 Mesut Ozil has created 18 chances in Germany's four games. Steven Gerrard, England's most prolific chance creator, has made six

102 England ran on average 102km in their four matches. Italy ran 7.5km further on average per match

86 England have had the most tackles in the tournament, with Steven Gerrard's 18 the most of any player

29 England have blocked the most shots at Euro 2012, 17 more than Italy, 19 more than Germany, 21 more than Portugal and 24 more than Spain

 

Shane, this tournament has probably been the least hyped up competition England have ever been in, infact most rags have been saying we dont stand a chance.

Population means frig all, look at Croatia and Uruguay (two countries smaller than Ireland). I think people from certain parts of the world are just naturally better at football than Europeans, most of the worlds best have come from South America.

 

bullshit maybe in the group stages but as soon as you qualified for the knock out stages the media practically handed you the trophy we can do this time and all that * so what you have said is part correct and part bull *

 

Seen these on SSN earlier, out of the last 8 teams they were 2nd worst at every stat(only Greece were worse) except shots against them they were the worst

 

Is it not true that Alan Hansen (who, believe it or not, is infact a Scotsman), claimed that England were only 45 minutes away from certain glory during his half time analysis last night? Look how that worked out for him.

Most rags maybe never gave England a chance beforehand, but anybody watching on television during the coverage throughout could have sworn that England were the favourites, just by listening to the pundits. I think when England got out of their group, it only intensified it, as there was actually a belief amongst some that they could win the whole thing.

Regarding the population thing, you're correct. There are exceptions to every rule. In general though, I think most people would agree that the higher your population, the better chance you have of unearthing talented, homegrown footballers. Take a look at countries like Liechtenstein, Andorra, Azerbaijan and countless others.

 

Ireland for example though, a lot of people from there play Rugby and Gaelic Football.

England technically should be as good as Germany, Italy, France and Spain as they're all the big countries whos main sport is Football but they are not. England are more like Sweden, Russia, Czech Republic and Denmark - not even as good as Holland or Portugal.

 

this was one of the poorest england teams i have seen in years no idea what hodgson was thinking maybe he watched watties video of the run to manchester and decided that was the way to go?

 

The thing is mate you take tongue in cheek comments as gospel, If Hansen did say that it sounds like he was being sarcastic. Supporting a * team like Preston I often find myself turning round to my mates at half time when we are being dicked and saying 'this ones in the bag, easy three points' I dont turn round and say 'we are losing 3-0 because we are *'.

 

I agree with that dmac, some of the players we have coming through are complete and utter * as well, cant see England doing much for a good few years.

 

england are now suffering after years of throwing money at foriegn players to the detriment of their own national team scotland done the same and are still struggling to bring good players through.

 

Aye, I dont pay much attention to international football anyway, i only bother watching it when it comes to big tournaments. I will support England as that is were i was born but I am more gutted when Preston lose against Rochdale on a Tuesday night than when England got knocked out last night.

 

Football is the most popular sport in these countries. In Ireland it becomes behind gaelic football and hurling.

 

I take tongue in cheek comments as gospel? Hardly. If you didn't see/hear it, how do you know if he was being genuine or having a laugh?

 

I dont know mate, im just judging my the ways its worded that he was being sarcastic.

Us nasty Englishman aint as bad as you think mate, should visit us sometime... Theres a smashing Celtic supporters bar in Preston city centre that serve a good local bevvy.

 

I was not comparing the two countries mentioned to Ireland, Gabriel. I was just saying the two countries have proved you can be a good team despite small population.