UEFA European Football Championship 2020 (21) , the Time has Come

a reply to: Oldcarpy2

Slightly off topic but....

I just came into the house after doing a spot of gardening and enjoying a cold one - or two - and our lass has got the 1966 World Cup Final in colour on the telly - why I have no idea but I didn't ask.
So I obviously started watching it - with a few more cold ones - and I'll tell you something; what a great game of football.
None of this tippy-tap, possession at all costs, crab like build up #e.
Really enjoyable to watch.
Both sets of players giving it their all, hard tackles but nothing malicious.
No-one diving - yes, I know Secret Knowledge - and got to say the Krauts were hard but fair and incredibly gracious.

Of course it helps that I know the outcome.

Enthusiastic crowd but nothing like the hyped up hysteria we have today that sort of gets on my tit ends - I don't need a game of football to express or prove my patriotism.

What a cracking game of football.

Against Modern Football.

a reply to: Freeborn

Both sets of players giving it their all, hard tackles but nothing malicious.

No substitutes allowed.

No penalty shoot out. A draw after extra time would have meant a replay.

No vanity. Nobby Stiles playing without his false teeth.

Pitch like a bog.

Most spectators standing.

No bloody flasing adverts around the pitch.

The good old days.

a reply to: alldaylong

That about sums it up.

I remember the football of my youth - the 70's - and it was far more enjoyable than what we have today.

Barring goal line technology I really struggle to think of any other recent innovations or rule changes etc that have been introduced that have actually enhanced the game as a viewing spectacle.
And the tactical 'development' of the game has also been to the detriment of the paying supporters.

The analysis provided by Sky etc has become so #ing anal.
On the odd occasion they give an informative insight but the majority of the time its just pretentious has been's, wannebe's and even neverwere's trying to impress.

But enough of that.
I enjoyed watching the 66 game...I sincerely hope I enjoy tomorrow nights half as much.

a reply to: Freeborn
I can only think of one. You may have noticed that the 1966 game had no running clock on screen, which was very inconvenient at the time. All I can remember is an indicator popping up after every 15 (?) minutes.

a reply to: DISRAELI

Just watched it. In colour. What's your point?

a reply to: DISRAELI

Maybe that detracted from the TV coverage slightly but not from the game itself.

Sky certainly gives some great insights with all their camera's but I was talking more about the rule changes and innovations from UEFA and FIFA etc.

Watch some of the old 70's games on YouTube, football was far more entertaining and enjoyable to watch.

ETA
Thinking about it I did find myself wondering how long was left and the lack of a clock wasn't helpful.

a reply to: Oldcarpy2
I was just observing a minor technical improvement (visible indication of the passage of time) which had slightly "improved the game as a viewing spectacle". In 1966, I found the lack of one inconvenient. That was all. A conversational contribution to what was temporarily the subject in hand.

a reply to: Encia22

I've seen some stupid rules but that one really is high up on the list. Just seems so obvious to me that play should stop but what do I know.

a reply to: Freeborn

One of the most annoying things about the modern game is the tactical fouling to break up attacks before they start. All teams do it and often 'rotate' the perpertrator to avoid getting a card where possible. "Game Management" I think it's called!

There have been a number of rule changes since the golden days that were aimed at making the game better. Some worked better than others.

The back pass rule in 1990 - this stopped teams killing the game by rolling the ball back to the goalie who would then throw it to the full back who would pass it back to the goalie. Probably the most significant change.

Violent tackling, especially from behind, became a sending off offence. Possibly saving a few careers being ruined by injury.

Offside no longer applies when level - Previously the advantage was given to the defending side.

Goal Line Tech Being a binary decision, this has been a great innovation. VAR has been more controversial.

The handball rule has been tweaked and has just made things confusing. The ball no longer has to go forward at kick off but has had little impact.

However here's one change nearly everyone forgets. In the early 2000s under a new rule, referees could move a free kick ten yards nearer the defending team's goal if a player showed dissent. I dare say it happened, but can't remember a single match where it was enforced. That rule seems to have disappeared from the game without a mention, mainly due to referees reluctance to enforce the rule.

Anyway, today is a big day and England expects. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed

The Day Has Come...

Destiny awaits the winners. Time to create a bit of history.

Rumour is Trippier in for Saka?

Trying to double up on Spinazzola.

That'll be 7 defensive players and the keeper.
Leaves us dangerously thin in other areas where we could be swamped?

Tactical genius?

a reply to: Freeborn

8 defensive players if you count the goalie. England are better attacking, its their best defence. This is gonna be a nervy 90 minutes, Italy will have a lot of the ball.

Yiz will be swamped in midfield. I cant believe he's gone with 5 defenders. Actually i can believe it.

Team news released .
England 3-4-3 formation.


Italy , 4-3-3 Formation.

Italy, meanwhile, are unchanged from the side that overcame Spain in the semi-final.

Italy XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Emerson Palmieri; Nicolo Barella, Jorginho, Marco Verratti; Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne
www.bbc.co.uk...

twitter.com...

a reply to: SecretKnowledge

We'll be overran in midfield with limited attacking options of our own.

I hope I'm wrong....no, I pray I'm wrong.

This is a very good Italian side and I understand trying to plan for their best players, but not at the expense of our own best attributes.
When we run at opponents we are at least as good as anyone in Europe, possibly even the world.

If Grealish was starting I guarantee he would win us a penalty - and a fair one! lol.

Any way, I'm off to watch the match with my Dad.

We always said if England ever got to a final we would go and watch it together - my Grandad and two of my uncles were at Wembley in 66.

Unfortunately that isn't possible, so we are going to have a couple of beers and cheer England on together.

Here's to hoping.

a reply to: Freeborn

Here's one little boy who dares to dream....
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🍺⚽
COME ON ENGLAND!

WOW ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!

What a start..... ! ! !! ! !!!

Half Time , Italy 0 - England 1

Great Final so far.

Italy 1 - England 1
25 minutes left in the second half.

a reply to: gortex

PENALTIES ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nail biting time for some..