The Round Ball Game

[teamsaint]

Yup, you're right about the QF Jayne, I was making an assumption from the incomplete BBC fixtures, which don't make clear which Ro16 winners meet.

[johncorrigan]

Being more interested in the fates of our Celtic cousins, I have to say that Wales were really excellent against the only team that I have seen in this tournament so far that Scotland might have been able to turn over (well, except for Republic of Ireland). I think the Russian footie players will be looking for political asylum as they face the road back to the Gulag and a karate lesson from Vlad. I thought Ramsay looked excellent throughout the game, and great to see the marauding Bale but they were all playing for their excellent manager.

I imagine they'll hope to avoid the likes of Germany, Poland and Croatia, and hope instead for Albania or NI in the next game to give them a road to the quarters. I don't think England have anything to fear from the runner up in Gp F, but the prospect of France is a much scarier one. I think that may test their defence and their less than secure (IMO) goalie.

[Nick Armstrong]

Wales were really excellent

There is something very satisfying about a country with a population of c. 3 million dispatching a country with a population of c. 143 million (especially when the latter bring some pretty unpleasant baggage to the party). Likewise Iceland (c 300,000) holding off Portugal (c. 10 million) last week.

[aeolium]

Being more interested in the fates of our Celtic cousins, I have to say that Wales were really excellent against the only team that I have seen in this tournament so far that Scotland might have been able to turn over (well, except for Republic of Ireland). I think the Russian footie players will be looking for political asylum as they face the road back to the Gulag and a karate lesson from Vlad. I thought Ramsay looked excellent throughout the game, and great to see the marauding Bale but they were all playing for their excellent manager.

I imagine they'll hope to avoid the likes of Germany, Poland and Croatia, and hope instead for Albania or NI in the next game to give them a road to the quarters. I don't think England have anything to fear from the runner up in Gp F, but the prospect of France is a much scarier one. I think that may test their defence and their less than secure (IMO) goalie.

It was a great evening, john, and a complete performance against a seriously poor Russian side. It made up for that painful defeat the other day - losing the battle and winning the war, perhaps. Joe Allen was terrific, though at times he seemed to have more space in front of him than a Bedouin in the desert. Huge Welsh support too (I think it was a factor in the defeat by England that their numbers seemed to be much smaller there, perhaps because they couldn't get tickets). I think we'd take Albania or Northern Ireland in the next round (not Croatia please).

[johncorrigan]

I think we'd take Albania or Northern Ireland in the next round (not Croatia please).

I agree aeolium and certainly before Modrich was removed v the Czechs and a section of their fans went rajbongo, the Croatians had looked the best team in the tournament to me...and the Czechs are no mean crew. I get the feeling from watching Wales that there's still more to come, they're a dangerous team, and I think a lot of teams will want to avoid them. I was a bit worried when Ledley went off last night...I like him, but as long as they can keep their main guys relatively fit and caution-free, there's a distance to go for Coleman's team.

On the subject of which, I do like the way that the referees have been allowed to officiate...not perfect, but they have let the games flow and don't brandish endless yellows.

I haven't seen much of England except for highlights and some +1 when I know they're not going to win ...the commentators really get me... it's like there's only one team on the field sometimes according to them. However I like a few of the England players. My worry, if I were an England fan is that though they are entertaining to watch, I wonder if they've got much more in them. And they'll need to get better if they are to progress into the darker recesses of the tournament, I think.

[Beef Oven!]

Being more interested in the fates of our Celtic cousins, I have to say that Wales were really excellent against the only team that I have seen in this tournament so far that Scotland might have been able to turn over (well, except for Republic of Ireland). I think the Russian footie players will be looking for political asylum as they face the road back to the Gulag and a karate lesson from Vlad. I thought Ramsay looked excellent throughout the game, and great to see the marauding Bale but they were all playing for their excellent manager.

I imagine they'll hope to avoid the likes of Germany, Poland and Croatia, and hope instead for Albania or NI in the next game to give them a road to the quarters. I don't think England have anything to fear from the runner up in Gp F, but the prospect of France is a much scarier one. I think that may test their defence and their less than secure (IMO) goalie.

Point of information: Vlad's a judoka, not a karateka.

[P. G. Tipps]

Being more interested in the fates of our Celtic cousins, I have to say that Wales were really excellent against the only team that I have seen in this tournament so far that Scotland might have been able to turn over (well, except for Republic of Ireland).

I doubt our current lot could turn over a book page, John.

When you see what Wales, N. Ireland, the ROI, and ICELAND have achieved with even smaller resources the usual excuse of 'ach, we're just a wee country' simply won't wash anymore.

I'm delighted to see Wales doing well and topping the group.

Who ever would have predicted that?

Well done to them!

[aeolium]

On the subject of which, I do like the way that the referees have been allowed to officiate...not perfect, but they have let the games flow and don't brandish endless yellows.

I quite agree, john - miles better than in previous tournaments, with players dropping and rolling around at the slightest contact knowing they will get an easy free-kick. Lots of good advantages being played even after obvious fouls, too.

I haven't seen much of England except for highlights and some +1 when I know they're not going to win ...the commentators really get me... it's like there's only one team on the field sometimes according to them. However I like a few of the England players. My worry, if I were an England fan is that though they are entertaining to watch, I wonder if they've got much more in them. And they'll need to get better if they are to progress into the darker recesses of the tournament, I think.

There were some bad decisions by Hodgson even before the tournament - taking Wilshere and leaving Drinkwater - and in the tournament: Kane and Sterling looked much weaker against Wales than Vardy and Sturridge, and Rashford when he came on. Poor team selection for yesterday's game too, even though he knew it was a crunch game for finishing top of the group, and Slovakia had showed against Wales and Russia they were no mugs. The difference with Coleman is that Coleman basically knows his best team, with the main strikers alternating, but Hodgson even at this stage does not seem to know his.

[johncorrigan]

Point of information: Vlad's a judoka, not a karateka.

Thanks Beefy...anyway, they'll be in for a doin'.

[Beef Oven!]

Thanks Beefy...anyway, they'll be in for a doin'.

I think I'd seek asylum!!

[EdgeleyRob]

According to the mathematicians Northern Ireland are through to the last 16

[johncorrigan]

According to the mathematicians Northern Ireland are through to the last 16

Great goalkeeping display yesterday to keep them in it...I have the feeling that their southern neighbours won't be joining them.

And Croatia coming back from one-down to beat Spain, and without Modrich...great display of counter-attacking!

[Beef Oven!]

Great goalkeeping display yesterday to keep them in it...I have the feeling that their southern neighbours won't be joining them.

And Croatia coming back from one-down to beat Spain, and without Modrich...great display of counter-attacking!

Croatia rise again!

They came third in the World Cup in 98 - and with a population of 4 million (and I swear they got a bung to let France through to the final ).

[aeolium]

Great stuff from Croatia last night.

Here are permutations from the last round of group matches, complete with diagrams:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/06/16/upshot/100000004469959.app.html

It was so much easier when only the top two in each group went through....

[teamsaint]

group F is a ball of confusion.......

anyway, well done Wales on winning the group.