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But this is the thing. As long as Martinez persists with a mis-firing Ronaldo we'll never know what kind of a job the likes of Felix/Ramos/Jota could d9 for Portugal. They're going to have to bite the bullet sooner than later. Does Martinez have the balls to make the big call though? I very much doubt it unfortunately.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9449 - 04/07/2024 08:22:29 2556857 Link 0 |
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I doubt it too Lockjaw. Unlikely but probably less likely is that Ronaldo realises it and offers to bench himself. Or that he gets thick and starts scoring goals again! It's mad to think that 3 of the pre-tournament favourites have gotten to the last 8 playing badly by their standards. Hard to pick a winner now but if Mbappe gets his act together they should win it. Even if football isn't as good as group stages the unpredictability makes it a great tournament.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7571 - 04/07/2024 09:49:44 2556868 Link 0 |
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Yeah France have been poor enough and like England have lumbered through. The broken nose and face mask is definitely affecting Mbappe but even before that they weren't looking too fluent. I think Deschamps is suffering a bit like Southgate in that he can't quite get the right mix when it comes to the talent at his disposal. I still think they'll beat Portugal though. They have vast experience knowing how to get the job done in big tournaments. At this stage I'd love to see an outsider like Turkey doing it. Their fans are nuts and it was hard not to smile at their celebrations the other night, particularly when their goalkeeper pulled off the wonder save. Holland are looking ominously good though and might have too much for them. Germany Spain should be another cracker. If Spain had a peak Raul/David Villa I think they'd be hot favourites. Morata is very inconsistent, and I'm not sure how their young team would cope if Germany got a run on them backed by fervent home support. I don't know how to call England Switzerland. On paper England should ease past them but they've looked maddeningly lopsided and incoherent. Even now I'm reading that Southgate is tempted to go with 3 at the back with Guehi suspended. Dia sábháil - another tactical experiment. The Swiss might not be too easy on the eye, but they're organised and a tough nut to crack. Penalty heartache for England again maybe? Some great football ahead hopefully. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9449 - 04/07/2024 11:20:42 2556881 Link 2 |
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It was interesting to listen to Luis Figo speaking to Rio Ferdinand where he said players had more freedom when he played its a bit more robotic now with systems. The same as GAA. FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2792 - 04/07/2024 18:03:31 2556945 Link 0 |
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I agree, Felix hasn't lived up to his potential, but with Ronaldo struggling, it might be worth giving him or Jota a shot. Martinez really needs to make some bold decisions, or we'll never know their full potential. As for France, they've been underwhelming, but their experience might just see them through. Turkey's passion is infectious, and their goalkeeper was outstanding! Germany vs. Spain should be thrilling, but without a clinical striker, Spain might struggle.
rightguy (UK) - Posts: 1 - 05/07/2024 14:47:57 2557073 Link 0 |
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supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2978 - 05/07/2024 16:48:39 2557084 Link 0 |
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Spain 2 _ 1 Germany . One down 3 to go
Redhot (Cork) - Posts: 739 - 05/07/2024 20:04:18 2557108 Link 0 |
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Germany are out after extra time v Spain. Score 2-1 goal in 119th minute for Spain. thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1879 - 05/07/2024 20:10:26 2557109 Link 0 |
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Another ineffectual performance by Ronaldo. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9449 - 05/07/2024 21:52:34 2557114 Link 0 |
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And I thought the junior game in fenagh was awful muck till I turned on France Portugal TJH (Sligo) - Posts: 44 - 05/07/2024 22:22:15 2557122 Link 0 |
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To our allies in 1798! Vive la France and General Humbert!
MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 999 - 05/07/2024 23:31:03 2557134 Link 0 |
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Football is as bad as Gaelic football to watch these days eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 67 - 06/07/2024 00:18:55 2557140 Link 0 |
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Portugal crash out having, quite admirably, attempted to become the first team to win a major tournament whilst playing only 10 players during all the games. MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13777 - 06/07/2024 08:39:09 2557151 Link 5 |
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I'll go with England and Turkey to make the semis, Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 06/07/2024 12:58:04 2557182 Link 0 |
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Absolutely gutted for the Germans and Portuguese....only consolation I can take is the double I had on Germany and Portugal in 90mins win or draw! Now that I think about it the other Semi Final has England and Netherlands written allover it, but could the Turks and Swiss bring them to extra time.........hmmmmm double draw!! katser (Galway) - Posts: 2426 - 06/07/2024 14:41:42 2557202 Link 0 |
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LimerickForLiam24 (Limerick) - Posts: 127 - 06/07/2024 14:59:34 2557206 Link 0 |
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No chance it will be Switzerland all the way
Redhot (Cork) - Posts: 739 - 06/07/2024 16:31:31 2557223 Link 0 |
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Our to that, but beware of the Dutch.
thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1879 - 06/07/2024 19:32:32 2557264 Link 0 |
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Must say the negative commentary towards England is getting a bit cringe at this stage,,sure, they're the old enemy, but it feels like it's just becoming an unhealthy addiction at this stage. Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 06/07/2024 19:47:51 2557269 Link 0 |
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'England in the semi finals....extraordinary' says Tony O'Donoghue. How much are they paying that waffler for those gems? Surely everyone knows that England are one of the best squads in Europe, whether we like it or not. Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3829 - 06/07/2024 19:51:23 2557270 Link 0 |