# Euro 2020 (in 2021) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\ **Created:** [June 7, 2021, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756 "2021-06-07T11:00:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/202 "2021-07-02T20:21:57Z")
Intensity and quality wise, the best game of this Euro so far. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/203 "2021-07-02T20:23:12Z")
This young man Doku is going to be a very wealthy young man pretty soon. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/204 "2021-07-02T20:39:24Z")
Ouch! Looked bad for Spinazola. Torn Achilles tendon? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/205 "2021-07-02T20:39:32Z")
Given they only usually add like half the stoppage time back, the injury might not be terrible for Italy. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/206 "2021-07-02T20:41:34Z")
Spinazola has been quality for Italy. It is not a good thing for them. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/207 "2021-07-02T20:42:40Z")
Oh man, Spinazzola loss is huge if Italy win. Looked like an Achilles to me, which would suck for him. This new Italy seems to be allowing more counterattacking opportunities in this game than they would for entire tournaments in the past. No such thing as a free lunch. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/208 "2021-07-02T20:43:26Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Spinazola has been quality for Italy. Yeah, he was one of the best players on the pitch, and the injury looked really serious. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/209 "2021-07-02T20:49:25Z")
KDB really looking for that foul. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/210 "2021-07-02T20:52:40Z")
Absolutely no foul there on the free kick. Looked like Belgium were about to have a shot with the keeper on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/211 "2021-07-02T21:03:23Z")
Italy has me astonished, they can and want to play, even when they are already in the lead. That is not how I remember them. It will be really hard for Spain, I am afraid. Sorry for the Belgians, I like them, and I have a bunch of Belgian friends who will be sad. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/212 "2021-07-02T21:05:51Z")
“Who are you and what have you done with the Azzurri?” ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/213 "2021-07-02T21:10:12Z")
Top shithousery by Immobile tonight pretending to be in agony in the Belgian box until his team mate scores and then immediately gets up, takes a quick guilty look at the ref, and then joins in the celebration. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/214 "2021-07-02T21:14:10Z")
That was at least a hint of the old Italy… ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/215 "2021-07-02T21:20:59Z")
More than a hint I’d say. There was quite a bit of faking injuries. It’s just that when they were actually playing it wasn’t a bunker. In my fantasy world there would basically be VAR for simulation. Might not catch it during the game, but shit like Immobile’s fakery would get you fines/suspensions after the fact. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/216 "2021-07-02T21:21:23Z")
Wasn’t me! Would never do that! Italy is _the_ enemy since as long as I can think football. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/217 "2021-07-03T10:00:33Z")
Italy vs Spain should be a great semi final. Spain create a ton of chances but the Italians are notoriously good at defending and you saw it yesterday where every block from a Belgian shot was celebrated like a goal. Italy also pack a punch on the counter. They’ve been the best team of the tournament up to now and already are on a 32 game unbeaten record. Just have to add two more to that number and they’re champions. Easier said than done of course. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/218 "2021-07-03T11:10:38Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > They’re certainly not playing like they have Luca Toni or Christian Vieri up top. Outside Totti they only really had poachers and big bodies as attackers for the past 30 years. > [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > And they are not parking the bus after leading 1-0 like they always did. > > And here’s the 2-0! I really like how they’ve looked. A balance of their ever-present defense along with some lovely forward-looking football. They have been a real joy to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Remember\_me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/82dd89/32.png) [@Remember\_me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Remember_me)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/219 "2021-07-03T13:15:12Z")
I agree with most comments here. Italy continues to impress. I would probably be routing for them, were it not for the excessive acting. I really, really wish that Immobile would receive a severe penalty for his fake injury - maybe a three game ban, or something. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/220 "2021-07-03T15:21:59Z")
I wonder how fast the simulation/diving culture would change if there were a change to enforce them more harshly. I think it’d diminish in leagues pretty quickly, but an after-the-fact card or suspension might still be worth it in a tournament. However, if you didn’t regularly do it in the league, would it still be instinctive? I know some fans enjoy it or at least think it’s acceptable, and a rule change might be seen as punishing certain cultures, but it doesn’t seem an insurmountable problem if there was a will to fight it. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756/221 "2021-07-03T15:31:24Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > **I know some fans enjoy it or at least think it’s acceptable** , and a rule change might be seen as punishing certain cultures, but it doesn’t seem an insurmountable problem if there was a will to fight it. (my bold) Maybe, but I think the vast majority of fans hate it. It’s just embarrassing and gives our beloved sport a bad name. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2020-in-2021/943756.md?page=12)