Or maybe 24 teams, but only 12 go through, and the 4 first-place teams with the most points get a bye in the first elimination round? That would actually make the first round matches more interesting, because even teams that have already won the group would have something to play for.
I like the idea but the media people probably wouldnt because there would be one less Germany/Spain etc match on tv. Or make 8 groups of 3 where only the winner advances.
He has been to a Euro final (2004) and Semi Final (2012) and World Cup Semi Final (2006).
Lots better than his old pal Rooney.
Quite on the edge of my seat with Iceland - Hungary game.
Seriously - how can you not cheer for an international squad picked out of just 330,000 people.
This Chelsea fan would’ve loved to see Gudjohnson’s final strike go just eighteen inches more to the left.
I’m sure Ronaldo felt a bit more vindicated 
after that.
I asked about Ronaldo, not Portugal. He didn’t have a remarkable 2004 Euro or 2006 WC. 2012 I’ll give you.
Super-random comment: the paint-blotch country flags that ESPN is using in their coverage to represent the different countries are really quite gorgeous. Props to them. (I also like the fake bronze statues in the opening graphics.)
He was in the team of the tournament in 2004, helping them to the final aged just 19.
Still only 21 he had a perfectly good world cup in 2006 even if he didn’t dominate it, helping his team to the semis.
He was man of the match in all their group games 2010 world cup before the great Spanish team beat them in the last 16.
Joint top scorer Euro 2012, again in the team of the tournament, and scored the goals that brought them to the semi’s where they were beaten by Spain on penalties.
Nobody would claim that Ronaldo was the most influential international player of all time but yes, Ronaldo has had good international tournaments.
Switzerland needs to find a new jersey manufacturer.
Nothing is more entertaining than watching England fans critiquing England. 
And a curse on English Dopers for not providing running commentary on this evenings match.
FTR… The English press and fan base creates enormous pressure which makes it quite difficult for England players to relax and just play their game imo. I do appreciate and admire their passion…but jeez.
BTW effing Spain always seems to get an easy road into the Final. The other semi bracket looks to include Germany, Italy, France and England.
I was just thinking the same thing. No reason they shouldn’t get far in the tournament after all.
England, having finished second in their group, are likely to face France in the quarter finals and then Germany or Italy (who are likely to square off in their quarter finals) in the semis. The highest ranked team Spain are likely to face would be Portugal (if they manage to win their group! Currently in 3rd), Belgium, or Switzerland, unless something crazy happens.
will go home after being beaten.
As I remarked up thread, England don’t have the players to beat sides who sit deep on them - they need teams to attack them and then they can use their pace to counter attack. I thought the best chance was when Slovakia forgot their position, got caught up field and England knocked the ball into the space for Vardy to burn Skrtel. And then he shot tamely at the keeper.
England may not get out of the round of 16. If I were the opposition, I’d sit deep and wait for an England fuck up (Chris Smalling chesting it back to Hart nearly provided Slovakia with the England fuck up goal yesterday). That or you get to penalties as England struggle to break you down - and we all know what generally happens when England get taken to penalties.
One half of the draw *is *looking very stacked at the moment. Spain’s side, currently, not so much.
Surely taking the piss out of Scotland beats it?
England dominated the game and perhaps were abit unlucky that one of our 29 shots didn’t go in, but on the other hand only 5 of those were on target - England needed to make more of its domination. Of course for most of the game Slovakia were back in numbers and defending well, but quite frankly England has to play teams that do this in about 75% of our EC and WC qualifiers, so really should’ve had more of a clue how to break Slovakia down.
Hodgson was silly, we needed to win the game, so resting too many players was too much of a gamble.
One of the 8 best forwards and only scoring 2 goals in a tournament that Greece won. Meh.
Man of the match in all the games where they only managed to score against North Korea. Meh.
Yes, good Euro 2012.
And now Spain’s on that side of the draw too.
Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and England all on the same side of the draw.
Great performance by the Croats, and without Modric. I think the equaliser shell-shocked Spain, they seemed to have no clue in the second half, epitomised by Ramos’s weird penalty kick.
De Gea was awful. If I was Del Bosque, I would bring back Iker in the R16 v Italy; the guy is a big match player, while De Gea’s rape allegations seem to be on furtherest on his mind. Iniesta was poor and not taking Mata means they really have no cover for him. The Spain forwards have been meh with Morata occasionally shining.
Cannot see this Spain beating Italy.
Love the fact that Croatia made 5 changes and Spain were unchanged.
I think whoever scores first wins the match. Italy is crazy hard to beat in elimination matches when they score first.