Incredibly.
Not that familiar with England, but does it have a sports culture that punishes “selfishness” excessively? In the opposite way that some cultures reward ball hogs, I’ve known some instances of other nation’s people passing too much because of fear of criticism for taking too many shots and being “selfish,” especially if their shot missed - even if the shot was a good opportunity.
England are the biggest disappointment so far, and yet they won their group with only two goals scored. Given their potential, they always looked uninspired, uncreative and slow in the attack. Defense was tight, but look who they played. And yet I wouldn’t be much surprised if they made the final, I’ve seen enough bad tournaments from Germany (and Italy too) where they reached the final or even won after group stages like that of England.
ETA. Germany to play Denmark in the next round. I didn’t see Denmark’s game today, but they didn’t impress me much in their group (which was the weakest group of all), so on paper it looks like an easy win for Germany, while I don’t think there are easy games at all in knock out games. The challenges will get much harder in the possible quarter and semi finals, with Spain, France and Portugal in the German half.
Maybe the sports culture is like that at a recreational level but that doesn’t, or shouldn’t, apply to professional leagues. I agree English playing has looked uninspired yet agree they might go far.
They look like they want the perfect goal. But they’d be much better off using their potential and settling for lots of decent shots on net rather than falling like skittles and begging for free kicks. England has talent, but it’s like watching PSG, where somehow the talent does not get maximized, or even put to very effective use.
Having endured England slogging their way through about 15 major tournaments over the years, the way this one is panning out is depressingly predictable: turgid group stage performances, followed by a gradual improvement in the knockouts, only to lose on penalties after their best performance of the tournament. Rinse and repeat.
Looks like England are likely to play the Netherlands. I was trying to remember the last time we played them in a competitive match (Nations League doesn’t count). We had a period from 1988 to 1996 where we played them loads (Euro 88, Italia 90, USA 94 qualifying, Euro 96) but I can’t recall us playing since in a meaningful match.
Dominating possession but down 0-1 to a 74th-ranked team is about what I expect from Portugal.
That’s a yellow card for simulation for Portugal in every game so far.
It’s almost like they have a reputation or something.
If I counted correctly, there already have been 14 yellow cards in the Turkey-Czechia game. Is this some kind of record?
there were 18 yellows in ARG-NED, the Battle of Lusail.
Ah, yes, I remember. Strangely, this here game isn’t even extraordinarily ugly or unfair, most cards were given for proclaiming (and some of the yellows went to the benches).
ETA: and yet two more yellows even after the final whistle.
And a red one too. I’m loving it! And a Türkish player got away that should have gotten a second card and did not, and the Czech goal was unjustly not given. What is VAR for, if not for correcting those mistakes? The Türkish player played a handball and got a foul when the ref should have given advantage and conceded the goal.
So 18 yellows and a red? they’ve surpassed us!, we’ll have to try and finesse things so we play Uruguay and get back the record.
Two reds, the second one after the final whistle. You are truly beaten in this field.
For now…
Oops, just saw that I had a brainfart. Of course I meant “complaining”.
I don’t think AI is really involved here. It appears at a casual glance that they just use old-fashioned chromo-keying (or some other flavor of key). Ya know, friendly local weathercaster type stuff.
umm… Georgia beat Portugal 2-0. Kinda a big victory and a huge upset (although Portugal didn’t need a result).
As an Englishman, I would like to declare Georgia my new team. Given their flag is almost identical, I see this as being no problem.