Ultimate Football/Soccer Thread 2015-2016 + Euro 2016 Finals

[Stellonia]

Whomever is in charge of the music in the Copa America ought to get fired. Two anthem screwups, please, that is amateur level.

Outsource that work to Vietnam or Cambodia. I believe they're far better at geography than we Yanks are.

[Rufford]

Whomever is in charge of the music in the Copa America ought to get fired. Two anthem screwups, please, that is amateur level.

Not to mention Godin (i think the best centre back in the world this season) who apparently sang the wrong anthem.
I'm a saints fan and i don't think i need to say what i want to about everton.
Also, i've just heard stuff about Man. City signing Aubameyang, I think that Dortund could demand 70-100 million for him from one of the big financial powers (Man City, Man United, Real, teams like that). I'd put him in the top 5 strikers in the world with Lewandowski, Suarez, Zlatan and Aguero.

[Liventia]

I genuinely don't get the whole thing about hating a manager for wanting to move on to new challenges.

[Auremena]

I genuinely don't get the whole thing about hating a manager for wanting to move on to new challenges.

Players do it all the time, not sure why managers can't.

[Seraven]

Okay, so can we actually expect that Euro 2016 will gives us a shocking winner, just like Euro 2004?

[Valanora]

So I go to a baseball game and I get home to see the States thrashed Costa Rica and Spain somehow lost to Georgia? Was it a full moon today or something?

[The Blaatschapen]

Okay, so can we actually expect that Euro 2016 will gives us a shocking winner, just like Euro 2004?

Well, 1992 was also a shocker. So every 12 years *nods*

[Osarius]

Okay, so can we actually expect that Euro 2016 will gives us a shocking winner, just like Euro 2004?

Well, 1992 was also a shocker. So every 12 years *nods*

Hmm... So if there's going to be a shock winner, who is it?

If I had to bet on an "outsider" -- to clarify, either a pot 3 or 4 team, or a team with odds generally quoted longer than 50-1 -- I'd probably go with Wales tbh.
Considered Sweden but I'm pretty sure they have one of the toughest groups (Group D looks nasty too, so I'm steering clear of Turkey and Czech Republic).

[Evil Lord Sauron]

Well, 1992 was also a shocker. So every 12 years *nods*

Hmm... So if there's going to be a shock winner, who is it?

If I had to bet on an "outsider" -- to clarify, either a pot 3 or 4 team, or a team with odds generally quoted longer than 50-1 -- I'd probably go with Wales tbh.
Considered Sweden but I'm pretty sure they have one of the toughest groups (Group D looks nasty too, so I'm steering clear of Turkey and Czech Republic).

I so hope you are correct. You'd be my new favourite NSer. I'm genuinely happy to be able to watch it with some interest even if I do think we'll struggle to get out of the group stage. If however we do make it out of the group, we could potentially go all the way. Especially with Bale and Ramsey fit. That'll be the key. As long as we aren't whitewashed.

[The Archregimancy]

Okay, so can we actually expect that Euro 2016 will gives us a shocking winner, just like Euro 2004?

Well, 1992 was also a shocker. So every 12 years *nods*

Albania champions!

Kampionët Shqipëri!

[Teemant]

There is definitely something going on with anthems in Copa America. I'm sure that I heard Pitbull for a few seconds during Chile anthem (Chile vs Argentine).

[Auremena]

Well, 1992 was also a shocker. So every 12 years *nods*

Hmm... So if there's going to be a shock winner, who is it?

If I had to bet on an "outsider" -- to clarify, either a pot 3 or 4 team, or a team with odds generally quoted longer than 50-1 -- I'd probably go with Wales tbh.
Considered Sweden but I'm pretty sure they have one of the toughest groups (Group D looks nasty too, so I'm steering clear of Turkey and Czech Republic).

What are the odds on Austria or Iceland? F isn't that strong of a group, I'd not be too terribly surprised if either had a good run for it.

[The Blaatschapen]

RIP Lewandowski.

Sascha Lewandowski.

[Teemant]

My predictions -

GROUP A: Albania, France, Romania, Switzerland
GROUP B: England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales
GROUP C: Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland, Ukraine
GROUP D: Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey
GROUP E: Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Sweden
GROUP F: Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal

In green third place teams.

[Seraven]

There is definitely something going on with anthems in Copa America. I'm sure that I heard Pitbull for a few seconds during Chile anthem (Chile vs Argentine).

Considering Pitbull sang the official anthem (I think?) for Brazil 2014, why not.

Sascha Lewandowski.

Heart attack, apparently.

My predictions -

GROUP A: Albania, France, Romania, Switzerland
GROUP B: England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales
GROUP C: Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland, Ukraine
GROUP D: Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey
GROUP E: Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Sweden
GROUP F: Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal

In green third place teams.

Well, Iceland has the chance to actually passed the group D. Kinda. Same with Czech.

[Auremena]

A bit early for Levy to be doing business, but anyone have any ideas on the top three targets for Kane cover?
Lacazette will be priciest and I think the best ability wise (he's a bit like Aguero-lite) but he's rather small to make an effective PL target man. Batshuyai is bigger, less expensive, but honestly not as great of a fit. Embolo I think is still too raw to make it at a Spurs who will be competing for the title and looking to put a good show in the CL. Janssen will probably be the cheapest, but there is the unfortunate precedent of Eredivise centre forwards, particularly those of AZ, who struggle to make it in their next club.

Lacking any reserch the scouts have done, I'd say I'd take the gamble on Janssen. I forget if the asking price on Lacazette was 30 million Euro or pounds, but either way, I don't see Levy wanting to spend much more than that total this summer, or at least not run a deficit of more than that. If we were to spring for him that would leave whatever we could get for Chadli, Mason, Carroll, and Fazio, which likely won't be all that much, to pick up a central mid or two (just one if poch thinks Winks is ready to start making some first team apperances,) a centre defender, and possibly another attacking mid (less needed because I think Onomah is on a good developmental path so far.) Targets for those, well, I've no idea.

[Rufford]

My predictions -

GROUP A: Albania, France, Romania, Switzerland
GROUP B: England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales
GROUP C: Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland, Ukraine
GROUP D: Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey
GROUP E: Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Sweden
GROUP F: Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal

In green third place teams.

A- 1.France 2.Switzerland 3.Romania 4. Albania
France are for me the favorites to win the whole thing, Payet, pogba, Griezmann, Kante; all had brilliant seasons so at home they must be the favorites. However like england they are brilliant going forward, a bit shaky in defence and however have a world class goalkeeper, they arn't invincible. Swizerland have some very good players like Rodriguez and Shaqiri. Romania will have players that are technically very good. I don't no how the fuck Albania even got there.
B-1.England 2.Wales 3.Russia 4.Slovakia
Apart from the England-Wales game this looks like a pretty boring group. Englnd easly have the best squad and Vardy could tear apart the slow Russian centre backs, I don't have a fucking clue what Bale will do to our defence and Slovakia arn't exactly the best team in the world. Wales have obvious talent in Bale and players like Ramsey and Williams but my concern is most of there other players are from the championship. Russia's coach isn't acctually getting paid and i don't have a clue about Slovakia.
C- 1. Germany 2. Poland 3.Northern Ireland 4. Ukraine
Germany as world champions are the most likely team to be in the final with France if they don't meet them on the way, with class throughout there squad and the best keeper in the world. They do have Reus injured though, no obvious striker and a massive Lahm shaped hole in the team. Its a shame Reus is injured as he is a brilliant player to watch and could also play as a striker for them. Poland definetly don't have a problem with there striker, Lewangoalski is the best striker in Europe and only second to Suarez in the rest of the world; they also have good players thoughout the rest of there team. For Northern Ireland and Ukraine this is a dirty fucker of a group, its going to be a tough scrap between them. I think Northern Ireland will get third, they have flair players like Steve Davis (i am a Southampton fan) who I think will give them the edge.
D-1.Croatia 2.Czech Rep. 3.Spain 4.Turkey
E-1.Belgium 2.Italy 3.Rep. Ireland 4. Sweden
F-1.Austria 2.Portugal 3.Iceland 4. Hungary
I'll talk about them tommorow.

[Rufford]

A bit early for Levy to be doing business, but anyone have any ideas on the top three targets for Kane cover?
Lacazette will be priciest and I think the best ability wise (he's a bit like Aguero-lite) but he's rather small to make an effective PL target man. Batshuyai is bigger, less expensive, but honestly not as great of a fit. Embolo I think is still too raw to make it at a Spurs who will be competing for the title and looking to put a good show in the CL. Janssen will probably be the cheapest, but there is the unfortunate precedent of Eredivise centre forwards, particularly those of AZ, who struggle to make it in their next club.

Lacking any reserch the scouts have done, I'd say I'd take the gamble on Janssen. I forget if the asking price on Lacazette was 30 million Euro or pounds, but either way, I don't see Levy wanting to spend much more than that total this summer, or at least not run a deficit of more than that. If we were to spring for him that would leave whatever we could get for Chadli, Mason, Carroll, and Fazio, which likely won't be all that much, to pick up a central mid or two (just one if poch thinks Winks is ready to start making some first team apperances,) a centre defender, and possibly another attacking mid (less needed because I think Onomah is on a good developmental path so far.) Targets for those, well, I've no idea.

I doubt Lacazette would come to be a second choice striker, he's brilliant, but Kane is world class. I'd like Lacazette at saints but i don't think we will get him.

[Auremena]

A bit early for Levy to be doing business, but anyone have any ideas on the top three targets for Kane cover?
Lacazette will be priciest and I think the best ability wise (he's a bit like Aguero-lite) but he's rather small to make an effective PL target man. Batshuyai is bigger, less expensive, but honestly not as great of a fit. Embolo I think is still too raw to make it at a Spurs who will be competing for the title and looking to put a good show in the CL. Janssen will probably be the cheapest, but there is the unfortunate precedent of Eredivise centre forwards, particularly those of AZ, who struggle to make it in their next club.

Lacking any reserch the scouts have done, I'd say I'd take the gamble on Janssen. I forget if the asking price on Lacazette was 30 million Euro or pounds, but either way, I don't see Levy wanting to spend much more than that total this summer, or at least not run a deficit of more than that. If we were to spring for him that would leave whatever we could get for Chadli, Mason, Carroll, and Fazio, which likely won't be all that much, to pick up a central mid or two (just one if poch thinks Winks is ready to start making some first team apperances,) a centre defender, and possibly another attacking mid (less needed because I think Onomah is on a good developmental path so far.) Targets for those, well, I've no idea.

I doubt Lacazette would come to be a second choice striker, he's brilliant, but Kane is world class. I'd like Lacazette at saints but i don't think we will get him.

There's that fact too. Don't know if Batshuyai would want to be second choice either. Janssen just sits best with me.

[The Blaatschapen]

And the gossips start:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 74711.html

[Rufford]

And the gossips start:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 74711.html

Always thought of Iniesta as the rapist in that team.

[Minoa]

No dedicated thread for the Euros yet?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36504410 <-- This is why I do not support any team.

[The Blaatschapen]

No dedicated thread for the Euros yet?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36504410 <-- This is why I do not support any team.

Nah, we're on page 50 and near the end of this season. The World Cup gets its own thread. The continental championships, not so much. The Copa America is also without thread after all.

[The Saint James Islands]

I would presume they’ll be drawn into the two groups that currently only have five teams (Groups H and I), and that Russia’s “centralized friendlies” against the teams in Group H will be cancelled. But it will be interesting to see how the UEFA qualifying format is adapted for future World Cups—when the World Cup is not held in Europe, there will be 55 teams competing, which is one more than can fit in the current format of 9 groups of 6.

News on this front: Gibraltar and Kosovo have been assigned to Groups H and I respectively. Additionally, Kosovo will be kept apart from both Serbia and Bosnia, a la Armenia-Azerbaijan and Spain-Gibraltar, in future draws.

---

Also, since the Euros are about to begin, an obligatory group stage prediction. Top two in bold, third-place in italics, last-place in plain text.

GROUP A: Albania, France, Romania, Switzerland (EDIT: I’ll actually give Romania a top-two finish)
GROUP B: England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales
GROUP C: Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland, Ukraine
GROUP D: Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey
GROUP E: Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Sweden
GROUP F: Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal

As with the 2014 World Cup, I am now ready to be proven completely and utterly wrong about everything.

[Risottia]

Okay, so can we actually expect that Euro 2016 will gives us a shocking winner, just like Euro 2004?

I feel like Germany is going to steamroll everyone else. I just hope Italy don't get in their way, because I want the Italian curse to be perpetuated and there's no way Italy is going to avoid a humiliating defeat against the Germans this year.

Also, predictions:

GROUP A: Albania, France, Romania, Switzerland
GROUP B: England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales
GROUP C: Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland, Ukraine
GROUP D: Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey
GROUP E: Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Sweden
GROUP F: Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal