Monzanator

[hide] Knockout Round July 30th - August 5th, 2018 12 Nations, Quarterfinals Play-Offs, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Bronze Medal Match, Gold Medal Match Bronze Medal Match Date & Time (GMT +1) Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 August 5th 2018, h. 14:00 Australia 1 Spain Gold Medal Match Date & Time (GMT +1) Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 August 5th 2018, h. 16:30 Netherlands 2 Ireland [/hide]

Huh? They changed the scoring system to mirror the pro system because everyone knows Olympic boxing is only a rehearsal before the switch to pros. Likewise with removing the helmets.

This is an article from yesterday. https://www.dn.pt/lusa/interior/pedro-pichardo-inscrito-preventivamente-por-portugal-nos-europeus-de-atletismo-9662095.html Google translate says Pichardo was only entered "just in case" IAAF rules him eligible but the POR athletic fed. president says he probably won't be allowed to start? We need someone speaking Portuguese here

Yep, we won the medal table in Amsterdam and there's a genuine belief we can repeat as the #1 nation. Fajdek or Nowicki plus Wlodarczyk in the hammer, both 4x400 relays and Adam Kszczot in the 800m are the biggest favorites for gold. Then we have several outside chances which should bring some medals (Lisek/Wojechowski PV, Haratyk Shot Put, Guba Shot Put, Ennaoui 1500m, Lewandowski 1500m).

There you have it: http://www.pzla.pl/file/3589-reprezentacja-polski-na-24-mistrzostwa-europy-berlin-6-12-sierpnia-2018.pdf

86 athletes in the Polish squad (most ever for EC). It's way too big for me to post it here The expectations are to WIN the medal table so beware!

Jakub Krzewina (400m) is out of the Champs with an Achilles tendom inflammation.

Umtiti was born in Cameroon and there was a report in the Polish media from a missionary on-site that the entire Cameroon cheered for Croatia in the final. I guess that was the case with all former French colonies

Maybe Giroud gets his goal too?

Killing it!

These referee decisions are ALWAYS subjective. Markus Merk once said: Penalty is not what it looks like from the stands, penalty is what I see on the pitch. Couldn't agree more.

Game over IMO.

England is biased towards Argentina ever since Falklands War & Maradona's goal

Better be lucky than good. France is taking payback after the 1982/86 emotional defeats

France finally take a lesson from Germany. It's not the artistic impression that wins you matches.

Yes, they should IMO. It's the World Cup. England have looked flat without the set-pieces and Kane ineffective. Sterling must be the most overrated player in the starting line-up. Both he and Alli have contributed literally nothing. Biggest winners are Maguire, Trippier and Pickford. Phil Jones looked like a block of wood out there. Given they've only beaten Panama, Tunisia and Sweden, I think this result will be overhyped going forward. Belgium was a class above them even with Martinez as a coach.

It wasn't. The England defender lowered his head at waist level while trying to make a clearance. Not a foul IMO.

[hide] Knockout Round June 30th - July 15th, 2018 16 Nations, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third Place Match and Final Third Place Match Date & Time Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 July 14th 2018, h. 17:00 (GMT+3) Belgium 2 1 England Final Date & Time Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 July 15th 2018, h. 18:00 (GMT+3) France 2 0 Croatia [/hide]

I'm sorry but Martinez can't wait until 90th minute to bring on the second striker! That was bad in-game coaching. Throw in two subs at the hour mark and roll on from there!

Hmm.. Belgium didn't get your memo! They're pushing hard...

CRO/ENG will have one day less to recover plus they've played extra-time already. Physically either Belgium or France would be superior in the final IMO. Though all 4 teams have rested their starters in Week 3.

Outside of 1986 all non-UEFA based World Cup finals were given to UEFA refs though. I mean you can see the pattern when you ditch the sample and look at the big picture.

I just don't see an European referee in the final here. The last two Wc finals were given to UEFA refs already and now we have nothing but UEFA teams in the semis and the tournament itself is held in Europe. Just too much Europe involved. Btw, the last time an UEFA referee was given the WC final on European soil was 1974. Faghani seems like the safest bet for the final. It would have probably been Irmatov before but he had a disappointing performance in the group stage and was send home early.

[hide] Knockout Round June 30th - July 15th, 2018 16 Nations, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third Place Match and Final Semifinals Date & Time Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 July 10th 2018, h. 21:00 (GMT+3) France 2 3 Belgium July 11th 2018, h. 21:00 (GMT+3) Croatia 1 1 England [/hide]

If Sterling keeps missing sitters like he did all tournament, Croatia does have a chance. Thankfully none of the Croatians will be suspended.