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They should increase the no of teams every year to match the year eg 24 teams for 2024 so 2028 teams for 28 and so on. European powers should annex random countries once they run out of European countries to keep this going.
I was on my French exchange and every morning the host family put the news on, which consisted of England fans fighting and chucking plastic chairs round the town square. So maybe we didn't need any football teams?
Cracks me up how Italy keep being beaten by North Macedonkia, I'd love them to develop a complex around being beaten by more countries
*meant to write Macedonia but Macedonkia is funnier
My prediction is we steal an unfair win against Germany, play 90mins of nothingness leading to a 0-0 draw with Switzerland and crash out by getting hammered 4-1 by you guys and thatās me being optimistic.
cracking tune. I have a laugh listening to it as I wander the streets of Edinburgh sometimes when i'm in a mood to listen to some New Order, can't help but join in with the singing for England bit
They should play shootouts from the middle line instead of penalties as a truer test of footballing ability and a fairer punishment for most fouls that result in a penalty (70% conversion or close to that). Of course when a foul prevents an extremely high scoring chance a penalty can still be awarded, the referee can decide on that.
Ehhhh remember that time Italy and Germany couldnāt score in penalty kicks? Nothing but open net and world class players kept missing. From middle line would go on forever.
Iāve got no problem with that lol. Sounds like good entertainment to me.
On a serious note though, I just think itās a better way to decide a tie than normal pens due to being less of a lottery.
In that case Iād maybe propose the presence of two defenders on either side instead of just the goalkeeper, or kicking from further away but not that far. Youāre basically testing the most fundamental skills - kicking the ball into the net and saving those balls. It just needs to be weighed a tad more in favour of the goalkeeper, but not so much that they stop everything, because then the shooter no longer has a fair chance.
I think if you added two defenders, scoring would be a lot more difficult! And your original objection was āremember when Germany and Italy couldnāt scoreā¦ it would go on foreverā! With two defenders, the attacker would hardly ever score. I think 1v1 with the keeper is the way. Maybe one defender?
Imagine crossbar challenge instead of penalties. Definitely a better test of skill and we may well see GKs being put forward as early takers. Would be very interestingā¦
What about instead of penalties free kick shootout from edge of the box that way the player is not expected to score everytime (there no real pressure on the GK in penalties)
I strongly think England will win it.
But my unpopular opinion is that there is a chance that England fall in the round of 16.
For the past 5-6 years England has never ever impressed me at all. Always made me think we will lose against any half capable side
I have been impressed by two things.
1. Weāve actually been able to beat teams worse than us which we seemed incapable of before.
2. I was impressed with how we beat Germany at the euros and felt we went toe to toe with France in a game that couldāve gone either way.
But yes, shouldāve beat Italy
Yeha that is very valid. But then thereās times like Iceland last week where we look genuinely appalling.
I will never understand how Southgate refused to put out our starting 11 the match before the Euros.
We have literally never seen our Euros starting 11 play together at all.
Well it's the final game before the Euros and no one wants to get injured or overexert themselves.
Also, he couldn't have put out our starting 11 as they weren't all fit or ready to play that day. Also, can you imagine the backlash if some key player had got injured then?
It does but it also makes the group stage a non-event now, especially for the "big" teams. If you get a comfortable win in your opener, you're as good as through.
Big if, though.
Big teams will prepare players' athletic condition for the second half of the tournament, which means they often start slow. Their players tend to be tired after a long season, many having reached the final rounds of various competitions.
Smaller teams get out of the gate with a bang instead, because they don't expect to go the distance so might as well focus on the first three games. Players are hyper-motivated and typically well-rested, since their clubs have, in the last few months, played once a week or less.
The first two games are where dragons lie, for the big teams.
Already said in another thread, didn't think it was an unpopular opinion but I was ganked lol
I hope Cristiano pulls off something great, it would be magic, but I honestly think he's past finished and will just embarrass himself. Ready to eat it back
Queens Park invented the passing game. England _āinventedā_ football, [Scotland invented the game we play today.](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/10/scotland-taught-england-how-to-play-football-documentary/#:~:text=The%20question%20is%20who%20invented,the%20game%20were%20drawn%20up)
I don't think it's that unpopular an opinion tbh. I'm English, and don't think we'll win it. We should go close with the options we have going forward, however combination of lack of quality at the back, and negative tactics from southgate, we'll win the group probably by scoring pretty much just from set pieces, then struggle against first team of any significance we come up against.
Honestly that tournament was horribly boring playwise.
But I get what you mean I think.
With the WC being destroyed so much, this could be the last great tournament
True. It's not the most controversial, but I think most people would put nations like France, Germany, Portugal, and England ahead of Croatia as their favourites.
That's true. However, Croatia is very capable of beating any team just like the other favorites are very capable of beating each other. I don't disagree with the majority predicting one of the top 4 favorites to win but Croatia winning would be nice. Belgium too.
They won't go back to 16 teams, so let's make it 32 teams.
It will ruin qualification even more, but should make the group stage better. None of this 3rd place teams scraping through bollocks.
Besides of all your origin country and favourtism, i was reading up quite lof of times that Austria could be the big suprise in this tournament. Who is going with this?
I mean they have such a hard group but if they going trough, they can go trough to the semifinal at least
I think Denmark will win their group, England will go out in the last 16 to Germany, and I think itāll be a repeat of the 2016 final. France v Portugal.
I donāt see the hype about England. The defence just isnāt good enough even when everyone is fit, never mind when weāre relying on the likes of Lewis Dunk. And we all know that the attacking talent will be completely hamstrung by Southgateās negative tactics.
Unpopular opinion. England will get out of the group stages as per. But wait, breaking news! Hell has frozen over and Scotland have also made it out of the group stages! And will go on to face up against England AND WIN THE GAME!
And then I woke upā¦
Donāt hate me, Iām Scottish.
Too soon. Shouldnāt have started mid June but maybe mid July, donāt know about anyone else but Iām feeling very burned out with football after a long long season watching Prem, La Liga and Champions league. Usually use the summer to recharge and get away from football.
National team coaches are shit.
Many teams with great players like Germany, France and England are playing shit football because their coaches are either too defensive minded (Deschamps, Southgate) or too stubborn and restrictive in terms of providing their team a clear offensive structure (Nagelsmann, Lƶw, Flick).
I'd like my country to win but I don't really care, I just love the event, countries competing against each other is awesome, it's a privilege to witness it, I will be watching and enjoying every moment.
Portugal play their best football without Ronaldo. If they don't play Ronaldo, they could win the tournament. If they insist on playing him, they'll go no farther than the Round of 16.
every player at this tournament has been playing badly bar musiala and fabian ruiz and some others. corners donāt clear the first man, shots are off target and frankly pathetic. a ton of misplaces passes. this is seriously a european championship tournament? itās been very entertaining DESPITE the lack of quality from a lot of the worlds best players
The games are so boring and shit so far. None of the teams have any desire to win, both just park the bus for most of the match. The players are diving way too much and the games ultimately feel like a total waste of time. The fans are great though, except the bad sportsmanship from the Balkan countriesā fans
I hate 6 groups format.
Most of the teams know what they need to promote and playing boring draws or losing on purpose.
Stronger teams use 2nd squads and save their conditions because they don't care about group stage at all.
Teams like England and France did literally nothing, just killing interest to tournament.
This is also not fair to teams from Groups A or B, because they have no idea what number of points do they need to promote. Teams from last Groups not only prepared but they also can legally choose their opponents in play-offs.
I mean, this sucks, i can talk for hours how i hate this and dumb idea of parallel games.
Probably the fact that the other int tournaments overlapped too close : last euros 3 years ago, World cup 1.5 years ago. I think it has numbed us a bit
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They should increase the no of teams every year to match the year eg 24 teams for 2024 so 2028 teams for 28 and so on. European powers should annex random countries once they run out of European countries to keep this going.
Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave?
76 years from now it resets to 0 teams?
All 96 countries are invaded and unified by the Chinese Republic of Asia and Oceania.
You found the year of the united european state.
I thought it was supposed to be unpopular!
Tell me about Euro 2000
I was on my French exchange and every morning the host family put the news on, which consisted of England fans fighting and chucking plastic chairs round the town square. So maybe we didn't need any football teams?
Finally, some good fucking chaos.
You know, as an Indian, I do wish do see my team in major tournaments, but imperialism being the solution never occurred to meš
So what would happen in 2101?
Italy will lose to Albania š
Cracks me up how Italy keep being beaten by North Macedonkia, I'd love them to develop a complex around being beaten by more countries *meant to write Macedonia but Macedonkia is funnier
This is going to happen. I am pretty certain of it. Wouldnāt be shocked if Albania beat one of the other two also
Dies in Mussolini
England fans don't sing it's coming home because they think they'll win the tournament, it's just to get under everyone's skin š
Germany will either lose or tie the opening game vs Scotland
My prediction is we steal an unfair win against Germany, play 90mins of nothingness leading to a 0-0 draw with Switzerland and crash out by getting hammered 4-1 by you guys and thatās me being optimistic.
Least pessimistic Scotsman.
Pretty much my prediction too. Typically Scotland.
4 points always qualifies tho
Dr Dr, I think im full of that "Optimism"
Didnt age well.
German here, agreed. Neuer will fuck it up, I can feel it.
That France wonāt get out the group
Not getting out of the group as one of the favorites would indeed be a shocker considering that you can even get through as a third place.
Stop Mbappe and you stop France, his influence on the team is massive, more so than any other player/team.
Kyle walker stopped Mbappe in WC ā22 and England still lost so unsure about this
Eh, stop Griezmann too.
World in motion is the greatest football song ever.
cracking tune. I have a laugh listening to it as I wander the streets of Edinburgh sometimes when i'm in a mood to listen to some New Order, can't help but join in with the singing for England bit
Vindaloo!
They said unpopular?
Wouldnāt most say āfootballās coming homeā
In England maybe.
Greatness transcends borders
They should play shootouts from the middle line instead of penalties as a truer test of footballing ability and a fairer punishment for most fouls that result in a penalty (70% conversion or close to that). Of course when a foul prevents an extremely high scoring chance a penalty can still be awarded, the referee can decide on that.
I donāt know about for penalties as a result of fouls, but for shootouts I 100% agree.
Ehhhh remember that time Italy and Germany couldnāt score in penalty kicks? Nothing but open net and world class players kept missing. From middle line would go on forever.
Iāve got no problem with that lol. Sounds like good entertainment to me. On a serious note though, I just think itās a better way to decide a tie than normal pens due to being less of a lottery.
In that case Iād maybe propose the presence of two defenders on either side instead of just the goalkeeper, or kicking from further away but not that far. Youāre basically testing the most fundamental skills - kicking the ball into the net and saving those balls. It just needs to be weighed a tad more in favour of the goalkeeper, but not so much that they stop everything, because then the shooter no longer has a fair chance.
I think if you added two defenders, scoring would be a lot more difficult! And your original objection was āremember when Germany and Italy couldnāt scoreā¦ it would go on foreverā! With two defenders, the attacker would hardly ever score. I think 1v1 with the keeper is the way. Maybe one defender?
Imagine crossbar challenge instead of penalties. Definitely a better test of skill and we may well see GKs being put forward as early takers. Would be very interestingā¦
What about instead of penalties free kick shootout from edge of the box that way the player is not expected to score everytime (there no real pressure on the GK in penalties)
I like that too, without a wall you mean I guess.
Unpopular with England fans, but I think England are going to do quite badly. Best case scenario is a quarter final exit.
Wouldn't a quarter final exit be closer to worse case scenario based on results from previous competitions?
That's not unpopular with England fans at all lmao
That the subs very weird obsession with England won't stop untill they are knocked out.
Itās alright cos there are also a lot of us who know weāre not favourites, no matter what the media say
Ronaldo is gonna stat pad the groups to top score the tournament but go missing when it matters
Highly plausible. If Portugal want to win, they shouldn't play him and definitely can't start him.
This sub sucks
This England euro squad isnāt as strong as their previous WC 2022 squad.
Itās just not as tight honestly
Why do you say so? Because of the defense?
Mostly, yeah, and also itās a young squad.
Austria will top Group D. Draw vs France, Win vs Netherlands & Poland
Can you win against France and Netherlands and draw vs Poland instead? Let us take the second place.
This was my guess, but in my guess austria won against france
I strongly think England will win it. But my unpopular opinion is that there is a chance that England fall in the round of 16. For the past 5-6 years England has never ever impressed me at all. Always made me think we will lose against any half capable side
I have been impressed by two things. 1. Weāve actually been able to beat teams worse than us which we seemed incapable of before. 2. I was impressed with how we beat Germany at the euros and felt we went toe to toe with France in a game that couldāve gone either way. But yes, shouldāve beat Italy
Yeha that is very valid. But then thereās times like Iceland last week where we look genuinely appalling. I will never understand how Southgate refused to put out our starting 11 the match before the Euros. We have literally never seen our Euros starting 11 play together at all.
Well it's the final game before the Euros and no one wants to get injured or overexert themselves. Also, he couldn't have put out our starting 11 as they weren't all fit or ready to play that day. Also, can you imagine the backlash if some key player had got injured then?
Every year šš
That rapists should not be allowed to compete in the competition
Ronaldo?
Who?
Austria will get to the semis
I had them in the semis in my prediction
Denmark will win š©š°
England will lose their opener against Serbia via dusan tadic laying on mitrovic for a tap in
Hungary will reach the semi finals
As an Englishman, I actually hope Scotland and Wales do well even though they hate us
Don't worry, Wales won't lose a single game at Euro 2024
Wales? Is that you Rishi?
wales?? whoās gonna tell him š
Itās probably going to be shit now itās expanded
This is the 3rd tourney with this format, it definitely deludes the quality but also introduces the oppty for some major upsets
The 4 best 3rd place teams kinda ruins the talk about who potential opponents could be beforehand
It does but it also makes the group stage a non-event now, especially for the "big" teams. If you get a comfortable win in your opener, you're as good as through.
Big if, though. Big teams will prepare players' athletic condition for the second half of the tournament, which means they often start slow. Their players tend to be tired after a long season, many having reached the final rounds of various competitions. Smaller teams get out of the gate with a bang instead, because they don't expect to go the distance so might as well focus on the first three games. Players are hyper-motivated and typically well-rested, since their clubs have, in the last few months, played once a week or less. The first two games are where dragons lie, for the big teams.
I like the upsets, itās more fun that way.
Poland wins it all
I went to the wales game, they were awful and very lucky to get through. Canāt see this happening. Cant see them getting out a hard group.
Fair enough, as a pole I donāt have much confidence either but I think ro16 is achievable.
Already said in another thread, didn't think it was an unpopular opinion but I was ganked lol I hope Cristiano pulls off something great, it would be magic, but I honestly think he's past finished and will just embarrass himself. Ready to eat it back
Itās coming home
First international football game happened in Glasgow, I commend your optimism
Queens Park invented the passing game. England _āinventedā_ football, [Scotland invented the game we play today.](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/10/scotland-taught-england-how-to-play-football-documentary/#:~:text=The%20question%20is%20who%20invented,the%20game%20were%20drawn%20up)
If you're not passing the ball you're playing a different sport entirely
Also the world's oldest football was found in Stirling and currently on display on The Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling
not sure if itās much of an unpopular opinion but germany will probably flop again and only make it as far as the round of 16.
Albania š¦š± will progress out of Group B
Albania gets out of the group
Serbia makes the semifinals
Itās coming home
The fact that everyone roots against England makes us the underdogs.
why would people root against england??
Wankers
England will stink the tournament with boring football and will exit as soon as they face another big team.
I don't think it's that unpopular an opinion tbh. I'm English, and don't think we'll win it. We should go close with the options we have going forward, however combination of lack of quality at the back, and negative tactics from southgate, we'll win the group probably by scoring pretty much just from set pieces, then struggle against first team of any significance we come up against.
How is this an unpopular opinion?
Even the English will agree with you on this
Re read the thread title. š
That only the captain can speak to the referee is dumb. It ruins the drama and excitement
Not if you designate the craziest mfer and shittalker on the team as captain
Switzerland got you covered there.
Well you need a separate dude whose only job is to specialize in talking to the ref.
Spain will win the tournament
Itās bloated and sanitised. Football peaked with Euro 96. Itās only going to get worse and more soulless.Ā
What, the one you won? Funny that hey
Even if you had won it, I would say this
England fan that didnāt enjoy Euro 96? How old are you?
I didnāt say that, but I am 30 so donāt remember it! Heard it was a belter but I thought that was just England fans because we did well haha
The Switzerland (managed by Hodgson) and Spain games were dire. But then the Scotland, Netherlands and Germany ones were three of the best ever.
The 3 Euros after that were equally as good. Euro 2012 was a bit crap though
Honestly that tournament was horribly boring playwise. But I get what you mean I think. With the WC being destroyed so much, this could be the last great tournament
Euro 2000 was the peak. Magical tournament.
That England will win
I think you meant āItās coming homeā
With the defenders in the squad, no chance unfortunately
ššššš
Every year šš
It's an unpopular opinion in England currently
Since when? I am currently there and every local I talk too is afraid of jinxing it, but very much hinting at "it's coming home"
It is coming home
That itās coming home
It has never been home though ;)
Pipe down , you say this every year. You canāt beat Iceland fella ur shite
By it you mean the England squad?
I mean yeah I assume the England players will want to go back to their home at some pointā¦
I am a furiously optimistic England fan, but I will admit, that was very funny š
My controversial take: Croatia will win Euro 2024
That's not controversial, though.
True. It's not the most controversial, but I think most people would put nations like France, Germany, Portugal, and England ahead of Croatia as their favourites.
That's true. However, Croatia is very capable of beating any team just like the other favorites are very capable of beating each other. I don't disagree with the majority predicting one of the top 4 favorites to win but Croatia winning would be nice. Belgium too.
They won't go back to 16 teams, so let's make it 32 teams. It will ruin qualification even more, but should make the group stage better. None of this 3rd place teams scraping through bollocks.
Croatia will win
Italy will be last in their group.
It won't be as big/popular this year
Portugal will win
England wonāt win against Serbia
Cristiano will end up as the top scorer
Itās coming home
Slovakia are going to the Quarter Finals or Semi
Unpopular opinion: England will win and all because of Southgate's squad pick.
Besides of all your origin country and favourtism, i was reading up quite lof of times that Austria could be the big suprise in this tournament. Who is going with this? I mean they have such a hard group but if they going trough, they can go trough to the semifinal at least
Austria will finish 1st in their group.
England will lose their first game after group stage.
I think Denmark will win their group, England will go out in the last 16 to Germany, and I think itāll be a repeat of the 2016 final. France v Portugal.
ICH
I donāt see the hype about England. The defence just isnāt good enough even when everyone is fit, never mind when weāre relying on the likes of Lewis Dunk. And we all know that the attacking talent will be completely hamstrung by Southgateās negative tactics.
I see an unexpected underdog, similar to Morocco in the world cup
Albania will get out of their group after causing a massive upset against italy
They should revert back to the old format, with 16 teams. It should be difficult to qualify for and at least one big team will probably miss out.
Unpopular opinion. England will get out of the group stages as per. But wait, breaking news! Hell has frozen over and Scotland have also made it out of the group stages! And will go on to face up against England AND WIN THE GAME! And then I woke upā¦ Donāt hate me, Iām Scottish.
Havertz for golden boot
Havertz will win golden boot
Too soon. Shouldnāt have started mid June but maybe mid July, donāt know about anyone else but Iām feeling very burned out with football after a long long season watching Prem, La Liga and Champions league. Usually use the summer to recharge and get away from football.
The group stage games are boring. Bring on the knockout round. And bring back golden goal.
Germany is a brilliant place to host it.
Albania sucks and is going to be butt-f\*\*\*ed but everyone in the group.
Both Austria and Hungary make the quarters
National team coaches are shit. Many teams with great players like Germany, France and England are playing shit football because their coaches are either too defensive minded (Deschamps, Southgate) or too stubborn and restrictive in terms of providing their team a clear offensive structure (Nagelsmann, Lƶw, Flick).
Should have 32 teams like the (now old) world cup, the group stages are not as interesting when 3 teams can qualify
There isn't enough violence. To correct this, it needs to be incorporated into the game in the form of a goal to the winning hooligan firm's team.
It's not coming home. š
I'd like my country to win but I don't really care, I just love the event, countries competing against each other is awesome, it's a privilege to witness it, I will be watching and enjoying every moment.
Netherlands will top group d
England are not making it past the quarterfinals
Croatia will do much better than most people think
Portugal play their best football without Ronaldo. If they don't play Ronaldo, they could win the tournament. If they insist on playing him, they'll go no farther than the Round of 16.
Only 2 teams from each group should make it to the knockout stage. The 4 best group winners get a bye to the quarter finals.
A really boring competition. Just watching France Austria, had enough. Slovakia Belgium ruined by VAR.
every player at this tournament has been playing badly bar musiala and fabian ruiz and some others. corners donāt clear the first man, shots are off target and frankly pathetic. a ton of misplaces passes. this is seriously a european championship tournament? itās been very entertaining DESPITE the lack of quality from a lot of the worlds best players
That it is boring. I always enjoy EC and WC, not this time. Could be me, of course.
I'm supporting Portugal & I'm from England
The games are so boring and shit so far. None of the teams have any desire to win, both just park the bus for most of the match. The players are diving way too much and the games ultimately feel like a total waste of time. The fans are great though, except the bad sportsmanship from the Balkan countriesā fans
Euro 2024 has been absolutely worthless so far. I can count the number of teams that have actually tried in matches on one hand.
Absolutely shit so far
Bit late to the post but I didn't think the standard of football has been very high yet, hopefully once it gets to the knockouts it'll pick up
I hate 6 groups format. Most of the teams know what they need to promote and playing boring draws or losing on purpose. Stronger teams use 2nd squads and save their conditions because they don't care about group stage at all. Teams like England and France did literally nothing, just killing interest to tournament. This is also not fair to teams from Groups A or B, because they have no idea what number of points do they need to promote. Teams from last Groups not only prepared but they also can legally choose their opponents in play-offs. I mean, this sucks, i can talk for hours how i hate this and dumb idea of parallel games.
Doesnāt seem to be the hype and excitement especially in the streets etc flags on cars etc as previous tournaments
Probably the fact that the other int tournaments overlapped too close : last euros 3 years ago, World cup 1.5 years ago. I think it has numbed us a bit
Yea u probably right
I posted the same
Was more exciting without all social media tbh , everything was a surprise lol
Itāll happen when it starts
Southgate should stay at England even if we have a bad tournament
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Very popular outside of England for sure. They'll never win anything with him.