Euro 2016 - Group D - Czech Rep. vs Turkey, Croatia vs Spain, 8 pm, TV3, RTE, ITV

Mr.Nice Guy

Teams:

Czech Republic: Cech, Kaderabek, Sivok, Hubnik, Pudil, Pavelka, Darida, Plasil, Dockal, Necid, Krejci.

Turkey: Babacan, Gonul, Topal, Balta, Koybasi, Mor, Tufan, Inan, Sen, Turan, Yilmaz.


Croatia: Subasic, Srna, Corluka, Jedvaj, Vrsaljko, Rog, Badelj, Perisic, Rakitic, Pjaca, Nikola Kalinic.

Spain: De Gea, Juanfran, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Fabregas, Busquets, Iniesta, Silva, Morata, Nolito.


Modric has been rested due to concerns over a groin injury. That disappoints me as I was wondering how Croatia would get on against Spain with him in the side.

The Czechs versus the Turks has interesting implications for the teams looking to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. If the Czechs fail to win then NI will be qualified tonight.

Not sure which of these games to watch tbh. Thoughts on tonight's games?

Mr.Nice Guy

This doesn't sound good (via The Guardian):

Reports are circulating that Croatian fans are planning further disturbances during tonight’s match, including an attack on referee Bjorn Kuipers in the 30th minute.

“We have information that the same people that caused trouble in St. Etienne will try the same, and even try to attack the referee in 30th minute of the match,” said Nikola Kajkic, president of the Croatian Police Union.

Canadel

Croatia is a serious conveyor belt for technically superior midfielders. They're doing something right at underage level over there producing two current centre midfielders for Barca and Real respectively. Hendrick isn't too far off that level though and will hopefully prove it against Italy.

Canadel

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

This doesn't sound good (via The Guardian):

Sounds great. Free entertainment for us at home.

Silly by the Croatians though. They disrupted their team's momentum against the Czechs leading to the draw. They have a good, technically proficient team, and should just sit back and allow them to play.

Scorpion Sting

I fancy Spain to win as Modric being out is a big blow for the Croatians. I think it'll be a draw in the other game.

GreNoLi

Canadel wrote: »

Croatia is a serious conveyor belt for technically superior midfielders. They're doing something right at underage level over there producing two current centre midfielders for Barca and Real respectively. Hendrick isn't too far off that level though and will hopefully prove it against Italy.

Hendrick is miles away from being at the same level as a Modric or Rakitic.

Canadel

GreNoLi wrote: »

Hendrick is miles away from being at the same level as a Modric or Rakitic.

I know. It was a personal reaction to the undue praise being heaped upon Joe Allen recently, which would have been entirely unknown to anybody reading.

DarraghF197

Damn, I was really hoping to see which midfield to come out on top between Spain and Croatia, but, with Modric out, it looks like the Spanish midfield will control the play.

I'll go for 2-1 to Spain.

LuckyGent88

Spanish jersey is hurting my eyes!!

namloc1980

Serious 90s vibe off that Spanish jersey.

Bret Hart

2-2 in Czech game. 2-1 in Spain.

siblers

I dunno if I love or hate that Spanish shirt. Reminds me a bit of the 94 German kit.

That_Guy

From a distance, it looks like the entire Spanish team spilled spaghetti all over their jerseys.

caviardreams

Ah here, two away kits tonight. Really not getting the kit changes for the Euros.

LuckyGent88

Some ball by silva

That_Guy

Well that was a pretty grand goal.

dfx-

Right through them from the goal-line:)

smileyj1987

This Spain really can go all the way

Mr.Nice Guy

Lovely build up play, as you'd expect.

Mr.Nice Guy

Good news for NI fans - Turkey have scored.

LuckyGent88

Oh my days.

Johner

Shocking from De Gea

That_Guy

Jesus what were Spain at there????

Mint Sauce

Was that in?

That_Guy

TV3 are hopeless. Not even acknowledging the Turkey goal.

Mr.Nice Guy

I thought that was a goal. Great effort.

GreNoLi

Show the replay ffs.

R00ster

If Turkey win by two they'll go above Albania and would then require Italy and Belgium to avoid defeat. If they win by 4 they are through.

Mr.Nice Guy

TV3 finally show the goal that happened 9 minutes ago. :pac:

trashcan

Potential goal fest in Spain v Croatia I think. Very open game so far.

(cue 1-0 Spain win )

Ol' Donie

Worst jersey ever. Tur Cze game is pretty good.

namloc1980

Looking good for the North to qualify at the moment.

Mr.Nice Guy

Croatia goal. 1-1. Kalinic.

Skylinehead

Croatia deserved that.

Qiaonasen

Come on the Croatia! Too easy

smileyj1987

That was a great finish by kalinic to make it 1-1 the cross was brilliant

blueser

Did Tyldesley say "Barcelona outnumbered at the back" after that goal?

Irish_rat

Delighted for Croatia. Can you imagine what it would be like with Modric on the pitch

Harry Palmr

At a glance the Spain shirts suggest a maniac with a shotgun has bagged the entire team in exactly the same spot each time.

murpho999

Deserved equaliser for Croatia.
Great to watch how a nation smaller than Ireland can pass a ball around, especially out of defence unlike our own 'hoof' ball tactics.

Mr.Nice Guy

If Spain finish second in this group, their round of 16 match will be against Italy.

Irish_rat

Canadel wrote: »

producing two current centre midfielders for Barca and Real respectively. Hendrick isn't too far off that level though and will hopefully prove it against Italy.

Hendrick isint too far off Modric and Rakitic's level? Wow.

murpho999

These simucasts are a great opportunity to compare the amount of ads and analysis on RTE and TV3.

TV3 winning hands down. 3 Mins 'analysis with ads either side, with just the one break for RTE and plenty of analysis time.

Arghus

Serious footballing ability on show at times during the Spain-Croatia game.

Irish_rat

Could Rakitic have done any better there?

What ah idiot, it was a fantastic attempt.

Ol' Donie

About a million head clashes in the Turkey game.

Mr.Nice Guy

Saw this on the BBC:

Spain faced 9 shots against Croatia, the most they've faced in the first half of a Euros game since 2004 vs Portugal (10).

This Croatian side could go far.

smileyj1987

Harry Palmr wrote: »

At a glance the Spain shirts suggest a maniac with a shotgun has bagged the entire team in exactly the same spot each time.

I kinda like the shirt

crisco10

Ol' Donie wrote: »

About a million head clashes in the Turkey game.

There was 2 lads who genuinely clashed heads but 1 of the Czechs just fell down for the sake of it. Lol

GreNoLi

Go on Croatia.

Kobe248

Croatia possibly have the best center midfield in the world

What they would do for a Suker upfront