Euro 2024 AH thread

I remember my first European championships

Euro 88 , things were simpler before the iron curtain fell

If England get Kane, Saka, Foden, Bellingham and Walker firing with something resembling a fit Luke Shaw for the latter stages they should win it, the only thing holding them back will be Southgate's tactical cowardice in game.

France should be there or there abouts, Germany with home advantage. Italy could bore their way into the final.

Best value comes from the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal or Spain.

I was also skeptical of the 24 game format. 2016 was a bit of a dire slog through the group stages: lots of teams playing for draws and the like and hoping to scrape through as one of the best third placers in the group.

Though I have to say I think the last Euros was maybe - maybe - the best tournament I've ever seen. Maybe it was because it was the first big tournament post COVID and there was a bit of novelty, mixed with relief, to it all, but I don't remember much negative football: most teams just went for it. And there was some great stories too: Denmark making that deep run into it after the Eriksson health scare, the psychodrama of England - so poor in the group and then the gathering momentum after that - the romance of Italy going all the way.

I'll also never out the Monday of the last 16 round ties - "Magic Monday" - Spain V Croatia & France V Switzerland. What a day of football that was: both games were epics that were full of drama and massive twists and turns. I think France V Switzerland is my favourite game of all time.

I'll also, sadly, never forget how it was right at the business end of the tournament: semi finals and finals when boards migrated to Vanilla and was down for a number of days. Great timing lads!

But, anyway, let's hope this doesn't occur this time: I'd have more genuine concern about boards abruptly just plain old full stop ceasing to exist at any moment, than a temporary pause on service!

Haven't really been following the form going into this. England are being touted as potential winners, but, I just never believe they will. France have ridiculous depth & Germany have home advantage.

I might put a few quid on Portugal - they do have quality all over their squad.

Four third placed teams qualifying is rewarding mediocrity I think.

They can't afford it anymore paying foreigners to come in.

What's more surprising is that none of the half decent Irish players of the 90's and 00's are interested. Even if they weren't great at speaking at least their opinion would be worth something unlike the people they do have - okay Stephen Kelly was fairly decent.

Maybe they can only afford people living in Dublin?

The only "foreigners" I remember were Sourness and Hamman, Kinnear is Irish. Hamman is still there.

Doyle, Given and McClean all live in England AFAIK.

From the 90s you have both Houghton and Whelan on Co-Comms as usual.

The rest of the squads from that era don't do TV punditry or are available, Townsend does Co-Comms syndicated and Talksport, Cas is on talksport and Keane works for ITV.

Lawrenson is retired and Irwin does the bare minimum on MUTV.

That leaves Quinn who doesn't do it anymore.

So who do you think the half decent Irish players should be from that era, who did I miss?

Forgot Ozzie, he wasn't that long ago TBF.

Point remains though, we never really populated the panel with non Irish players with must of them living or still living in England.

So the idea we can't afford to employ foreign pundits falls flat.

Postecoglou is a pundit for ITV so him and Keane should be fun.

Moyes and Thomas Frank will be interesting for the BBC.

Didn't do Ireland any harm in WC 1994 or Euro 2016.

There are some points that might support this view, such as timing in that they were around for the 'glory' years so we were happy to see them. They also had Bill, who I think brought them up a few levels. What a brilliant broadcaster he was.

With Elections, Athletics, GAA and Rugby I haven't been keeping up to speed with this tourney but love international soccer. Who are the main favourites?

Pity it's not on Virgin.

Thank fúck it isn't. They are still broadcasting in SD on saorview.

The matches look like they are been livestream through a frosty window using a Nokia 3310.

It's like watching sensible soccer being played on a megadrive

We finished 2nd in 94.

All 4 teams had the same points and goal difference.

Jesus it's depressing. I'll stick to ITV & BBC.

Virgins LOI/European coverage is quality. (In fairness RTE LOI coverage isn't total shite)

Player plus 6 final group games on RTÉ Player & RTÉ News channel. Peter Collins, Joanne Cantwell, Tony O’Donoghue and Jacqui Hurley will present all the action and will be joined in studio by an all-star line-up of panellists.

RTÉ Sport’s coverage will feature personalities well-known to Irish audiences, including our own Euro heroes – Shay Given, Ray Houghton, Ronnie Whelan and Kevin Doyle – plus World Cup Finalist Didi Hamann, along with Stephanie Roche, Stephen Kelly, Lisa Fallon and Richie Sadlier. Making his RTÉ tournament debut is Republic of Ireland centurion James McClean.

All live matches will have RTÉ commentary from a team including Darragh Maloney, Des Curran, George Hamilton, Adrian Eames, John Kenny and Cathal Mullaney with co-commentators Ray Houghton, Ronnie Whelan, Stephen Kelly and Kenny Cunningham.

Nah, fcuk that.

That accent would send you to the loonie bin. Only our Nordie friends beat them to number 1 spot.

Referancing the post supporting Scotland