Semi-Finals: Portugal v Wales, 6th July, 8pm

[thespus]

Ramsey is/was structurally integral to this Welsh side: most ground covered, most touches, and the most created chances. He gets between the lines to open vertical options. He also wins tackles and finds scoring chances for himself. (I wish he fit well in a midfield featuring Özil.) Without him, Bale drops deeper, allowing Portugal to play compact since he isn't running behind.

It's not an excuse; everyone must abide by the ludicrous yellow card policy, and all of the sides are/were missing important players.

Portugal isn't getting enough credit in here. They haven't convinced. But how often did we hear SAF's United being praised—the stuff of champions—for winning matches in which they struggled? Germany, France, and Spain are the only countries with considerably more individual talent; they are on par with Belgium and England, but have actual coherent strategy. Wilmots and Hodgson have similar weaknesses.

Wales are the only side to lose to Portugal in 90 mins, and respond to being 2-0 down by bringing on Simon Church.

In honesty, well done for making it this far, although it is a fluke, they are an average side. Hopefully they do well in their next tournament in 58 years time.

Might try some water to balance out that salt. Wales are 1/20th the size of England yet won more matches this tournament than England has in their last three major tournaments combined.

 

[Master D]

No idea where this crazy idea that England fans are arrogant and entitled comes from.

 

[Abertawe]

This Smat fella is a bit of a clown, you will be saying it was Lee Rigby's fault his head was chopped of soon.

And it was remainers who sent our troops in wasn't it?

Ramsey is/was structurally integral to this Welsh side: most ground covered, most touches, and the most created chances. He gets between the lines to open vertical options. He also wins tackles and finds scoring chances for himself. (I wish he fit well in a midfield featuring Özil.) Without him, Bale drops deeper, allowing Portugal to play compact since he isn't running behind.

It's not an excuse; everyone must abide by the ludicrous yellow card policy, and all of the sides are/were missing important players.

Portugal isn't getting enough credit in here. They haven't convinced. But how often did we hear SAF's United being praised—the stuff of champions—for winning matches in which they struggled? Germany, France, and Spain are the only countries with considerably more individual talent; they are on par with Belgium and England, but have actual coherent strategy. Wilmots and Hodgson have similar weaknesses.



Might try some water to balance out that salt. Wales are 1/20th the size of England yet won more matches this tournament than England has in their last three major tournaments combined.

Great post.

 

[Stevencc]

No idea where this crazy idea that England fans are arrogant and entitled comes from.

Hopefully it's based on more than a few ninnies talking shite on a football forum!

 

[Abertawe]

I actually blame our defeat last night on the English supporting us, cursed pricks.

 

[Stevencc]

I actually blame our defeat last night on the English supporting us, cursed pricks.

You missed a great opportunity to blame it all on the massive English contingent in your squad there.

 

[Abertawe]

You missed a great opportunity to blame it all on the massive English contingent in your squad there.

They're Welsh. They've earned that right, just like Leon has.

 

[Stevencc]

Handsome fella, ain't he?

 

[thespus]

Germany, chasing a goal, are now without two of the best center backs in the world at contributing to the attack in Hummels and Boateng.

 

[Pagnell]

Germany, chasing a goal, are now without two of the best center backs in the world at contributing to the attack in Hummels and Boateng.

Wrong thread?

 

[thespus]

Wrong thread?

Very much.

 

[mnb089mnb]

My Wales assessment,

v Slovakia - Lucky to get a win, goal line clearances and the post saved the day, but they won.

v England - Looked like a rabbit in the headlights, played for a draw and got stung, looked very poor in all honesty.

v Russia - Did what England could not do, tore apart a Russian team who had already called it a day.

v Northern Ireland - Really poor, NI attacked them and Wales did not know what to do, got lucky with an OG, but I guess you make your own luck.

v Belgium - Great team spirit, came from behind and beat a Belguim side that seem to play 1 brilliant game in 5.

v Portugal - Back to being poor, their luck finally run out and deservedly beaten by a Portuguese side who seem to know how to grind results out.

Overall assessment - Very lucky to get as far as they did, but they did get that far so fair play for that, but I can't see how they will progress any further in the future after one lucky tournament, for all the knocking of England, when England knuckle down they would and did blow Wales out of the water, though this game seems to have been conventionally airbrushed from history. As Iceland showed us, turn up thinking you will win but with no plan B then it's curtains, and I would put Wales in with Iceland and Northern Ireland as a good team group who could hurt you if you are half hearted. I will be very interested to see how Wales do now, Coleman's stock has risen and will soon abandon ship to get back into league football, I can't see wales qualifying for Russia, but I think Welsh football will enjoy a bounce for a while.

Brilliant

 

[mnb089mnb]

I think people are being unfair on Portugal. I think they're the best team Wales faced at the Euros. They were very solid at the back and gave nothing away. Wales couldn't break down their defence with the ball, the only chances they managed to make came from counter-attacks or errors (which were few and far between).

Ultimately we weren't good enough. There's no shame in that. It was always going to happen at some point, it's just surprising it came at the semi final stage of the tournament. As much as we did miss Ramsey hugely, I can't imagine it would have changed the outcome of the game. I have sympathy with those who want to change the yellow card rule, but if it was relaxed I imagine it would just encourage players to time-waste and foul a little more. It's a difficult balance.

Playing 6 games and winning 4 is magnificent (only France will have won more games at this tournament). None of those 4 games we won were fluky/backs against the wall games either. Those who talk about team spirit are missing the point a little, yes, there's a great bond between this bunch of players, but there's also a lot of talent. Wales have played some superb football at Euro 2016.

I'm realistic enough to know that Wales are very unlikely to get as far as this again in my lifetime, but I'd like to think this can be the catalyst for at least competing in qualifying groups in future. In the past we've struggled to be in the top four in our group, never mind the top four in the continent as we are now!

 

[Bobbin']

Wales having an open top bus parade after losing in a semi-final

Followed by the Icelandic clap.

Fuck sake.

 

[mnb089mnb]

Wales having an open top bus parade after losing in a semi-final

Followed by the Icelandic clap.

Fuck sake.

Why do you hate people having fun? Loads of people turned out for it and had a good time.

 

[Bobbin']

Why do you hate people having fun? Loads of people turned out for it and had a good time.

Quite simply, because it wasn't us. If we can't have fun at tournaments neither should you.

 

[JaredSUFC]

Wales having an open top bus parade after losing in a semi-final

Followed by the Icelandic clap.

Fuck sake.

I know, copying Englands response to Italia 90 (with the modern twist) is embarrassing.

I went to it. I had fun. Hopefully this continues to build goodwill for the national team

 

[Bluebird_Dai]

We've also been charged by UEFA for the serious crime of having kids on the pitch after the final whistle.

 

[smat]

We've also been charged by UEFA for the serious crime of having kids on the pitch after the final whistle.

I hope they come down on you with the full force of the fucking law.

 

[Bluebird_Dai]

I hope they come down on you with the full force of the fucking law.

I expect nothing less! Expulsion from the next 50 qualifying campaigns should do the trick.

 

[epic73]

Followed by the Icelandic clap.

Everyone's stealing it, Wales and France disqualified from the World Cup qualifying then?

 

[Bobbin']

Everyone's stealing it, Wales and France disqualified from the World Cup qualifying then?

Couldn't care less.

 

[Benji]

We've also been charged by UEFA for the serious crime of having kids on the pitch after the final whistle.

Very unfair, Jonny Williams was in the match day squad.