Rousseau

We all gain a point for predicting the Italian Win, but onevision, buster., TB, Craig, Whosthedado, Bearman and Mrs Craig gain an extra 3 points for predicting the correct 1-0 scoreline! We have a new leader in buster! Latest Standings: IFRAME Not Available. Direct Link to Spreadsheet.

What a goal that was! 1-0 Italy!

It's been a pretty poor game; low on quality, and very few chances. If it stays at 0-0 then nobody scores a point!

Hill won the Championship, and got promoted a 2nd time through the Play-offs. Barton has won the Championship twice, and got promoted a 3rd time via the play-offs. Kranjcar has won 8 titles (Leagues, Cups and Super Cups) in his native Croatia -- not sure how prestigious they are, but they are titles I suppose -- and won the FA Cup with Portsmouth, and got promoted with QPR. Interestingly, they've all won Player-of-the-Year awards at various clubs. That can't be a bad thing? I never noticed the QPR link before. Perhaps Warburton has a contact? The players he scouts seem to be those he knows, has worked with before, or trusts someone who knows them.

We have some decent games today: Italy-Sweden, Czech-Croatia and Spain-Turkey. I found Italy the most impressive side from the first round of matches; supreme organisation and team spirit overcoming their deficiencies in general quality. It is a good demonstration of how good a team can be with lesser players that are willing to play the role and commit to the cause. Giaccherini is an average player, shunted by Sunderland, but his willingness to play the role Conte demands and willingness to run himself into the ground ,means he's an effective team-player. Conte will be a good addition to the Premier League next season. Here we are, if not criticising, at least underwhelmed by our signings thus far, but if they contribute to the cause, play their assigned roles and improve the overall team ethic, then they will be a success; it's not always about individual quality. The balkan connection would suggest Czech-Croatia could be a unique affair -- perhaps, a derby? Croatia looked good in the first game, and remain my outsiders to do well. They have an excellent group of players. Spain are always interesting to watch, if a little dull at times. Turkey could prove a stiff test. (Hopefully not though, as I have predicted a 2-0 Spain win!)

Several players got full points in the England-Wales game, but the Ukraine-N. Ireland and Germany-Poland games were fruitless for most of us. Mrs Craig picked up a point for Correctly predicting the Northern Ireland Win, and buster gains a point for predicting the Germany-Poland draw. That point pushes buster into 2nd place outright. Latest Standings: IFRAME Not Available. Direct Link to Spreadsheet.

Northern Ireland score again! FT 0-2. That screwed everyone apart from Mrs Craig, who gains a point (1 minute away from full points). (Easiest write-up I've had to do!) Latest Standings: IFRAME Not Available. Direct Link to Spreadsheet.

Ha! They are back out. 2 minutes. Piece of pish.

Wow! Match suspended due to adverse weather conditions. British players play in that week-in, week-out!

Northern Ireland take the lead! My prediction is screwed. I'm delighted.

Steven Davis is a joy to watch: movement, positioning, vision and work-rate is second-to-none. He would be an absolute dream in our current midfield.

Iain Dowie is an awful commentator: he can barely string a sentence together; and when he does manage it, it's hardly insightful. #wibble

Yes, saw it. Brilliant call.

Quite a high scoring game. 7 players get full points, and 8 get 1 point. I extend my lead by a point, but we have 3 tied for 2nd! Latest Standings: IFRAME Not Available. Direct Link to Spreadsheet.

Yaaassss!! 2-1 England! Sturridge! 4 lovely points! Gutted for Mrs Craig.

I think wee Jonny Williams is a good player for Wales. Terrific the first game, and being a real nuisance today too.

Ooft: Rashford coming on too!

Mrs Craig, rbr and Bearman are all currently on full points!

Vardy scores! 1-1! Offside?!

On reflection, I agree it wasn't really a screamer. I was, perhaps, focusing too much of the distance? I was grasping for an appropriate description! "Bale has just scored a... goal" doesn't have the same power.

You do indeed. I have a 2-1 England victory. With Vardy and Sturridge on, we may have a shot.

Holy smokes! Vardy AND Sturridge coming on!

Agree completely on Stirling. Too much emphasis on pace and athleticism at times; even if you have it, without the technique, decision-making etc. it's worthless. I liked the 4-4-2 diamond they were playing. It suited the midfield, and allowed them to play Vardy and Kane. I don't know why he reverted to 4-3-3 in the tournament?

What's the definition of a "screamer"? There is a lot of pace and dip on it, but yes, Hart should be saving that. Like the guys in the studio say, if Hart stands in the middle of the goal, and asked someone to smash it from 35-yards, 99 times out of 100, he saves it. His positioning is off slightly, but even then he should be saving it. Good hit though.

Stirling has always been poor in an England shirt IMO, and his form for Man City has hardly been noteworthy; he's just an average winger, for me.