Like all the home nations and Rep Ireland to do well/qualify. Thought you looked the better team in the first half, but as the game went on and into extra time Poland came back into it. Shame for James, not sure why he was selected to take a pen though, speaking with a Leeds hat on, i'd have more confidence in Ampadu scoring one than him.
I always want the home nations and ROI to do well. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy the banter when their fans give it out but fall flat on their faces heh heh.
Poland are a better team, but there just wasn’t the same spark as when we started with Brooks, Johnson and Wilson up-top against Finland. Played with a higher tempo then and had them flapping throughout the game on the counter. Not a criticism of Kieffer, but the dynamic changed. Seems Page’s hand was forced into a change as Brooksy not not well during the build-up. Poland didn’t manage a shot on target in 120 mins but were composed and solid and it was a pretty even game overall. One of those between evenly matched teams that could have gone either way and where there’s probably no need to look for somebody to blame.
I thought the decision to take off Brennan Johnson was odd. He looked decent and Wales barely threatened without him. Also, I know he wasn't fully fit but surely throwing Aaron Ramsay on for the final few minutes of extra time to have him on a penalty would've made sense?
Felt for Wales last night, as an england fan i know that feeling all too well. Its dissapointing wales won't be there. As for England we've got zero chance of winning it...another 1/4 final defeat IMO.
Wales have done well in recent years, but teams like Poland have been at it a bit longer, qualified for 2012 (hosts), 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and have a fair strength so was never going to be easy. Always disappointing to go out by 1 goal or on penalties, so near but yet so far. I dislike intently the fact that sides in eg League B and League C get to play weaker opponents to reach a major tournament via the back door, straight draw would be fairer with no seeding Wales had to play Finland then Poland, Ukraine only had to play Bosnia and Iceland, Georgia only had to play LUXEMBOURG and Greece......
I think it's fine to prepare yourself mentally for disappointment, because lord know the national side are experts at falling short of expectations, but we've clearly got a reasonable chance of winning it and are joint faves with France for a reason
we're always favourites though, only last euros we came close but still couldnt do it against an average italy side at home, we aint winning it, not even close. Happy to be proven wrong though LOL
Aren't you the one that was pretty much cheering every Aussie wicket during the last Ashes because you didn't want to be proven wrong?
@Taffy Happy with Page staying on? Anyone else you can think of who realistically could be better ? Rob Page to remain as Wales manager
That's nonsense. It's only the last two tournaments we've been seriously among the favourites. 2018 backwards the last time we were favourites for anything was 2004.
Unlucky for Sam Johnstone . Sounds like he would have been 2nd choice too . Is Pope fit soon ? Johnstone set to miss Euros after elbow surgery
Not true, not only were we amongst the fav's in 2020 but in 2016 and 2012 we were amongst the fav's too.....always fail, just like we will again.
The lowest pre-tournament odds you could get on England outright for Euro 2012 were 10/1 with an average of 12/1, thats behind 4 other nations including Germany 3/1, Holland 13/2, France 9/1 and heavy favourites Spain who were 11/4. Euro 2016 is more of a fair argument as its a more open market. France and Germany were joint favourites at a modest 4/1, Belgium 11/2, Spain 6/1, England 8/1, Croatia 9/1 & Portugal 10/1. Among the favourites is stretching it a bit
depends who the people having X as favourites are, media generally, British media, bookmakers (who are a business so not looking as much at probability as making sure they don't lose money), fans worldwide or England fans.... bookies get stung from time to time, the Leicester title win with stupid odds a good example, another where some bookie assistant hadn't heard of an aussie quick (Hilfenhaus) so gave away good odds on being top wicket taker in an Ashes and cost them favourites for a tournament is subjective regardless whose view on them it is, not that I rate many pundits their view is at least impartial with regards monetary loss/gain - unless they happen to be a Toney
Favourites being determined by odds holds far more weight than what a pundit giving a prediction does. Eto'o said that Cameroon would win the last World Cup, that doesn't suddenly make them favourites does it
Wisdom of the crowd. Surprised to see we're favourites for the upcoming tournament. That's nothing against us, I just think France are better.
