The rolling Football Thread (including EURO 2016!).

[BelfastBloke]

In the spirit of previous rolling Football threads, would posters sign in with:

1. What country/countries you support
2. What country teams you particularly dislike (Euro or world)?
3. What things your family are doing to get your kids excited about the Euro 2016 tournament?
4. A comment about a player or two, or an issue or two.

If I were gunner I'd be a bit pissed off. You have a chance to play for us and you ponder it? Off you pop.

What about Mark Wright for Sunderland though ?!

Neat left foot at least.

Yeah my husbands a gunner and feels the same. Also didn't think he'd do well in the team. Seems Vardy has changed his Twitter header to Leicester lifting the trophy, make of that what you will.

Mark Wright for Sunderland? That's an interesting one...

I'm a Gooner and I'm not pissed off. Why shouldn't he ponder it?

He's a champion playing in a league-winning team that is completely set up to play to his strengths. While Arsenal is a massive step up in terms of club, it isn't NECESSARILY best for him personally or tactically. He already has Champions League footy.

I support Arsenal too (in England), and I'd be considering my options too. OK Arsenal is usually on the top but hasn't been on the top for years. OTOH, Leicester could be a one hit wonder and easily go down fast next year.
Tough choice.

Looks like he's postponed any decision until after the tournament.

Presumably that means we're less likely to get him. Either Leicester will make a more attractive offer to him, or more clubs will pile in, if he has a good tournament.

I think you are all being incredibly even-handed and 'understanding'.

Puts wenger in a bit of a tricky position, I think...any striker he makes overtures to will feel 'second choice'.

Can't blame the lad for thinking about - let's face it, no-one grows up dreaming of playing for Leicester and whilst I would love the team to stay in tact and defend the title, I suspect the other teams will have woken up this season and they won't get away with how they've played so much next season. We were also very lucky with regards to injuries and went out fairly early in the capital one cup and fa cup, so had fewer games overall.

I also wonder how he will feel about wengers comments about how he is too inexperienced to start for England....after being the 'hero' of Leicester city where there would no doubt be much wailing and gnashing of teeth if he didn't start, would he want a manager who felt he was inexperienced? There's a lot of attraction to being a big fish in a small pond - although that small pond have just won the premier league and will be playing in Europe next year.

Don't get me wrong, I will be whooping for joy if he stays...and may kick my husband in the shins if he goes

Will anyone be watching the opening ceremony?

It's fair enough to be dismissive of these, but I often kind of like them when I see them.

Not for me. Though I did like the Olympics opening ceremony and could take watching that all over again.

Well, that ceremony started off quite decent and then got quite rubbish. Why were they singing in English?

THat ceremony was dire wasn't it.

Why were they singing in English?

Parce que personne ne comprends Français.

I'm actually surprised. The French are very proud of their language. I imagine it could have been a UEFA imposition.

So Payet was clearly the man of the match.

When he scored loads of free kicks for West Ham last season, didn't the Guardian Football podcast suggest that the opposition's walls were actually helping him, and confusing the goalies; and maybe teams should NOT set up defensive walls against him? Let him just have a straight crack at goal?

Certainly it was an amazing strike.

It was a great goal. He took advantage of a split second gap between all those players. And curved it right into the corner.
And the crying as he left the pitch, bless him. that's my mummy bit

Phenomenal goal !
Waking up to news of England fans causing bother. I went to France '98 and even now struggle a bit with supporting England after what I saw.

How have I only just discovered this thread?!

I'm supporting England and ROI. DS is 8 now and this is the first tournament he's excited about.

DH and I strongly disagree on Roy's team choice. He thinks it's a massive mistake taking so little defenders, I on the other hand think it is possibly a stroke of genius. Years and years of crushing disappointment has made me think, why not? Why not change the way we play. Attacking football could be the way to go. We've got the youngest team, possibly the best team we've had in a long time. I'm happy for Rashford but I've got a feeling he won't get played. I hope I'm wrong. It's a risk having so few centre backs, hopefully it will pay off.

Has anyone put a bet on for tonight? I'm thinking of putting a fiver on England.

Oh no, I never bet on my own team. Tempting fate and all that. Not that I gamble very often, but I usually lose when I do!

Mind you, I did bet on the grand national this year as I always do and actually won. With a complete outsider. Maybe I should put a little something on. DH wants to put a bet on one of our central defenders getting injured in the first 10 minutes. I've told him divorce is on the cards if he carries on talking like that

Why do England 'fans' have to do it?

Cracking goal from payet though.
The opening ceremony was amusing, particularly when it flashed to the crowd and they were all stood there with 'wtf' faces. I actually felt sorry for David guetta.

Might have a fiver on England tonight, I've got a couple of free bets.

I think we'll be playing this

Opening ceremony was a bit meh.
Match was better than I expected and what a goal!

Bring on today

MrsF