Rousseau

UKR-AUS stumped us, and no one predicted the RUS-DEN game to have so many goals. But, there were a lot of Correct Scores from the FIN-BEL and MAC-NED games.

Only two games today?! And both on at the same time?! Aw...

It's really interesting what Germany have done. They had no outstanding CBs, no Full-backs and no striker from which to choose. They've thought, 'fuck it-- three at the back, push Kimmich (who's a central midfielder now) to wing-back, and play with three false 9s'.

We're still waiting on predictions from @stewarty @26th of foot and @Ted McMinnime @compo - you need to complete your score for Slovakia-Spain.

Standings, after Matchday 2:

I've been very impressed with Germany-- even when they were behind, I thought they were playing well, doing the right things. 'Group of Death' is now wide open!

£25 Million, Porto, please. It's interesting-- I'm much more accepting of this bid than I have been previously. I think it's because we've built a team that does not rely on a striker to get the goals. Which means we're able to get replacements in much easier.

Italy 2 - 0 Wales Switzerland 1 - 0 Turkey Ukraine 2 - 0 Austria N. Macedonia 0 - 3 Netherlands Russia 1 - 2 Denmark Finland 0 - 2 Belgium Croatia 1 - 0 Scotland Czech Republic 0 - 1 England Sweden 2 - 0 Poland Slovakia 0 - 2 Spain Portugal 0 - 1 France Germany 2 - 0 Hungary

Strange schedule, but here we are: Matchday 3! Italy - Wales Switzerland - Turkey Ukraine - Austria N. Macedonia - Netherlands Russia - Denmark Finland - Belgium Croatia - Scotland Czech Republic - England Sweden - Poland Slovakia - Spain Portugal - France Germany - Hungary

I can feel my brain cells screaming in agony listening to John Hartson. Faboolus.

I wonder if Ukraine wouldn't mind keeping the score at 2-0? Do they really need to score more?

Finland-Russia and Turkey-Wales yielded very few points. Everyone had an Italy win, though, with Yorkie, BEARGER, Stewarty and CammyF gaining Correct Scores.

I had presumed Turkey were made to look ordinary by a good Italian side. I now think they're just rubbish.

Jeez-- Finland must be cursed. That's a Russian lad taken a bad fall.

What's a good old-fashioned 'titty twister' between friends?

There are calls for Rudiger to get retrospectively banned. Lads nibbling on each other and everyone wants blood. Game's gone.

Seconds away from my first Correct Score... bloody Ronaldo!

Still waiting on predictions from @Tannochsidebear @stewarty @Ted McMinnime and @26th of foot.

Once is enough, mate.

I thought Poland looked good in flashes, but not consistently, and then that red card killed them.

I was actually disappoint with Sweden. They did not play how I expected. I expected them to compact the space, in that narrow 4-4-2, defending aggressively in a mid to deep block, then play on the transitions, with quick vertical passing to get in behind. They left too much space in the first half, and then no one moved when they recovered the ball, to facilitate a decent counter. They did better the second half. Danny Murphy kept complaining about their 4-4-2, with two strikers that were 'playing too deep'. He has no awareness of the fact that's how it should be, and is, played by Sweden: they're supposed to be compacting the space and cutting off the middle of the park, to give the Spanish midfield nothing -- which they actually did quite well. It's like Southampton: their 2 strikers are deep in defence, then burst in behind when they win the ball, and their wide men tuck inside so it's a 4-2-2-2. Similar to what Sweden tried to do, with Forsberg (a quick forward), playing LM. Do these pundits do any research? Anyway-- that's my punditry rant for today...

It's so predictable from Shearer and Ferdinand: Spain will have too much, because they're Spain. No awareness at all. I think it was the Europa League final, when the Penalties were about to be taken, Ferdinand was asked who'd win. He's says, Man Utd. He's then informed that Villarreal have won their last several penalty shoot-outs, whereas Man Utd have lost their last few. He still thinks Man Utd will win, because they're Man Utd. They did not win. They're thick as Sh*t. I was really impressed by Emma Hayes. Her tactical input was superb. It was fascinating to listen to. It wasn't just the same player-focused rubbish. She was giving us a breakdown of what the managers were doing, tactically. Too many players just don't have an awareness of this, for me.

Well-- I'm still doing terribly, but at least we're all in the same boat now. From the last two games, only one player (Ted) got a point.