I tipped France to win at the start of the tournament but fair play to Portugal for riding their luck at times and keeping it goalless, and then being the better side in extra time and getting the goal.
Awful tournament. Fracne have perhaps the best team in the world right now, but should have given more of an opportunity to Coman and Martial. I'm just glad it's over and real football can begin again.
I never said that the penalty decision itself was fortuitous, it's been established many times since via replays and pics that it was the correct one. What I meant was that France were fortunate to be going into the break 1-0 up when Germany could/should have been at least two goals up by then. There was still an element of luck with the freakish nature of the penalty incident, the referee probably should have blown up for half time by then and Germany uncharacteristically hit the panic button after being on top for so much of the game for a long time up to that point. They didn't really earn their place in the final and I'm glad justice has been served, though I imagine I'm very much in the minority.
I actually thought Portugal were a little more attacking than in previous games but that isn't saying much! France just didn't turn up but still had their chances. Just proves what good organisation and team work can do though.
Nope, I had a great time. Yes, many of the games were stalemates to the end, and the final featured the worst show by a champ since 2004, but I had fun and will miss it... The days we had Copa in the evening and Euros in the morning here were really really fun. Farewell summer of soccer
Although it does not seem right that a team finishes the group third out of four should win the tourenment, them are the rules, you could argue that a team that finishes sixth can win the play offs, it tourenment football and all about not losing. Congratulations Portugal, it proves you are not a one man team, your goalie was superb last night, love or hate ronaldo with all his money you could see how much this win meant to him. Not a good tourenment, the highlights being Iceland, Wales (ouch) Hungary and Croatia. I thought Italy would win it, I really hope they do away with 3rd place idea. I was hoping that France would win it after the year they had. Role on Russia
Agreed - World Cup 2010 was horrific. As for Portugal, the 90 minute thing seems a bit arbitrary. Surely they beat highly rated Croatia and beat favourites France fair and square albeit after 120 minutes? They only won one game on penalties and didn't lose a match all tournament. As for France - felt like they played safe in the final, both with their initial line up (Pogba deep) and with their substitutions (taking Payet off). Reckon they didn't go for it as much as they could have.
Well their manager was in charge of Greece for a while (not when they won the Euros of course!) Team of the Tournament.. 2 Welsh players but no Bale. Mainly from Portugal of course. http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/news/newsid=2389933.html