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[DrM]

Interesting fact before Albania-Switzerland match
Nine players from Albanian squad could play for Switzerland and six on the opposite

 

[Lach]

Interesting fact before Albania-Switzerland match
Nine players from Albanian squad could play for Switzerland and six on the opposite

As well as two brothers facing off against each other (Taulant Xhaka for Albania, Granit Xhaka for Switzerland).

In Switzerland, its always a big discussion when immigrant players decide to play for their country of origin (after having been supported by the Swiss Football Association for all their live). I feel everyone has to decide for themself.

At the moment there is a big fear of strong players (Shaqiri one of them) to switch to the Kosovo national team. After having been included into Uefa and Fifa this year there supposedly will be a period where players can join up with Kosovo, even after having played for a different national team before.

 

[Bek Sloy]

Would that only be applicable if it's a newly-recognised nation, or could that pave the way for others to request a change? I'm glad we've got these places being recognise, just Palestine next, hopefully.

 

[Fistwell]

It's funny I'd play both Umtiti and Mangala over Rami and yet he, Evra and Sagna probably get in due to seniority.

Same here. But Mangala and Umtiti play are lefties, and Koscielny prefers playing center left. Rami picked because he was a more natural fit at center right. I still have no faith in him.

How come Benoît Trémoulinas wasn't called up? Injured?

Injured from what I heard. He's only decent-but-not-great.

Spoiler

huge step up from Evra

I hope Kurrawa gets a chance before the next World Cup, he seems to have far more potential for an international career than Digne

I hope he gets more playing time next year in Paris. He could be solid.

 

[PdotMichael]

I think it only works if the player haven't play in an official match like WC, EC or qualification.

 

[Lach]

Would that only be applicable if it's a newly-recognised nation, or could that pave the way for others to request a change? I'm glad we've got these places being recognise, just Palestine next, hopefully.

I don't think it will (or should) pave the way for players to change national teams. They should do special cases, when a new nation joins.

I think it only works if the player haven't play in an official match like WC, EC or qualification.

In cases of new country associations (or in some cases even new countries) the players didn't have a chance to decide earlier. It wouldn't do anyone good if a good player holds of from playing international games in the hopes his country will be recognized 10 years in the future.

 

[Matush]

I have no idea what to bet on for Slovakia-Wales match.

 

[Pyroclastic]

joint first in the fantasy league :O

better enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[Ravensmash]

England has been actually trying to aggressively flight ban the worst of them for a while now, but the new generations just keep coming up as bad or worse than the ones before.

The good thing is that England is usually out of tournaments early.

I haven't read much of the news concerning fan trouble, but a guardian article I read implied that the police have been very heavy handed for little reason.

Not to defend any of the thugs looking to cause trouble. Should be banned for life.

 

[Heavy's Sandvich]

Cheering for my Albanian brothers.

 

[Phantast2k]

I have no idea what to bet on for Slovakia-Wales match.

Neither do I. Both teams are similar in the sense that they're rather average on paper with 1 star standing out (Bale / Hamsik). But Slovakia played really well against us in a recent friendly so I'm leaning towards them.

 

[koopathecat]

I have no idea what to bet on for Slovakia-Wales match.

Im on Both teams to score at a little over evens. Was tempted by the draw tho

 

[amanset]

I haven't read much of the news concerning fan trouble, but a guardian article I read implied that the police have been very heavy handed for little reason.

Not to defend any of the thugs looking to cause trouble. Should be banned for life.

Yeah, there's two Guardian articles that are very critical of the police. And The Guardian likes nothing more than to bash anything to do with England and their supporters.

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...olence-marseille-police-european-championship

This titbit hidden away towards the end:

The fight had broken out after 70 locals confronted England fans, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which has been working with the French authorities to police English fans.

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...tics-marseille-more-euro-2016-violence-expert

“It was the most predictable violence that I’ve seen since 2007 with Manchester United fans in Roma,” Pearson told the Guardian. “I was on the quayside outside the Old Vic pub when the trouble started. There was an initial fracas between English fans and locals over tickets at around midnight. There was then the first use of pepper spray or teargas by the police.

“Then a group of what English fans were calling Marseille ultras, but I suspect were just local gangs, turned up. There was a small confrontation. I could see two or three chairs being thrown, someone tried to tip over a table and bottles were being thrown. There was then a completely disproportionate police response. I met an England fan who had been hit by a baton round, and actually had it in his hand.

This is the problem that England fans face. No matter how much they change they are treated the same. Local gangs/hooligans want to fight them and thus these things will always start.

 

[WriterGK]

So funny yesterday that France and Roemanian players from small teams were really the best players... Payet just from Westham and Kante from Leicster did a really good job, not like Griezmann from Atletico and Pogba from Juventus. Those 2 played terrible...
And Grigore from Roemania who plays in Qatar lol

 

[Undead]

I think Russia will win tonight but not sure if I want to risk a bet, would feel safer betting on the possibility of a riot between the two sets of fans

 

[Beefy]

So how many bars will English idiots set on fire today?

 

[T-Rex.]

So how many bars will English idiots set on fire today?

Depends how many bars there are in the city.

 

[Lego Boss]

England has been actually trying to aggressively flight ban the worst of them for a while now, but the new generations just keep coming up as bad or worse than the ones before.

The good thing is that England is usually out of tournaments early.

Not sure if this is as cut and dried as that. England made the Q/Fs in Germany (a real problem team for England) and there weren't many problems there then.

Marseilles was bad in 1998. I'm not blaming the anyone in particular, but this seems to be a particular hotspot for England fans.

Those that do it are despicable, but it's been getting better for a long time. I'm not convinced that we'll see more problems at the later matches (even ENG v WAL).

 

[Phantast2k]

I think Russia will win tonight but not sure if I want to risk a bet, would feel safer betting on the possibility of a riot between the two sets of fans

Some England fans just want to chill.

If England loses to Russia it truly deserves to go out in group stages. Though I suspect they'll easily win.

/ Euro 2016: England-Russia fans could be ‘explosive’ mix, warns France sports minister | Football | The Guardian

// lol:

 

[Chocolate & Vanilla]

// lol:

Father Ted was such a great show.

 

[kharma45]

Best banner I've seen yet

 

[Tubie]

Yeah, there's two Guardian articles that are very critical of the police. And The Guardian likes nothing more than to bash anything to do with England and their supporters.

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...olence-marseille-police-european-championship

This titbit hidden away towards the end:



https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...tics-marseille-more-euro-2016-violence-expert



This is the problem that England fans face. No matter how much they change they are treated the same. Local gangs/hooligans want to fight them and thus these things will always start.

You might be right that the reputation might cause others to be more aggressive than usual to English fans in particular.

Thanks for linking that article, I was ready to assume the worst.

 

[Beefy]

Other fans taking pics of England fans.

 

[Humidex]

That is a very good banner.

Meanwhile in the world of Union, England win versus the Wallabies 28-39.

 

[tomtom94]

Going for 1-0 England, a late goal in an otherwise extremely dull game.

It says something that the thing I'm most looking forward to seeing is just what the team looks like. Really hope Hodgson plays Rooney at CM not AM.

 

[T-Rex.]

Going for 1-0 England, a late goal in an otherwise extremely dull game.

It says something that the thing I'm most looking forward to seeing is just what the team looks like. Really hope Hodgson plays Rooney at CM not AM.

I hope he plays him on the bench.

 

[1.21Gigawatts]

As well as two brothers facing off against each other (Taulant Xhaka for Albania, Granit Xhaka for Switzerland).

In Switzerland, its always a big discussion when immigrant players decide to play for their country of origin (after having been supported by the Swiss Football Association for all their live). I feel everyone has to decide for themself.

At the moment there is a big fear of strong players (Shaqiri one of them) to switch to the Kosovo national team. After having been included into Uefa and Fifa this year there supposedly will be a period where players can join up with Kosovo, even after having played for a different national team before.

Is there an issue with racist attacks against immigrant players of the national team in switzerland?
I could see players switching the national team for that reason.

I remember in germany one politician of the right wing AFD recently said nobody would want Jerome Boateng (who is black) as a neighbor. Mesut Özil (who is of turkish decent) also has faced similar comments over the years.

 

[SporeCrawler]

As well as two brothers facing off against each other (Taulant Xhaka for Albania, Granit Xhaka for Switzerland).

In Switzerland, its always a big discussion when immigrant players decide to play for their country of origin (after having been supported by the Swiss Football Association for all their live). I feel everyone has to decide for themself.

At the moment there is a big fear of strong players (Shaqiri one of them) to switch to the Kosovo national team. After having been included into Uefa and Fifa this year there supposedly will be a period where players can join up with Kosovo, even after having played for a different national team before.

isnt this similar with players like mesut özil, gündogan, sahin, cahagnolu, the altintop brothers, can, scholl etc.

they are all germans with turkish roots and could play for either team. some have decided to go to the turkish team others have decided to join germany.

Is there an issue with racist attacks against immigrant players of the national team in switzerland?
I could see players switching the national team for that reason.

I remember in germany one politician of the right wing AFD recently said nobody would want Jerome Boateng (who is black) as a neighbor. Mesut Özil (who is of turkish decent) also has faced similar comments over the years.

AfD also said that the german national team isnt truly german

Well I will not root for the germans anyways this time (allez les bleus!)

 

[patapuf]

Is there an issue with racist attacks against immigrant players of the national team in switzerland?
I could see players switching the national team for that reason.

I remember in germany one politician of the right wing AFD recently said nobody would want Jerome Boateng (who is black) as a neighbor. Mesut Özil (who is of turkish decent) also has faced similar comments over the years.

Nothing like politicians complaining and the team (and the players) is generally loved.

You still got your "stammtisch" types snidely mentioning it from time to time though and the media like to push the narrative from time to time. Like today in the game vs Albany or with Kosovo joining the FIFA and all.

It seems like it's much the same as germany.

 

[Alucard]

Going for 1-0 England, a late goal in an otherwise extremely dull game.

Sounds like an England game.

Who's the favourite in this tournament? I'm assuming it's Germany.

 

[Jokab]

Sounds like an England game.

Who's the favourite in this tournament? I'm assuming it's Germany.

France and Germany I believe. Surprisingly not many seem to believe in Spain. I guess it's the forwards holding them back.

 

[Weckum]

France and Germany I believe. Surprisingly not many seem to believe in Spain. I guess it's the forwards holding them back.

Yeah, those two definitely and Belgium as a potential underdog as well.

 

[psyer]

Albania v. Switzerland

Commentators
ESPN: Derek Rae and Alejandro Moreno
BBC: Simon Brotherton and Kevin Kilbane
World Feed: Kevin Keatings and Garry Birtles

 

[D4Danger]

Nice to see both teams have so much respect for each other. This should be good.

 

[Baleoce]

Belgium is a good bet. On paper they really do have the players for it.

 

[CoolOff]

Producers focusing on them Albanian beauties.

 

[Zojirushi]

Somebody gif those chicks.

 

[brokenbeans]

Belgium is a good bet. On paper they really do have the players for it.

They have a few people in defence missing but going forward they are a good bet.

 

[Ennosuke]

Sounds like an England game.

Who's the favourite in this tournament? I'm assuming it's Germany.

Nah wouldn't say that. We are the world champion, but in the last 2 years we really didn't deliver. I would say there will be an improvement, but we will never reach the performance level of 2014.

 

[mellz]

That was a clear yellow.

 

[CoolOff]

Wait, is every single one of the Swiss midfielders of Albanian descent?

 

[Coffinhal]

Belgium is a good bet. On paper they really do have the players for it.

They need the team more than the players in that kind of competition. I bet they'll go down against Germany during the Quarter-finals.

 

[Jamie OD]

First blood!

 

[Lach]

Well that was quick!

GO SWITZERLAND!!!!!

 

[Syder]

Belgium is a good bet. On paper they really do have the players for it.

People have been saying this for years.

Belgium are still lacking in a few key areas of the pitch.

 

[Fistwell]

Well that was quick.

 

[ColossalLazy]

Already a goal. That gonna be easy for Swiss if its like that.

 

[JDB]

Well that was quick.

Edit:

Well that was quick.

Well that was quick!

Screw you guys.

 

[Kenzodielocke]

Too easy.

 

[Tempy]

GOL