One last push: England v Hrvatska / Semi Final

[Kaka Tim]

How good are croatia though?

They looked great against Argentina and Nigeria - but both teams were a bit of a mess.

They laboured against not so good teams who closed them down - both denmark and russia taking them to penalties.

I def think the way to go is to close them down and play counter attack for the first hour then go for the kill once they are tiring - they have played a whole match and a an entire period of extra time more than the england players - plus they are somewhat older.

 

[William of Walworth]

Another 2-1 to England here. I voted with great nervousness though!

 

[sealion]

I think this wll go to penalties.

 

[ska invita]

How good are croatia though?

also how good are England? I cant work out why they played so badly against Colombia? I thought it was stagefright, but maybe it was direction from Southgate? Maybe there was a deliberate tactic employed that either didnt work, or became stalemated by Colombian play? Ive no idea.

 

[Kaka Tim]

on the other hand - all it takes is one slick pass by modric and a defensive lapse and we could be chasing the game .... but then they dont look so clever at the back, and we're deadly from set pieces ... last minute equaliser! extra time .... rashford comes on after another display of deadly defence splitting runs by stirling which end with him with him falling over ... And England are ahead! But all it takes it one slick pass by modric and ..... arrrgghhhh!!!! ...

 

[sealion]

also how good are England? I cant work out why they played so badly against Colombia? I thought it was stagefright, but maybe it was direction from Southgate? Maybe there was a deliberate tactic employed that either didnt work, or became stalemated by Colombian play? Ive no idea.

I think Southgate is limited tactically and will come unstuck against a decent team.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I think Southgate is limited tactically and will come unstuck against a decent team.

Got the tactics against Sweden absolutely spot on. Sweden were limited, but they'd seen off Italy (in the play-offs) and Switzerland (in last 16) by shutting them down. They weren't able to shut England down at all. That was a big tactical achievement, imo, not one to be underestimated.

 

[ska invita]

One thing I would say about England under Southgate is they look really well organised, theyre quick to fall back into neat lines, and hard to just run through the middle of. Not impossible, but harder than most.

 

[ska invita]

Got the tactics against Sweden absolutely spot on. Sweden were limited, but they'd seen off Italy (in the play-offs) and Switzerland (in last 16) by shutting them down. They weren't able to shut England down at all. That was a big tactical achievement, imo, not one to be underestimated.

Agree...which makes the Colombia performance all the more confusing

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

I think Southgate is limited tactically and will come unstuck against a decent team.

I don't know that anyone is doing anything too clever tactically tbh - I'm not even sure you can at international level given the time available. England are well organised and know their roles, that's probably about as tactical as anyone gets (it's a massive improvement on most past England teams for starters.)

I think the issue is still going to be quality - we can't compare with France or Belgium really. Croatia maybe the difference isn't so big but it's glaring in central midfield - Henderson has done well but he's not in Modric or Rakitic's class.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Agree...which makes the Colombia performance all the more confusing

It was a win. So it was a good performance, in the end.

Croatia should be thinking the same about both the Denmark and Russia games. I thought they looked very ordinary in both those games. They'll need to get it together to beat England.

And Belgium were amazing v Brazil, but they needed a fluke against Japan to start the revival against them. Every team usually has a dodgy performance/bit of luck somewhere.

 

[sealion]

Sweden were limited

Thet were shit. A decent championship team would turn them over.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Thet were shit. A decent championship team would turn them over.

Tell that to Italy.

 

[editor]

I think Southgate is limited tactically and will come unstuck against a decent team.

I think he's been a fucking brilliant manager, leading the team with real dignity.

 

[Teaboy]

I can see England just shading this one, its going to be close whichever way. Croatia have more experience and some real high quality players but they also have weaknesses and they're not a young side and they've had to play a lot of football recently.

I don't think England will win the whole thing, bot Belgium and France look very strong but losing in a final is no bad thing. Losing a semi-final is painful and not helped by having to participate in the largely pointless and humiliating 3rd & 4th playoff.

 

[JimW]

Agree...which makes the Colombia performance all the more confusing

The niggling semi-fouls and outright clatterings probably played a big part.

 

[belboid]

I don't know that anyone is doing anything too clever tactically tbh - I'm not even sure you can at international level given the time available.

Martinez’s substitutions that completely changed the game v Japan?

 

[editor]

If anyone's looking to watch the big game in Brixton, here's an updated guide:
World Cup semi final in Brixton! The best places to watch England vs Croatia, 7pm, Weds 11th July

 

[Badgers]

Kane scores the winner in the 89th minute, takes of his top to reveal a shirt with #toriesout and the nation rises as one

 

[binka]

Croatia looked absolutely knackered at the end of the last two games. At one point against Russia I saw Modric just stood still pointing at other people the lazy sod.

Croatia potentially a great team, in reality bang average in the last 2 games. No reason to think they'll improve now. England to win 2-1

 

[gaijingirl]

This is a problematic game in my household what with gaijinboy being half-Croatian half-British (but supporting Croatia) and the rest of us having to come down on one side or another.

 

[Badgers]

This is a problematic game in my household what with gaijinboy being half-Croatian half-British (but supporting Croatia) and the rest of us having to come down on one side or another.

Leave him and burn his things

 

[gaijingirl]

Leave him and burn his things

Ok. Good idea. I'll keep his bikes for myself though.

 

[Badgers]

Ok. Good idea. I'll keep his bikes for myself though.

Sell them and get an England tattoo

 

[dessiato]

I was right.

Her-vat-ska

I remember getting told off around here for calling the Basque Country, Euskadi. It hasn't stopped me, I like the sound.

Euskadi is what it is called in the Basque country so you're correct. It's on all the signs there.

Anyway, back to the football, I think England will win but it'll be a hard fought game. There'll be a single goal advantage to England at the end of normal time.

 

[5t3IIa]

Which channel is this one on? #BBC #fancyaweep

 

[Badgers]

Which channel is this one on? #BBC #fancyaweep

It is on hayu

 

[eatmorecheese]

This is great. I've been saying "Hrvatska" for about 20 years because I liked how it sounded. I feel validated

 

[5t3IIa]

It is on hayu

It’s on the BBC, I checked

 

[nuffsaid]

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