England Top Their Group

Well, the expectancy might be going up as Wayne Rooney returned to help England top France in group D. We may yet see the two teams face each other in the semi-finals, an interesting matchup that would be. Ukraine did threaten England at times and even controversially scored a goal that was not given, although there was offsides on the play anyway.

One thing is quite clear: the England attack is actually potent with players like Gerrard, Rooney, Welbeck, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Carrol, Young, and Walcott all looking to be on form.

Greece Through

May we yet see another Greek miracle? This has been a great Euros so far with great action and suspense put into each match. It has been very enjoyable to watch

Dutch Disappointing

I have to say I'm very disappointed with the way Holland has come out so far in the Euros with no tempo in their attacking play, leading to them getting exposed defensively for the shoddy defensive team that they are. With world class players like Robben, Van Persie, Sneijder and company they really should've had more rythm up front. That being said they still have a chance at advancing surprisingly despite losing their first two games.

My Thoughts on the England Game

So France and England drew 1-1. Not a bad result for the Three Lions and not a bad result for the French either, despite Ukraine becoming current leaders of the group after beating Sweden.

Italy showed that to play "good football" you can do so by being solid in the middle and staying very compact. That is what England did, but they got drawn in a little too deep where they allowed Nasri space for France's only real chance of the match.

Safely put, aside from half chances, England had 2 good scoring opportunities to France's 1.

Criticism of Hodgson and England's style of play is unwarranted IMO.

Kagawa To United

Its been an incredible offseason so far: Hazard, Marin, Hulk to Chelsea, Podolski to Arsenal and Kagawa to Man U - the premier league is undergoing a serious arms race. And we've yet to see Manchester City do their yearly 50 million pound retooling.

At least the Euros will get me by until the next season comes around.

Bill's Picks for Top Seeds

I'm going to take France, Holland, Italy, and Russia to top their groups.

Cahill Out

Wow... when you thought the England squad couldn't get any worse, Gary Cahill has been ruled out of the Euros with a fractured jaw. That means no Ferdinand (although he is healthy), no Cahill, no Barry, no Lampard and Rooney is out for the first two games.

Well, at least expectations won't be high as this is probably the worst England squad ever for a tournament?