European Under 21 Championships

[MSingh]

Happy days, we've got Football for a while again..

England V Finland tonight on True Sport to start us off..

Can't see anyone getting the better of the Italians in this Tournament to be honest but we should be there or thereabouts & of course, the Hammers, as always, are well represented in the Tournament...

[Jared]

Typical!!!!

England-Finland u21 match is supposed to be on TrueSports1 right now but there showing a repeat of the England game from the other night

[MSingh]

Typical!!!!

England-Finland u21 match is supposed to be on TrueSports1 right now but there showing a repeat of the England game from the other night

Fuming & it's outrageous, they've been advertising it all week too..

Just found an Iraqi Goals Stream then 4 mins into the Game, they scrap the Steam, unreal !!

Fuming !!

[Jared]

Try this http://www.atdhe.net/7531/watch-england-vs-finland

Ive got a feeling the match might switch over at half time, sometimes happens.

[MSingh]

Well, first Game of the Group, pretty unconvincing allegedly, but a win is a win is a win..

England 2-1 Finland

Cattermole & Micah Richards scoring with Mancienne Sent Off in the first half..

[thaimiller]

What did he get sent off for MS?

[MSingh]

What did he get sent off for MS?

Last Man in the Box, gave away a Penalty which made it 1-1 too, in the first half..

[MSingh]

Oh yes. !!

England U21 2-0 Spain U21

By Jonathan Stevenson

Fraizer Campbell and James Milner struck second-half goals to see off Spain and send England Under-21s into the European Championship semi-finals.

Campbell capitalised on a defensive mistake to turn Javi Garcia and hammer a left-foot shot in from 18 yards.

Milner wrapped it up by slotting in after stunning work down the left from Theo Walcott, who came off the bench.

Milner had earlier seen a penalty brilliantly saved by Sergio Asenjo, but it did not prove costly for England.

Spain were disappointing throughout, a poor imitation of the senior side that has swept all before them over the past couple of years.

England could even afford to be without Walcott for the first hour, manager Stuart Pearce taking the controversial decision to leave him on the bench with Adam Johnson starting down the left.

Pearce was delighted to see his side - who reached the semis of the same tournament two years ago - reach the last four with a group game to spare.

"I'm pleased we're through, but I'm not surprised because I know the character of these boys and it was a gutsy performance," said Pearce.

"It was a great reaction from Theo - but for me it wasn't even a big decision. Getting over the finishing line is what's important and he helped us to do that with a virtuoso performance from the bench.

"Even though it's his birthday today, Fabio Capello phoned me straight after and wanted me to pass on his congratulations to the players."

Johnson linked up well with the lively Kieran Gibbs in the early stages, but there was little of interest happening elsewhere on the pitch.

Until, that is, Nedum Onuoha decided to spark some interest by bizarrely over-hitting a backpass that Joe Hart had to race back and, on the slide, kick off the line in order to spare his team-mate's blushes.

Once that danger was averted England were largely untroubled, with Spain's Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic again hugely disappointing and the creative Jurado badly suffering from a lack of support.

England should have been in front just after the half-hour mark, as Spain gave the ball away in midfield and Milner raced into the area, tricking his way past Javi Garcia and falling as the defender caught his trailing leg.

Milner picked himself up and dusted himself down to take the penalty, only to see Sergio Asenjo dive away to his right and superbly claw the ball away from his net.

But England continued to probe for an opening and, five minutes after Walcott replaced Johnson, they got their breakthrough.

Another Spanish mistake gifted possession to Campbell 25 yards out and he kept his composure expertly to cut inside Javi Garcia and lash past Sergio Asenjo.

Six minutes later and it was all over, Walcott showing an extraordinary turn of pace to race down the left and pull the ball back for Milner to convert.

Pearce's men now face Germany on Monday in Halmstad in their last group game, with the semi-finals to be played on Friday 26 June.

Spain U21: Sergio Asenjo, Azpilicueta, Javi Garcia, Torrejon, Monreal, Javi Martinez, Mario Suarez, Raul Garcia, Adrian, Jurado, Bojan.

Subs: Roberto, Miguel Torres, Sergio Sanchez, Marcano, Chico, Pedro Leon, Sisi, Granero, Diego Capel, Xisco, Jonathan Pereira, Adan.

England U21: Hart, Cranie, Richards, Onuoha, Gibbs, Cattermole, Muamba, Noble, Milner, Johnson, Agbonlahor.

Subs: Lewis, Taylor, Mancienne, Tomkins, Stearman, Gardner, Walcott, Rodwell, Driver, Rose, Campbell, Loach.

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland).

[thaimiller]

A good result against one of the favourites, fair play to Pearce for having the balls to drop Walcott. It payed off when he came off the banch. We should beat Germany on monday, top the group and then lets see who we get in next Fridays semi's.

[thaimiller]

1-1 with Germans in a match that only pride was being played for, good result, and Psycho dropped 10 players for the start. look forward to Friday's semi final now. We could meet the Germans again in Monday's final....

[EastSaxCol]

The game against Spain was a massive disappointment for those that had hoped to see a good game of football. Spain were unexpectedly poor, very poor. The England team weren't that impressive either. After a poor first-half by both sides, it looked as if Spain were going to capitalise on their early second-half dominance. But after the first goal just seemed to lose any confidence that they could have built on. I'm going to pick out Milner as an example of someone who cannot pass and when he does , makes the wrong decision. Frankly. England aren't good enough to win this. Unless the opposition are worse.

[mrbojangles]

The game against Spain was a massive disappointment for those that had hoped to see a good game of football. Spain were unexpectedly poor, very poor. The England team weren't that impressive either. After a poor first-half by both sides, it looked as if Spain were going to capitalise on their early second-half dominance. But after the first goal just seemed to lose any confidence that they could have built on. I'm going to pick out Milner as an example of someone who cannot pass and when he does , makes the wrong decision. Frankly. England aren't good enough to win this. Unless the opposition are worse.

Been on the happy pills again HH.

Jeez man, nothing is ever good enough for some fans. They topped the group, they did what was needed and still had petrol in the tank. You should be patting them on the back, not toe ending them in the <deleted>.

[EastSaxCol]

The game against Spain was a massive disappointment for those that had hoped to see a good game of football. Spain were unexpectedly poor, very poor. The England team weren't that impressive either. After a poor first-half by both sides, it looked as if Spain were going to capitalise on their early second-half dominance. But after the first goal just seemed to lose any confidence that they could have built on. I'm going to pick out Milner as an example of someone who cannot pass and when he does , makes the wrong decision. Frankly. England aren't good enough to win this. Unless the opposition are worse.

Been on the happy pills again HH.

Jeez man, nothing is ever good enough for some fans. They topped the group, they did what was needed and still had petrol in the tank. You should be patting them on the back, not toe ending them in the <deleted>.

Firstly, mate I'm not necessarily an England supporter (with football anyway) so perhaps I can look more objectively. My feelings are that they don't actually have an awful lot left in the tank and are pretty predictable anyway. If they meet someone with a bit of flair, Italy perhaps, then I think that they'll be found wanting. Just my non-jaundiced thoughts.

[mrbojangles]

Firstly, mate I'm not necessarily an England supporter (with football anyway)

Case closed then, as far as I am concerned. There is absolutely no point in discussing this any further.

[EastSaxCol]

Firstly, mate I'm not necessarily an England supporter (with football anyway)

Case closed then, as far as I am concerned. There is absolutely no point in discussing this any further.

How good an example is that of narrow-minded bigotry, Mr BJ . Quite shocking really.

[MSingh]

Words fail me...

[Jared]

So have any of these matches been on UBC?

Maybe they will start showing it from the semis

[nev]

channel 7 been showing the games.

what time is fridays semi final starting is it 5pm or 7 45pm?

[MSingh]

channel 7 been showing the games.

what time is fridays semi final starting is it 5pm or 7 45pm?

Have they really ??

What a result, they didn't show the early Group Games...

Friday's Semi is a 18:00 KO local time..

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/f...1197/index.html

[thaimiller]

So England V Sweden the hosts in Friday's semi final....good luck to the guys and should be a good game

[mrbojangles]

Firstly, mate I'm not necessarily an England supporter (with football anyway)

Case closed then, as far as I am concerned. There is absolutely no point in discussing this any further.

How good an example is that of narrow-minded bigotry, Mr BJ . Quite shocking really.

Sorry HH, don't understand your point.

Are you English ?

[EastSaxCol]

Firstly, mate I'm not necessarily an England supporter (with football anyway)

Case closed then, as far as I am concerned. There is absolutely no point in discussing this any further.

How good an example is that of narrow-minded bigotry, Mr BJ . Quite shocking really.

Sorry HH, don't understand your point.

Are you English ?

You don't see my point ? I'd have thought that obvious. I said that I don't necessarily support Ingerland , so you abruptly say that there is no point then in any further discussion. What possible reason, may I ask, can there be for that ?

Am I English ? Yes. Born in Essex of an East Saxonia Father and Welsh Mother. So on my Mother's side a true Brit. Although I judge very little by a person's nationality in the final analysis.

[nev]

channel 7 been showing the games.

what time is fridays semi final starting is it 5pm or 7 45pm?

Have they really ??

What a result, they didn't show the early Group Games...

Friday's Semi is a 18:00 KO local time..

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/f...1197/index.html

yes mate the germany game was being advertized for 1 45 am start as i watch the thai soapys with my wife i set my alarm and slept through i will make sure i get up for the semi final.

[mrbojangles]

You don't see my point ? I'd have thought that obvious.

Well it wasn't, that's why I asked.

I said that I don't necessarily support Ingerland , so you abruptly say that there is no point then in any further discussion. What possible reason, may I ask, can there be for that ?

Because I've had the conversation many times (albeit usually with Man United fans). Some call themselves Football supporters and they support their club team but when it comes to the national team they are not interested. You were critizing England and then you say you don't neccessarily support England. You obviously don't support England for your own personal reasons and therefore I don't see the point of carrying on the conversation with you, on this particular subject.

Although I judge very little by a person's nationality in the final analysis.

Well you're not really going to support Japan if you're from Cameroon are you. That's why I wanted to double check that you were indeed English.

[EastSaxCol]

Because I've had the conversation many times (albeit usually with Man United fans). Some call themselves Football supporters and they support their club team but when it comes to the national team they are not interested.

It's not unusual anywhere to find supporters of any team in England those who support club but have no interest in country.

You were critizing England and then you say you don't neccessarily support England. You obviously don't support England for your own personal reasons and therefore I don't see the point of carrying on the conversation with you, on this particular subject.

Why is that ? This was the crux of the problem. Because I don't necessarily support England doesn't invalidate my opinions on any given match that I , or anyone else, has knowledge of. Because I don't necessarily support England doesn't mean that I'm anti-England either. My opinion is fairly neutral.

Well you're not really going to support Japan if you're from Cameroon are you. That's why I wanted to double check that you were indeed English.

Don't see why not. Perhaps a lot of people in any country -- as I do myself -- just favour any national team that's playing the most pretty football at the time. I guess that's why many people still retain a soft spot for Brazil, or the Holland team of the 70's ,etc.

I love the World Cup for this reason. You can favour the team whose is playing the most pleasing football. As do many Ingerland supporters, after they usually go out in the quarter finals.

[mrbojangles]

Well you're not really going to support Japan if you're from Cameroon are you. That's why I wanted to double check that you were indeed English.

Don't see why not. Perhaps a lot of people in any country -- as I do myself -- just favour any national team that's playing the most pretty football at the time. I guess that's why many people still retain a soft spot for Brazil, or the Holland team of the 70's ,etc.

I love the World Cup for this reason. You can favour the team whose is playing the most pleasing football. As do many Ingerland supporters, after they usually go out in the quarter finals.

"favour" or "soft spot" is totally different to "supporting"

[EastSaxCol]

Well you're not really going to support Japan if you're from Cameroon are you. That's why I wanted to double check that you were indeed English.

Don't see why not. Perhaps a lot of people in any country -- as I do myself -- just favour any national team that's playing the most pretty football at the time. I guess that's why many people still retain a soft spot for Brazil, or the Holland team of the 70's ,etc.

I love the World Cup for this reason. You can favour the team whose is playing the most pleasing football. As do many Ingerland supporters, after they usually go out in the quarter finals.

"favour" or "soft spot" is totally different to "supporting"

Depends on how you define supporting. Perhaps I should have more accurately said 'following'. Although of course a soft spot for Brazil is an ongoing thing for many - there's still loads of Brazil mechandise sold and worn in old Angrit still. The 'total football' of Holland, just a savoured memory.

Although I'd quite like to see Cameroon, or any African team do well myself. That continent has yet to deliver on it's predicted rise as a force in the world of football.

[delboy]

I've watched all of England's group matches on Thai Channel 7 and they are scheduled to cover the Semi-Final on Friday.

The problem is that their coverage is due to begin at 1.40 am (Saturday Morning) but the England match is due to kick off at 23.00 Friday evening (Thai times). Whether they are showing the England match delayed, The Germany match live, or have mis-scheduled the match, we will, no doubt, find out on Friday evening.

[nev]

thanks for that delboy i will check at 11pm to see if on live if not see again at 1 40am.

[MSingh]

thanks for that delboy i will check at 11pm to see if on live if not see again at 1 40am.

Fingers crossed, the Germany Semi is actually after our Semi & at the time that Channel 7 are advertising our Game, which delboy said..