Football (Soccer) Thread

[Duque de Bragança]

There are still some spots for the next Euro to be decided through play-offs games from the last edition. 
Actually, this current edition (2020-21) is linked to the World Cup 2022 Euro qualifiers. 

UEFA[edit]
Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
The qualification format was confirmed by the UEFA Executive Committee during their meeting in Nyon, Switzerland on 4 December 2019, pending validation from FIFA.[24][25] The qualification will depend, in part, on results from the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, although to a lesser degree than UEFA Euro 2020. The structure will maintain UEFA's usual 'group stage/playoff stage' structure, with only the specific format of the play-offs amended.[26]

First round (group stage): 10 groups of 5 or 6 teams (with the 4 teams that make the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals put into the smaller groups) with group winners qualifying for the World Cup finals.
Second round (play-off stage): The 10 group runners-up would be joined by the best 2 Nations League group winners, based on the Nations League overall ranking, that finished outside the top two of their qualifying group. These 12 teams will be drawn into three play-off paths, playing two rounds of single-match play-offs (semi-finals and finals, with the home teams to be drawn), with the 3 path winners qualifying for the World Cup.

I'll grant you this edition is somewhat diluted due to mercantile steps taken to avoid Germany falling in League B by enlarging group from 3 to 4 teams. Saved Croatia as well.

[The Larch]

I guess that's better for players, rather than being trapped in the endless loan to lower league team wheel. Let's see if they're able to make good careers abroad rather than a few formative years.

Yeah. I feel that's less likely to happen because so far they seem to be going to leagues and clubs that like young players, develop them well and then like to sell them on for a big profit (Dutch league, Portuguese leage, Leipzig, arguably Dortmund too). Given wages in the Premier League I feel like it's more likely they'll go back to England unless they attract the attention of Bayern, Madrid, Barca etc.

Yeah, sure, if somebody makes it big abroad he's likely to be poached back to the Premier League, just like Jadon Sancho is currently a target for Man United. But, say, one of these kids currently at Vitoria Guimaraes makes it big in Portugal, and maybe signs for one of the big clubs there, say Porto or Benfica, or even Braga, making decent wages (not Premier league ones, but nice wages nevertheless) and regularly qualifying for European competitions. Maybe he ends up developing a nice career over there and is less interested in moving to a mid or low tier club in England, unless the wages are significantly better (which they might very well be, though).

[Sheilbh]

Yeah, sure, if somebody makes it big abroad he's likely to be poached back to the Premier League, just like Jadon Sancho is currently a target for Man United. But, say, one of these kids currently at Vitoria Guimaraes makes it big in Portugal, and maybe signs for one of the big clubs there, say Porto or Benfica, or even Braga, making decent wages (not Premier league ones, but nice wages nevertheless) and regularly qualifying for European competitions. Maybe he ends up developing a nice career over there and is less interested in moving to a mid or low tier club in England, unless the wages are significantly better (which they might very well be, though).

Yeah and I think Sancho also matters in showing that playing abroad doesn't stop you from getting picked for England.

Just like the technical improvement of academy players I think it's another part of the normalisation/Europeanisation of English football.

[The Larch]

Yeah, sure, if somebody makes it big abroad he's likely to be poached back to the Premier League, just like Jadon Sancho is currently a target for Man United. But, say, one of these kids currently at Vitoria Guimaraes makes it big in Portugal, and maybe signs for one of the big clubs there, say Porto or Benfica, or even Braga, making decent wages (not Premier league ones, but nice wages nevertheless) and regularly qualifying for European competitions. Maybe he ends up developing a nice career over there and is less interested in moving to a mid or low tier club in England, unless the wages are significantly better (which they might very well be, though).

Yeah and I think Sancho also matters in showing that playing abroad doesn't stop you from getting picked for England.

Just like the technical improvement of academy players I think it's another part of the normalisation/Europeanisation of English football.

Yeah, well, but to a certain degree top players will almost always end up fine. At the end of the day, Sancho is playing for a top European side in a top European league, it's not as if he's anywhere obscure. It's another thing for players one or two steps down the pole. For instance, one of the players at Vitoria Guimaraes, Marcus Edwards (21 yo, former Tottenham academy player, and capper until England U20 level) has featured in lists of the more promising players in the Portuguese league, but most probably he won't make it to the senior team. Will he make it? Let's see.

[Josquius]

I've just googled who won the nations league - Portugal apparently. Explains things

[Duque de Bragança]

I've just googled who won the nations league - Portugal apparently. Explains things

Same for the last Euro ; yet you care about the Euro. 

PS: or was it because France was beaten while playing at home? 

[Sheilbh]

At the *check notes* 41st time of asking, Everton finally beats a "top 6" side away from home

Edit: Also since January the thing that Ancelotti has done so well is actually allowed Everton some game management. If we had a 1-0 or 2-0 lead under any of the previous managers I've seen, I would not trust our ability to see the game out. The number of times we'd see the team start to feel pressure, drop deeper and deeper and then concede and lose or draw the game. That seems to be far less of an issue under Ancelotti, and we weren't under huge pressure today so he didn't make massive changes - but everyone just felt under control the entire time. It's very novel.

[FunkMonk]

Mou has lost it already.

Spurs will finish in the bottom half this year.

[celedhring]

Mou has lost it already.

Spurs will finish in the bottom half this year.

He had already gone football-insane when he signed for ManU.

Needs some time off the game.

[The Larch]

Former German international and 2006 WC winner Christoph Metzelder has apparently pleaded guilty of posession and distribution of child pornography.

[FunkMonk]

Aubameyang signed da ting!!! 

[Syt]

Former German international and 2006 WC winner Christoph Metzelder has apparently pleaded guilty of posession and distribution of child pornography.

(2006 WC winner, though? I wish )

[The Larch]

Former German international and 2006 WC winner Christoph Metzelder has apparently pleaded guilty of posession and distribution of child pornography.

This is what's on the topic on wiki:

Metzelder is currently being investigated for the potential distribution of child pornography, which led him to step down from his role as president of his former club TuS Haltern am See in September 2019.

On 4 September 2020, the district court of the city of Düsseldorf announced that an official charge has been filed against Metzelder by the prosecutor. The prosecutor did not express any specific suspicions. On the other hand, the district court stated in a press release that one female witness received 10 child pornographic pictures, another female witness received 16 child pornographic pictures and 2 child pornographic videos and a third female witness received 1 child pornographic picture - all distributed by using Metzelder's WhatsApp account. Further on, that there have been nearly 300 media files found on Metzelder's confiscated cell phone with child pornographic content. Metzelder himself has had the allegations denied by his lawyers so far - an opinion on the current developments has been requested by the German public television WDR, but has not yet been given.

So the case comes from last year, when he had to step down from his position as president of his club because of it. Apparently his confession, not yet covered at the wiki article, was last monday and a criminal case has now been opened against him.

(2006 WC winner, though? I wish )

Woops, flubbed that one. He was part of the squad even if Germany didn't win, right?

[Duque de Bragança]

Germany won the small final that year.

[Valmy]

Zidane headbutted Italy to victory in 2006