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UEFA Euro 2016


Stromboli1

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been called a "bad loser" and "petty" for criticising Euro 2016 opponents Iceland following Tuesday's 1-1 draw.

The Portugal captain hit out at Iceland's lack of ambition during the Group F game and accused them of having a "small mentality".

But Iceland midfielder Kari Arnason responded: "It just makes it sweeter that he is a bad loser.

"We are a small island in the Atlantic Ocean and we got a draw against them."

Former Iceland international Hermann Hreidarsson also hit back at Ronaldo, saying he should have done more to help his side win in Saint-Etienne.

"He didn't fancy it on the day and he just got beaten up," said Hreidarsson. "It's petty in a way. He's a sore loser obviously."

The former Ipswich, Charlton and Portsmouth defender, 41, told BBC Radio 5 live: "He thought he could have goals handed to him on a plate.

"If he would have worked as hard as every Icelandic player, he wouldn't have had to say anything because I'm sure he would have got his rewards."

Ronaldo, making his 127th appearance for Portugal, said it had been a "lucky night" for his opponents and accused them of putting "the bus in the net".

"Portugal try to play football and try to win the game," said the 31-year-old Real Madrid star. "Iceland didn't try anything."

Arnason praised Ronaldo for being a "fantastic footballer" but said he was "not a gracious human being".

The Malmo player also suggested Lionel Messi, Ronaldo's long-time rival, was a more loveable character.

"His comments are the reason why Messi is always going to be one step ahead of him," said Arnason.

Iceland reached Euro 2016 by finishing second in their qualifying group, above the likes of Turkey and the Netherlands, who failed to make it to France.

They are appearing in their first major tournament and are the smallest nation to play at a European Championship finals, with a population of just 330,000.

"I thought they'd won the Euros the way they celebrated at the end," said Ronaldo, who appeared to refuse to shake hands with the Iceland players immediately after the game.

"We tried hard to win and Iceland didn't try anything. This, in my opinion, shows a small mentality and they are not going to do anything in the competition."

Birkir Bjarnason's 50th-minute volley earned Iceland a point against Portugal after Nani had opened the scoring in the first half.

Hungary top Group F after beating Austria 2-0 earlier on Tuesday.

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France better get their shit together if they want to win the tournament.

 

Deschamps' lineup was bad for this game. That was the lineup for the third game of the group stage after you already won it. France was lucky to come out with the victory tonight.

 

They better hope to save some of that late game magic for the knockout stage games.

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France got there in the end against a brave Albanian side, and the second goal by Payet was another cracker. A very flat performance overall, but how many times have we seen a team tear up the group stages, only to end up going home after the first round of knockouts.

 

I can't believe we're into the second lot of group games already. :o

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7 hours ago, jj3 said:

Nothing new, he's always so lame with his statements, before or after the games ... Only one thing is missing in this Euro: Messi :rofl: 

 

I wouldn't normally be that bothered by Ronaldo making a statement like that, except that I remember Portugal's last three opening tournament games and the total absence of attacking intent they showed in all of them. :pinch:

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On 14/06/2016 at 6:28 PM, Michael* said:

Belgium-Italy was pretty much the ultimate example of the difference that a coach and his philosophy can make to a game. It beggars belief that despite being 1-0 down and facing at least three defenders on yellow cards, Hazard and De Bruyne didn’t try to run at them more. Lukaku was atrocious too, if rather isolated by Fellaini's inability to turn and run forward. All is not lost for Belgium though, at least not yet. Origi might be erratic in front of goal, but his mobility and close control caused Italy problems. I can't imagine there's any conceivable way that he and Dembele don't start the next game.

 

When was the last time an Italian team came to a big tournament without being described as ‘ageing’? It might be time we did away with it as a word implying some kind of limitation or weakness in reference to international football. :laugh:

 

A very fishy stat: ancient Italy (the team they fielded was the oldest so far at the Euros) also was the team that covered most ground collectively.

Hmmm.

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On 14-6-2016 at 8:39 PM, jj3 said:

So great for Hungary ! 

 

 

Italia will stay Italia, you don't have 4 stars on your jersey for nothing lol 

 

Hmmm. Two of those stars were earned under fascist regimes. The third was in a tournament where they started really poorly but somehow put it together for a handful of games (and deprived perhaps the most fun Brazil team ever their WC title).

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In your face, Gareth. :hello:

 

So many late goals going in at the moment. Hodgson was rightly criticised for making negative substitutions against Russia, but he deserves credit for his proactive changes today.

 

To be honest though, that wasn't a particularly good all-round performance. While England ultimately deserved to win, I thought Wales's lack of enterprise after going ahead made it a bit easier than it really should have been. Still, commiserations to them, hopefully both teams still make it to the next round.

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