Euro's

[WaspInWales]

Wales up 15 places to 11th in the world rankings. Not a bad reward for their efforts.

Amazingly enough though, Belgium are still second!

Even more amazingly, England only drop 2 places to 13th after being mullered by Iceland, who in turn climb 12 places to 22.

Portugal up 2 places after winning the Euros.

I don't get it.

How Belgium are still second is beyond me. In the pool stage, they lost to Italy (ranked 12th) and beat Ireland (33) and Sweden (35). They then beat Hungary (20) before being destroyed by Wales (26).

Mental.

[rowan]

Almost as bizarre as the rugby rankings.

[WaspInWales]

Almost as bizarre as the rugby rankings.

I don't think many would argue with the top of the rugby rankings.

NZ miles ahead at #1. England comfortably second for the time being. Not much between SA and Australia and then smaller gaps between 5th and 9th. More importantly, all the teams you would expect to see in the top 10, bar Italy are there.

Going further down the list, there are no surprises.

I'm not sure how FIFA determine their rankings but Belgium still being second is a piss take. How England only manage to lose 2 places despite losing to a team far lower than them is beyond me.

[rowan]

Strongly disagree with that. Argentina behind the Celtic trio - actually 4 & 3 places behind Wales & Ireland, respectively - is ridiculous, just for starters, while a year ago they had Ireland at 3rd and Australia at 5th, which seemed a little absurd to me. & that's just the tip of the icebeg. Further down the ladder among the tier 3 nations I'd say that the Europeans are generally overrated.

[WaspInWales]

Strongly disagree with that. Argentina behind the Celtic trio - actually 4 & 3 places behind Wales & Ireland, respectively - is ridiculous, just for starters, while a year ago they had Ireland at 3rd and Australia at 5th, which seemed a little absurd to me. & that's just the tip of the icebeg. Further down the ladder among the tier 3 nations I'd say that the Europeans are generally overrated.

Have Argentina played much recently? Perhaps the teams above them have played more games and managed to win away games as well? Plus, there really doesn't seem to be much separating them with the 3-4 teams above them in terms of ranking points.

The Rugby Championship starts soon and if Argentina get a couple of wins, then they will surely climb a few places.

As for your comment about the tier 3 European nations, maybe they've played more than non-European nations?

Anyway, back to my original point regarding the FIFA rankings. Belgium still being second after being beaten by two lower ranked teams is a joke. Would England still be second in the rugby rankings after being beaten by Japan and Germany by two scores in each match?

[rowan]

What I see is 6 Nations teams often leapfrogging Rugby Championship teams on the basis of 6 Nations results, and Rugby Championship teams dropping below 6 Nations teams on the basis of Rugby Championship results. It also struck me as odd that a couple of 6 Nations teams, including Ireland, flew up the ladder a couple of years back on the basis of a home-win or two over touring Rugby Championship teams at the end of an arduous Southern Hemisphere season, but when the 6 Nations teams all got hammered Down Under last during last year's spring tours it didn't seem to effect the rankings much at all.

I'm not disputing your criticism of the FIFA rankings - Belgium shouldn't even be in the top 10 right now - but I can't agree with your defence of the World Rugby rankings. It's a hang of a job, I know, but it's obviously flawed in some respects.

[WaspInWales]

What I see is 6 Nations teams often leapfrogging Rugby Championship teams on the basis of 6 Nations results, and Rugby Championship teams dropping below 6 Nations teams on the basis of Rugby Championship results. It also struck me as odd that a couple of 6 Nations teams, including Ireland, flew up the ladder a couple of years back on the basis of a home-win or two over touring Rugby Championship teams at the end of an arduous Southern Hemisphere season, but when the 6 Nations teams all got hammered Down Under last during last year's spring tours it didn't seem to effect the rankings much at all.

I'm not disputing your criticism of the FIFA rankings - Belgium shouldn't even be in the top 10 right now - but I can't agree with your defence of the World Rugby rankings. It's a hang of a job, I know, but it's obviously flawed in some respects.

Argentina can jump 3 or 4 places with a single home win in the rugby championship.

Perhaps by the end of the tournament, there will be a new #2 in the rankings.

Whilst not perfect, I think the rugby rankings are a more accurate reflection of how teams are playing when compared to FIFA.

[Lizard]

Almost as bizarre as the rugby rankings.

I don't think many would argue with the top of the rugby rankings.

NZ miles ahead at #1. England comfortably second for the time being. Not much between SA and Australia and then smaller gaps between 5th and 9th. More importantly, all the teams you would expect to see in the top 10, bar Italy are there.

Going further down the list, there are no surprises.

I'm not sure how FIFA determine their rankings but Belgium still being second is a piss take. How England only manage to lose 2 places despite losing to a team far lower than them is beyond me.

On what possible basis would you expect Italy to be in the top 10?

Since RWC2011 they've only won 12 of 51 tests, including just 4 of 25 6N matches. They are 0 from 7 against the SANZAAR teams (including 3 v Los Pumas) and 3/6 against the Pacific Islands. Japan has beaten them. The only teams they have played and not lost to in this period are USA, Canada (each 2 tests), Tonga and Romania (each 1 test).

That is not a record to give anyone top 10 expectations.

[Big D]

Almost as bizarre as the rugby rankings.

I don't think many would argue with the top of the rugby rankings.

NZ miles ahead at #1. England comfortably second for the time being. Not much between SA and Australia and then smaller gaps between 5th and 9th. More importantly, all the teams you would expect to see in the top 10, bar Italy are there.

Going further down the list, there are no surprises.

I'm not sure how FIFA determine their rankings but Belgium still being second is a piss take. How England only manage to lose 2 places despite losing to a team far lower than them is beyond me.

On what possible basis would you expect Italy to be in the top 10?

Since RWC2011 they've only won 12 of 51 tests, including just 4 of 25 6N matches. They are 0 from 7 against the SANZAAR teams (including 3 v Los Pumas) and 3/6 against the Pacific Islands. Japan has beaten them. The only teams they have played and not lost to in this period are USA, Canada (each 2 tests), Tonga and Romania (each 1 test).

That is not a record to give anyone top 10 expectations.

I was confused by that. I thought he was saying the top 10 was as he'd expect except Italy are currently there. But they are not, and rightfully so.

[WaspInWales]

On what possible basis would you expect Italy to be in the top 10?

Since RWC2011 they've only won 12 of 51 tests, including just 4 of 25 6N matches. They are 0 from 7 against the SANZAAR teams (including 3 v Los Pumas) and 3/6 against the Pacific Islands. Japan has beaten them. The only teams they have played and not lost to in this period are USA, Canada (each 2 tests), Tonga and Romania (each 1 test).

That is not a record to give anyone top 10 expectations.

Fair comment. I hadn't realised Italy's recent record was that bad.

It's obviously been a while since Italy were in the top 10 too. I made the comment as I thought I recalled a period where they were in the top 10 for a while but I may have been wrong or it may just have been too long ago to be relevant now.

I hereby retract my comment.

[rowan]

On what possible basis would you expect Italy to be in the top 10?

Since RWC2011 they've only won 12 of 51 tests, including just 4 of 25 6N matches. They are 0 from 7 against the SANZAAR teams (including 3 v Los Pumas) and 3/6 against the Pacific Islands. Japan has beaten them. The only teams they have played and not lost to in this period are USA, Canada (each 2 tests), Tonga and Romania (each 1 test).

That is not a record to give anyone top 10 expectations.

Fair comment. I hadn't realised Italy's recent record was that bad.

It's obviously been a while since Italy were in the top 10 too. I made the comment as I thought I recalled a period where they were in the top 10 for a while but I may have been wrong or it may just have been too long ago to be relevant now.

I hereby retract my comment.

Along with your defence of the rugby rankings in general, no doubt?

[WaspInWales]

Along with your defence of the rugby rankings in general, no doubt?

Nope, if anything, the credibility of the rankings is proven beyond doubt with Italy's absence from the top 10.

FIFA on the other hand....

[rowan]

That's what I thought you'd say.

[rowan]

Turkey will bid for the 2024 Euros. & why not? I say. We've got the stadia, with both Galatasaray and Besiktas having built brand new ones with increased capacities in the recent years. The population and the fans are here, of course, while Istanbul's public transportation system is growing by the day. Within a few years we'll have one of the biggest airports in the world fully operational, as well as the third biggest metro in Europe, apparently.

Interesting interview with Colin Kazim here as well: https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... dnfootball

[Tre]

Turkey will bid for the 2024 Euros. & why not? I say. We've got the stadia, with both Galatasaray and Besiktas having built brand new ones with increased capacities in the recent years. The population and the fans are here, of course, while Istanbul's public transportation system is growing by the day. Within a few years we'll have one of the biggest airports in the world fully operational, as well as the third biggest metro in Europe, apparently.

Interesting interview with Colin Kazim here as well: https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... dnfootball

Because of the violence which still goes with the game in Turkey?

Russia got the world cup though, so why not indeed.

[rowan]

Turkey will bid for the 2024 Euros. & why not? I say. We've got the stadia, with both Galatasaray and Besiktas having built brand new ones with increased capacities in the recent years. The population and the fans are here, of course, while Istanbul's public transportation system is growing by the day. Within a few years we'll have one of the biggest airports in the world fully operational, as well as the third biggest metro in Europe, apparently.

Interesting interview with Colin Kazim here as well: https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... dnfootball

Because of the violence which still goes with the game in Turkey?

Russia got the world cup though, so why not indeed.

Well, hooliganism is actually known as the 'English disease,' due to the fact the British pioneered the disgraceful phenomenon and exported it to the rest of Europe. But don't let that stop them pointing the finger at others - as usual . . .

As a matter of fact, I regularly find myself wading through the football hordes on my way home from work as I pass right by one of the city's major stadiums. Never encountered any problems whatsoever.

[rowan]

Update:

Turkey's stadiums are ready ahead of UEFA picking the host association for the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (EURO 2024). http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey ... 024-137199

[rowan]

Germany gets it!

Sadly I can't argue with this:

The report added that Turkey's lack of an action plan in the area of human rights and limited hotel capacity in many cities were matters "of concern". It also labelled the scale of transport infrastructure work required "a risk".

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45666950

[rowan]

Germany have hosted once before, in addition to two World Cups. Turkey has never hosted a major international football tournament. To be honest, I think Turkey would have put on a great show. But the silver lining is our glorious leader will not be able to take the credit for bring it to Turkey, and has pretty much been cited as one of the main reasons we didn't get it.

[Galfon]

Big Al's Scotland get an automatic play-off spot (if not already through) for Euros2020, after winning Nations League C, Group 1..and promotion to League B.
The Nations league has brought something new and seems pretty popular all round, if you can make sense of it.

[WaspInWales]

I think the Nations League is good, as it's nice to see competitive matches in between the big tournaments. Far too often we saw meaningless international matches where coaches were deprived of players by their club managers. Matches were often low quality, low entertainment, but now there's added motivation to win and perform.

[WaspInWales]

So, England have Holland in the Nations League semi finals. Probably the toughest opposition there. They have looked pretty good of late.

[Galfon]

Flying start from Eng with 2 good wins in Grp.A of the qualies., albeit weakish opposition.
Wal, Norn Iron (2) and Rep. Ire all winning their games too.Only fly in the oinkment so far is Sco with 2 lack-lustre showings on the road with McLeish appearing to be on borrowed thyme.

[Galfon]

Another easy win at home, this time the Bulgars.
The other unbeaten team (Kosovo) visit on Tue.
Win that and it' should be coasting for GS.
He has plenty of young talent up front but defence still looks flakey at times.
Disappointing to see how prevalent the art of acquiring penalties remains.

[Galfon]

5-3 Kosovo..qed.
'Best of the also-rans' feel about this team.
Bags of goals in it, but a decent opposition would have a field day.