Wow, I guess the results are real. I would never have imagined Wales going this far, although no offense, I had hoped to see Belgium go further. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at an Icelandic upset on Sunday now, should I?

Our Welsh Corgis are celebrating by listening to Tom Jones' music.

((H))

anything is possible, as the last 7 days have demonstrated.

what price a Iceland v Wales final?

Not the best soccer today although I'm happy that my favorite team is through to the semifinals.

Our Welsh Corgis are celebrating by listening to Tom Jones' music<<

I wouldn't panic unless they are sipping lemonade while knitting too

Germany - Italy. Could had been a final.

The final penalty shooting looked tighter than the actual game, when Germany clearly was the better team but had some bad luck - before luck came back with the penalties.

The positive effect: Most of the catenaccio teams have been eliminated so far.

Now, with Iceland, one Parking-the-bus team is still in play. Let's see what happens tonight. France is a different caliber than England.

Anyway, we can expect more beautiful playing next week

This is turning into a slaughter :(. Poor Iceland.

Or maybe not? Come on Iceland!

Guess not :(.

Two goals against France and still they go home. God love you Iceland.

Yes, bless em.

Bye bye Iceland. You were the stars of this tournament for many.
A quote from the Beeb site tonight: Iceland playing how a proper team should: together in victory, together in defeat. never giving up. take note, England.

I guess Wales, the last minnow swimming, will be next to go...:(.
The final could have great bore potential.

Great game. What a win by France, but even better that Iceland played to the end. Some teams would have given up after the first half.

Good for Iceland - they deserved their night in the sun -heaven knows they don't get that much at home.

and France's great performance puts England's pitiful showing into perspective.

Looks like Portugal have finally worked out how to win a game in normal time :(.

At the end of a tournament things get normal. England is out early, Netherlands were never in and surprise teams like Iceland or Wales are sent back were they belong.

And the big teams have heavy fights, sometimes more tactical than beautiful. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

At least the duel of the hairdressers had a clear winner.

Wales never really turned up, sadly. but overall they can be proud that they exceeded even their own wildest expectations, unlike other teams I could but won't mention.

And well played Portugal as well. In the battle of the Real Madrid stars, Ronaldo definitely gets the bragging rights.

Yes, normal service has been resumed. Shame.
I wouldn't bother with the final, but we are looking after the grandkids and the football mad 9 year old is allowed to stay up and watch it, since it is school holidays, so I will have no choice.

Mighty Wales fall to plucky little Portugal. Au revoir red dragons!

That was a very good game, Ronaldo never messed up a hair with that header. I was rooting for Wales though.

Portugal failed to win the Euro Cup with a perfect row of 7 ties.

I may have to eat my words, but I can't see Portugal beating either France of Germany. Unless, of course, it goes to penalties.

Germany to be double World and European Champions!

This time, the tournament had a strange course. There was one branch with Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the other branch with Poland, Wales, Portugal and (sorry Whathello!) Belgium.

So, whoever wins tonight, the final will be a bit unbalanced, considering that we already will have had Italy : Spain, Italy : Germany and Germany : France!

Tonight will be another tough game.

It may happen that Germany plays again with three central defenders to control Giroud and Griezman, so it will again be more defensive (like against Italy). But somehow, I expect more goals tonight an both sides!

OK, so not quite normal service. I had expected Germany to win this evening.
My DIL was given tickets to a concert on Sunday evening by her German friend, who hadn't realised it was finals day when she bought them 8 month ago, and upon realising it was so sure Germany would be in the final she offered her tickets on FB.
I hope the friend doesn't want them back now, even though it would get me out of babysitting and enduring the final!

Hets, had it been played anywhere but France, my money would have been on Germany but in France, i reckoned they wool have the edge, just as i predict they will on Sunday.

but sadly Wales will not get to play Germany in the 3rd place play-off - they were abolished in 1980.

I am in the 'Allez les Blues' camp tonight.

They were wonderful hosts. They accepted the Irish fans antics with very great humour, charm and forbearance. My sister was there for the early games, and the cops were just lovely to them.

Also, they put us out, so we CAN say that we were defeated by the winners :).

I also like the Portuguese, so not a problem if they win.

Hope for a good clean game with lots of goals, sadly lacking in the tournament.

Ger

I don't like him, but it is sad to see Ronaldo leave injured.

Not sure I should be with France.

I supported Belgium, than chose Germany - thinking if they win, it is a little bit like we win in 'disorder' they have the good colour, just not in the good sequence. (Also, I love Germans, lovely people).

Now I fear that if I side with France, they will lose.

And I'm out of rosé wine. Gotta have to finish with a beer. And in Femish we say : 'wijn na bier, plezier ! bier na wijn, venijn !
(wine after beer, pleasure ! beer after wine, venom).

This game is soooo boring (80 minutes I wont get back), I just want anyone to score a goal.

What a surprise, extra time.
A couple of moments of excitement in the last 10minutes, but it looks like Portugal are back to their old ways. Penalties?

Hope for a good clean game with lots of goals, sadly lacking in the tournament.>>

well sorry ger - it's a boring nil-nil draw. we only turned over to watch it at about 80 mins and I'm bored already. what is it with the Portuguese?

I hate to say it but that was a good goal.

Stop with the congratulations for Portugal, you are breaking the Internet.

:)

Congratulations Portugal.

I would have posted sooner but had to get two disappointed kids to bed. Luckily they don't have school tomorrow, but leave for a holiday in France. They will no doubt get their beauty sleep in the car.

I was happy for Portugal.

My country is 900 years old and none of them was easy. It's not a surprise to conquer against the odds.

My final comments on the tournament. It was not the best Euros ever, but it certainly threw up some surprises. Very few truly memorable games, or goals.
Apart from the Russian rent a thugs, and a few problems at the Paris fan-zone yesterday the fans behaved very well.
And there were no terrorist attacks. That has to be the best thing about it all. No one was killed or maimed by a lunatic with a gun or a bomb, and everyone was able to enjoy being together to support their team.

Well done to France for the organisation of this tournament and having the courage, in the light of events, to allow it to go ahead and enable it to be a peaceful, happy event.
Lifting the trophy would have been the icing on the cake for you, but you should be proud of what you achieved.

hetismij2, you are so right on all of that. Rio scares me, don't think they are prepared for anything.