Football, bloody hell!

It's taken a while for my first post... the typical time difference woe of the Euro's combined with Eastern Standard Time for someone trying to look somewhat attentive on work zoom calls has been its usual challenge, and my spare moments have been spent catching up on the action vs crafting witty anecdotes on the return of tournament footy. But successful viewing has been achieved, with only a tinge of disappointment that I missed out on some real-time astonishment at Dubravka's audition for the Slovakia volleyball team. 

Rarely would I quote Sir Alex in a heading, but there's really no other way to explain the last 2 weeks. Literally, someone almost died in the corner of a field in Copenhagen..., staying on brand with a tournament that bizarrely decided to keep the 2020 moniker.....  a traumatic event for the young men expected to ridiculously try and complete the game afterwards. Yet 9 days later, these same blokes are running to the same corner of the field in sheer ecstasy being pelted with a 1,000 plastic beer cups to lift not just the spirits of the Dane's but the football world. Football, bloody hell! 

So with Denmark efficiently taking care of the question of who would be my second team once England limp out, I can now reflect back on what has been a brilliant group stage. The half empty stadia (unless you're in the Covid-immune Budapest postcode) hasn't lessened the drama at all. So here's the rundown on the key players:

• Italy look transformed, a very traditional defence, but combined with a pressing and energy we've never seen before. Oh, and they're full of good players. But no great players... maybe they remind us all that this is a team game. Although they do carry the usual scepticism of a team winning all 3 group games... 
• France are ridiculously talented, with Pogba looking majestic. But, they haven't fully clicked yet, but should have enough to get past Switzerland in the next round, but Mbappe and Griezmann need to get in full gear.
• Belgium - always a treat to see folk wax lyrical about the "great managerial change" by Martinez to bring on KDB and Eden Hazard to change the game vs Denmark. As long as he is astute enough to decide to play the best player in the tournament again, further success awaits. But it's relying on a creakingly old defence without the organization of Kompany.  
• Holland - it wasn't the strongest group for sure, but they looked mobile and fluid. Maybe the grounding of 4 woeful games at Palace is the perfect set up for international management glory. However, they ironically look like a Martinez side - extremely open at the back, which could see them come unstuck in the knock-out rounds (maybe even against the competent Czechs)
• Germany - they made it through. Not sure how. But they don't care. (I do, as one of my pre-tournament bets was them not to make it out of the group)
• Portugal - holders, Ronaldo, no look back-heel passes, a subdued Fernandes & a miracle of modern science that the hologram of 75 yr old Pepe is playing at the back
• England - ehh, at least I have the benefit of going last here and reflecting on the full 3 games, vs react to the paucity of the Scotland game. Look, we're actually quite solid - which is a good thing for tournament footie. But we seem to be struggling for any kind of identity - and the service to a lethargic Kane has been non-existent. We'll just have to see where Gareth slowly takes us from here (hoping it's more dynamic than rotating full backs).

So, onto the Round of 16... with the standout games being Belgium v Portugal and of course the England v Germany game. As we cycled through 90 mins of roulette wheel fixtures in a brilliant conclusion to Group F, I'm ok with the Germans this time around. Not remotely confident, but not fearful either. 

And finally some notable mentions:

Crap refereeing! Did it ever go away? It's truly here to stay and can't be stopped by any technological advances or pandemic. What does feel different though is it's clear VAR has been instructed to never call into question any decision made by the ref, with rapid checks and barely anything being overturned... the bar for 'clear and obvious' has been set at Artem Dzyuba heights.

Comedy goalies! Clearly Dubravka takes the gold here, but Hungary's Peter Gulasci comes in a close second with a flailing attempt to keep them in the tournament. And while a worldie strike, a thousand memes were created as David Marshall tangled himself in the Hampden net.

UEFA uselessness Did it ever go away?  Taking the credit for letting the players decide between two awful options after Erikson, standing by with no action only days later when Pavard clearly got knocked out for France and proceeded to stagger around the pitch in a manner last seen outside your local kebab shop at 2am; and finally a distinct lack of balls to let the Munich stadium be lit up in a show of representation and equality. Shameful. 

The draw Only one of Belgium, Portugal, Italy, France and Spain will be in the final. There's some games to come to figure out who that will be! I will only get carried away about the other side of the draw on Wednesday! 

The Danes I have to leave on a bright note. My 2nd team, your 2nd team, and just an outstanding example of mental strength and team togetherness. It's likely too much for Welsh to handle, so a deep run could happen & it would be glorious!. 

Bye for now,