Wow, already we are over halfway through the Matchday 1 fixtures, and there's been more ups and downs than a kangaroo on a pogo stick! we've seen sadness, joy, luck, and some cracking games so far - lets hope the rest of the games live up to the ones so far.
Before I run through what's happened so far, I'd just like to reiterate these are my personal views, and everyone has their own opinions on things, so take them for just that ok? Also as an England fan I reserve the right to waffle on about them more than some of the other teams so bear with me.
In Group A, we saw Italy and Turkey get us underway, prefaced by a remote control car driving the ball onto the pitch! I kid you not, if you haven't seen it, then find it on YouTube. An unusual start but anything can happen in football. Once the match got underway Italy dominated control of the game, running out 3-0 winners against a team that didn't look much of a threat to anyone in the group. Early views are that (despite the opposition) Italy could be a force to be reckoned with throughout this tournament. Wales and Switzerland carried on the group the following day, throwing up a 1-1 draw. The Swiss were the better team, and Wales (semi finalists in the last Euro's don't forget) can count themselves lucky to have got anything from the game.
Group B also played their games on Saturday, with Denmark and Finland kicking things off. Obviously the game will be remembered for the devastating spectacle of Eriksen collapsing (which I have discussed in more detail in another post so won't dwell on it here) than the football itself, which is only right. Finland managed to secure a 1-0 win but you cant help but feel it must be a very meaningless victory compared to what else happened. That said the 3 points will really help them to look towards the Round of 16. In the second match of the group Belgium were barely out of second gear as they comfortably breezed past Russia. This could be one of the earliest groups to be clear cut given the fixtures in Matchday 2.
The next group, Group C, provided for me the entertainment of the tournament so far. Goals galore, including 2 early Goal Of The Tournament contenders from Lainer and Yermolenko. The usual display from the Netherlands, who looked very slick going forward but very dodgy at the back - I'd imagine some of the better attacking teams in the tournament are licking their lips at the thought of playing against that defence. Having said that for the neutral it was a great game, full of action and drama, so we really cant complain if neither team isn't great at the back. Austria welcomed North Macedonia to the tournament with a rude awakening, and picked up a comfortable 3 points in the end.
Finally Group D got in on the action, with England taking on Croatia. Possibly the toughest match in the group for the Three Lions saw them win their first ever Euro opener, at the tenth attempt, with Sterling netting to provide the 1-0 win. It wasn't flashy, it certainly wont be game of the tournament, but it felt solid and in control. I was watching with 15 minutes to go with a feeling that something was missing, and after a while I worked out what it was - I didn't have the usual feeling of impending disaster I get watching England defend the lead in a tournament. Maybe it was the beer, maybe I just have more of a good feeling about this team - who knows?
Thoughts from the first few matches? Italy look strong, Netherlands will just try and outscore everyone they play (Newcastle under Keegan in the 90's ring any bells?) and, just maybe, England showed that perhaps their ever optimistic fans may have cause for belief this time around? Come on England!!!
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