So nearly a tragedy

 When I started writing this for this blog I never thought that one of my very first posts would have such a serious undertone, yet already after just 2 games a shadow has been cast over the tournament in the form of the proceedings during the Denmark v Finland match.

Firstly, I'd like to give my thoughts on the single incident that it likely to leave its mark from this tournament, more so than any other - the horrific collapse of Cristian Eriksen during the aforementioned game. The whole incident brought home to many people that, although passions can run so high during tournaments, human life is far more important and occurrences like this just highlight that fact in a very stark way.

Regardless of nationality, I cant imagine any fans were not touched by what happened as the drama unfolded, and the behaviour of the fans of both teams in the stadium highlighted that the brotherhood of being a football fan rises above all rivalries and differences.

Primarily the fact that Eriksen is alive and seems to be on the road to recovery is paramount, and my best wishes go out to him, his family and his teammates who all had to deal with something that you could never be prepared for. 

There's been a lot of praise in the media for medical staff (quite rightly too) but I think they aren't the only heroes in this situation. The teammates of Eriksen (and the Finnish players) quite possibly saved his life with their reaction and actions before the medical team even arrived with the player. I honestly think if they hadn't reacted so fast it may well have been a much worse outcome, and they deserve to be recognised for how they handled the situation.

The officials also deserve a lot of praise for their handling of the situation, again prompt action and decisions stopped the situation from ending up any worse than it did.

Finally, as mentioned, the fans from both sides were immense. Such a show of solidarity is regrettably rare at football grounds - these two sets of fans did true football fans around the world proud with their show of unified support.

The BBC here in the UK have been given a lot of stick for showing the in stadium footage for as long as they did but I think there are a couple of mitigating factors here that need to be considered before piling the blame at their door. No doubt my views may be seen as controversial by some but I've never been afraid to speak my mind!

Its important to point out that the pictures from the stadium are not direct from the BBC but are from a third party, so they have no control over what is shown within the stadium. People have said that they could have simply cut away to the studio sooner, but a part of me feels like that would have been as bad, when they did finally cut back it was clear that the presenters were deeply affected, Alex Scott was almost unable to talk and the rest of the crew were in shock, so putting that pressure on them would have been a bit unfair. If it were the ITV I would have said an ad break would have been the right call, but that's not an option for the BBC. I think they managed it the best they could, and regardless of what they did it would have been wrong.

If there's one part of this whole episode I disagree with its the playing of the second half. What emotional trauma that must have put on all those players (and I know they chose to play it, so don't shoot me down for saying that). I have read (and I don't know how much is true) that they were put under quite a bit of pressure to get the game finished asap, and if that is the case the biggest baddie in this whole thing is UEFA - however I don't know how much truth there is to those rumours so I will reserve judgement.

Lets hope this is the only negative point in what is shaping up to be a brilliant tournament, and continue to offer our thoughts and prayers to Eriksen as he starts down the road to recovery. Get well soon Christian.

And so it begins

 I can't believe it. It's here. I want to share a few ramblings before it all begins. 

Stickers: First, let's address the elephant in the room. Panini sticker album. I still want one, and I'm resigned to the fact that this is not a situation one grows out of. It's in me - and I can already see future me, hunched over in a care home, berating myself at a non-straight placement of a Hungarian full-back. Last time I completed an album (Spain 2012) I did it the grown up way - ordering individual stickers (up to the limits they give) to avoid the need to hang around school gates asking for swapsies. I wonder if there is any facility to just order the whole lot up front - I would pay (please message me if this is a thing).

Watching: Next up let's talk about watching plans. I thoroughly intend, as ever, to watch each and every game. This is harder to do with family and kids - but is achieveable. The existence of airpods and reliable live TV streaming to tablet devices from set-top box makes multi-tasking during games a doddle. It is the sheer variety that is the main appeal to me. North Macedonia the mustard on the plate alongside the steak of Belgium, chips of England and peas of Portugal. You still get a good meal without the mustard - but its better with it there.

Predictions: let's have a quick look. I think Group Winners and losers will be:

Group A - Italy to win, Switzerland to go home

Group B - Belgium to win, Finland to go home

Group C - Netherlands to win, Austria to go home

Group D - England to win, Scotland to go home

Group E - Spain to win, Sweden to go home

Group F - Portugal to win, Hungary to go home (they may as well resign, what a dud draw they got!)

This of course leaves 2 additional 3rd place teams to go home. I can never get my head around this tournament mechanic, so i'm not even going to guess. 

Top scorers: My wildcard choices would be Bruno Fernandes and Timo Werner (if I can sort my life out I will have a flutter on each of them). Safe money says Kane. 

It kicks off tonight with Italy vs Turkey - two teams I've seen nothing of in the past 3 years so I can't wait to get started. It could be cagey, and Wales and Switzerland will both be ok with it turning out to be a draw. I have a feeling it could be fiesty too. Soyuncu red card anyone? 

Have a great tourney everyone :)

It starts.........

Finally, after what seems like the wait of a lifetime, its here. Euro 2020 - postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak - is charging over the horizon with the next 4 weeks looking like an absolute orgy of footballing entertainment. 

Firstly, I'd like to say hi. My names Kev, and I'm a amte of Birchys, who has very kindly invited me to contribute to the blog with him and Steve, which I'm really excited about. As a football fan (well I support Nottingham Forest - read into that what you will!) it’s felt like an eternity since the 2018 World Cup, and the anticipation has been building towards fever pitch for a while now. So, kitted out with my England shirt, along with my son in tow who is as excited as ever seen him for a tournament, I’ve decided to blog my way through the tournament, sharing my thoughts and views along the way. They are only my opinions, so keep that in mind when reading through, I don’t expect everyone to agree but let’s keep any differences of opinion friendly and respect others thoughts eh?

So, without further ado, here’s my pre tourney thoughts on each group, and who knows, I may even throw in some predictions. 

Group A - Italy, Turkey, Wales, Switzerland

On initial glance this isn’t a bad group to be in, however with Wales flying high in the last Euros, and the Italians always worth a look and on a great unbeaten run, maybe it’s not that simple. I feel like one of these will win this group, I just can’t see Turkey or the Swiss doing enough to top the table, although they could have a big say in how this group ends up.

Predictions - Italy to win, Turkey to finish bottom

Group B - Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Russia

Honestly, I can’t see anyone other than Belgium topping this group, with a very tight scrap for the other places. It could be any order for those 3 but I’m going to stick my neck on the chopping block based on my gut feelings.

Predictions - Belgium to win, Finland to go home

Group C - Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, North Macedonia

It’s great to see North Macedonia taking a place in the tournament - I wish them well but feel like they don’t have what it takes to get out the group. However they definitely get the award for best flag in the tourney. In terms of the top of the table I think the result from the Netherlands v Ukraine game will sort that out.

Predictions - Netherlands to win, North Macedonia to go home

Group D - England, Scotland, Croatia, Czech Republic

This is a tricky one to call, as this feels like the most evenly balanced group, and all these teams are capable of beating each other on a good day. England have a long history of flattering to deceive, Croatia and the Czechs are always dark horses, and Scotland will be looking to prove a point after a long break from tournament football. I’ve got to back the Three Lions, but it will be a tight group I think.

Predictions - England to win, Scotland to go home

Group E - Spain, Sweden, Slovakia, Poland

Similar to Group B, I can only see Spain winning this one. They aren’t the force they have been in the past but should have what it takes, and I can see the others taking points off each other along the way. Pick one of 3 to go home here!

Predictions - Spain to win, Poland to go home

Group F - Germany, France, Portugal, Hungary

Ouch. You’ve got to feel for Hungary here, that’s a hell of a group to end up in. Some great fixtures early in the tourney but this definitely looks like the fabled ‘group of death’. We know the Germans excel at tournaments, France have some serious talent but can be very hit or miss, and Portugal are defending champions and have Ronaldo leading the way. This could all work for Hungary, with the others all taking points off each other and leaving the back door open for Hungary to pull off a shock result somewhere and sneak through, but I just can’t see it.

Predictions - Portugal to win, Hungary to go home

So there you have it, my views on the groups and who I think will top and tail each group. All that remains is to give you the big ones - who I think will win Euro 2020 and the Golden Boot winner. Drum roll please................

Euro 2020 winners - England. I know I’m biased but there is some really exciting talent available to Gareth Southgate, who I think has done a great job of leading the team. The last couple of years have, more than ever, given a need for something to cheer the nation up, and those hopes could push support for the lads high and hopefully squash some of the negativity that surrounds English football. I really think it’s coming home!!!

Golden Boot - Cristiano Ronaldo. One of the all time greats, who has (unlike times in the past) a team around him capable of going all the way. Given that stage I think this will truly be his tournament.

Right I’ve waffled on long enough, thanks for reading and hopefully you join me on this rollercoaster of a journey. It’s my first blogging experience so I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes, and I’m always up for feedback from you, dear reader. I’ll see you again once it’s all kicked off for a review of the first few games. Take it easy and enjoy the next few weeks.

Are we nearly there yet?

For a tournament that is a year late, Euro 2020 seems to have crept up upon us. It is here. We're a mere 5 days from the big kick-off, and I sit watching England vs Romania in their pre-tournament crossbar challenge. 

This ritual of blogging normally happens every two years, for World Cup and European Championships. And here we are again, albeit a year late, with the world turned upside down since the last such tournament. It is great to be back; and let's hope the next month is both a feast of football and also a symbol of a return to normality for the continent. 

The usual build up to this tournament involves a frenzy of logistics, working out which days to book off work in order to maximise viewing time. No such drama this time. With generally friendly locations and timetable, and a working-from-home backdrop, I am essentially impervious to missing a kick. In fact the biggest threat to my viewing will be bath-time for the kids, which will just be rescheduled for half times breaks. 
 
So what will occur? Well, almost by stealth, Europe has developed some excellent teams during the past 3 years. Belgium remain a massive threat, Spain continue to be good, Portugal look formidable, England and France have a wealth of talent and Germany are Germany. The tourney promises to be pretty amazing. I will preview it properly in the coming days. 

Some fans will be back. Some players have gone well into their 20's without having opportunity to showcase their skills in tournament football - fans are thirsty for action. There's a lot riding on this. 

Over the coming days and weeks, myself and (I hope) Stevey C - will give our thoughts on how it is going, and what might happen, and whether 4 right backs is a legitimate strategy. Come along for the ride, drop us your comments and we'll see you soon.

This ends tonight

So who is it to be?

 Flamboyant but potentially frail France?

Painful yet well-paced Portugal?

Presumably the odds, and the general feeling is heavily swayed towards France; but I've a feeling that Portugal might rise to the occasion tonight. Ronaldo has been playing well without massively impacting the games. I think we will see his smile at some point this evening, he might hit a free-kick on target?!

France of course, both profligate (Giroud) and free-scoring (everyone else, and even Giroud on occasions - in the same ways that monkeys with typewriters would one day rewrite Shakespeare) are rightly favourites, but their frailty at the back makes me think that Portugal's power and pace going forward (when they actually commit to an attack) could cause them some trouble.

It's been a decent tournament, with some good highlights (which I will obviously go into in my round-up post); yet for me it has yet to truly catch fire. A hum dinging final will potentially sway my opinion.

As I left things, France were playing Germany in the semi, and after getting roundly panned for the first 45 minutes, they actually came out worthy winners in the end. Griezmann was pretty sensational.

My prediction. 2-1 to Portugal. A french full back to get a red card after Nani feigns death. Ronaldo to pose on the pitch for a selfy with the Portugal manager and an onrushing fan. His wink lost amongst the flapping of moth wings, but there nonetheless.

Go football....

Vive la France!

So, here we are. One game left, and for me, a whopping amount of games to recap on. Life, work, and the time difference have been strong enemies these past couple of weeks, although the dose of reality hitting my fellow blogger with responsibilities makes me feel somewhat better at losing track.

Like any good tournament tradition, it's been far easier to follow since England's humiliating exit. Enough said about that the better (although I couldn't resist joining the Brexit gag bandwagon
http://euroblabber.blogspot.com/2016/07/post-brexit-blues.html),

That said, there was a memorable personal experience as I reached a personal low in attempting a delayed "live" viewing. Destroyed in an instant by one excited American colleague (and sadly for me, unanticipated) instant message to proclaim "what a crazy game, they're 2-1 down after 20 mins, did you know?".   Now, there's so many things wrong with that communication, I don't know where to start. Sure enough, the match was watched later that evening with a mixed sense of dread and inevitability. To compound matters, I had also score-avoided and taped Spain v Italy played earlier that day, for which Ian Darke kindly reminded me as I watched the England game, had seen the Italians triumph. Bugger.

So that's the lowlight covered, here are my highlights/other lowlights:

• Good: A great run by the Welsh. Helping me to maintain my ladbrokes account by fulfilling my bet on them reaching the semi-finals. Ramsay gave one of the performances of the tournament and Belgium had no answer. 
• Bad: The yellow card, ruling Ramsay out of the semi, and the really bad - the miserly Portuguese waiting to take advantage. 
• Good: The worst penalty shootout in living memory. And it involved the Germans! 
• Bad: The 120 minutes before said shootout. And the fact years of English anguish is solely down to the fact the Germans NEVER miss!
• Good: A terrific France team coming together at just the right time, to be the tournament team improving with every game. And their star player stepping up in a big way and not disappointing. 
• Bad: Somehow, Giroud is still on this terrific team. It makes no sense...
• Very Good:  The semi-final of France and Germany producing the game of the tournament by far. German domination, followed by dodgy German defending (what! see years of English anguish above... where was this in '96!), followed by superb support from the French crowd and their best players rising to the occasion
• Very Bad: The cluster of how the knockout draw opened up. Can't help feel the games have peaked with that encounter and we're robbed a good final. Hope I'm wrong. 

So that leaves me with a final prediction, so here goes:

- I'm going all in on France glory. A comfortable 2-0 win and the demonstration of invincibility when they are allowed to host a tournament.

- I may miss half of the game by incredulously exclaiming, "Mark Clattenburg got the refereeing job for the final!?" Unreal

- Lots of pouting from CR7

- He went quiet on the scoring front but I'm thinking Payet will register. 

- Pogba's rumoured transfer fee rising exponentially as the game is played out. 

- I will snigger quietly by cheering on Umtiti.....he,he

That is all. Game on. 

Real life and CR7

Real life has gotten in the way for the past few days. Not to the extent of actually missing the football (though it was touch and go last night, as I lay on the floor of my sub-1 year old baby's room, watching on my iPhone in between bouts of screaming. Him not me.)  - but to the extent of not being able to post on this blog. I've hit a massive milestone with work, launching a website which has been a labour of love for the past year, and then resigning (the same day). Job done and all that.

As I left things before I was fully expecting Portugal to book a semi-final place. Since then they have not only done so - but followed it up by booking a final place too. Ronaldo is gradually coming to life, his bullet header setting the tone last night (though his failed free kick count now stands at 42 in a row).

The surprise of course is that they didn't triumph in the semi against Belgium. Wales did an Iceland and brushed Belgium aside in the QFs. Whilst very exciting and romantic, it did of course deny us a classic semi-final - because Wales's demise, like Iceland before them, was pretty much inevitable. Without Ramsay, they had little drive in midfield, and Portugal actually look a classy outfit, when they release the shackles.

Tonight we see hosts France (who of course taught Iceland a lesson and were so dominant that even Giroud looked good) against Germany. It could be a classic, though I fear a cagey encounter might prevail. We should all support France as that would bring a potentially exciting final. Portugal v Germany has 120 minutes of nil nil, then penalties written all over it.

Post Brexit Blues

The fall out from recent European events continues to shake the UK. A new survey conducted today found a selection of 21-30 year old males regretted their recent decisions on exiting the E.U.:

"I just don't think the facts and ramifications were fully spelled out for me" said J. Hart of Manchester. "Had I known then, what I know now, I would have not gone with my floppy left hand to stop the ball. But Danny had bailed me out in the group stages and 'Arry assured me he was feeling in the zone, and would bag a hat full in the second half, "

Mr Hart was not alone in his anguish and regret. "Yeah, I did tell Joe that, H. Kane, 22, said ruefully. "I just got carried away with it all I suppose. All the chatter about England being the greatest country and all that, I thought we were invincible and there was nothing we couldn't achieve, you know, no matter how many long throws we didn't bother defending. Now, looking back, I realize the powers that be were feeding so much misinformation into the process, that instead of focusing on the key issues, I was left thinking I was great at taking corners".

It's a consistent theme and message that is heard over and over again amongst this age group, many of which feel let down by the older generation, who acted strongly to ensure that the UK jumped off the European boat quicker than a Boris Johnson leadership campaign. "Do I feel like the old folk screwed us? You're damn right I do", said R. Sterling, 19. "Thanks to their poor decision making and lack of compassion for the significant challenges facing the younger generation, such as how to bejewel my new sink, I'm now facing an uncertain future thanks to them. Before the summer, I had career choices and aspirations. They've all gone now, as everyone realises I'm a bit shit. Of course, people say, 'why don't you actually try to beat a man and actually keep the ball under control?'. And to that I say, nah... blame the old people."

The older generation obviously don't take such sentiment lightly. "Well, I just think it's short-sighted...all of this criticism saying this and that, there is no plan, there is no plan as to how we move forward", bemoaned R. Hodgson, 68. "And to that I say, what was the fucking plan while we were in Europe?? For heaven's sake, I brought 5 strikers and played most of them as wingers. I included Jordan Henderson in an international squad. Come on...! So yeah, there was no plan before, and there is no plan now. So nothing has really changed. Hodgson wandered off into the night, muttering, "it's not really my problem to solve anyway is it mate?" . Rumours he looks set for a future on the political arena have not yet been substantiated.

Yet amongst this backdrop of regret and despair, some remain unrepentant. And it's the key issue of immigration that is the driving force. "No regrets. No regrets at all mate." says G. Cahill, 30. "My mate, JT, is always educating me on foreign affairs - he seems to really have a good handle on that kind of stuff. And basically yeah, no foreigners please. As long we keep things English, it's all good mate. It's laughable, but if we do that, I've actually got a chance of keeping my day job. Now you open things up to a three legged donkey from Lithuania, and well... I'm probably on the bench with JT". 

But even on immigration, the underlying tone of regret and remorse pervades as we circle back with Mr Sterling. "Yeah, I think a lot of us are feeling a bit sheepish now. I didn't quite realise how much we all relied on the E.U.  I thought David Silva was from Bury, and Vincent Kompany was a Burnley lad. Turns out they're foreigners, and they make me look better than I actually am. So you can see the positive impact to the community they provide."

And as the nation continues to digest the historic events of these past few weeks, we spoke with J. Vardy, 29, who offered a succinct footnote to this complicated debate as we posed the question of how does a man in the street truly evaluate the medium and long-term economic toll of what has just happened? - "Huh? No idea what you're talking about mate. But did I tell you my agent negotiated my new contract to be paid in $USD? Chat Shit Get Banged!"