Hipster choice and business end

This is the strange stage of each tournament where only the truly dedicated watch every match. Simultaneous kick-offs are a nightmare for the wannabee completionist with a busy life. And so I'm making my choices. Today I am feeling very hipster by watching the 'alternative' match - Ukraine vs Austria over on ITV4.

The stadium in Bucharest looks completely amazing; whether the match shapes up is another thing, but I can't see any of the teams playing out convenient draws in this final round of Group games. I mean, if Italy didn't then nobody will, right. Part of the reason surely is that no team actually has a clue what is needed to get through as a best 3rd place qualifier. Whilst really annoying, it is probably helping the group games to all be meaningful and competitive. It does throw in a nasty unfairness slant though, as by the time Group F come to their final games, the mathemeticians will have been at it and worked out the formula needed for qualification from that group.

So today Groups B and C get decided and my head hurts just trying to work out the permutations, but suffice to say the main interest will be (for me):

1. whether Ukraine or Austria put the other team into peril by beating them
2. whether Denmark can harness the positive energy being sent their way by the footballing world and come up with a last ditch qualification escape
3. De Bruyne (if he plays) 

The games have continued to be good fun, with Switzerland and Turkey serving up a treat for the hipster alternative channel watchers yesterday, and Italy vs Wales being tense in its own way. Certainly Italy (now on a 30 game unbeated streak) look very assured. 

And tomorrow it is England again, with everything rather much on a knife-edge. Defeat could theoretically see us go out, and yet a confiudent win would see us re-installed as up there with the favourites. Southgate, I hope is looking into a mirror right now and asking himself "Do I want to let the great, in-form players in my team to thrive - or shall I grind out a joyless progression and inevitable exit somewhere along the line". Or to abbreviate, "shall I crack on and pick Grealish"?

Tomorrow we will know. 

Crunch time looming

  I'm sat writing this just before the start of the Matchday 3 fixtures, which kick off (excuse the dodgy pun!) with Italy v Wales and Switzerland v Turkey. realising that a potentially massive issue is looming on the horizon.

Looking at the fixtures list, I can see there are two (yes two!) days this week without any football to watch. What am I supposed to do for those two days? Why have you forsaken me God?

All joking aside, this will give me the opportunity to build up some brownie points by letting the wife have access to the tv for a while, and should hopefully put me in good stead for any extra time/shoot out negotiations that may be needed.

I'm conscious that I haven't really covered Matchday 2 in any of my blogs, I always find the second round of group matches a very strange kind of limbo and almost the lull of the tournament. No one is definitely out, with all the options for 3rd place teams getting through, so it always feels like the ultra cautious round for most teams (hence the bore draw between England and Scotland, which promised so much and failed to deliver).

The one exception to this, and deserving of a massive callout, has to be the Portugal v Germany clash. What a game!! I can hand on heart say that is probably one of the most entertaining games I have seen in years. It had as much action as you need, plenty of goals, dodgy defending and a result that hung in the balance even in the closing few minutes. Add to that the fact that if England manage to top their group they will face the team that finishes as runners up in this group, and the stage was set. That game showed two things more than anything to me:

1. Portugal aren't the best in defence. Get around the sides and get crosses in and its like watching someone trying to save the Titanic with an eggcup. Sheer panic and all cohesion as a defensive unit out the window.

2. Never, ever write off the Germans.

I'm going to gloss over the rest of Matchday 2 mainly because if you are reading this chances are you saw the games anyway, and also because due to work and other commitments there were some games where I only caught the briefest glimpse of the action. What we do know however is that Italy, Netherlands and Belgium have all qualified for the next round with a game to spare, so congratulations to them.

So in terms of England, what does looking forward to the next round look like (assuming we don't massively mess things up - but don't bet against it). Topping the group would see us play, as mentioned before, the runner up of the France/Germany/Portugal love triangle (realistically I cant see Hungary crashing the party although they could have a big say in the order of those 3). Of those 3, I'd have to say I'd rather face Portugal rather than the other two. France look good, although they dropped points against Hungary I see that as a blip rather than a cause for concern for them. Germany always seem to get the better of us in tournaments (although there was this one game a while back..........).

Second place in Group D would get us a game against the runners up of Group E (Sweden, Spain, Poland, Slovakia). For me this would be the path of least resistance, I've not seen anything from these teams that would overly worry me, and this feels like possibly the weakest group in the tournament to me. I'd be happy to face any of these teams.

Finally, if we did manage to make a bit of a mess of things and finish 3rd, assuming we had the points to go through we would end up with the winner of the above group, the winners of group A or the runners up of Group A (my money would be on Italy and Wales filling these spots respectively). Italy have been very impressive so far (2 wins, 0 conceded, 6 scored and 29 games unbeaten) so lets avoid them if we can eh? Wales would be a great game, but also a big challenge so again I'd rather avoid them.

Realistically I think we will finish top, beating the Czechs on Tuesday, and will face most likely France (I expect Germany to win and can see France and Portugal coming out as a draw). I'd like to see us going all out for the win on Tuesday, if we realistically want to stake a claim for the trophy we need to prove we can play, and aren't afraid of anyone we may meet. Maybe in a few days those words will come back to haunt me but I'd like to see us really attacking, and Grealish getting a start for the first time. Lets do this!!

Forgotten matches and the clamour for Grealish

I need to have a word with myself. This week I missed two matches. I missed two matches because I forgot they were even on. Why? Because I was working. I should submit this information for my appraisal. "Works diligently whilst at home, to the point of forgetting to tune in to North Macedonia's efforts to progress through Group C". I'm not proud.

Whilst we're on Group C, the aforementioned North Macedonia are going to need something special against the flamboyant Netherlands from their last game to qualify. What is nice is that in this group (and I think mathematically in all groups) all of the teams should have something to play for in the final match.

The tournament has really taken off this week. Some good performances (Wales, Italy, Netherlands again, Belgium once they tried) and some drama (all the missed penalties, long range goal) and of course the heartening news that Eriksen is recovering and out of hospital.

Today's games all involve potential favourites. Expect Spain to pass themselves and Poland into a mesmerised slumber, France to unleash all hell on Hungary and Ronaldo to defy the ageing process once more and put Germany into real peril.

I've left the mention of England until last. The draw against Scotland puts us on 4 points and should mean we qualify. It also opens up the possibility of us potentially not playing against Group F opponents in the next round. But we can't prejudge the mathematics. What upsets me is that by setting out with a combative line-up, we signed up to a combative game. Leveller by selection. I think no other nation at the tournament would leave a talent like Grealish sat on the side. He is the most elegant player I have ever had the fortune to watch live, and needs to be gracing the TVs of a watching continent/globe. Hopefully the light-switch effect of his introduction against Scotland, coupled with inevitable media clamour will secure his place going forward, and that will only be a positive for our chances.

There's something in the air

  I was sat the other day watching the France v Germany game, and something hit me - this tournament feels different to me than other previous tournaments (in a good way!)

I'm not sure whether its due to Covid and the impact it has had on everyone's lives, the fact that I am genuinely optimistic for England's chances or the fact that its the first time my son has really been caught up in it all (or a combination of these) but this Euro's has an added feeling of euphoria about it.

The last point in particular is particularly poignant to me. I remember (as I'm sure we all do) the first tournament we ever really felt swept away by. Mine was Italia '90 - sure I followed Mexico '86, but I don't really remember anything from that one. Italia '90 is the first tournament I can remember really getting behind and religiously following, wallchart and Panini sticker book in hand. I was speaking to my younger brother the other day and he was the same about Euro '96 - at that time he was the same age as my son is now and he can recall how much joy he got from watching it all unfold.

In previous tournaments my lad has never really had that passion - he's asked who was playing if he wandered in while a game was on, and checked on England scores after they had played, but this year he has really got involved. 

"Dad can I get an England flag to hang out my window?"

"Can I get a wallchart to see who we (England) might end up playing?"

Of course you can son, welcome to the world of an England supporter.

He's even (shocked silence here) sacrificed playing on his XBox or watching his favourite YouTubers to sit and watch some games with his old man. Sure he's full of questions, and I must have tried to explain offside at least a dozen times, but I don't care, its a minor inconvenience compared to that simple feeling of watching a footy game with your son.

Sometimes its those simple little things that make something great even more special, and I'm loving every minute of it. I think that's something that gets a bit lost in everyday life sometimes, and its something we should never lose sight of and grab it whenever we can. Long may it continue.

Sparked into life

 There comes a day in most if not every tournament that it properly comes to life. That moment has arrived in Euro 2020. A few days ago I feared that the whole tournament might become a morbid, guilt-ridden side-show of an affair. But with Eriksen's recovery and some thumping games, the positivity is growing. 

I'm writing this whilst watching a really entertaining encounter between Hungary and Portugal (my tip for winners), in a stadium containing over 60,000 people. The spectacle is just so much better with fans. As I started typing it was 0-0 in a thoroughly entertaining match, but Portugal have just switched on the afterburners and raced to a 3-0 lead, with Ronaldo inevitably at the heart of things. 

Another game I enjoyed immensely was Scotland's game with the Czech Republic, seeing THAT goal (and all the memes that followed). That particular game and the unfolding group stage has given me two realisations:

1) that a hard-fought game is often more entertaining than a technical game. See any Spain match for evidence, their clean...no sanitised game is sterile and inert. Yet in both Scotland and Czech Republic we saw what graft and heart can bring to a game. There was genuine needle  and I loved it! 

2) that the weird 3rd place qualification rules might not actually be a bad thing. I'll be honest, I was super anti-this as a rule; but as I am watching the groups develop it is clear that many of the teams and matches are fairly well balanced, and the strange tournament setup might actually ensure that all of the group games remain meaningful. Even Hungary, who have taken a 3-0 beating tonight have showed enough to retain some hope that they might get a result in game 2 or 3 and sneak through. This can only be a good thing.

I need to go put my kids to bed now - and then settle down for an absolute treat of a match - Germany vs France - what a fixture. 

 

Matchday 1 - full time whistle

 Well we are now 5 days in and have moved through each teams first game, which has certainly thrown some light on the likely runners and riders for the latter stages. I have to say so far I've loved every minute, there's been plenty of action, very few dull games, and even the games featuring the so called 'lesser teams' have been entertaining as hell.

Last time around we had covered up to England's game against Croatia, so without any pause lets head back in and pick up where we left off.

The second game in Group D saw the Scots taking on the Czech Republic. In my head I had this down as a very close game, and without some great goalkeeping and some improved Scottish finishing it could have been a different story than the 2-0 scoreline suggest. Another serious contender for Goal of the tournament (GOTT) from Schick was the standout moment of the match, although there were plenty of other talking points and chances in a highly entertaining game.

Group E saw the first slightly disappointing match. Spain were unable to break down Sweden and could only manage a tame 0-0, the first of the 'big' teams to falter so far in probably the least entertaining game so far. Moving on, Poland v Slovakia was never going to be an all time classic, but all credit to Slovakia who fought back and pulled off the victory to go top of the group after round 1.

Finally Group F. Portugal v Hungary and France v Germany. The Portuguese left it very late to pick up the win, all 3 goals in their 3-0 victory coming after the 84th minute. CR7 bagged himself a brace to go joint top of the scoring charts, as the defending champions kicked off their campaign with a deserved win, although it must have been a bit nervy at the end until that first goal went in. In the first true heavyweight clash the French ran out winners over Germany thanks to a Hummels OG (was I the only person who found this very satisfying?) and looked like a very good outfit. 3 players stood out for me - Benzema (who I always regarded as a bit of a lazy mare before but worked his socks off for the team), Varane (what a quality defender!) and Kante (who seemed to be literally everywhere on the pitch).

So, heading into Matchday 2, how are the predictions looking? Its a bit too early to tell with any real conviction, but apart from the Spain draw and Finland winning most of the games have gone pretty much as I expected, no real shocks yet, so the predictions are, I feel, looking good. We'll find out more as Matchday 2 gets under way and the groups take shape a bit more.

Two final points:

Firstly, is anyone else finding the delay before giving a player offside is getting ridiculous? One of the games the other day the guy received the ball, and I had time to go and make a cuppa before the flag went up! Ok I jest a bit, but I find it really annoying that this delay has been brought in. If he's offside flag it immediately!

Secondly, after the England v Croatia game there were rumblings from Modric (among others on the Croatia team) that England had an unfair advantage having matches at Wembley, effectively home fixtures. Firstly, this is also the case for Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Portugal, but no one has moaned about that. Secondly, the better team won. Get back in your box Modric!!

Matchday 1 - half time team talk

  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!!!

Sticker album crisis averted

There's some serious stuff to talk about in this post - but first let's talk about stickers. Immediately after my last post declaring my lifelong desire to collect Panini stickers, a friend got in touch and pointed me to Panini's tablet app offering. I am now completing my virtual album and the Hungarian flag shiny is absolutely resplendent. 

I'm writing this post whilst watching England's opening game vs Croatia (more on this later, but at least now we know why Southgate named so many right-backs in the squad). Let's recap what has happened so far:

1) Italy smashed Turkey 3-0. They looked very solid and classy whilst doing so and immediately added themselves to my 'contenders' list. In my state of isolation, I'd not realised they were on a 28 match unbeaten run, so they're clearly not in the habit of losing football matches. Watching them reminded me of 90's Italian football. Good technique and guile, but such a compact and narrow style that things are somewhat constricted. This is in part due to the pitch. I always wondered whether the Stadio Olympico just looked tight because of the flat camera angles (with the pitch being in the middle of the running track) - but a bit of [actual] reseach tells me that thre pitch is 10 metres shorter and 4 metres narrower than the Villa Park pitch that I see week in and week out. If I could really be bothered I'd do the metres-squared-available-per-player calculation and nod knowingly at how the resulting compactness is obvious. 

2) Wales got lucky. I watched this game out of one eye whilst video-gaming, but from what I saw they would be the happier of the two teams with a point.

3) Belgium at a canter. They eased themselves into the tournament nicely with their own 3-0 win. Lukaku looked back to his powerful best; although I do find it frustrating that he fails to connect cleanly with so many of his shots. If he hit the ball more true, I think he'd be unstoppable. Russia looked awful btw - one particular sequence of play just showed the Russian players to be literally at 50% speed and physicality of the Belgium players. They are well on their way to the meek exit I expected. 

4) That incident. (Christian Eriksen) Oh my how utterly terrifying it all was. I had actually gone to a pub for the first time since lockdown and was having a cool pint of lager and a burger - the game on my phone, just set down on the table. I was glancing occasionally to check the score and watch any promising looking attacks. So my experience of the situation was an odd one. I was primarily glancing at the clock and the score rather than the actual action..but had noticed no actual play on 3 or 4 consecutive glances. This is when I could see something was up; and I started to take note. As I saw the look of utter horror on fans faces I was panicked and wondered what on earth was happening. Bomb? Terror attack? I tuned in and then felt immediately sick. A friend of mine, of similar age to Eriksen, had a heart attack and brain haemorrage a few years ago, falling forward in the street and dying before reaching hospital. It is a shocking and heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life; and the cruelness sometimes of our departure from this world. I felt moved to tears seeing Eriksen's partner pitchside, beside herself with worry. For them both, and everyone around them, I hope their life can return to some sort of normality as soon as possible. As humans, I don't think we are built to cope with these kinds of things. We're here, as a nation, off the back of hundreds of thousand of Covid deaths (including my own father), and yet a near miss on prime-time TV will have hit the majority of us harder.

Certainly I feel pleased that the tournament can be more of a "get well soon Christian" affair than a morbid memorial.

I will sign off now - looking forward to Grealish showing that he's the game-changer in a minute; and looking forward even more to North Macedonia making their tournament debut later. 

More soon