Schick or bust

Georgia 1 - 1 Czech Republic 

Another breathtaking encounter involving Georgia. The game started at breakneck pace with both teams fully aware that this was their best chance of getting the points needed for qualification from Group F.

Chances at both ends, Georgia so comfortable sweeping forward with the ball at their feet, the Czechs more drilled and dangerous from crosses.

As the game went on, Georgia looked increasingly spent, Schick equalising their penalty opener and the Czechs took almost total control towards the end. Even the ref was getting excited, with a blaze of yellow cards towards the end, including one seemingly for "coming on as a sub" which seemed a little harsh.

The draw sees both teams still alive and so a fun conclusion to Group F.

I did a bit of thinking about Georgia's approach. Southgate fans would point to it as nativity and bad game/tournament management, to do all that trying hard stuff rather than sitting back and preserving energy. Now I know Georgia and England are occupying totally different contexts, but surely the aim for such a tournament is broadly the same for all teams. Give the best account of yourself, bring joy, have a go.

Kudos to Georgia, they've brought me far more joy than our sleeping lions.

'Quality'

Netherlands 0 - 0 France

Our first scoreless draw of the competition,  but in my mind quite an enjoyable one. If you listened to Jermaine Jenas though, you'd think it was the worst game played in history.  He solidified my opinion that all commentators should be given a limited ration for the use of the word "quality", as it's really starting to do my nut in. 

Where it started as an occasional sprinkle on top of actual commentary (e.g after 60 minutes of constantly describing good things that De Bruyne does, drop in that he is "just quality"), it has now become a lazy catch-all word used instead of actual description ("they need some quality from this corner", "he's got such quality", "what this team needs now is some quality", "that pass had such quality on it").

What do you even actually mean? Jenas got himself into a real pickle, mistaking the Netherlands very clear strategy (of defend solidly and use their searing pace of Frimpong, Depay and Gakpo) to cause danger on the break, for a negative low block.

Tactically it was a really well executed game plan. France too have an exciting front line, made better imo for having (the 'quality' of) Griezeman as part of it. Both teams I thought played well in a pretty furious match, and we're unlucky not to score.

For Netherlands it's just a matter of if and when the goals start to come. They've plenty of threat going forward and a pretty solid base in defence and midfield. France, with Kante looking very impressive in midfield also have what it takes to go deep in the comp.

The draw suited both teams, guaranteeing qualification (at Poland's expense) and the last games will be a shootout for goals to win the group.

I'm off to spend some quality time with my kids this morning before a quality trio of games later on. Have a quality weekend. Show quality in everything you do. Quality.

Pulling up trees

Poland 1 - 3 Austria

(I was super close to using "Posch Blank" as the post title, after he was denied a glorious goal late on)

I did Austria a disservice in my last post, claiming this was a game I had little hope for. I'd forgotten if course that Rangnick's team were one of the most slick and entertaining of the first set of games. This memory had evaded me in amongst Mbappe's nose explosion and Frances win. It seems that the only really shocking games are reserved for those involving England.

Poland again cracked out a very loud and emotional anthem, which got me doing some research about it. I could sense a certain passion about it that warrants knowing more. "Poland is not yet lost" is the main vibe, a nod to the fact that national identity will live on regardless of borders being redrawn and politics. You can definitely feel the resolve of a nation when it is sung.

The game here was pretty lively, both teams giving a decent showing. Lewandowski made an appearance, coming on as a sub and demonstrating his eagerness with a yellow card about 2 min later. I think the fact that Netherlands and France are in the group saw both teams gunning hard for the win. Most likely they'll be scrapping it out for a 3rd place and 3 points nailbiter slot. 

Austria came out on top, stretching into a lead after an otherwise tight first hour. Baumgartner (translated tree gardener) scoring a good second before Arnautovic slotted the first penalty of the tourney for the third.

Austria are playing well enough to entertain a chance vs Netherlands in their final game.

Easy to forget Ralf Rangnick's short/non spell at Man United. I wonder whether in another reality he might have stayed and got them playing like this?

Memories of Berbatov

Slovakia 1 - 2 Ukraine

Group E is shaping up to be an interesting one. At half time, with Slovakia leading I felt like there was a strong chance that Belgium might finish in 3rd place and thus potentially be a banana skin in the making for whomever draws them in the round of 16. 

I've been down that rabbit hole and it all seems undetermined, with the fixtures listing "Winner of Group B v 3rd from Group A/D/E/F". Oddly, the winner of Group F only has a pot of 3 potential opponents, 3rd place from A/B/C. How this gets narrowed down I have no idea? Draw? Predetermined by some magic formula? Drop a comment if you actually know! One thing is for sure (and I know this after following a Europa Conference League campaign), is that UEFA love a bit of complexity in a draw.

The second half saw Ukraine rally and their second for the winner was a lovely piece of Berbatov style control. We wait for tomorrow night to find out what happens between Belgium and Romania, could be a cracker that one. On paper, we're very likely to see all teams on 3 points going into their final games.

Right, I need to steel myself for the Poland v Austria match, hopefully it will surprise me, but I'm not expecting much...

Sweet relief

Spain 1 - 0 Italy

Like a vaccine to the football infection we'd witnessed before, Spain and Italy reminded us that football is still alive. 

Spain looked imperious and Italy, whilst outplayed, showed that you can at least look interested and energetic whilst being dominated. Misleading that the game was settled by yet another own goal, Spain created plenty and only a touch of luck and some sharp goalkeeping from Donnarumma kept things close. Pedri and Rodri were just majestic, Williams a constant threat, Yamal just ridiculously talented and confident at age 16.

There's literally light years between that performance and the snuff movie that was England earlier.

Italy hung on in there, got physical and rallied late. Their plight could be interesting as a final group game against Croatia is exactly what they do not need right now, and if Spain wanted to troll them, they could make 11 changes for their last game Vs Albania. Definitely worth keeping an eye on both the group game closers there.

Onto tomorrow, what do we have...oh a slow burner kind of day. Ukraine will need to liven up Vs Slovakia, Poland can be a tough watch and a matchup with Austria isn't thrilling, but Netherlands and France is a belter. I'm here for it.

Management

Denmark 1 - 1 England

Aston Villa under St$phen G$rrard were absolutely garbage. The same players under Unai Emery were sensational. 

Why?

Because they now had a good coach, with a clear vision, a method, a system, balance and the passion to build towards something better.

Management is key.

England have built an era of politicians football. It's all been about optics over substance. The smart waistcoat, appearing 'more together', being risk averse at every step to avoid retribution.

I'm genuinely sick of the Southgate era. We are top of our group, and who knows we could go on and somehow win this tournament, but it would feel hollow, lucky, undeserved.

The problems didn't start here in Germany. They have existed all along. A reluctance to try the new players is a facet of Southgate's reign.  Pissing about for years with MacGuire, Henderson and Phillips, and guess what, there's now no rhythm between our centre backs and midfield. 

Apparently there are no left footed English players in existence, so we have sacrificed any purpose or rhythm down one half of the pitch. We have a centre forward who occupies the #10 space, so let's select two other #10s to work that exact same space with him. 

It's awful. Hopefully bad enough to get the press all over Southgate to the point he folds and takes the path of least resistance (as he always does) and changes things. When Grealish was in his pomp, Southgate's reflex was to omit him, only when the press really pushed did he capitulate. 

So now, all my hopes are strangely pinned on the UK media to dig us out of this [shit] hole.

Phwoar draw

Slovenia 1 - 1 Serbia

I didn't show full concentration to the early game today. It was a pretty drab affair, though brightened by the late late Serbian equaliser. Proper keeper up last gasp stuff.

The result means that if England fail to win then I think positions 1-4 would all be up for grabs for all teams in the group. That would be such an England scenario to be in at the tournament where it is literally harder to not qualify than it is to qualify.

I'm settled now for the Bellingham show, after rage watering the garden at the unchanged team. I do feel conflicted. Playing the team into form makes some sense, except for the fact that (a) this process should have happened during the past 2 years and (b) we have absolute quality and players who are specialists in their positions on the bench, whilst others struggle out of position on the pitch.

Come on England.

Total skill Laçi

Croatia 2 - 2 Albania

So a delayed word about Croatia v Albania, a chaotic and open affair which went this way and that. Laçi with a fine headed opener and Albania continued to threaten despite not having a lot of the ball.

When yet another own goal went in (are we up to 7 now in the tourney?) Albania looked buried but their 95th minute equaliser gives them a sniff. What looks most likely of course is that they will become the makeweights for some other 3rd place team to make it through, potentially with as little as 2 points to their name. 

What we have guaranteed is that all the remaining games in Group B will be excellent. Spain v Italy is an absolute stonker, and perfect antidote to the (possible) Southgate-sedative tomorrow, and then of course the final games where Croatia and Albania will be going full nuts out Vs Italy and Spain respectively on Monday. 

Lovely.