Euro 2020 Day 11 Review

Denmark with the story of Euro 2020!

Group B

Russia 1 vs. 4 Denmark

It was a high stakes game as Russia took on Denmark in Copenhagen to decide who would reach the knockout stages by finishing 2nd. Denmark took the lead in the 38th minute as Damsgaard scored from outside the box to make it 0-1. Poulsen then scored in the 59th minute after a blunder from the Russian defence to make it 0-2 to Denmark. Dzyuba got one back for Russia in the 70th minute after he converted a penalty to make the score 1-2. Safonov made two brilliant saves in the 79th minute to deny Denmark but the 3rd chance came to Christensen as he hammered a shot from outside the box to make it 1-3 and send the stadium into jubilation. Maehle then made it 1-4 on the counter in the 82nd minute to seal a massive win for the Danes and with that 2nd place. Russia’s goal difference took a massive hit as they finished bottom of the group. Denmark’s goal difference received a massive boost which helped them finish 2nd in the group and get a place in the Round of 16. A brilliant story for them and long may it continue in this tournament. 

Finland 0 vs. 2 Belgium

Finland were there defensively tough selves and for much of the game it looked like they would finish in 2nd thanks to a draw. Belgium’s quality was at another level though and they eventually broke the Finnish resolve. Lukaku had the ball in the net initially but it was ruled offside. Hradecky then scored an own goal as the ball hit him and went inside which gave Belgium the lead in the 74th minute. Lukaku then made it 2 in the 81st minute to seal the win for the group leaders. Belgium join Italy and Netherlands in winning all 3 games in their group. Finland finish 3rd on goal difference but probably won’t be one of the 4 best placed 3rd teams. A solid first outing for them though if it is good bye for now. 

Group C

Ukraine 0 vs. 1 Austria

Baumgartner scored the only goal of the game in the 21st minute as Austria sealed the win and booked a place in the Round of 16 with a 2nd placed finish. Ukraine finish 3rd in the group and maybe could just edge into the Round of 16 but it will depend on how the other groups end up. A slight glimmer of hope for the Ukrainians massive for Austria who finally manage to get out of the group stage at a Euro’s. 

North Macedonia 0 vs. 3 Netherlands

Depay scored in the 1st half while Wijnaldum scored two in the 2nd half to complete a comfortable win for Netherlands in their final group game and make it 3/3 for the Oranje. North Macedonia bow out with 0 points but they played brilliantly and fought hard in each of their games. Pandev played his last game and he will be remembered as a legend by all in the footballing community. North Macedonia have talent and we will see more of them in the future. Netherlands are through though and looking quite good. 

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Euro 2020 Day 11 Preview

Which two teams will join Netherlands and Belgium?

Group B

Russia vs. Denmark

It’s a massive game for Denmark as they take on Russia. Russia sit 2nd in the group on goal difference while Denmark are bottom of the group and winless with a -2 goal difference. A win for Russia takes them into the next round while a draw is enough if Finland draw or lose. Denmark have to win this game by 2 goals and if Finland lose to Belgium then the Danes should finish 2nd. Considering what Denmark have gone through in these Euro’s it would be great to see them pull of a final day qualification. A massive game. 

Finland vs. Belgium

Finland sit 3rd in the group as they take on Belgium who have already qualified. Belgium though have not sealed top spot in the group so they have to draw or win for that to happen. A win for Finland would be enough if Russia drop points while a draw could be enough if Russia lose. Finland have fought hard in their games and played well but Belgium showed how good they were against Denmark and they have enough quality for the 3 points. 

Group C

Ukraine vs. Austria

Ukraine and Austria are playing a game to see who finishes 2nd. A win for either team sends them into the Round of 16 while a draw would send Ukraine through. Austria have a 0 goal difference and a draw could be enough to send Austria through from 3rd. It’s looking good for both teams and a draw is the sensible result for both teams.

North Macedonia vs. Netherlands

North Macedonia sit bottom of the group and have a -3 goal difference as well. They would need to beat Netherlands by a minimum of 3 goals to stand any chance of going through. Netherlands are already through so there is no danger for them. North Macedonia will give it their all for sure and they will fight but I think it’s going to be curtains for them in this tournament. 

Euro 2020 Day 7 Review

Belgium and Netherlands join the Round of 16!

Group B

Denmark 1 vs. 2 Belgium

It was a big game for both teams as Belgium looked to reach the Round of 16 and Denmark looked to bounce back from the first game. Denmark took the lead in the 2nd minute as Poulsen scored to make it 1-0. Denmark had several chances in the 1st half and easily should have made it 3 or 4 nil. Belgium rode their luck and replied back in the 2nd half as De Bruyne came on at half time. Lukaku did brilliantly to drive down the right hand side and cut back for De Bruyne who laid the ball off for Thorgan Hazard who equalised in the 54th minute. Eden Hazard was then brought on to cause more havoc. Once again Lukaku did brilliantly to hold the ball and play it into the box as Hazard found De Bruyne who shot past Schmiechel to make it 1-2 in the 70th minute. There were more chances on both sides as Denmark hit the post late on and Belgium saw some counters stopped. Belgium gained the 3 points though as they book a place in the Round of 16. Denmark sit bottom of the group with 0 points but still have a chance to reach the next round. It all depends on what happens in the final round of games. 

Group C

Ukraine 2 vs. 1 North Macedonia

Yarmolenko and Yaremchuk scored in this game to give Ukraine the lead in the 1st half. North Macedonia replied back as Alioski had his penalty saved but converted the rebound in the 57th minute. Ukrainian keeper Bushchan had to make several top saves in the 2nd half to keep Ukraine’s lead and it’s mainly due to him that North Macedonia didn’t get a point or more. Ukraine move into 2nd on goal difference while North Macedonia remain bottom of the group. Mathematically North Macedonia still have a chance but they would need a massive swing in fortune. 

Netherlands 2 vs. 0 Austria

Depay scored a penalty in the 11th minute while Dumfries scored the 2nd in the 67th minute as Netherlands won comfortably against Austria. Netherlands secure a place in the Round of 16 while Austria sit 3rd in the group. The final game between Ukraine and Austria seems to have set up nicely as the winner will be heading into the Round of 16.

Euro 2020 Day 7 Preview

Heating up!

Group B

Denmark vs. Belgium

A win for Belgium would secure a place in the Round of 16 as their goal difference should be good enough to see them through. Denmark go into this game having had some time to recover from the Eriksen collapse. Hopefully the Danes have their game faces back on because this is a must win game. A win would open the group right up and take matters to the final day. Denmark could still go through with a loss but it would require quite a few things to go their way on the final day. A big game for the Danes. 

Group C

Ukraine vs. North Macedonia

The two teams that lost in the opening round. It’s a must win game for both teams. Ukraine and North Macedonia both played well in their respective games so this should be quite entertaining. Ukraine would be favourites in terms of the quality they have but Macedonia have shown plenty of fight. A win for either team would take them into the fight for the first two places while a loss for either team would all but end their Euro journey. 

Netherlands vs. Austria

A win for either team in this game would get them a place in the Round of 16. They got big wins in their first games and are the two favourites to go through to the next round. The loser in this game would be in a fight for 2nd depending on the result in the other game. Netherlands have a better squad but this should be a cracking game. Netherlands for sure scored goals but they lacked defensively while Austria also scored a few. Hopefully it’s a similar game to Netherlands vs. Ukraine.

Euro 2020 Day 6 Review

Italy are through!

Group A

Turkey 0 vs. 2 Wales

This was a weird game. Highly entertaining in that it was frantic and chaotic totally lacked fluidity or any real quality. It was like watching an inferior league but with famous players. Ramsey had quite a few chances to give Wales the lead but finally managed it after a brilliant pass from Bale in the 42nd minute. Roberts then made it 2 in the 95th minute to secure the victory. Turkey having all that quality have just not been up to the races. Turkey’s goal difference has really taken a hit and with zero points they can still finish 3rd but even then they might not make the play offs. So it seems its curtains on Turkey. Wales sit 2nd with 4 points and 3 ahead of Switzerland. Wales have all but secured 2nd unless there is a massive swing in goal difference in the final games. 

Italy 3 vs. 0 Switzerland

Locatelli gave Italy the lead in the 26th minute as he played a brilliant ball out to Berardi and then ran into the box to finish off the pass. Locatelli then made it two in the 52nd minute as he smashed in a left footed shot from out of the box. Immobile in then made it 3 in the 89th minute as he also smashed a shot from outside the box. It was a dominant performance from Italy and Switzerland had no real chance at winning the game. Italy become the first team to confirm a place in the round of 16 and now they need to ensure they finish 1st in the group. 

Group B

Finland 0 vs. 1 Russia

Miranchuk scored the only goal of the game right before half time to give Russia the lead and eventually the win. Finland played well but couldn’t score the goal. Russia move into 2nd on goal difference while Finland drop into 3rd. It’s still an open group and the other two teams still have to play their game. 

Euro 2020 Day 6 Preview

Round 2 begins!

Group A

Turkey vs. Wales

Wales sit 2nd in the group with a point while Turkey sit bottom of the group. For Turkey it’s a must not lose game as a loss and an Italy win would end their hopes of finishing in the top 2. For Wales a win would take them top of the group and set them up nicely for a top 2 finish if Italy also win. Turkey were not great against Italy but Wales were far from brilliant against Switzerland. This should be a cagey game and it could go either way.

Italy vs. Switzerland

Italy are the only team with 3 points in the group and a win would secure a top 2 finish for them and a place in the Round of 16. Switzerland sit 3rd with a point and its a must not lose game for them. A loss and a win for Wales would all but rule out a place in the top 2. Pressure on the Swiss but Italy will want to book a place in the next round as soon as possible. 

Group B

Finland vs. Russia

Finland sit 2nd in the group and have set themselves up nicely for a chance to qualify for the Round of 16. A draw and a win for Belgium would secure a top 3 finish minimum while a win would almost guarantee a place in the Round of 16. For Russia it’s a must win game as they sit at the bottom of the table. They were poor against Belgium and need to reply back if they want to stand a chance at reaching the Round of 16. A draw would not be as good as a win. It’s a high stakes game but Finland will know that with Belgium up next 3 points in this game is massive. 

Euro 2020 Day 2 Review

Praying for Eriksen’s full recovery.

Group A

Wales 1 vs. 1 Switzerland

This was a game that Switzerland dominated from about the 3rd minute. Kiefer Moore had a good chance in the opening 2 minutes but his header was saved by Sommer. Switzerland had the bulk of the chances in the 1st half but Danny Ward also made saves to keep the Welsh in the game. Switzerland shifted gears in the 2nd half with Breel Embolo in particular taking the initiative. Embolo’s driving runs through the Welsh defence caused several problems and the opening goal came in the 49th minute as he scored to make it 0-1. Switzerland were wasteful though and along with Ward making saves it meant that Wales equalised in the 74th minute via a brilliant header from Moore. Switzerland thought they had the winner late in the game but VAR ruled offside. A better point for Wales while Switzerland will feel they should have left with 3. 

Group B

Denmark 0 vs. 1 Finland

For the opening 40 minutes of this game it was all Denmark. The Danes dominated play and created chances at will while Finland defended well but had nothing going forward. Then in the 43rd minute Christian Eriksen collapsed with no one around him with what now seemed to have been a cardiac arrest. The game was temporarily suspended as both sets of players and fans were visibly shook by what they were witnessing. Thankfully the quick actions of players like Kjaer and referee Anthony Taylor along with the brilliant work of the paramedics. A picture came out of an awake Eriksen leaving the pitch and then it was official that he was at the hospital and stable. The game resumed as the players seemed to have wanted to finish it. Finland got the goal against the run of play though with Pohjanpalo scoring Finland’s first goal at the Euro’s in their history. Hojbjerg missed a penalty late on for Denmark as Finland held on for an historic win. Credit to the Danish players for carrying on and actually returning to the pitch because that would have taken a toll on anyone. Credit to Finland for winning their very first game at the Euros because it is a great achievement for their country. Either way the main thing is that Eriksen survived and is recovering and hopefully he can make a full recovery and has no lasting damage. 

Belgium 3 vs. 0 Russia

Belgium dominated the first 45 minutes of this game. Goals from Lukaku and Meunier set them up for a comfortable 2nd half against Russia. Russia showed more of a fight in the 2nd half and forced Courtois into some good saves. Belgium though got a 3rd late on with Lukaku grabbing his 2nd. A big win for the no 1 ranked team in the world as they look to stamp their mark on the tournament. Russia have more than a chance still and will feel that they have easier games going forward. 

Euro 2020 Day 2 Preview

Cagey games today.

Group A

Wales vs. Switzerland

Wales take on Switzerland in the remaining Group A fixture. The two teams will be encouraged by the fact that Turkey conceded 3 against Italy. This should be an even game between the two teams although on paper Switzerland edge it in terms of squad depth. It’s one thats too close to call but I feel like Switzerland might just win it. Wales played two friendlies in preparation for the Euros losing one and drawing the other. Switzerland played two winning both. 

Group B

Denmark vs. Finland

Group B also kicks off with Denmark taking on Finland. Denmark are one of the favourites to qualify from the group. Finland are making their debut and I don’t expect much from them given their squad. Denmark drew 1 and won 1 of their friendlies while Finland lost both of their friendlies. This should be a comfortable win for Denmark.

Belgium vs. Russia

Group B favourites Belgium take on Russia in their first game of the tournament. Belgium should win this group and go into this game having drawn one and won one of their friendlies. Russia are fighting it out for 2nd in the group and go into the game also having drawn one and won one. On paper you can’t see past a Belgium win but Russia are capable of an upset especially if they channel something similar to 2018.

Euro 2020 Group B Preview

+1 group.

Belgium

History

Belgium will be playing their 6th Euro’s this summer as they go into the competition as one of the favourites. They are currently the no 1 ranked team in the world and with the players at their disposal they should do better than their quarter-final finish in 2016. 

Team

Goalkeepers – Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Matz Sels (Strasbourg)

Defenders – Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Jason Denayer (Lyon), Jan Vertonghen (Benfica), Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Thomas Vermaelen (Vissel Kobe) Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Timothy Castagne (Leicester)

Midfielders – Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Leander Dendoncker (Wolverhampton), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Dennis Praet (Leicester), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Nacer Chadli (Istanbul Basaksehir)

Forwards – Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Leandro Trossard (Brighton)

Manager – Roberto Martinez

Most Caps – Jan Vertonghen (126)

Captain – Eden Hazard

Star Player – Eden Hazard

What a squad Belgium have. A world class goalkeeper in Courtois, a solid defence with the likes of Vertonghen and Alderweireld and some good full backs like Castagne and Meunier. De Bruyne leads the pack when it comes to the midfield with the likes of Thorgan Hazard, Tielemans, Witsel etc having all had solid seasons at club level. Up front you can’t look past Lukaku who has been on fire for Inter. Mertens has also done well this season while Benteke has had a renaissance of sorts towards the end of the season. Eden Hazard hasn’t had the best two years at Real Madrid and on form he is no where near his best. Still if there is a player who can turn up it is him and there is no one better in that team. Martinez has a talented squad at his disposal and for sure Belgium should at least reach the semi’s this time. 

Denmark

History

Denmark will be taking part in their 9th Euro’s this summer. Their debut came in 1964 and they have since won the competition once in 1992. Their last appearance in the competition came in 2012 where they couldn’t get past the group stage. Denmark are the 10th ranked team in the world which is no small feat. 

Team

Goalkeepers – Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester), Jonas Lossl (Midtjylland), Frederik Ronnow (Schalke 04)

Defenders – Joachim Andersen (Lyon), Jannik Vestergaard (Southampton), Simon Kjaer (AC Milan), Joakim Maehle (Atalanta), Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), Mathias Jorgensen (Copenhagen), Jens Larsen (Udinese), Daniel Wass (Valencia), Nicolai Boilesen (Copenhagen)

Midfielders – Robert Skov (Hoffenheim), Thomas Delaney (Borussia Dortmund), Christian Eriksen (Inter Milan), Christian Norgaard (Brentford), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Anders Christiansen (Malmo)

Forwards – Martin Braithwaite (Barcelona), Andreas Olsen (Bologna), Kasper Dolberg (Nice), Mikkel Damsgaard (Sampdoria), Jonas Wind (Copenhagen), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig), Andreas Cornelius (Parma)

Manager – Kasper Hjulmand

Most Caps – Christian Eriksen (107)

Captain – Simon Kjaer 

Star Player – Christian Eriksen

Denmark should be one of the favourites to get out of the group alongside Belgium. They have a solid team with some good players all around. Schmeichel is a very good goalkeeper, and their defence has players like Andersen, Kjaer, of course Champions League winner Christensen. Delaney, Eriksen, and Hojbjerg form a midfield that can do everything while up front Poulsen is probably their best option. Dolberg is quite good on his day while Braithwaite has goals in him as well. Cornelius has been decent. It’s a good team. I don’t expect them to go farther than the Round of 16 but they could get out of the group stage. 

Finland

History

Finland are taking part in their first Euro’s ever. They really are novices at this stage of football and so there is really no great expectation. Finland are ranked 55th in the Fifa rankings. 

Team

Goalkeepers – Lukas Hradecky (Bayer Leverkusen), Jesse Joronen (Brescia), Anssi Jaakkola (Bristol Rovers)

Defenders – Joona Toivio (Hacken), Jukka Raitala (Minnesota United), Paulus Arajuuri (Pafos), Jere Uronen (Genk), Thomas Lam (PEC Zwolle), Sauli Vaisanen (Chievo), Nikolai Alho (MTK), Daniel O’Shaughnessy (HJK), Leo Vaisanen (Elfsborg), Robert Ivanov (Warta Poznan)

Midfielders – Tim Sparv (AEL), Rasmus Schuller (Djurgarden), Robin Lod (Minnesota United), Glen Kamara (Rangers), Pyry Soiri (Esbjerg), Joni Kauko (Esbjerg), Robert Taylor (Brann), Fredrik Jensen (FC Augsburg), Onni Valakari (Pafos)

Forwards – Teemu Pukki (Norwich City), Joel Pohjanpalo (Union Berlin), Lassi Lappalainen (Montreal), Marcus Forss (Brentford) 

Manager – Markku Kanerva

Most Caps – Teemu Pukki (90)

Captain – Tim Sparv

Star Player – Teemu Pukki

I’m going to be honest here the only player out of this squad that I have heard of is Teemu Pukki. Pukki is great a solid striker who has been dominant in England for some seasons now. The rest are really an unknown quantity. I don’t expect Finland to get past the group stage. It is their first Euro’s though so they should enjoy the occasion and see where the wind takes them. 

Russia

History

Russia are heading into their 12th Euro’s this summer. Their debut came in 1960 as the Soviet Union a Euro which they also happened to win. That was their best finish and for the last two Euro’s they haven’t managed to get past the group stage. They are currently ranked 39th in the world. 

Team

Goalkeepers – Anton Shunin (Dynamo Moscow), Yury Dyupin (Rubin Kazan), Matvei Safonov (Krasnodar)

Defenders – Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moskva), Igor Diveyev (CSKA Moskva), Vyacheslav Karavayev (Zenit), Andrei Semyonov (Akhmat Grozny), Fyodor Kudryashov (Antalyaspor), Georgi Dzhikiya (Spartak Moscow), Yuri Zhirkov (Zenit)

Midfielders – Denis Cheryshev (Valencia), Magomed Ozdoyev (Zenit), Dmitri Barinov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Roman Zobnin (Spartak Moscow), Aleksei Miranchuk (Atalanta), Aleksandr Golovin (AS Monaco), Rifat Zhemaletdinov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Aleksei Ionov (Krasnodar), Daniil Fomin (Dynamo Moscow), Daler Kuzyayev (Zenit), Andrei Mostovoy (Zenit), Denis Makarov (Rubin Kazan), Maksim Mukhin (CSKA Moskva) 

Forwards – Aleksandr Sobolev (Spartak Moscow), Anton Zabolotny (CSKA Moskva), Artem Dzyuba (Zenit) 

Manager – Stanislav Cherchesov

Most Caps – Yuri Zhirkov (103)

Captain – Artem Dzyuba

Star Player – Artem Dzyuba

I have Russia challenging Denmark to get into the knockout’s alongside Belgium. Russia have some decent players Fernandes, Zhirkov, Cheryshev, Miranchuk, Golovin, and Dzyuba are all players that I have seen play. I do feel the trio of Miranchuk, Golovin, and Dzyuba are their most dangerous players while Fernandes as a full back has been known to add a goal threat as well. It’s a decent squad and they did do brilliantly in the World Cup 3 years ago. I doubt that finish can be replicated but getting through the group stage is not a big task.

World Cup Day 11 Review

Close games and shock results!

Group A

Saudi Arabia 2 vs. 1 Egypt

Saudi Arabia came back from a goal down to win their last game of the tournament against Egypt. Salah gave Egypt the lead with a brilliant finish over the goalkeeper in the 22nd minute, but a stoppage time penalty to Saudi Arabia was converted by Al-Faraj to send the teams into half time level. Egypt were poor during the second half and failed to cease any chances they created and in emphatic fashion Al-Dawsari scored in the 95th minute to give Saudi Arabia all three points. Saudi Arabia go home with a win to their name while Egypt go home having lost all three games and with some political controversy. 

Uruguay 3 vs. 0 Russia

Suarez opened the scoring in the 10th minute, while Cheryshev scored an own goal in the 23rd, Cavani completed the rout in the second half with a goal in the 90th minute. Russia who were down to ten men since the 36th minute seemed like a shadow of their last two games and failed to create any meaningful moments in the game. Uruguay qualify to the round of 16 while Russia also make it but finish second. 

Group B

Iran 1 vs. 1 Portugal

In what was a very close game Quaresma scored a brilliant goal to give Portugal the lead right before half time. The second half was shrouded in controversy as Ronaldo was not given a red card for an elbow while Berianvand saved a Ronaldo penalty in the second half as well. Iran were awarded a controversial penalty in the final minutes of the game after Cedric Soares handled the ball, but replays showed it was headed onto his hand by Azmoun. Ansarifard stepped up and scored the penalty to finish the game on a nervy note. Portugal progressed to the next round in second place while Iran go home with their respect intact after some strong performances in the group. 

Spain 2 vs. 2 Morocco

Boutaib opened the score for Morocco in the 14th minute but their lead was short lived afer Isco finished brilliantly to level the score. Nesyri scored in the 81st minute to send Morocco into raptures as it looked like they would be going home with a win but Aspas poached a goal in stoppage time to end the game in a draw. There was controversy about the Aspas goal as it looked like he was offside but the rule is that if your hand is offside then it does not count as you cannot score with your hand. Morocco go home with a at least a point to their name and some decent performances while Spain go into the next round as group leaders.