The first set of matches are drawing to a close. So far, the European Championships have been a low scoring affair with no team playing free flowing football and no one dominating their opponents, yet. It would seem that the players are taking time getting used to their national team-mates and their managers’ tactics. It is exactly because of these reasons that I think the second set of matches will see teams really coming into their own.
Since my last update, six matches have been played. I
previewed those games in my last post. A couple of games really caught the eye,
but the results have mostly gone to script. In this post, I will be reviewing
the games played over the past two days and look ahead to the matches of groups
F, A and B. My next update will be after the England versus Wales game on
Thursday.
Match Reviews
Group C
Poland vs Northern
Island - Poland have too much for their opponents
The Northern Irish were playing their first match at an
international tournament since 1986, but this was their appearance at the
European Championships. They were looking to make a good first impression and
came into this game on the back of a 12 game unbeaten streak. The Poles were
looking to break their hoodoo, still searching for their first win in the
European Championships.
The first half saw both teams trying to take the initiative.
The new boys were mostly kept on the back foot, with Poland spurning a number
of opportunities to take lead. Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern
made a couple of smart saves to keep the scores level. Poland took the game to
the Northern Irish at the start of the second half and were rewarded early as
Milik drove his left footed shot past the goalkeeper. It was Poland who mostly
remained on the front foot with only a Kyle Lafferty overhead kick giving the
Northern Irish fans something cheer about.
My Prediction:
Poland 2-1 Northern Ireland
Final Score:
Poland 1-0 Northern Ireland
Germany vs Ukraine - The World Champions overcome a shaky start to seal the deal
There was a sense of anticipation as the World Champions
started their campaign. Germany started the game without a recognized striker,
something they’ve been doing quite often recently. Much of the early play was
dominated by Germany, as they dominated possession and made inroads into the
Ukrainian defense. Their efforts bore fruit in the 12th minute, as
Shkodran Mustafi headed home from a Toni Kroos free-kick. The Ukrainians, to
their credit, starting getting back into the game from the half-hour mark. They
almost got a goal only to be denied by an acrobatic clearance on the line by
Jerome Boateng. Manuel Neuer was in supreme form. Ukraine finished the
first-half the stronger team. In the second half, Germany kept the ball better,
creating a couple of chances. Ukraine did have the odd opening but could not
capitalize. Coming on as a 90th minute substitute. Bastian
Schweinsteiger made the result secure, crossing from assist-master Ozil’s
perfectly placed cross. It wasn’t the best display from the World Champs, but
they got through unscathed.
My Prediction:
Germany 2-1 Ukraine
Final Score:
Germany 2-0 Ukraine
Group D
Turkey vs Croatia - Modric blasts Croatia to victory
Croatia are considered dark horses for this tournament, and
they gave a glimpse to justify this. The match started out eventually but soon
Croatia showed their superiority. It’s not that Turkey were playing
particularly badly, but they could not match the team effort being put in by
their opponents. A sustained spell of Croatia pressure was capped off by an
incredible 30 yard volley by Captain Luka Modric, a contender for goal of the
tournament! His celebration was worthy of the goal too. Although Turkey tried
to get a foothold after the goal, they were not able to trouble the Croatian
defense.
The second half was played out in a similar vein as Turkey
huffed and puffed but Croatia were almost always a step ahead. The Turkish
midfield didn’t have their best outing with Arda Turan particularly off colour.
The entry of Emre Mor brightened up their pursuits down the right flank. This
guy is definitely a player to watch out for, with Borussia Dortmund beating out
Liverpool in securing his signing recently. He could not inspire a comeback
though and Croatia were worthy winners.
My Prediction:
Turkey 1-0 Croatia
Final Score:
Turkey 0-1 Croatia
Spain vs Czech
Republic - Underwhelming, but enough for the defending champions
The defending champions were coming into this tournament
without the perfect preparation. They had suffered a humiliating defeat to 137th
ranked Georgia just days before the tournament. Czech Republic had slipped
under the radar during qualification and were hoping to do the same to qualify
from this tough group.
The first half was a boring affair with Spain
characteristically dominating possession, but without any final product. The
highlight of the half was the collision between the linesman and Alvaro Morata.
Pretty much sums it up! The second half mostly followed the same pattern. The
Spaniards put unrelenting pressure on the tiring Czech defense in the last
quarter of an hour. Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 87th
minute. Andreas Iniesta put a perfectly placed cross, gliding over two
defenders’ reach, on a platter for Gerard Pique to guide into the net. Spain
had ground down another opponent, but this was not championship winning form.
My Prediction:
Spain 2-0 Czech Republic
Final Score:
Spain 1-0 Czech Republic
Group E
Republic of Ireland
vs Sweden - Sweden are too reliant on Zlatan
The eagerly awaited entry of Zlatan Ibrahimovich was
accompanied by much fanfare. His team, however, was put under quite a bit of
pressure by the spunky Irish. Ireland had the better chances in the first half,
with Jeff Hendrick coming close on two occasions, including a shot of the crossbar.
Ibrahimovic was kept out of the game for the most part, and he was having to
drop deeper and deeper to get on the ball.
In the second half, too, Ireland started better. Wes
Hoolahan scored with an impeccable and unstoppable half-volley early in the
half to give the Irish a deserved lead. The Swedes replied well, keeping more
possession and getting shots in on goal. Cieran Clark almost scored into his
own net soon after his team had taken the lead. A few minutes later,
Ibrahimovic’s low cross was turned into his own net by Clark himself. He had to
get something on the ball as Sebastien Larsson was unmarked in front of an open
goal behind him. His attempted clearance ended up in the back of the net!
Sweden never looked likely to push on for the win and the Irish would consider
themselves unlucky to be taking only one point from this game. Isaksson made a
couple of good saves to deny the Irish. Sweden would be the happier team having
shared the points.
My Prediction:
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Sweden
Final Score:
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Sweden
Belgium vs Italy - Age is just a number for Buffon, and form is only temporary for Italy
The match of the game-week lived up to its billing. An
end-to-end affair, the Italian defense played superbly to deny a talented
Belgium team throughout the game. The Belgians started livelier, with
Nainggolan shooting wide first and then having his shot saved by Buffon. The
ageing goalkeeper seems to still be at the top of his game. The pass of the
tournament so far came in the middle of the half with Leonardo Bonucci floating
a ball on to Emanuele Giaccherini’s chest, just over Toby Alderweireld’s head.
The midfielder made no mistake in slotting past Courtois.
Marc Wilmots brought on Divock Origi in attack in the second
half. The young forward missed two glorious headed opportunities, putting one over
the bar and completely missing the other. Thibaut Courtois did his best to keep
the Italians from increasing their lead with a couple of fine saves. The match
was put to bed in the dying minutes as Graziano Pelle volleyed into the empty
net. The goal was followed by a grand celebration, including Buffon running the
length of the pitch to join in. The passion and fervour of the experienced
goalkeeper’s reaction showed just how much this win meant to him and to the
team. Antonio Conte got his tactics spot-on while Belgium still look unlikely
to get things right on the big stage.
My Prediction:
Belgium 1-1 Italy
Final Score:
Belgium 0-2 Italy
Match Previews
Group F
Austria vs Hungary
Day 6 will see another dark-horse Austria take the field
against neighbours Hungary. The Austrians should have too much fire-power for
their neighbours, with the likes of Arnautovic and Alaba likely to make the
telling difference.
My Prediction:
Austria 2-0 Hungary
Portugal vs Iceland
In what could turn out to be a fight between passion and
skill, debutantes Iceland will look to upset the odds. The two oldest players
in the tournament square off in the form of Ricardo Carvalho and Eidur
Gudjonssen in this match. Incidentally, they were team-mates at Chelsea during
Mourinho’s first stint. Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to silence his
critics. There is always extra pressure when he plays. The Portuguese have had
a good preparation for the Euros, with convincing wins in the friendlies.
My Prediction:
Portugal 1-1 Iceland
Group A
Romania vs
Switzerland
Switzerland should be too strong in this game, provided they
shake off their indifferent start. Although Romania were sprightly in their
first game, causing problems to hosts France, they might just fall short as
their opponents start to get into the groove in the tournament.
My Prediction:
Romania 0-2 Switzerland
France vs Albania
In what could be the first one-sided match of the
tournament, France should win this game easily. Any other result, while a
massive reason for celebration for minnows Albania, would lead to serious
inquests among the hosts.
My Prediction:
France 3-0 Albania
Group B
Russia vs Slovakia
Slovakia will be hurting after their loss to Wales, a match
they would’ve liked to take something from. They were in the game the whole
time, but could not get a second goal. They would do well to push their star
Marek Hamsik further up the field, into areas where he can run at and create
problems for the Russian defense. Russia, despite their last gasp draw against
England, look short of players who can influence a game. They’ll do well to get
something out of this one.
My Prediction:
Russia 1-2 Slovakia
England vs Wales
The most anticipated game of the finals so far. England will
look to bounce back from a disappointing draw with Russia in a match they
should’ve walked away with. Wales are bouncing, with the hard-fought win
against filling them confidence. Wales will have very little to lose and expect
them to go full throttle from the word go. England will need to manage the
midfield exchanges well, else they could be in real trouble. My boldest
prediction yet as I think Wales will edge it, with England manager Roy Hodgson
messing up the tactics again.
My Prediction:
England 0-1 Wales
A lot to look forward to in the next two days. See you again
on Thursday.
No comments:
Post a Comment