The new part of the blog continues as I rank the football matches I watched in April from least favourite to favourite. Based on nothing more than my opinion and enjoyment from watching each match.
Sweden 1-0 Slovakia, Euro 2020, after the 0-0 against Spain I was excited to see what Sweden could do next. Sadly not a lot, Slovakia downed tools early and set themselves up for a draw despite Duda trying to lead his team mates over the half way line. Sweden huffed and puffed but sadly couldn't break through until they had a penalty that saved us from the dreaded 0-0. Isak for Sweden sprung to life after they went ahead but did nothing in the first seventy minutes.
Denmark 0-1 Finland, Euro 2020, for forty minutes this was a lively game with wave after wave of Danish attack narrowly held off by the Fins who looked to attack on the break. Then Christian Eriksen collapsed near the end of the first half. Things looked bleak as the stadium medical team rushed out and the players formed a barrier to keep the cameras out. Eventually they got Eriksen off the pitch and the game looked like it was going to be abandoned. Eriksen later regained consciousness and requested for the match to go on. The relief for Eriksen being stable was tangible and so play resumed but it had turned into an awkward sit. Were we absolutely sure he was ok? Was it really sensible for the Danes to playing football when a few hours earlier they were stood around their team mate expecting the worse? The Finland scored and this match turned from a tricky sit into a hard sit. Everyone involved in this match going ahead again needs to ask themselves weather they did the right thing, personally I'm not sure they did.
Finland 0-1 Russia, Euro 2020, very low quality affair with two teams who have disappointed..
England 1-0 Romania, International Friendly, bit dull England got a penalty.
Belgium 1-0 Portugal, Euro 2020, a really good goal by Thunder Hazard knocked Portugal out and everyone rejoiced. The rest of the game was Portugal being Portugal.
England 0-0 Scotland, Euro 2020, any Scottish bloggers will have this game higher and rightly so however for the rest of us it was a bit of a stinker. Scotland managed England well by marking a few of their players out of the game while others such as Sterling were suffering from poor form. Scotland had the better claim for would be winners with Gilmour, McGinn, Adams and Tierney were outstanding, Dykes wasn't. Also bonkers decision to start two defensive midfielders by England.
Wales 1-1 Switzerland, Euro 2020, one of the most soul destroying first halfs I've ever watched as bar 30 seconds of nifty running Wales did NOTHING. Letting Switzerland play themselves into form proved costly as they scored. Wales then turned up, got an equaliser and made an ordinary Switzerland side look like Stan Wawrinka instead of Roger Federer. Lessons needed to be learned we would find out if they had in the future.
England 1-0 Croatia, Euro 2020, England started off unusually fast then remembered they were in an international tournament and got themselves bogged down in midfield. Croatia were slow to get started and when they did get going were overtaken by the over 70s Bavarian relay team. A game that suffered due to timing and hot conditions creating a slow game.
Portugal 2-2 France, Euro 2020, an odd game as despite being favourites and held as the best thing since someone took a good look at bread and decided it needed to be thinner, Portugal matched them. Portugal with their trademark ploop housery had a relatively comfortable time. The match had a few lively five minute spells but largely it was disrupted by fouls hence three of the four goals being penalties.
Croatia 1-1 Czech Republic, Euro 2020, the Czechs had the same game plan as England "go at the Croatians - their old and for the taking." They also have Dejan Lovren in defence who sadly is a bit of a disaster zone who this time conceded a penalty by smashing an elbow in Schicks face and blasting his nose open. Schick duly stuck some cotton wool up his nostrils and converted the penalty. Croatia equalised early in the second half and the game petered out. Croatia look potentially vulnerable against Scotland...
Spain 0-0 Sweden, Euro 2020, a strange game with wave after wave of Spanish attacks. Morata missed a sitter and Spain lost all their confidence afterwards. Good first half with some awesome attacking play that got dull in the second half as Spain went to bits. This would have been higher if Sweden hadn't played 4-4-2 which gave them little chance to break through Spains midfield - however when they did they got some good chances.
Belgium 1-1 Greece, International Friendly, strange game Greece were attacking by their standards and able to close off most of the Belgium attacks before they got into the penalty box.
Finland 0-2 Belgium, Euro 2020, the thoughts going into this match were if Belgium could give Denmark a helping hand all would be right in the world. Belgium said certainly and then took their time eventually going ahead in the 74th minute despite Finland holding on by the skin of their nails.
Brazil 3-0 Venezuela, Copa America, a depleted Venezuela got eaten alive in a lively match.
Belgium 3-0 Russia, Euro 2020, played in the aftermath of the Christian Eriksen affair which had left me numb and to be honest if I hadn't already been financially tied up in this match I would have given it a miss. Belgium looked strong without getting out of second gear and Russia looked like a team stitched together who were beat when the first goal went in.
Wales 0-4 Denmark, Euro 2020, its an odd feeling in an international tournament when you roll up in the knockout stage and you feel like a guest character in someone elses story. This was all about Denmark and their story after the shock of Christian Eriksen collapsing in the opening game. After a decent twenty minutes Denmark made some changes and there was nothing from the Welsh. They had us in disarray after that first (very good) goal went in and they could have been three up at half time. Injuries and red cards were the least of our troubles as Wales got tonked.
France 1-0 Germany, Euro 2020, the heavyweights in the group of death went at it in a decent early game. France went ahead through a crackingly well set up own goal which lead to a game of German attack against French defence. France won although should have one by more as they had some good attacks on the break that resulted in offside. If France learn the offside rule they could walk this tournament, Germany however need to find their form in front of goal.
France 3-0 Wales, International Friendly, a dominant display by the Euro 2020 favourites with a good performance in the Wales goal by Danny Ward.
Germany 7-1 Latvia, International Friendly, oh behave Germany we all know you're one of the favourites.
Wales 0-0 Albania, International Friendly, what looked like being a dull little warm up turned into an unexpected full blown war as Albania started kicking lumps out of the Welsh. Highlight of the match was when a Welsh player knocked the Albanian manager over by throwing his own player into him.
Hungary 0-3 Portugal, Euro 2020, for eighty minutes this looked a fun banter of a game as Hungary held everyones favourite divers at bay and looked like escaping with a draw. Portugal were pulling their hair out with wave after wave of attacks that wouldn't go in. Then in the final few minutes a deflected goal went in and then Portugal really started taking the mick with two more goals including a penalty.
Italy 1-0 Wales, Euro 2020, never has a one nill loss felt like a win. Italy were dominant and Wales struggled under their force but at half time it was still one nill and Wales were in it. Then early in the second half Ampadu mistimed a tackle and got red carded. Wales held on thanks to Danny Ward who surely has played himself into a first team transfer when his summer holidays are over. Wales went through is second thanks to goal difference and a good night was had by all.
Netherlands 0-2 Czech Republic, Euro 2020, Hollands story through the tournament had been good in attack and poor in defence - ala most Eredivisie games. The Czech story had been attack with pace and take no prisoners. After a fun first half things changed in the second as Delicious and Light de Ligt was sent off. The Czechs went for it and scored two goals as Holland struggled to find a shape in the second half.
Slovakia 0-5 Spain, Euro 2020, Spain finally clicked and killed a team, Slovakian keeper did an absolutely brilliant own goal.
England 2-0 Germany, Euro 2020, after 55 years England finally found a strategy that worked against Germany: let Chelsea buy their players and ruin them. As a game this felt like watching a blockbuster film that you'd already seen, fun fluff but no edge as the only players on form for most of the game looked to be Stirling and Hummels. Stirling eventually put England ahead with fifteen minutes remaining and in between Germany fluffing their chances Kane scored a second. This game was won in two minutes, when Stirling scored and when Werner signed for Chelsea as their striker curse claims another victim.
Croatia 3-1 Scotland, Euro 2020, the dream ended for Scotland as they finished bottom of the group. They went out fighting having pulled level after falling behind, they very nearly went ahead when McGinn arrived at the back post and shot wide. They miss William of the clan Gilmour but there were reasons to be cheerful as Scotland finally got a goal and some youngsters got tournament experience.
Russia 1-4 Denmark, Euro 2020, Russia started the night second in the table and Denmark needed a win with help from Belgium to progress. Denmark went for it, gubbed Russia and finished second with a win cheered around the world.
Scotland 0-2 Czech Republic, Euro 2020, a fun attacking game as both teams looked to avoid the group wooden spoon. The Czechs went scored just either side of half time but the story of the game was Scotland in front of goal, Dykes played himself out of starting next game and Robertsons weakness in decision making struck again as Scotland game away with no points. Has to be said they were actually very unlucky in running with a lot of their shots on goal.
Switzerland 3-1 Turkey, Euro 2020, Switzerland dominated Turkey and it could have been 5-1 but thankfully for Wales it wasn't. Shaqiri showed how good he can be when played further forward. Switzerland finished on four points which as of writing should be enough to progress.
Sweden 1-2 Ukraine (AET), Euro 2020, nobody died during this game although it felt like it. Sweden and Ukraine had all the appeal of a football match between Sweden and Ukraine although it actually turned out to be a fun game. The commentators wheeled out their Switzerland V Ukraine (2006 world cup) anecdotes early on and were determined to tell us how boring this game was despite the evidence of our eyes. Ukraine eventually one in the dying seconds of extra time when I was braced for penalties but the game will be remembered for turning into a banter as players started dropping like flies to the extent where both countries may have to merge to field a team to give England a match in the next round. This game was the best kind of fun, unexpected fun.
Italy 3-0 Switzerland, Euro 2020, Italy dominated the game and got another three goals. The Swiss looked decent and had a game plan that didn't work.
Austria 3-1 North Macedonia, Euro 2020, blimey this was fun North Macedonia started off quick and went for the jugular however while they were at the circus Lainer popped up at the back post and put the Austrians ahead. The Macedonians kept their heads and were back level before the break. Austria looked rattled for a few minutes and as the second half ended we faced the prospect of an unexpected result. Austria brought on the amusingly named Philipp the Lienharted after the the break and started winning more battles as the game went on winning 3-1 with two late goals.
Netherlands 2-2 Scotland, International Friendly, a proper fun game with Scotland going ahead twice and nearly getting the win. A very good banter of a game with some very good Dutch goals from Walking in Depay.
Italy 2-1 Austria (AET), Euro 2020, a very good game saw Austria give Italy a scare and hold them to extra time. It was another story of offside as VAR rightly ruled out an Austria goal but come extra time Italy powered ahead with two goals leaving Austria to much to do even though they scored and gave Italy a few heart tremors.
Turkey 0-3 Italy, Euro 2020, the tournament got off to a start involving a remote controlled car, U2 and a rampant Italy who took 45 minutes to find their shooting boots. Turkey were reduced to playing on the break until they scored an Own Goal. The attacking players union boss then turned up to ensure Immobile and Insigne got their quota. Chiellini also had a good game and got excited with a clean sheet saving tackle.
Hungary 1-1 France, Euro 2020, France looked like they were going for a record in this game, namely to see if the entire team could miss an open goal. Chance after chance went begging in the second half, after seeing them miss so many chances Hungary decided to have a go and scored during injury time before the break. The second half turned into a mission for Hungary to stay ahead which didn't happen as they were pegged back by a Griezmann equaliser but with the determination of John Hurt they said "NO MORE!" and held out for a shock draw.
Spain 1-1 Poland, Euro 2020, Morata got the backing of the manager before kick off and he needed a big game, he didn't deliver a big game he got the goal but like so many Spanish players tonight he should have a lot more. With Spain continuing to miss Poland got forward and Lewandowski netted a proper strikers header as he swatted off a Spanish defender mid leap. Spain became even slower and predictable which let Poland back into the game. Spain went to bits, missed a penalty and escaped with the second of two draws.
Sweden 3-2 Poland, Euro 2020, there are many mysteries in life that may never be explained, the chief among them being how the bleep did Poland lose this match? Sweden went ahead in the opening minutes which resulted in endless wave after wave from Robert Lewandowski and his boys until somehow Sweden scored again. The boy Lewandowski pulled one back straight away with a captains performance and then finally pulled things level with five minutes to go. Then those Nordic gits scored again and bundled the Poles out and finished top of the group. Somehow due to playing absolutely boring for two games and then knocking out an attacking team Sweden got a 3-2 win and topped the group.
Germany 2-2 Hungary, Euro 2020, an absolute barn stormer of a game as Germany dominated from start to finish yet scrambled a draw with a late goal. One of the best banters of the tournament saw Germany going out for nearly eighty minutes.
Netherlands 3-2 Ukraine, Euro 2020, lock up your daughters and hide your stash the Dutch are in town and they've brought some chaos to the party. After an exciting first half which was a lot more even than expected things were goalless but it was easily one of the best first halves yet. The the second half gave us five goals, a comeback from two goals down and chaos on the inplay markets. Without doubt one of the most fun games this tournament will produce. Its easy to forget that the Ukraine won their group finishing ahead of Portugal who are a shorter price to win the thing. The Ukraine could be a dangerous floater if they tighten up the defence.
Turkey 0-2 Wales, Euro 2020, an epic game full where if you were Welsh everything mattered. Every tackle hurt, every shot that didn't go in was a disappointment or a near heart attack and when Aaron Ramsey finally scored it was ecstasy. This was my Wales, the Wales I see match in and match out - not that insipid performance in the first half against Switzerland. The match had everything, goals, offsides, very nearly a punch up, frustrating misses and countless man of the match performances from the Welsh.
Portugal 2-4 Germany, Euro 2020, coming after Black Friday which saw a collection of poor games we needed something special and these teams delivered, the Germans started as they meant to go on with have after wave of destructive attacks saw the inevitable result as the worlds favourite divers charged on a rare break and scored. Cue more waves of German attacks, every viewer outside of Portugal was willing them on as they got closer and eventually they got two own goals before half time. The second half saw more of the same with Portugal resorting to poop housery to gain traction in the game. Pepe was a delight in this game as he made bad decision after bad decision and continued to blame team mates. The Germans however looked scary.
Croatia 3-5 Spain (AET), Euro 2020, this game started off with the best own goal in the history of ever which alone would have netted a top ten position. However this game then somehow got better! Spain equalised in the first half and we went in level. Two mistakes from Croatia resulted in two goals and all looked lost. Modric went on a charge and created a goal mouth scramble and a goal on the 85th minute. Then in injury time a cross found the head of Pasalic and we were going to extra time. However Spain had to much for them and scored two more in extra time.
France 4-5 Switzerland (Penalty Shoot Out), settling down for the second quarter final of the day shattered from the previous match we all expected a French win but what we got was a classic. Seferovic put Switzerland ahead with a deft header. Somehow despite chances for both it remained 0-1 at half time. The game look liked it turned early in the second half, Rodriguez took an insipid penalty that was saved and France were 2-1 up minutes later. Pogba then scored a contender for goal of the tournament and it was 3-1 and game over. Seferovic scored with ten minutes to go and we all had flashbacks to the earlier game, could it happen again? Mario Gavranovic said it could and scored on the 90th minute and it was off to extra time again. Both teams had chances in injury time but it would be the tournaments first trip to Penaltyville. Both teams penalties were cheeky however as the shootout got deeper I found myself rooting for the Swiss and each penalty starting wiping years off my life. Lloris got a hand to a penalty but couldn't quite save it but Sommer had no trouble as he save Mbappes penalty and knocked the favourites out.
