June Football

 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.  

Ukraine 0-1 Austria, Euro 2020, with the other match in this group a virtual dead rubber these two duked it out for second place. A slow paced match where Austria always felt comfortable, Ukraine squeezed through in third.

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.

Lost - The Cost of Living

Its a goodbye to Mr Eko but he goes out in some style. Its hard to review this episode as its so tempting to just list the things I like, obviously I give the episode 10/10 as its not only excellent from an artistic standpoint but also a production standpoint. From Eko's view point the episode feels like a last moment gasp of breath before death, theres a distance in him from the other characters - there always has been but its more defined in this episode. His flashbacks have a yellowish filter to help convey the feel of Africa which makes a visual difference even from other flashbacks set outside of America. The story of the flashback perfectly counterpoints where Eko was when we first met him on the island as before his arrival he had sunk to a judgemental low, murdering in a church and defiling his brother church Amina's line about owing Yemi one church lingers long in the mind long after viewing.

I mentioned production earlier, as one main character leaves others are introduced in the form of Nikki and Paulo - we'll bang our heads against a wall about them later. The Losties head out on a mission separate from Eko but heading in the same direction adds emotional distance. As viewers we want details about this mission, we want to know about eyepatch guy but we're tied into Eko. Eko's ending confrontation with the smoke monster who kills him is dynamic and raises the threat of the Smoke Monster to another level, up to now its been a mystery, a bit of fluff when an episode needs excitement - now its a killer. Without going into spoilers it feels like something wanted Eko and because it couldn't have him wouldn't let anyone else have him.

The stuff on Hydra island is low key which is good as our main attention is elsewhere this episode but as we say goodbye to Eko the show moves on and the plot of the next few episodes are developed. We now know for sure why they took Jack, what they want from him and that Juliet isn't what she seems. 

A pivotal and powerful episode.

Betting and Trading Tips For Euro 2020

Just some random thoughts after perusing the odds on the exchanges:

Group A looks straight forward, obviously Italy are favourites and obviously the value and decent prices have all gone on backing them for the group winner. I saw some 1.8 late end of last week but you'll do well to find 1.6 now. If you're looking for a fun bet I quite fancy a two bob bet on Italy and Switzerland to qualify. Wales are favourite to finish rock bottom but are above evens so this might get a small lay from me.

Group B looks similar, Belgium are still available at decent prices to win but like Italy not a lot of value. Russia are a team I have questions on but I might risk a lay on them to qualify as I don't think they'll get many points and think the Fins can cause them trouble.

Group C I see nothing to interest me in these markets bar hoping the Dutch get through.

Group D looks the most interesting so far as it looks like the markets can't decide weather Scotland or Czech Republic will finish bottom. Its going to be a late decision from me but both are currently just over evens to finish bottom. The only other thing thats tempting me is a straight forecast of England and Croatia to finish first and second.

Group E again not much interest at the top and also at the bottom as it looks like Spain and Slovakia are going to be the bread in a Swede and Pole sandwich. Sweden and Poland are so close in the groups odds that there are going to be a lot of decisions made over this group.

Group F, fix your makeup its game face time. This is where the money is going to be bar poor little Hungry we have France, Germany and everyones high fowling favourites Portugal. I think its between Germany and France to win and will be risking a few pennies on Germany to win the group @ 2.94. The matches in this group are what interests me the most and I can see a lot of cards being shown in this group. 

Looking at the overall markets it looks like Mbappe is favourite to be player of the tournament. If you fancy a long odds shot Jordan Pickford is currently at 1000s but my 50p is going on Griezmann. Denmark to reach the quarterfinal looks a fun banter of a bet. Lukaku for top scorer at 8.2 is where my 50p is going on the top scorer market. On the overall winner market I'm going back to lay mode with Belgium who are currently 8.2. Majority of people who read this will be supporting England who are currently 6.6 but if I'm backing something to let it ride I'm going with the favourites France.

May Football

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.

Nashville 0-0 Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, terrible game where both teams looked best when the other side had the ball. 

Hertha Berlin 0-0 FC Koln, Bundesliga, would have been more exciting if neither side had turned up.

Brentford 2-0 Swansea City, Championship Playoff Final, Brentford went ahead early and closed up the match, Swansea didn't turn up.

Chelsea 2-1 Leicester City, English Premier League, very poor stuff with Leicester looking to play on the break against a boring Chelsea side. Chelsea have ruined Timo Werner, a dull match until some potential handbags late in the game.  

Kilmarnock 1-2 Dundee FC, Scottish Playoffs, a professional Dundee killed the game early and sapped Killies soul.

AC Milan 0-0 Cagliari, Serie A, Milan did not have their shooting boots on and it ended as a damp squib.

Villarreal 1-1 Manchester Utd, Europa League Final, Villareal could barely get through Manchesters midfield and Utd just had wave after wave of insipid attacks. It went to penalties, I didn't last that far. 

Tottenham Hotspurs 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers, English Premier League, Wolves tried to kill the game and very nearly did.

Sheffield Utd 0-2 Crystal Palace, English Premier League, awful game with deflected goals at either end of the match. 

Elche 0-1 Atletico Madrid, La Liga, very poor with Atletico reverting to type.

Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea, Champions League Final, Chelsea with a very good defensive display by Chelsea did Man City on the break as is there trademark and Manchester City just walked into it. 

Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid, Champions League, a very ordinary Madrid got done on the break by Chelsea.

Manchester City 2-0 Paris St-Germain, Champions League, City overpowered PSG who threw their toys out of the pram and petulantly exploded.

Dundee FC 2-1 Kilmarnock, Scottish Playoffs, a delightful slugfest.

Barnsley 0-1 Swansea City, Championship Playoffs, the first leg of the Championship playoff with the home team dictating the play they did nothing but clog first half and went a goal down. The game got better as it went on. 

Rennes 1-1 Paris St-Germain, Ligue 1, Rennes outfought PSG who as they did so often this month combusted.

Southampton 3-1 Fulham, English Premier League, Fulham reverting to their start of season form and Southampton punishing them for it. 

Arsenal 3-1 West Bromich Albion, English Premier League, Sam Allardyce got relegated - Huzzah!  

Fiorentina 0-2 Napoli, Serie A, didn't get going until the second half and Fiorentina lost it with the red card. 

Levante 2-2 Cadiz, La Liga, good stuff from both teams - more exciting result than match.

Chelsea 0-1 Leicester City, FA Cup, a classic cup final goal by Tielemans and late VAR review proved the memorable moments for this final.

Roma 2-0 Lazio, Serie A, Lazio played the better in this derby but Roma were clinical.

Manchester Utd 1-1 Fulham, English Premier League, unexpectedly even fun game.

Melbourne City 3-2 Brisbane Roar, A League, an absolute insane game which might be the most one sided 3-2 I've ever seen. Due to it being on early and my wits not waking up I thought Melbourne were 4-0 up at one stage. 

FC Twente 1-1 Heracles, Eredivisie, good attacking game that Twente will be wondering how they didn't win.

Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal, English Premier League, good little game but after a very early game Newcastle should have come out with at least a few guns blazing.

Sasssulo 1-3 Juventus, Serie A, Weird game as Juve decided to play on the break and left Phil Collins boys in tears.

Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, English Premier League, strange game that had the end of an era feel as Sergio Aguero looked to do some big acting ala Gan in Blakes 7 as he was about to be written out.

Burnley 1-2 West Ham Utd, English Premier League, really good first half and a good lively game for a Monday night.

Angers 1-2 Lille, Ligue 1, a battling on the break away win clinched Lille the title. On another day Angers could have played exactly the same match and won.

Manchester Utd 1-2 Leicester City, English Premier League, Leicesters first team had a tough match against Man Utds reserves. 

Tottenham Hotspurs 1-2 Aston Villa, English Premier League, a fun banter as Spurs imploded.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Brighton and Hove Albion, English Premier League, a feisty game that was all about red and yellow cards. Brighton went ahead and then got a man sent off, cue wave after wave of Wolverhampton attacks who took the win with two late goals. 

Napoli 5-1 Udinese, Serie A, Napoli not only dominated but kept Udinese in their pocket with a cracking defensive display that was better than the attacking.

Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Mainz, Bundesliga, a game which Frankfurt dominated and cheeky Mainz escaped from with a draw.

Juventus 0-3 AC Milan, Serie A, Juventus did not have their shooting boots on and AC Milan made harder work of it than the scoreline suggested.

Burnley 0-3 Liverpool, English Premier League, so this is what its like to have an easy life...

Tottenham Hotspurs 4-0 Sheffield Utd, English Premier League, a fun gubbing and Spurs could have got more.

Liverpool 2-0 Southampton, English Premier League, good free flowing game.

Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace, English Premier League, after a few early scares Liverpool eventually slotted in two of their many chances in a one sided game and clinched a CL spot.

Sampdoria 3-0 Parma, Serie A, good free flowing game and Parma were unlucky which shows how thin the margins can be.

Burnley 0-4 Leeds Utd, English Premier League, even game despite the score line with Leeds getting a flurry of goals close together..

Ajax 3-1 VVV Venlo, Eredivisie, all attacking game in which Ajax got a player sent off then still scored two more goals.

ADO Den Haag 3-2 Feyenoord, Eredivisie, a fun bonkers Dutch league game and an insane end that saw five yellow cards.

Leicester City 2-4 Newcastle Utd, English Premier League, Leicester needed to keep it cool to make top four and Newcastle had their number and went for it. Utter utter fun.

Everton 1-2 Aston Villa, English Premier League, a game that looked beige in the opening minutes that was livened up by Ollie Watkins proper pouncing on Holgate.

Genoa 3-4 Atalanta, Serie A, Genoa turned it into an exciting finish after Atalanta went 3-0 up in the second half.

Aston Villa 1-3 Manchester Utd, English Premier League, good attacking game where two quick goals for Man Utd settled it.

Feyenoord 0-3 Ajax, Eredivisie, a game that had red cards, missed penalties, own goals and loads of attacking.

Atalanta 1-2 Juventus, Coppa Italia, good attacking final with goals, incidents and cards. 

Torino 0-7 AC Milan, Serie A, Milan rediscovered their shooting boots and didn't leave Torino with a pulse.

Leeds Utd 3-1 Tottenham Hotspurs, English Premier League, Spurs tried an all attacking midfield and Leeds outplayed and outfought them.

Brentford 3-1 Bournemouth, Championship Playoffs, one of the most eventful first halves of the season as Bournemouth went two nill up of aggregate, gave away a penalty and had a man sent off. Brentford were professional second half and go through to the final. 

Paris St-Germain 2-1 Lens, Ligue 1, good game and Lens could have got something if they hadn't overcomplicated their attacks.

Notts County 3-2 Sutton Utd, National League, exciting game as Notts went ahead three times with the third being in injury time with a man sent off.

Lille 0-0 Saint-Etienne, Ligue 1, Lille looked to potentially clinch the title with a game to go started out dominating but as Sarah Cracknells boys fought them off Lille began to mentally crack. From the dominating would be Kings at the start of the match, this game turned them into gibbering wreaks who could still yet crack and hand the title to PSG.  

Levante 3-3 Barcelona, La Liga, one of those typical bat bleep games you get in Spain as Levante got concussed and for 45 minutes thought they were Real Madrid.

Borussia Dortmund 3-2 RB Leipzig, Bundesliga, an all attacking game with a good comeback from Leipzig and a late winner from Dortmund.

Manchester Utd 2-4 Liverpool, English Premier League, most fun I've had watching football in ages. Both teams were on top at different points and various players who had poor seasons put form behind them to come up with a mighty performances.

Juventus 3-2 Inter Milan, Serie A, the game that overshadowed the FA Cup final. A game that had everything, Juventus went a man down when leading and Inter pulled level. Looking to get the winner in the final ten minutes they conceded a penalty and got a man sent off. A blood and guts match that delivered on the quality.  

West Bromich Albion 1-2 Liverpool, English Premier League, football is about moments. We were 1-1 and a disappointing season was about to peter out, Alisson goes up for a corner five minutes into injury time and heads it into the back of the net creating the best moment of the season.

Euro 2020 - England Sqaud

Thoughts on the keepers: won't lie the keeper choices make you realise how poor the standard in the EPL is right now. Dean Henderson could proper grab that starting spot if he has his game face on.

Thoughts on defence: theres a real sense of England catching up with the rest of the world with the only throw back being Harry Maguire whose in there on the strength of being a supposed hard case. The rest include some really good footballers and players who are multiskilled and can play in multi positions.

Thoughts on midfield: Jordan Henderson looks the midfield general but there are questions about his fitness. I'm looking forward to seeing what Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips can do. I'm looking forward to Jesse Lingard starting and becoming the new Darren Anderton in starting the season terribly and ending it by running midfield in the national team. Otherwise its full of players I'm looking forward to seeing.

Thoughts on attackers: Looking forward to seeing Sancho, Sterling and Foden running at defences. Harry Kane will no doubt do Harry Kane things as he does but the big questions are what Southgate will do with EPL newcomer Watkins and in form Calvert-Lewin.

The further forward you get in this squad the better it gets.   

Lost - Every Man For Himself

This is the point where I stop harping on about the slow start as at the four episodes mark more is happening and we're moving on from the start of the season. The flashback is perfectly counterpointed with the main action as we see Sawyer in action as a con man in a well constructed plot line featuring Bill Duke of Predator fame. In real time Ben slowly toys with and manipulated Sawyer into thinking he has an implanted pacemaker that will blow up his hart if his blood pressure gets to high.

Theres also other stuff going in, we get repercussions from earlier in the season as Jack is asked to perform surgery on Colleen only to find an x-ray of spinal cancer. At the Losties camp Desmond appears to predict a lightning strike giving another indication that Desmond is seeing the future.

A fun tight episode with lots of things going on an 9/10 from me.

Euro 2020 - Poland Squad

 Lots of familiar names in that Poland squad which is more than Lewandowski and co.

Grzegorz Krychowiak, part of that Sevilla team a few years back but the move to PSG didn't work out. Not just a defensive midfielder, over the last few years he's learnt how to score.

Piotr Zielinski is the closest thing they have to a household name after the boy Lewandowski being an ever present for Napoli.

Matty Klich has had a good season for Leeds in the EPL although I keep forgetting he's 30 and looks like a youngster.

Arkadiusz Milik is someone I want to see perform well, he's the poster boy for "looked good in the Eredivisie but disappointed elsewhere." This seasons loan to Marseille hasn't seen much improvement but he's still young enough to be around for multiple tournaments and has to be seen as the successor to Bob Lewandowski.