Euro 2020 (okay 2021) starts tomorrow. I wanted to make a separate thread where we can discuss all games. Spoilers of all Euro results will be ITT. I predict Oranje will roll over Ukraine 2 or 3-0 on sunday. But I suck at predictions, so thats probably all wrong.......LOL
I was thinking about 1-1 tie but I am going for the upset with Ukraine win 1-0. If I am totally wrong and Ukraine lose, I'd be happy. Some fun predictions from others: JAMES SHARMAN Final four: Italy, France, Portugal, Netherlands Winner: France defeats Portugal in final Tournament top scorer: Kylian Mbappé, France Breakout star to watch: Phil Foden, England Biggest surprise team: Netherlands Biggest flop team: Germany Can’t-miss group stage match: Portugal vs. France, June 23 Storyline to watch: Kids. Youth will dominate what should be a wide open tournament. No longer are teenagers the exception as match-winners. There will be more than a couple of teens who become household names: Pedri, Foden, Musiala and company. The Mbappé’s of the world are now the established stars! DONNOVAN BENNETT Final four: France, England, Belgium, Italy Winner: France Tournament top scorer: Romelu Lukaku, Belgium Breakout star to watch: Jérémy Doku (Belgium), Phil Foden (England) Biggest surprise team: Wales Biggest flop team: Spain Can’t-miss group stage match: Portugal vs. France, June 23 Storyline to watch: Continental Tournament. There is no host country as Euro 2020 will hold matches in virtually all of Europe. Dublin pulled out due to COVID-19 concerns so that brings the number to 11 cities hosting during the tournament with the semifinals and final at Wembley in London. This means much more travel for fans and players alike, which is not only bad for the environment it could lead to bad, tired football. Most importantly, it’s unsafe given the various variants currently running rampant in Europe. Will Italy benefit from home-field advantage in Rome during group play? Will the legacy of these games be a Euro 2020 variant? Will this be the new model moving forward as bids to host major tournaments has dwindled over time? We’ll have to wait and see. PETER GALINDO Final four: Italy, France, England, Denmark Winner: France defeats England 2-0 in the final Tournament top scorer: Harry Kane, England Breakout star to watch: Ryan Gravenberch, Netherlands Biggest surprise team: Denmark Biggest flop team: Germany Can’t-miss group stage match: England vs. Scotland, June 18 Storyline to watch: Will fatigue affect the quality of Euro 2020? Considering these players have played matches every three or four days for the past 12 months, it wouldn’t be surprising if defensive solidity triumphed at this tournament. That’s why the “Group of Death” might not be as enthralling as we’re hoping for, because all of France, Germany and Portugal will be playing not to lose, rather than going for the jugular. That mindset would only increase in the knockout stage where one slip-up can end your hopes of becoming European champions. JEFF BLAIR Final four: France, Italy, Denmark, Portugal Winner: France defeats Portugal in final Tournament top scorer: Kylian Mbappé, France Breakout star to watch: Nicolò Barella, Italy Biggest surprise team: Denmark Biggest flop: Germany Can’t miss group stage match: Portugal vs. France, June 23 Storyline to watch: How much of the Three Lions’ guaranteed implosion gets blamed on England fans’ continually embarrassing booing when their team takes a knee before the match – and the players’ reaction. That, plus Germany’s woeful performance in Joachim Löw’s swan song. Auf Wiedersehen, Jogi! JOHN MOLINARO Final four: France, Italy, England, Netherlands Winner: France defeats England in final Tournament top scorer: Kylian Mbappé, France Breakout star to watch: Phil Foden, England Biggest surprise team: Turkey Biggest flop team: Germany Can’t-miss group stage match: Portugal vs. France, June 23 Storyline to watch: I’m always fascinated to watch who the young breakout players will be at each international tournament, and Euro 2020 is no exception. Phil Foden is coming off a sensational season for Manchester City, and it’ll be interesting to see if he can duplicate his club form for England. I suspect that the world is also about to discover what observers of Italian soccer already know: that Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli is an unheralded midfielder of sublime class and skill, and one of the best playmakers in the world. DAN RICCIO Final four: Italy, France, Spain, Germany Winner: Italy defeats Spain in final Tournament top scorer: Timo Werner, Germany Breakout star to watch: Nicolò Barella, Italy Biggest surprise team: Turkey Biggest flop team: England Can’t-miss group stage match: Portugal vs. France, June 23 Storyline to watch: After missing out on the 2018 World Cup, the Italians come back to the international stage with a new look and feel. This isn’t the park-the-bus Italy of old – manager Roberto Mancini has reinvented the Azzurri with a strength in midfield. This tournament will mark the rebirth of Italian football on the international stage.
My favorite part of NT competitions is watching how each team sings their country song. Both Turkey and Italy players were great!!!! I do miss Buffon who was always a great singer. Edit: Danny Makkelie is the CR!!
What's up with all the whistling and booing towards the Italian players (on their home turf)...? Three possible handballs in Turkey box in 45 minutes - the last one looked like a legit PK. No VAR so far.
Thought the Italians were discipline and resolute. Their midfield was quite nice! That said, Turkey were very awful. They played to sit back and looked for a draw - once conceded, they fell part quickly. Hard to believe Oranje gave up 4 goals to this Turkish side last March
Oranje - Turkey 2-4, Turkey - Italy 0-3, Italy - Oranje 1-1. I like the way Italy played, confident, dominating; even they did not score on 1st half, playing the same tempo and then goals just came. I don't mind Frank trying 5-3-2/3-5-2 as long as I can see they can compact with no space for opponents to exploit, and dominate possession without too much back pass/side pass, and I hope to see more of Gravenberch, Koopmeiners, Gakpo, Malen and none of Veltman, LDJ, Klaassen, De Roon and even Promes.
Hopefully Frank and his staff watched Italy pound Turkey today. Press the Turks and stay connected defensively, and attacking them by passing and moving quickly. Go figure.
His condition is stabilized according to reports and I truly hope the medical outcome is better than what happened to Appie.
We need to find out what really happened. Maybe it was an arrhythmia which is what happened to Daley Blind.
Team doctor said it was probably a cardiac arrest. That medic who did the CPR should get a medal. He saved his life Christian Eriksen's ex-Tottenham doctor claims it's a miracle he survived 'probable cardiac arrest' https://t.co/vArYdWOgUQ— Mail Sport (@MailSport) June 12, 2021
The Austrian players look very tall and physical… I think they win almost most of the 50-50 battles. Unlucky to concede a silly goal but they are ahead now with 10 mins to go.
Watching Spain right now, they are gonna have a problem scoring goals with this team. Morata isnt all that great, and their MF'ers and wingers arent exactly goal-scoring machines either (except for maybe Torres)