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The Irish sports podcast that tells it like it might be.
euro 2020, European Football, Football (Soccer)

Ronny’s Euro 2020 Blog: Day 5

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Round 1 of group games comes to a close.

Hungary 0 – 3 Portugal

Hungary didn’t deserve that. They played well, taking the game to the reigning European champions. Rather than through everybody behind the ball they attempted to play positive football and got the ball in the net only for VAR to rule it out for offside.

Portugal in the end, as champions do, found a way through. 2 goals in the last 6 minutes, and a late sensational finish by Ronaldo sealed the win. They possibly suffered from having Fernandes, Silva, and Jota all trying to take up the same spaces. Andre Silva, more of an out and out striker, should start against Germany. Ronaldo stretched the game and despite not being spectacular got two goals. Portugal will find their way through.

Hungary will know a win may not even be enough for them in their remaining 2 group games as goal difference will likely be a factor in ranking the 3rd place teams. There were positives, but they look set to crash out.

France 1 – 0 Germany

France had most of the ball and Germany were rather lackluster. Hummels turned the ball into his own net, but the World Champions couldn’t build on that goal. That may be a problem for France, for all their talent they don’t blow away teams.

Germany created, but seemed somewhat like a team of individuals. They had the odd chance but Kroos and Gundogan weren’t allowed into the game at all. Germany could end up exiting the tournament at this stage based on this performance.

That’s the first round of group games done. Italy and Belgium were the two most impressive sides so far in this early stage.

euro 2020, European Football, Football (Soccer)

Ronny’s Euro 2020 Blog: Day 4

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Day 4 of Euro 2020.

Scotland 0 – 2 Czech Republic

Scotland weren’t bad in this game, but Czech were far better than expected. Schick got both goals, including a memorable lob from near the halfway line.

Czech may be dark horses to progress past the last 16, and based on the previous Group E game they will likely find a way through. Although depending on where they finish they could face someone from the group of death.

Scotland face an uphill battle, keeping the score down against England is the minimum they need before going into the game against Croatia, who flattered to deceive.

Poland 1 – 2 Slovakia

Slovakia, conquerors of the whole of the island of Ireland, were immaculate. Poland were flat and don’t appear to have the team around Lewandowski. Slovakia stunned the Polish and took an early lead threw an own goal, and they didn’t sit back.

When Poland equalized immediately into the 2nd half it seemed the game could turn. Poland failed to cause significant problems and found themselves down to 10-men when Krychowiak was shown a 2nd yellow. Skriniar put Poland in front, who were applying an ineffective zonal marking where about 5 players were taken out by one ball. Slovakia didn’t sit on their lead and were worthy of the win.

Spain 0 – 0 Sweden

Spain all the possession they could have hoped for. But possession doesn’t mean goals. Sweden put their bodies on the line and earned this point.

It’s baffling that Spain didn’t start Moreno, and struggled through a lack of clinical finishing. Spain didn’t look sharp, likely down to the lack of time the team had together.