Euro 2020: Day 2
Not sure how to even start this post if I’m honest. Yes, in the end 3 games were played, and there was a shock among the results, but all of that pales into insignificance compared to the events at the end of the first half in the Denmark v Finland game, when Christian Eriksen appeared to stumble to the ground after receiving the ball. Players and referee alike immediately called for medical assistance, which by the grace of god was quick to arrive. What then proceeded was something I couldn’t unsee, and wish I nor anyone else other than those close by had to witness as the former Spurs man appeared to receive both CPR and shocks pitch side. Thankfully, photos showed a conscious Eriksen leaving the field, and the early signs are he is recovering at hospital and wanted his team to play on, but that is a debate for another day (in my mind I am astounding that decision was made regardless of the players wishes). However, I don’t/won’t dwell on that here, other than to say they were shocking and heartbreaking images, and way too much was shown on TV (I switched off for the record).
The day had begun with a valuable point for Wales in a tense affair against Switzerland. The first half was a tense affair, with both sides looking like they were more worried about losing than trying to win the game, although Kieffer Moore did force a save from Yann Sommer. From that point on, Switzerland seemed the team in the ascendancy, with Wales captain Bale largely absent as he side struggled to control the game or possession. Newcastle defender Fabian Schär, who also picked up a booking as he cleaned out Daniel James on the half hour mark.
After the break, Switzerland continued to press, and were rewarded with the lead just 4 minutes after the restart. A corner from Xherdan Shaqiri found Breel Embolo, and the striker, who was making a nuisance of himself from most set plays, headed home. If anything, Switzerland looked more likely to grab a second before the Welsh fans were sent into raptures when Cardiff City striker Kieffer Moore, still bandaged up from an earlier head clash, flicked a header into the bottom corner after a superb delivery into the box by Joe Morrell. Switzerland went in search of a second, sending on Mario Gravanovic who thought he had scored minutes after leaving the bench, only for VAR to rule out his effort for an offside, which looked more clear cut in real time than on the replay. Wales then had Danny Ward to thank for a succession of saves to ensure the Welsh dragons, who reached the semi-finals last time out, held on for a valuable opening fixture point. Both sides progress now will likely hinge on their respective fixtures against Turkey, the Welsh facing them in Baku on Wednesday, whole Switzerland face them in the same venue 4 days later.
Finland, in their first tournament, picked up a shock win as they grabbed a winner just shy of the hour mark through Joel Pohjanpalo. Out of respect, despite it being his nations first tournament goal, he opted not to celebrate and deserves massive respect for that. Prior to that and the sad stoppage, Lukas Hradecky in the Finnish goal had been the busier of the two keepers, making a succession of saves to keep his side in it. After finding themselves behind, after the restart was uncomfortably given the go-ahead, the Danes had a chance to equalise from the spot after a questionable penalty, but Hradecky was once again the hero as he saved from Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. It was a penalty that had all the hallmarks of a player whose mind was elsewhere, hardly surprising really. The win was memorable for Finland, but sadly that will be quite rightly overshadowed by events on the pitch, and all I can do is wish Eriksen a speedy recovery and return to health. It certainly put the game and tournament into perspective.
The final game saw Belgium, one of the stronger sides, face Russia in their own back yard. With Kevin De Bruyne still missing after his Champions’ League injury, the Belgians still had a wealth of talent to call upon, the one real surprise probably coming at the back where former Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata was preferred to another former City graduate Jason Denayer. The Red Devils took just 10 minutes to go in front in Saint Petersburg, and it was former Red Devil and current club team-mate of Christian Eriksen, Romelu Lukaku, who benefited from some poor defending to slot home, going straight to the camera after scoring to pay tribute to his colleague.
After half an hour there was a clash of heads which saw both teams eventually make changes, Daler Kuzyaev and Timothy Castagne both coming off. Minutes later the Belgians then doubled their lead, a ball whipped in from the left causing problems for the goalkeeper, and his fumble falling straight into the path of Thomas Meunier, the man who had come on for Castagne, who made no mistake to fire home. Belgium then had a potential penalty shout, but VAR decided there was no foul to answer on goalscorer Meunier, before hosts Russia then lost another player as Yuri Zhirkov, who had pulled up earlier, was then replaced.
The second half continued in the same vein, Russia making more changes in an attempt to try and pull themselves back into the game, while the Belgians looked comfortable controlling the ball and just seeing the game out. The last 20 minutes saw Belgium make several changes of their own, including Eden Hazard being sent on to play alongside his brother, who had started, quite the role reversal. Dennis Praet and Thomas Vermaelen also got a run out. The result was put beyond doubt in the closing stages when Romelu Lukaku grabbed his second of the game, fellow goalscorer Meunier turning provider. It was a comfortable start for Belgium, one which underlined they should be taken seriously, especially given the form of Lukaku which appears to have continued on from his title winning season, and the likes of Kevin De Bruyne still to return. The Belgians will travel to Copenhagen next, scene of those dreadful events today, to face the Danes, while Russia will be hoping to bounce back with a win as they host Finland on Wednesday evening.
Today’s action sees England take to the field for the first time, but with all the events of yesterday what should have been a crescendo of excitement for their tournament opener now feels a little subdued, for me at least. In terms of outcomes, I was correct with 2 out of the 3 games yesterday, only the surprise victory by Finland preventing the full house. Today, I suspect England v Croatia will see both teams score (would probably back Kane to be the beneficiary of an England goal if you’re feeling even braver). 5PM then sees Austria take on tournament debutants North Macedonia at the Arena Națională in Romania, a game I am expecting the Austrian side should win, but not expecting much in the way of goals so will be looking for the value on unders. The final game of the day sees Group C favourites Netherlands and Ukraine square off against each other in Amsterdam. Home advantage should count for something for the Dutch side at the Amsterdam ArenA, but I’ve already been quite vocal in my belief that I think they are overvalued and the Ukraine undervalued to win the group, so will be looking to carry that belief on with the value on Ukraine double chance. Let’s just hope come tomorrow we’re back only talking about the football.
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