UEFA France Euro 2016 Championship – Day 2 wrap-up.
Each nation has played two games in this Euro 2016 tournament and we were able to learn a lot from it after witnessing some of the greatest players on earth and spectacular atmosphere in all stadium across France. We break down teams group by group and preview the week to come.
Group A
The hosts France had been the first team to qualify to knock-out stage but it was not easy. Indeed 3 out of the 4 goals France scored came up after the 88th minute of the match with two late wins vs. Romania 2-1 and Albania 2-0. Dimitri Payet scored in each match and was the man of the match in each game. He is one of the best players we have seen play so far.
A draw or win against Switzerland will guarantee 1st place of the group for the French.
Group B:
England has had rough finishes in the first two matches with dropping two points to Russia when they equalize and then winning the game at the last minute against Wales. A solid performance against Slovakia with a win will guarantee group’s first place.
coach Hodgson preview the next: “I think the players are in good shape and I don’t think it would be a problem if I wanted to keep very much the same side as we’ve played.
But also there are a lot of players who would like to play and who have been knocking hard at the door to play, so I have the option if I want to refresh because everyone is anxious to get their chance and show what they can do. It’s really a question of what we would like to do rather than what we feel is necessary in any other way.
We know we’ve got good-quality players so it’s important that we try to get them the chances to give them the opportunity to do that.”
Group C:
Germany, Poland and Northern Ireland can all qualify to the next round with Germany having the edge in this group. Germany and Poland settle for the first scoreless match of Euro 2016 while Northern Ireland won their first ever Euro game against Ukraine in game 2. A good result against Germany will give them a chance to advance.
Group D:
Spain has not conceded any goal in the tournament. Their first match was very difficult and they had to wait until the last 5 minutes to find the net against a solid Czech side. With 2 wins in 2 matches, Spain is already thru the Round of 16 and will need at least a draw against Croatia to finish first of the group. Czech Republic will have to beat Turkey and hope for Croatia to lose to advance at the second place.
Group E:
Italy is qualified for the second round and Belgium will try to join them with a win vs. Sweden
Group F:
Hungary has been the surprise so far in this Euro and leads the group. Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo are struggling and would need to beat Hungary to advance.
