2024-07-13 21:40:24
The Netherlands made a mistake at the end
İdman.biz presents an article with a link to soccer.ru.
It’s a shame to be knocked out after a goal in the dying seconds of a semi-final. It’s even more of a shame when England score against you, who had shots on target for the first time in the tournament. But Kane’s game-changing goal was scored from a controversial penalty. Even Gary Neville, the former Three Lions defender, called the penalty “disgraceful”. Kane made an unsuccessful strike, and then the feet of giants Harry and Dumfries collided. The referees decided that it was a dangerous play by the Inter defender. But the Dutch remember England’s semi-final against Denmark at the last Euro with Sterling’s simulation and a controversial penalty.
Now it is important to remember the beautiful combinations and goals of the Netherlands at the tournament. Simons and Gapko shone at Euro 2024. But the Dutch lacked a second tempo at the decisive moment, despite interesting players on the bench. But Palmer and Watkins saved England. Ollie says that he predicted a historic goal. Before the match, he told Cole that he would give him an assist. Miracles happen, but in football they are rarely in favor of the Netherlands.
The Germans lacked a new Klose
A good team, but they got into the best team of the tournament. Spain are the main beauties, but Nagelsmann also deserves praise. The Germans are second after the “Red Fury” in terms of xG. They attacked not only in the match with Scotland, when they scored 5 goals. There were problems with the implementation, but Germany is in first place in terms of shots on target. The squad is great. It’s a pity that Kroos ended his career. But together with Gundogan, they did everything so that Musiala and Wirtz were eliminated without the bitter feeling of failure, like Kylian Mbappe. The young playmakers were memorable. Kimmich was good on the right flank. But the Germans have one long-standing problem. Their academies cannot produce a classic “nine”. Havertz helped in parts of the matches, because Kai has 2 goals and 1 assist. And the midfielder did not realize the decisive moments together with Füllkrug. But Nahalsmann’s team has a future. The German national team could have a successful start at the 2026 World Cup in the USA if they can find a replacement for the veterans in the center of the field and find a young forward at the tip.
Georgians Exceeded Expectations
The footballers rode around Tbilisi on a bus with a roof, as if they had won the Euro. A well-deserved reception, they fought with dignity against a strong Turkey. They took one point from the Czech Republic. And then they won the main victory in the history of the Georgian national team – they beat Portugal. Of course, coach Martinez did everything to ensure that Ronaldo’s biography included such a line as a defeat to Kvaratskhelia. But Khvicha and his faithful partner Georges Mikautadze from Metz helped put Georgia on the map of European football. It is clear that it will be difficult for them to get to the World Cup and consistently qualify for the Euro through the regular selection. But coach Sagnol is a great guy. The Frenchman made technical guys like Chakvetadze and Kochorashvili play team football without losing their identity. And goalkeeper Mamardashvili should be included in the squad of a European grandee after such a European Cup. Giorgi became the main savior of Euro 2024, and he has 30 saves, almost catching up with Akinfeev. Georgia made the tournament more beautiful and colorful.
The Austrians delighted in the group
Rangnick is a great theorist and a much worse practitioner. That is why Ralf spent part of his life as a sports director. Strategically, the Austrian team is doing great. They planned every match in the group. Despite the problems with France, when a treacherous own goal let them down, they took first place in the quartet with two future semi-finalists. And when they had to meet the unpredictable, stubborn and tough Turkish team, Austria did not have enough strength and class to go further. But even the elimination after a brace by the nationalist Demiral, defender of Al-Ahli, does not prevent us from praising Rangnick’s team. In addition to the coach, we can single out the leader Sabitzer. The Champions League finalist with Borussia confirmed his class. It is a pity that an injury did not allow David Alaba from Real to play. Posch and Baumgartner were memorable, a successful tournament for the former football country.
The Turks played sincere football
Although the Portuguese national team crushed Turkey in the group, there are more questions about them than about Vincenzo Montella’s team. Dzyuba’s former coach turned out to be the right mentor for Turkey’s talented application. Of course, the Italian was lucky that such gifted people of different football generations gathered. Veteran Calhanoglu is fine at Inter. Guler dreams of finding more playing minutes at Real, Arda played great at Euro 2024. From goalkeeper Mert Günok to left wing Ferdi Kadioglu, many became heroes. Turkey failed to beat the cool Netherlands in the quarterfinals, but they only failed to score against Portugal. An emotional, lively and attacking team. We hope they get to the 2026 World Cup, a promising team with a colorful game.
Slovenians organized defense
An example of playing second fiddle, when you don’t feel sick of the notorious “rationality”. The reason is that the modest Slovenians are not favourites like England. They worked hard to reach the playoffs for the first time in their history. And next to the routine actions of Oblak, Drkusic and Bijol in defence, the goalkeeper and defenders impressed, there was a desire to play with the ball. And it all ended in tragedy… The Slovenians missed three penalties in a row against goalkeeper Costa. The Portuguese goalkeeper is not very good when penalties are taken during matches, but an ancient monster woke up in him at the decisive moment. But Slovenia came out of the most boring group the cleanest. Unlike England, they are forgiven for relying on patience. But if they had converted a one-on-one in the game with Portugal, they could have met Mbappe.
The Swiss have confirmed their reputation
Coach Yakin’s staff impressed. They lacked a successful penalty shootout with England to knock out Southgate, but they were knocked out by the future Euro finalists. Switzerland has plenty of great players – goalkeeper Sommer, defenders Schär and Akanji, midfielder Xhaka, forward Embolo with unexpected beauties like Vargas and Aebischer. In terms of the quality of football and organization of work, Switzerland is among the best teams in Euro, definitely in the top ten. At the same time, some good teams failed. For example, Scotland, which held a great qualifying tournament, and Serbia, because they have strong players. But even the failures of decent teams like Croatia do not prevent one important discussion from starting.
Isn’t it time to expand the Euro to 32 teams, so that there is no stupid ranking of third places? You can change the selection format so that the players are fresher in the final part. In Europe, as Georgia and Slovenia have shown, you can have 32 great teams. After all, the paradox is that the coaches deliberately chose a boring style, even Southgate, Deschamps and Spalletti, because Kane, Mbappe and Chiesa arrived tired, they all need a vacation. Because of this, we saw cotton wool rolling on the field. But at the same time, among the teams that have been eliminated, there are plenty of great teams. You can think about a Euro of 32 teams, because this will not increase the load on each specific team, just 16 will be eliminated at once. But fans from different countries will get an indescribable experience of participating in a big football festival – memories for a lifetime.
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