Euro 2024

[Trollheart]

Slovakia: The same as the Czech Republic, Slovakia were part of what was Czechoslovakia (you could tell, couldn't  you?) but have been their own independent nation since 1993, and again we won't be covering their appearance as part of Czechoslovakia, something we did with the Czech Republic. This, then, sees them qualify for the tournament for the first time under their own name in 2016, where they beat Wales 2-1, took revenge on their, if you will, old masters Russia, also 2-1, and drew nil-all with England to qualify third in their group. In the knockout stages they fell foul of Germany though, going down 3-0 and heading home. 2020 saw them back again, but this time they didn't even get out of their group, beating Poland 2-1 but losing 1-0 to Sweden and absolutely hammered 5-0 by Spain.

This year they did much better, meeting a very much out-of-form Belgium in their first match and to everyone's surprise (maybe even theirs) beating them 1-0. It would not be totally unfair to say that their victory came about, not so much due to their own excellent play, but due to a pretty woeful performance from Belgium. It was a good start for the Slovaks though.

Slovakia 1 - Belgium 0
Points: 3
Points total: 3
Position in Group: 2

Their second match pitted them against a shell-shocked Ukraine, who had suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Romania in their first game, and who were determined to show that they were better than that. And they were. Although Slovakia scored first Ukraine turned it around, equalising just after the second half begun and then taking the match with a late winner.

Slovakia 1 - Ukraine 2
Points: 0
Points total: 3
Position in Group: 2

Their final match saw them fight out a hard-won draw with Romania, which lifted them up the table and assured they would qualify as third in the group. Slovakia scored first and were ahead for almost 15 minutes before Romania got a penalty to level the game. They were through anyway, at the top of the group, and with, as has been mentioned several times already, this group for the first time ever in Euros history having all teams level on points, Slovakia qualified and moved on to the next stage.

Slovakia 1 - Romania 1
Points: 1
Points total: 4
Position in Group: 3

So on the occasion of only their third entry in the Euros, and for the second time (a good record, you have to say, or as Meat Loaf would say, two out of three ain't bad) Slovakia go through to the knockout stages where they will meet England, and who would not give them a chance, considering how poorly Southgate's men have been playing?

Recap
Beat Belgium 1-0, beaten by Ukraine 2-1, drew with Romania 1-1
Points total: 4
Goals for: 3
Goals against: 3
Position in Group: 3
Won 1, lost 1, drew 1
Result: Go through to next stage
Next opponent: England

UPDATE

After a powerful performance against a misfiring and unimaginative England side, Slovakia were forced into extra time by a superb last-minute goal by Jude Bellingham, and when Harry Kane added another in extra time it was all over. Slovakia go home, but can be proud of themselves, which is not something you can say about England.

[Trollheart]

Slovenia: One of the six states that were once the country known as Yugoslavia, Slovenia became independent in 1991, so you know by now how we're doing this. As it happens, Slovenia only qualified for the Euros once, in 2000, and had a pretty poor showing, unable to get out of their group as they fought out a difficult 3-3 draw with their ex-neighbours, FR Yugoslavia, fell 2-1 to Spain and played out a nil-nil draw with Norway to end up bottom of their group. This year they faced Denmark, England and Serbia, certainly not the Group of Death, but it still proved too much for them.

In their first match they came up against Denmark and went down to an early goal, but managed to hang on to draw the match near the end, though looking back at their very short record you can probably see they find it hard to hold a lead, and almost all of their matches to date have ended in a draw, as did this one.

Slovenia 1 - Denmark 1
Points: 1
Points total: 1
Position in Group: 4

Next up was Serbia, and at this point you could possibly predict what was going to happen, and that's exactly what did happen. Neither team could score till very late in the game when Slovenia looked to have finally notched up their first victory, but in the fifth minute of extra time the Serbs came back to rekindle old rivalries and condemn Slovenia to yet another draw.

Slovenia 1 - Serbia 1
Points: 1
Points total: 2
Position in Group: 4

For their final match Slovenia came up against England, who had been expected to trample all over them but, well, didn't. In fact, though England expectedly had the lion's (sorry) share of the possession, they couldn't do anything with it, and for the third match in their group Slovenia saw themselves rack up a draw, this one a nil-nil, sending them home.

Slovenia 0 - England 0
Points: 1
Points total: 3
Position in Group: 4

Given their rather poor and very sporadic appearances in the Euros (two only, including this) I suppose you couldn't have expected much of Slovenia, but against all the odds they've managed to get through, though looking at who they're facing you wouldn't imagine they'll go much further. Still, kudos for them getting this far, and really, in the final analysis, you just never know.

Recap
Drew 1-1 with Denmark, drew 1-1 with Serbia, drew 0-0 with England
Points total: 3
Goals for: 2
Goals against: 2
Position in Group: 4
Drew 3
Result: Go through to next stage
Next opponent: Portugal

[Trollheart]

Spain: Ah, now we're talkin', senor! The last of the Big Four of European football, Spain are still recognised as perhaps the dominant power, both in European and to some extent world football, having won the World Cup once and the Euros three times, two of which were back-to-back trophies, something I don't think any other country has achieved. Having withdrawn in protest, as mentioned elsewhere, from the inaugural tournament, they were back in 1964 to take their first title, beating Hungary 2-1 after extra time and the Soviet Union 2-1 in their first final. They failed to qualify for the next three tournaments, but were back in 1980. They did not do well, drawing nil-nil with Italy, beaten 2-1 by Belgium and again 2-1 by England.

They missed the next but did better in 1996, when they qualified second in a pretty easy group, drawing 1-1 with both Bulgaria and France and beating Romania 2-1 to progress, where they were dumped out by England after a 0-0 draw resulted in a penalty shootout which for once went England's way, none of their players missing and the result being 4-2 to send Spain home. After this, Spain would never miss another tournament, and in 2000 they qualified top of their group, beaten by Norway 1-0 but beating Slovenia 2-1 and FR Yugoslavia 4-3. Heartbreak again for them in the quarter-finals when this time France showed them the door with a 2-1 defeat. Back they came in 2004, this time failing to even get out of their group as they beat Russia 1-0 but were held to a 1-1 draw by Greece and beaten by Portugal 1-0.

The next eight years would begin the Golden Age of Spanish football, as they won the title in 2008, qualifying top of their group with a 4-1 demolition of Russia, 2-1 defeat of Sweden and a similar fate handed to Greece. In the quarter-finals they played out a cagey 0-0 draw against Italy, forcing extra time and penalties which again they took 4-2, went on to kick Russia's arse 3-0 in the semis and met Germany in the final, beating them 1-0 to take their second European title. They would repeat this four years later, again qualifying top of their group after a 1-1 draw with Italy, a 4-0 kicking of us, and a 1-0 defeat of Croatia. Marching unstoppably on into the quarter-finals, treading familiar ground now, this time it was them who sent France home, beating them 2-0 and pushing Portugal out with another 0-0 and 4-2 penalties, then triumphantly putting Italy to the sword for 4-0 in the final, winning their third European trophy.

Could they make it an unprecedented three in a row? Well, no. In 2016 they didn't even finish top of a relatively easy group, just barely managing to beat the Czech Republic 1-0 with a late goal, smashing Turkey 3-0 and then being stopped by Croatia who beat them 2-1. This time though, Italy were waiting for them and took revenge as they sent them home with a 2-0 defeat. Were the glory days coming to an end for Spain? Not quite. In 2020 they did a lot better, as host nation, coming second in the group after holding Sweden to a 0-0 draw and Poland to 1-1, then perhaps taking out their frustration on poor Slovakia, whom they battered 5-0. Ay caramba! They went on to knock out Croatia 5-3 and delivered the old thrust to the heart at Switzerland, 0-0 after extra time and taking the penalty shootout easily at 3-1 until Italy again stood in their way, and another penalty shootout after a 1-1 game sent Spain home again with a 4-2 defeat to the Italians.

If there is even such a thing as a renaissance of Spanish football - and I don't think there is; I just think they went through a bad patch - then we saw it this year, as Spain commandingly and somewhat contemptuously breezed through all opposition to win every game in their group and top it, easily qualifying and remaining one of the very hot favourites for the title.Their first game saw them take Croatia apart as they showed they meant business, and had no intention whatsoever of going out in the group stages this year, or possibly ever again. Croatia's only reply was a penalty, which should never have been awarded, and which was missed, scored on the rebound and then chalked off for encroachment in the box. Justice was seen to be done, and Spain ran out easy winners at 3-0.

Spain 3 - Croatia 0
Points: 3
Points total: 3
Position in Group: 1

Next it was time to take revenge on the team who had twice kicked them out of the knockout stages, but they struggled against Italy, the only goal coming from an own goal which must really have pissed the Azzurri off. In fairness, the Italians have performed woefully - as detailed in their entry - and they certainly did not deserve anything from this game. So Spain took it and notched up their second victory.

Spain 1 - Italy 0
Points: 3
Points total: 6
Position in Group: 1

Perhaps feeling like men facing the gallows, Spain's next and final opponent in the group was Albania. They had acquitted themselves well, to be fair, in the tournament but were already on the way home, and were not expected to stand a chance against the mighty Spain. Nor did they. Still, Spain didn't batter them, only managing the one goal, and that has to count for something.

Spain 1 - Albania 0
Points: 3
Points total: 9
Position in Group: 1

To nobody's surprise then, Spain march on with ease into the knockout stages. With a perfect record in the tournament so far, and so many star players both old and young, who would bet against them? Especially with their next game being against Georgia...

Recap
Beat Croatia 3-0, beat Italy 1-0, beat Albania 1-0
Points total: 9
Goals for: 5
Goals against: 0
Position in Group: 1
Won 3
Result: Go through to next stage

UPDATE

Though Georgia played out of their skins, and really gave a fantastic account of themselves, even scoring first against the run of play, Spain easily saw them off and the match ended 4-1 to Spain, who march inexorably on, well on course to make history as the only team to take the title four times.

[Trollheart]

Switzerland: Rather surprised to find that this is only the sixth time the Swiss have qualified for the Euros, but let's check out how that happened. Their first qualification was in 1996, where they ended bottom of their group after defeats to the Netherlands (2-0) and Scotland (1-0) and drawing with England 1-1. Their next effort was in 2004, where again they did poorly, again finishing last in the group after a nil-all draw with Croatia, a 3-0 defeat by England and a 3-1 defeat by France. As host nation, 2008 saw them again prop up the group, probably beginning to wonder if they would ever get out of it. Beaten by the Czech Republic 1-0, Turkey 2-1, but not even their first victory, an unlikely 2-0 against Portugal could save them, and they were on the way home again. Hey, at least they had won their first game.

They didn't qualify for 2012, but while it would be overstating the case to say a Golden Age of Swiss football began after that, they definitely began to do a lot better, and in 2016 they got out of their group for the first time, qualifying second after beating Albania 1-0, drawing with Romania 1-1 and drawing nil-nil with France. In the knockout stages for the very first time, they met Poland and fought out a determined 1-1 game, only to go home after the penalty shootout went against them 5-4. Nevertheless, this was the best the Swiss had ever done, and more was to come. In 2020 , though they really scraped through as third in the group, having drawn 1-1 with Wales, being beaten 3-0 by Italy and taking Turkey for 3-1, they again managed to get out of the group. In the knockout stages they were able to turn the penalty shootout curse on France, holding them to 3-3 after extra time and then sending them home 5-4 on penalties. Now having advanced the furthest they ever had, they went on to face Spain in the quarter-finals, another 1-1 after extra time this time turning against them as Spain defeated them 3-1 on penalties.

Therefore you would have to say there was a certain level of expectation on Switzerland when they qualified for this year's tournament, and they did not disappoint, powering past a weak Hungary side in their first game to ratchet up their first victory in the tournament.

Switzerland 3 - Hungary 1
Points: 3
Points total: 3
Position in Group: 2

Next up was Scotland, hurting from a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany, and they gave the Swiss a decent fight, scoring early and first, but in the end a Shaqiri wonder goal drew the match for the Swiss.

Switzerland 1 - Scotland 1
Points: 1
Points total: 4
Position in Group: 2

Their final game looked like it might be another victory, and against an unlikely opponent as they went 1-0 ahead of a rampant Germany. But as the match drew to a close the Germans scored and Switzerland had to settle for another draw, enough for them to go through and keep up the good work.

Switzerland 1 - Germany 1
Points: 1
Points total: 5
Position in Group: 2

Since 2016 then, Switzerland have never failed to get out of their group. Slow starters in terms of footballing history, they're certainly making up for it now. Through to the next stage, they meet Italy next, and given how poorly the Italians have played, you'd have to imagine they fancy their chances. How far can they go? With this Swiss team, don't bet against them.

Recap
Beat Hungary 3-1, drew with Scotland 1-1, drew with Germany 1-1
Points total: 5
Goals for: 5
Goals againstL 3
Position in Group: 2
Won 1, drew 2
Result: Go through to next stage
Next opponent: Italy

UPDATE

Even worse than expected, Italy were almost absent at the knockout match and deservedly go home, while Switzerland now continue on in the knockout stages.

[Trollheart]

Turkey: I don't know what it is about 1996, but it seems to be a sort of lodestone for a lot of countries, who first qualified in this year, as did Turkey, thrown into a tough group with Portugal and Denmark, and proving unequal to the task. Both Croatia and Portugal beat them 1-0 while Denmark gave them a lesson at 3-0, sending them to the bottom of the group and home. But one thing Turks are is determined - they did, after all, run one of the biggest empires the world has seen for six centuries - and back they came the following tournament, doing much better this time. In 2000 they qualified second in their group, and after a 1-0 defeat to Italy went on to draw 0-0 with Sweden and beat Belgium 2-0, which must have been seen as quite an upset at the time. In the knockout stages then for the first time, they were swiftly knocked out by Portugal, but it was a valiant effort.

They failed to qualify for the next tournament but were back in 2008, and did really well, again qualifying second in the group (just beneath their new nemesis, Portugal, who did for them again in their first match, 2-0) beating Switzerland 2-1 and the Czech Republic 3-2 which saw them meet Croatia and knock them out 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 tied game and then almost holding Germany to 2-2 in the final before the Germans scored in literally the last minute to send the Turks home, surely happy to have done so well. 2012 proceeded without them but in 2016 they were back, the "glory days" of 2008 far behind them as once again they failed to get out of their group, losing every game, falling 1-0 to Croatia, 3-0 to Spain and 2-0 to the Czech Republic. Perhaps reality had asserted itself? Certainly, when they again made it back for the 2020 tournament they did even worse, ending at the bottom of the table without a single point, defeats by Italy (3-0), Wales (2-0) and Switzerland (3-1) again booking them an early ticket home.

This year they've done much better, qualifying for the first time since 2008 and going on into the knockout stages. Their first match saw them take on debutantes Georgia, who gave a good account of themselves, scoring soon after the Turks had to earn their first ever goal in a Euro tournament, but the game contained two amazing goals (both from Turkey) and a last-minute one sealed an already certain victory for the Turks, and between the two teams we were provided with some top-notch - and unexpected - entertainment.

Turkey 3 - Georgia 1
Points: 3
Points total: 3
Position in Group: 2

Their next match saw them fall foul of their old Nemesis, and for the third time meeting Portugal ended in a defeat as Ronaldo's men put them to the sword 3-0. Turkey even helped them by scoring an own goal, though the outcome of the match had never been in any doubt.

Turkey 0 - Portugal 3
Points: 0
Points total: 3
Position in Group: 2

Their last match saw them face another adversary from 2008. Czechia (then called the Czech Republic) had beaten them 3-2 in that year and 2-0 in 2016, but they had their revenge this time as the Czechs first had a player sent off, then Turkey scored but Czechia managed to equalise and hold on almost to the end,  until Turkey plunged the knife in as they scored in the ninety-fourth minute to take the game and send their old enemy home.

Turkey 2 - Czechia 1
Points: 3
Points total: 6
Position in Group: 2

Memories of 2008 are possibly coming back for Turkey, as they have for only the second time in their career made it through to the knockout stages. Here they are due to meet Austria, who misfired for much of the tournament but are now through, so it may be an interesting match.

Recap
Beat Georgia 3-1, beaten by Portugal 3-0, beat Czechia 2-1
Points total: 6
Goals for: 5
Goals against: 5
Position in Group: 2
Won 2, lost 1,
Result: Go through to next stage
Next opponent: Austria

[Trollheart]

Ukraine: Independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, it was nevertheless 2012 before Ukraine qualified for the tournament, and they have managed it every tournament since. This is to their immense credit, as we all know their country has been a warzone now for years, but Ukraine doggedly train, play and qualify, intent on showing the world they are trying to get on with life and that a little thing like an invasion by Russia and an ongoing war won't stop them competing. Sadly, that has not translated into success at the Euros. Their first effort left them third in the group after beating Sweden 2-1 (must have come as an upset) then beaten 2-0 by France and again by England 1-0. They tried again in 2016, this time doing worse, last in the group following 2-0 defeats by Germany and Northern Ireland (what?), Poland putting the seal on their second exit when they beat them 1-0.

In 2020 they managed a better finish, qualifying for the first time from their group after a 3-2 loss to the Netherlands, their first ever victory as they took lowly North Macedonia for 2-1 and were beaten 1-0 by Austria. In very unfamiliar territory now, they managed to avenge themselves on Sweden, beating them 2-1 after extra time before England destroyed them 4-0 in the quarter-finals. That, so far, has been the best this relatively young country has managed, and they deserve a lot of credit for it.

This year it was back to normal, as it were, as they met Romania in their first match and were, to be kind, battered 3-0. Everyone looking at them - including me - gave nothing for their chances of even scoring in another match, never mind getting out of the group. On the latter we were all right, but as for the former...

Ukraine 0 - Romania 3
Points: 0
Points total: 0
Position in Group: 4

Next up for them were Slovakia, who scored first and looked likely to be condemning Ukraine to a second defeat, but the Ukranians fought back, levelling the match and then grabbing the winning goal in the last ten minutes, to show people they were not down and out yet.

Ukraine 2 - Slovakia 1
Points: 3
Points total: 3
Position in Group: 4

The last match for Ukraine was against Belgium, already through and in no mood for a five-goal thriller, had they even been capable of such a score. Instead they held on to the ball, prevented Ukraine from getting hardly a shot, and played out a boring 0-0 which sent Ukraine home at the bottom of the group once again.

Ukraine 0 - Belgium 0
Points: 0
Points total: 3
Position in Group: 4

You couldn't say much was expected of Ukraine, especially after the drubbing Romania gave them in their first game, but they didn't disgrace themselves and may be back next time, hopefully to do better.

Recap
Beaten by Romania 3-0, beat Slovakia 2-1, drew with Belgium 0-0
Points total: 3
Goals for: 2
Goals against: 4
Position in Group: 4
Lost 1, won 1, drew 1
Result: Eliminated from the tournament

[Trollheart]

Today's matches and results

France 1 - Belgium 0

As often seems to be the case when two of the bigger teams play, it can be a cagey, nervous affair which might just end with a half-chance, free or penalty, or a mistake by the other side. This didn't end that way - the goal that sealed it was class - but for most of the time I found it quite boring. In the end, France nicked it 1-0 and go through, which is really only fair as  Belgium have performed way below the standard we know they're capable of, and it would have been something of a travesty for them to have beaten France and progressed.

Portugal 0 - 1 Slovenia (3-0 Portugal after penalties

Not the walkover we had all expected, even given that Ronaldo and his lads have not been firing on all cylinders, or indeed any cylinder. Portugal were in the ascendancy of course, but Slovenia had their chances too, and were able to hold the European giants until the end when it went to extra time. Ronaldo doggedly kept taking all the free kicks and trying to get non-existent penalties, a real diva who wasn't ready to let anyone else take the responsibility and yet couldn't come up with the goods himself. Cometh the hour, though, cometh the man? Well no. Awarded a penalty in the last minute of the first half of extra time, it was of course Ronaldo who stood up to the spot, but the keeper saved it! Our man ended up in tears!

Slovenia had some great chances, including a breakaway after a Portuguese mistake but straight at the keeper as we headed for the first penalty shootout of the tournament where not at all surprisingly Portugal took it 3-0. Yep, not a single penalty scored by Slovenia, and Ronaldo finally got his goal.

Tomorrow's matches

Last of the knockout games tomorrow

Romania v Netherlands: Expected outcome? Romania have been good this tournament but you'd still have to put your money on the Dutch.

Austria v Turkey: Expected outcome? Honestly, could go either way.

[Marie Monday]

Holland playing some actual good football, colour me surprised

[Trollheart]

Today's matches and results

Romania 0 - The Netherlands 3

Romania never got a sniff, let's be honest here. They did their best - after all, they had made it through to the next stage - but Netherlands were just too good for them. Cody Gakpo played out of his skin, and there was no way past the orange wave. Netherlands march on.

Austria 1 - Turkey 2

Turkey scored in the first minute and though Austria gave them a good fight, the Turks went two ahead, leaving the Austrians fighting to get back into the game. Which they did, with a goal in the second half, and almost forced a draw but for an amazing save by the Turkish goalkeeper in the literal dying seconds of extra time.

Next matches

Friday

Germany v Spain: Expected outcome? Two titans of world and European football fighting it out at the very top of their game? You think I'm going to call that??

Portugal v France: Expected outcome? Hard to say. Portugal couldn't even get past Slovenia and had to take it on penalties, while France have yet to score a goal from open play. I'd be more for France, but who knows?

[Trollheart]

Today's matches and results

Germany 1 - Spain 2 (aet)

Both matches were of course huge affairs, and with this being knockout stages there could be no draws, at least, none that didn't lead to extra time and then penalties if still scoreless after that, so we should have been assured of goals. The match was high-paced but somewhat lacking in chances, and showed the German team up as having too many older players, such as Kroos and Muller, who just weren't up to extra time, as happened with neither team able to score in normal time. Spain, with younger players and a more persistent attitude, looked the more likely, and indeed it was them who scored first, with Germany managing a last-gasp equaliser to take us into extra time. As the last few seconds of that wound down, and we all got ready for the inevitable penalty shootout, Spain grabbed the winner to knock Germany out and silence most of the stadium.

Portugal 0 - France 0 (aet) Penalties 3-5

A much slower and cagier affair than the earlier game, neither team looked likely to score, and there were few chances, though the few that were on-target were mostly confined to the Portuguese, Ronaldo desperate to get a goal but kind of more getting in the way than anything. It got much better in the second half, with loads of chances and some real sitters missed, the unwritten rule that Ronaldo may never be substituted, though he was hardly contributing, leading one to wonder who actually is in charge of Portugal? Answers on a signed number 7 shirt to...

Things began to wind down in the last ten minutes, as neither team seemed ready to risk exposing their goal and losing, perhaps happy to play for penalties, though they would have to get through extra time first, if the score remained 0-0 after the ninety. Which it certainly looked likely to. And it did. And on to penalties. Again. This time it was differnt though: no saving three by the Portuguese keeper from inexperienced players: France know how to take a penalty. In the event, it was Portugal who blinked first, missing their first penalty. France didn't miss one of theirs, and took the shootout, kicking Portugal out and marching on into the semi-finals.

Anyone got a hankie for Ronaldo?

Tomorrow's matches

England v Switzerland: Expected Outcome? England will be buoyed by their, let's be honest, unexpected success against a strong Slovakia, but Switzerland have proven themselves a hell of a team. All I can say for sure is that one team will win, and one team will lose. Shrug.

Turkey v Netherlands: Expected Outcome? Turkey have definitely punched above their weight in this tournament, and deserve their place in the quarter-finals, but I would expect Netherlands to put in a big performance to get through to the semis.

[Trollheart]

Today's matches and results

England 0 - Switzerland 0 (aet) Penalties 5-3 England

A somewhat better English team met what seemed to be a subdued Swiss team who between them played out a boring first half with few chances, a possible penalty turned down for England, and not a shot on goal by either team. Hard to believe both these teams were fighting to get into the semi-finals! Looked more like a friendly to be honest. Definitely not the Switzerland I've been watching up to now; I have no idea what happened to them. Like a team who had suddenly woken up and realised where they were and what was at stake (or more likely got a bollocking from their manager - "Don't you realise where you are and what's at stake?") Switzerland finally began turning it on during the second half, and seemed the team most likely.

And with fifteen minutes of regular time left, they were. 1-0 to the Swiss, putting England under some major pressure to draw the game and force it into extra time for the second time in the tournament. This they did about five minutes later and we were all square. Again. Would that take the heart out of the Swiss, or urge them to greater efforts? Would it, indeed, push England to believe they could win the match without extra time, if they scored again? Another late late show from England? Or would they both just play for penalties?

Enough with the fucking questions, Trollheart! Okay, okay, I hear you. But a match that had been all but the epitome of boredom suddenly sparked into life in the last fifteen minutes, both teams surely realising one more goal would seal it either way, with barely five minutes and change to go. Switzerland had the best chance, right at the death, but into extra time we went for the second time in an England game. In fairness, there were chances (almost all for the Swiss) but in the end we were back with penalties again. Would England's curse hold true, or would this be the one that broke it? Well, first to miss their kick was a Swiss player, so advantage England, and they took the shootout, heading into the semi-final.

Netherlands 2 -  Turkey 1

A much faster-paced, high-energy game as the Dutch brought Total Football back to the Euros and ran the Turks ragged. They, for their part, didn't just lie down but it was Netherlands who had most of the chances. Turkey were the first to convert theirs though, just on 35 minutes, great header. In the second half the Dutch really turned the screw though, and in a rather amazing six minutes had not only equalised but went ahead, to win the match and go through to face England on Wednesday.

Next: Semi-Finals
Tuesday July 9

Spain v France: Expected outcome? Again it's hard to call but Spain haven't put a single foot wrong all through the tournament while France have somewhat misfired and have yet to show their best performance, so I'd still be for Spain in the final.

[DJChameleon]

Oh this is the tournament currently going on. I keep seeing people on IG constantly watching different matches and I felt lost like huh?

[Trollheart]

You damned American you! No it's NOT the Superbowl. It's huge over here though. Anyone see JJ? Still drunk after their penalty shootout victory??  Found in an alley somewhere groaning "Up yours, Trollheart! Total fucking dominance - where the fuck am I and why is everyone speaking Japanese? How drunk DID I get last night???"

[Trollheart]

Today's match and results

Semi-final #1

Spain 2 - France 1

Now that's what you call a semi-final! Two teams, both at the very top of their game, fighting it out for a place in the final. Both had chances within the first minute or so, but it was France who struck first, Kylian Mbappe finally making his presence felt as he crossed for the opening goal, but less than 15 minutes later Spain were level with an absolute wondergoal by sixteen-year-old Yamal. Definite contender for Goal of the Tournament. Spain followed up with a second five minutes later and looked very much to be in the ascendancy at the break, France a little shell-shocked that their early lead had not only disappeared so quickly, but become a two-goal deficit. Talk about end-to-end stuff! You could not take your eyes off this one for a moment, and for once a game which had been billed as a thriller lived up to its name. Neither of these teams intended to settle for 0-0 and penalties!

Spain had a great chance to add a third almost immediately as the second half begun, but the French keeper took a gamble, coming out to meet him and getting the ball. Both teams kept the pressure up but this time there would be no extra time as Spain took the semi-final, knocking France out and marching on to try to make Euros history and win the cup for the fourth time.

Tomorrow's match

Semi-final #2

England v Netherlands: Expected Outcome? It's JJ v Marie as the last semi-finalists meet for a chance to take on Spain in the final. I would bet on the Oranjes, but we've seen how England can either scrape through or score a super goal to go through on the back of a bad performance, while Netherlands, though they've come into their own, stuttered a little in the group stages. I'd still say it will be a Netherlands/Spain final, though as always, count no chickens until the fat lady blows the final whistle. Will it be as good a match as tonight's? I would seriously doubt it, but we'll see.

[Saulaac]

Should have posted in thé "What movie are you watching" thread the Oscar-winning performance of the Spanish players continuously falling over and clutching their ankles. 

Seriously though, they played amazingly well, creating so much space. They will be very difficult to beat in thé final. Good luck to England and Netherlands this evening!