NFT: Euro 2020 starts today!

But Ukraine just got a big boy goal and have had a couple of strong attacks.

Got a game.

was dirty

Wow!! Tied up! Great set piece!!!

Corner like that to let it stay alive??? Painful.

quite a game.

for match of the tournament

games today. Scotland makes their first appearance in over 20 years against the Czechs, Poland and Lewandowski take on Slovakia and Spain plays an always technically sound Swedish team.

Been a really fun watch so far - except for the scary incident with Christian E.

This will also provide a glimpse on whether or not spain is fading or can still be a contender.

header scores for the Czechs. 1-0

2-0, that's a killer

Schick gets his 2nd from just past midfield!!

is a very good player. Nice to see him score a goal like that.

What a goal for Slovakia.

terrible play from the Polish defenders

In comment 15286165 Bricktop said:

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What a goal for Slovakia.

Guy looked like he was just going to hold the ball until it was stolen, then he nutmegs the defender, drives to goal and puts it off the post into the keeper.

1-1 now

can't recall seeing one side dominate a half so thoroughly and not score. Had the chances.

In comment 15286274 Del Shofner said:

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can't recall seeing one side dominate a half so thoroughly and not score. Had the chances.

I think Spain finishes 1-0 or 2-0, don’t think Sweden bothers to push too much even if they go down a goal. No reason to leave this one with a lopsided defeat.

.

and retreats in a shell, risking the fates

- Sweden comes away with a point.

And let's be honest, Sweden missed an absolute bunny in the 2nd half that should have had them ahead.

putting the ball in the net. 85-15 possession.

Olson GK fantastic, the difference in the match, superb positioning and reaction, terrific saves
Isak bit of a revelation to me, rare someone so long has such precise footie skills
Jordy Alba, terrific crosses, so much space to operate
Olmo!!

Right side of Swedish back line giving Jordy Alba all the space he wanted
Berg whiffed, Lustig whiffed arf arf
Swedish coach, hated his strategy, but it got his country a point, difficult to fault him

to have Efan Ekoku back doing commentary on US airwaves. He's always been excellent and feel like he should have a bigger platform - CBS should pull him for Paramount+

But in international play like this, you have multiple languages involved. How does a Ref communicate to both players that speak 2 different languages especially if the Ref speaks a 3rd different one?

In comment 15286715 montanagiant said:

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But in international play like this, you have multiple languages involved. How does a Ref communicate to both players that speak 2 different languages especially if the Ref speaks a 3rd different one?

The refs signal, and those signals are technically all that are needed (and don't require words). In any event, there are a limited number of things that a ref has to say, and players tend to know those phrases in more than one language. Most of them play internationally as their jobs. I know our middle kid could curse in English, Spanish and Dutch by the time he was 15.

!

playing very stout so far and keeping it to a scoreless draw at the 80th minute

They score but he's ruled offsides.

And it was a good call

a tight game might end up 3-0.

CR7 with 2.

Is the best team I have watched in this tournament so far

are straight even. I think we see a draw or Germany win in the premier opener.

In comment 15286771 montanagiant said:

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Is the best team I have watched in this tournament so far

Hungary is doo doo though.

In comment 15286786 Zeke's Alibi said:

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are straight even. I think we see a draw or Germany win in the premier opener.

I bet France earlier, so yes, I am nervous.

people sleep on Germany, they tend to do pretty well.

Their U-21 team wasn't expected to do much this year and they won the European Championship

In comment 15286810 Jints in Carolina said:

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In comment 15286786 Zeke's Alibi said: Quote: are straight even. I think we see a draw or Germany win in the premier opener. I bet France earlier, so yes, I am nervous.

Yeh I felt like I was fading myself when I took the draw and Germany, but based on recent form and on paper you’d think France would be significant favorites. The only think I can come up with is Germany putting in a tremendous effort for their beloved manager. Plus, not sure how much you can take from friendlies and France is getting up there in age.

Man I love watching the sweeper keeper.

In comment 15286840 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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people sleep on Germany, they tend to do pretty well. Their U-21 team wasn't expected to do much this year and they won the European Championship

Germany has a solid youth movement going on.

And own fucking goal.

play by Hummels

Game, getting feeling this is a 3-2 type barn burner.

is working the ball well - I'd be surprised if they don't level it soon

Hummels did that.

Germany looking better than I expected.

from the get go, Pogba an animal on counters/deft placement of balls in attacking third, Mbappe putting such pressure there. Hummels, pure reactive leg extension, Neuer positive force keeping him in the game. Tight area passing by both teams so fun.

Second half, different story, Germany with even more possession, more opportunities. France was too casual with its passes, as if in a pseudo comfort zone that they didn't have to be accurate with the ball. Two seeming goals nullified by offside position.

I did think Mbappe should have been awarded the penalty on Hummels' tackle, looked like he snagged the ankle first. Löw is gone in any event, but I hope GER qualifies for knockout round, hate to see him go out this way.

caught on camera smelling his fingers again. He's a weird dude.

In comment 15286942 ColHowPepper said:

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I did think Mbappe should have been awarded the penalty on Hummels' tackle, looked like he snagged the ankle first.

I thought that was a penalty too. Hummels got some of the ball but a lot more ankle, including after touching the ball so as to bring Mbappe down.

Mbappe's a load. What a player. Both non-goals were beautiful notwithstanding the offsides.

I'd don't remember ever seeing such speed on some of those turns and flat-out acceleration

In comment 15287012 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:

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I'd don't remember ever seeing such speed on some of those turns and flat-out acceleration

Hummels had like a 10 yard head start on the run by Mbappe and subsequent recovery by Hummels. He FLEW by that dude. But Hummels did really well recovering. Tough game for him today.

In comment 15287012 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:

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I'd don't remember ever seeing such speed on some of those turns and flat-out acceleration

And he's very technical with the ball. An absolute lethal combination.

In comment 15286771 montanagiant said:

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Is the best team I have watched in this tournament so far

Portugal didn’t impress me at all. My top teams after the first round of games are Italy, France, and Spain, in no particular order.

Turkeys back line has been atrocious and they aren’t going to have a chance of advancing unless they get a result here. That means at least 2 goals.

Right now I think it’s France and everyone else. Spain didn’t really impress me that much, finishing has been a bugaboo and you can look amazing in midfield, but games are judged on score lines not possession. I’d put Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal as hopefuls, but man that France team is strong throughout the 11.

In comment 15287240 giantBCP said:

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In comment 15286771 montanagiant said: Quote: Is the best team I have watched in this tournament so far Portugal didn’t impress me at all. My top teams after the first round of games are Italy, France, and Spain, in no particular order.

Spain? They played a team who parked the bus and couldn't finish. If Berg doesn't shit himself, Sweden wins 1-0.