Tosun’s late winner on a hot and spicy night in Hamburg sends Turkey into last 16
June 26 – Cenk Tosun scored a stoppage-time winner as Turkey beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in a fiery final group game to secure a last-16 tie against Austria.
Euro 2024
Thunder, lightening and joy as Romania and Slovakia share spoils
June 26 – The permutations in Group E prior to kick-off were a mathematician’s dream. Belgium, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Romania all had a chance to finish in every position from 1st to 4th as they all entered play on three points.
Misfiring Belgium squeeze into last 16 as Ukraine exit bravely
June 26 – Ukraine became the first ever team at a Euro finals to fail to progress from the group stage with four points after a 0-0 draw with Belgium, who once again failed to live up to either their talent or world ranking.
Obdurate Slovenia head into last 16 as impotent England fire blanks
June 25 – Once again it wasn’t pretty but it was job done. Sometimes that’s all you need to grow into major finals and England duly won their Euro 2024 group last night despite their famed front six failing to ignite – not for the first time – in a goalless draw with Slovenia.
Toothless Serbia exit as Denmark and Ericksen stay alive
June 25 – Another goalless draw in Group C where the ball in the back of the net has become as rare as a sighting of a lesser spotted woodpecker, left Serbia exiting with their peckers very much down as the Danes and the majestic Christian Ericksen move into the knockout rounds.
Mbappé scores, but France stutter and stumble into next round
June 25 – With his first-ever goal at a European championship, Kylian Mbappé, returning from injury, steered France to a disappointing 1-1 against Poland and second place in Group D.
Austria pickpocket the Dutch to go top of Group D
June 25 – Austria overcame Netherlands in a pulse-raising five-goal thriller in Berlin, to go top of group D as France could only manage a draw with Poland.
Italy steal crucial points from Croatia with dramatic added time equaliser
June 24 – A thrilling game that ran far deeper than its slender scoreline, Croatia’s sweetheart Luka Modric looked to have cemented his side’s place in the Round of 16 with a decisive goal versus Italy. Until the 8th minute of added time.
Albania’s Dusseldorf day out sees Spanish victory but a proud nation steal the show
June 24 – Once again they came in their thousands, this time perhaps more in hope than expectation, turning the Dusseldorf Arena into a deafening cauldron of noise.
No more Scotland, no more party. Hungary send the Tartan Army home
June 23 – In a final group game that took a nasty head injury to seemingly spark it into life with 25 minutes to play, Hungary shattered the impressive and vocal Tartan Army’s dreams with a goal in the 10th minute of added time to win 1-0.
Swiss miss out on topping Group A to last gasp German equaliser
June 23 – In 2006 as host of the World Cup, Germany came together in a way that the country had not experienced in more than 70 years. There was a huge sense of pride mixed with a twinge of nationalism that at first made Germans uncomfortable, however, by the end of the tournament, the Bundesflagge (national flag) would be flown throughout the country.
De Bryune imperious as Belgium dispatch Romania
June 22 – With a commanding performance and a goal, Kevin De Bruyne steered Belgium to a 2-0 victory against Romania, leaving all four Group E teams on three points.
Ronaldo and Pepe give young Turks a timeless lesson in class
June 22 – There are occasions that take your breath away. When reality blows away illusions. Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund isn’t a trick of the mind, it really is a seething mass of Turkish and Portuguese humanity cranking the noise levels up to 104 decibels and beyond…as loud as a rock concert!
Fired up Georgia and Mamardashvili’s heroics hold frustrated Czechs to a draw
June 22 – Czechia were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw versus Euro debutants Georgia as the bouncing Volksparkstadion in Hamburg witnessed a game with no winners, in more ways than one.
Netherlands battle to a scoreless draw with France after VAR rules out Simons goal
June 21 – It wasn’t a classic but it was certainly an entertaining and full blooded encounter as the two big dogs in Group D, France and the Netherlands, squared off in Leipzig to share the points in a 0-0 draw.