Here we are!
What an exciting Euro so far, with some really enjoyable games.
Turkey has failed to go through, despite many hopes put in that team, including from many foreign countries journalists. They could not make it for three reasons:
They are all young players, except Burak, missing the needed experience at this level. Secondly, their tremendous qualification campaign, during which they have not lost against the world champion, France ( one win, one draw) have given them a status of underdogs which was probably a too heavy weight to carry on their shoulders. Thirdly, as i stressed in my previous comments, their physical conditions was far to be in line with the standards of other teams.
Turkish players are technically as good as many others from other teams, but if you do not have the ball, you loose the match...simple as that. Now, when you look at the last 16 teams, that's really exciting! All favorite teams, France, Italy, Belgica, Portugal are all in the upper part of the table...the bottom part having only a big clash btw England an Germany.
France, who was among my favorite is no longer in that position now. Their last two games have shown that they rely too much on individuals and not on the team collective performance. To the opposite, Italy and Belgica have a fantastic organization, team spirit and for sure they will go far in this tournament.
Then Portugal. ...they play Belgica on Sunday...what a pitty! This match should be a semi...Belgica is the favorite but Ronaldo, who has just beaten the number of goals in the Euro competitions is a fantastic gun for the Portugal team and can , anytime, win a match by himself....
The other side of the draw is not that strong, and if i would like to take a risk i will go for Denmark....After the terrific event of the first match with the heart attack of Eriksen, now out of danger, thanks God, this team has a fantastic winning spirit and who knows if they will not go till the last step of the competition for an amazing remake of Euro 1992....that's not a dream, just a serious probability.
In any case, the Euro 2021 resumes tomorrow, two match every day till Tuesday, just enjoy the games, there will be big surprises ( Denmark, Ukrania, Spain?) and hopefully many goals.
See you for the 1/4 finals.
