UEFA Euro 2020: The fall of Goliaths give a brand new twist to footballing rollercoaster

When the continued UEFA Euro 2020 had introduced its postponed arrival amidst a present of music and balloons on the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, little did anybody know what it had in retailer. Brushing apart the off-the-pitch noise of beverage snubs within the viral press conferences and the followers’ furore about taking a knee earlier than the kick-offs, the event has been nothing in need of enthralling on the pitch.
Right from the beginning, the sixteenth version of the European Championship has impressed every one — be it with Italy’s new-age renaissance beneath Roberto Mancini or with England’s quest to maintain their dream alive or with the downfall of the giants.
GOLIATHS SHOWN THE DOOR EARLY ON
Upholding the drama of the game, the Euro 2020 served a number of surprising moments as quickly because the knockouts started. Where Austria stumbled, each Czech Republic and Switzerland succeeded as they respectively knocked out heavyweights Netherlands and reigning FIFA World Cup champions France. While Frank de Boer’s staff failed to show up on the night time and shot themselves within the foot with a Matthijs de Ligt sending off, Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus had been surprised by the arms of Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer and the sheer doggedness of their opposition.
Netherlands reached a brand new low of their 2-0 defeat to the Czechs on Sunday after failing to register even a single shot on track for the primary time within the mixed historical past of the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup. On the very subsequent day, France had been knocked out on penalties after being held 3-3 on the finish of the additional time. Switzerland acquired all of the plaudits on Monday as they overturned a 3-1 deficit within the ultimate ten minutes of the traditional time and went on to succeed in their first quarter-final at a serious event in 67 years. On the opposite hand, holders Portugal had been additionally proven the door within the last-16 by Belgium after a timid 1-0 loss.

▪️ Denmark placed on a present▪️ Italy win in extra-time▪️ Czechs stun the Dutch▪️ Belgium knock out Portugal▪️ Spain vs. Croatia 🤯▪️ France vs. Switzerland 🤯▪️ England beat Germany ultimately▪️ Ukraine win within the 121st minute
The #EURO2020 final 16 was soccer at its greatest 🤩 pic.twitter.com/nUYTBRHUDk
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 30, 2021
AZZURRI AIM TO BRING BACK GLORY DAYS
Since ending as runners-up within the UEFA Euro 2012, Italy have achingly underperformed on the main tournaments — a gaggle stage exit within the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a quarter-final end within the UEFA Euro 2016, and a failure to even qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. But after Mancini’s appointment as the pinnacle coach in 2018, the Azzurri setup was refreshed with new blood and courageous concepts.
Considered as a darkish horse, Italy romped by means of Group A, sustaining a 100% document by scoring seven objectives and conceding none within the course of. With the usage of a dynamic midfield consisting of the likes of Marco Verratti and Jorginho, they’ve asserted management in every of their 4 matches within the event up to now. Although they had been pushed into further time by Austria within the last-16 tie, Mancini’s facet succeeded in setting a brand new unbeaten streak document — 31 matches — of their historical past by means of objectives by substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina on Saturday. With an all-round, versatile squad at their disposal and a selected ruthlessness within the ultimate third, Italy have absolutely turn out to be the staff to beat this time round.
SOUTHGATE’S THREE LIONS ROAR LOUDEST
Often criticised for his cautious and measured method in a event, Gareth Southgate proved his doubters unsuitable on Tuesday as England managed to beat Germany 2-0 of their last-16 tie. The Three Lions overturned the narrative with a vindictive victory and offered their followers extra cause to have fun to the tune of the as soon as self-mocking however now aspirational tune, “Football’s Coming Home”.
But the pinnacle coach, who has developed a penchant for selecting the best phrases on the proper time, resorted to speaking about his staff holding their “feet on the ground”. “It is a dangerous moment for us. We will have that warmth of success and the feeling around the country that we only have to turn up to win the thing, but we know it is going to be an immense challenge from here on in,” Southgate mentioned.

Humanly lovely this. As a participant, Gareth Southgate missed penalty in Euro 96 semi-final shoot-out loss to Germany. Today, as supervisor, he led England to first Tournament win in opposition to their rivals since 1966. Many doubt his techniques however his empathy is elite pic.twitter.com/VXqXoxEyxY
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) June 29, 2021
After absorbing stress in a defensive 3-4-3 formation, England scored two objectives by means of captain Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling within the ultimate quarter of the competition, sealing their first knockout win over their outdated foes for the reason that 1966 FIFA World Cup ultimate. The end result additionally meant they’re but to concede a aim within the competitors.
DENMARK KEEP THEIR FAIRY-TALE ALIVE
Considering how their event had begun — talisman Christian Eriksen struggling cardiac arrest on the sector of their opener after which shedding the primary two group matches — Denmark are at the moment in dreamland. After turning despair into exhilaration by qualifying for the knockouts for the primary time since 2004 on the ultimate group matchday by beating Russia 4-1, Kasper Hjulmand’s staff bettered their destiny with an announcement 4-0 victory in opposition to a lacklustre Wales within the first last-16 tie.
Even with out their lynchpin, the Red and Whites outclassed the Gareth Bale-led facet all around the pitch, dominating each facet of the sport. Set up in a 3-4-3 formation, Denmark’s marauding wingbacks and versatile forwards proved to be very important of their win with striker Kasper Dolberg and wingback Joakim Maehle hugging the highlight. With the staff now absolutely recovered from the shock of Eriksen’s collapse, it’d not be a shock if Czech Republic get swept apart within the quarter-final.
The UEFA Euro 2020 is ready to complete on July 11 with the ultimate happening in London.