Fairy tale? Sensation? Boring ?: And who is going to be European champion now?

Friday, July 2nd, 2021

Fairy tale? Sensation? Boring?
And who is going to be European champion now?

By Tobias Nordmann

The German national soccer team has already failed at the EM, which of course raises the urgent question (just kidding): Who will do it now? Eight teams are still in the race. A couple of favorites, sure. But above all, a hell of a lot of outsiders.

An important learning (bad word) from this European Football Championship is: Death groups are not as death groups as you might think. Let’s go through it briefly in chronological order: The Hungarians failed as the bottom of the group, but were the team that surprised the most. Mr. Rossi’s team performed passionately, played surprisingly good football and not only relied on the parades of Teufels-keeper Peter Gulasci. The Portuguese came third in the group. Her dream of defending her title fell through against Belgium in the round of 16. It was an end with announcement: Because the team around Cristiano Ronaldo, who had scored five goals, was not in a form that would have been suitable for major consecrations.

We come to Germany, the second in the group. You have probably noticed that the first knockout round was over for the DFB team. There was a 2-0 draw against England. Particularly tragic (I): It was the national coach Joachim Loew’s last game. Particularly tragic (II): Thomas Müller, whom Löw had pardoned as leader for the EM, missed the huge chance to equalize shortly before the end, shortly before the 2-0 draw. Well, he’s not the most tragic figure of the EM. Kylian Mbappé is applying for this title involuntarily. The man who should definitely become a world footballer in the near future (opinion of numerous experts) failed in the drama of the point at the Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The parade of which, however, was also sensational. The French, best of the death group and top favorite for the title, also out. So who does it now?

The Belgians are doing it now (haha). It has become a bittersweet running gag in international football. Probably the best generation who ever had the “Diables Rouges” has been fighting doggedly for years to finally reward themselves and their talent with a big title. And of course that doesn’t include first place in the Fifa Coca-Cola world rankings (it’s actually called that). This year (haha) it could finally be so far. However, this requires one thing: a healthy Kevin De Bruyne. With the Manchester City playmaker this team is outstanding, without him this team around the second big star, Romelu Lukaku, is “just” pretty good. But whether it’s pretty good enough, probably not. Probably not in the evening when it comes to Italy.

The Italians have the perfect mix

Yes, the Italians, they caused a lot of rapture at this European Championship. And if the euphoria of the preliminary round has been dampened after the tough fight against the magnificent Austrians, then it’s a small one. It would probably not have been registered on a device that can measure dampers. Because why should you let yourself be unsettled after 31 games in a row without a loss? When they talk about the last bankruptcy in the country, it sounds a bit like “Grandpa talks about the war”. The Italians have a very strong goalkeeper in Gianluigi Donnarumma, an outstanding defense (which is even better if Giorgio Chiellini can play), a massive and strong midfield and a real striker in Ciro Immobile. The kind of striker Germany would like him to be. And not has.

It’s a bit similar with the English. The only big difference: there is hardly any euphoria in the country. Although the fans are becoming less and less alienated with the approach of coach Gareth Southgate, who mainly builds his team on stability and relies on the clever ideas of Raheem Sterling on the offensive, they now also know in England: Offense wins games but defense wins championships . Nevertheless, the look at the substitutes’ bench seems bizarre: There is a Jadon Sancho, who is moving from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United for 85 million euros. There is a Marcus Rashford, a Phil Foden and a Mason Mount. All of them blessed with an outstanding talent. But well, the “three lions” are still zero, the team may well be boring but steadfast towards the title. The first since the 1966 World Cup. Just like at Wembley. But already safe: without a Wembley goal. The VAR is there. At least most of the time.

The most beautiful EM fairy tale

The most emotional cover story would undoubtedly tell Denmark. How the team fought their way into the tournament after the cardiac arrest shock for playmaker Christian Eriksen, how they suffered and played for their top star, always gives goose bumps. Just like the cheers for the team and the close relationship with the fans. A symbiosis that has often achieved great things. And the team isn’t bad either. A good mix of experienced regular players in top leagues and talents around Kasper Dollberg, Mikkel Damsgaard, Andreas Skov Olsen and Jonas Wind. The great strength without Eriksen is the defensive alliance around goalkeeper Kapser Schmeichel, son of the legend Peter Schmeichel, and the central defenders Simo Kjaer, Jannik Vestergaard and Andreas Christensen (all known from the Bundesliga). […] defense wins (see above)!

Well, the Spaniards didn’t submit a successful application as defensive architects against Croatia, but coach Luis Enrique’s team got going in a playful way and also scores goals, which was quite a problem at the start of the tournament. Touched 1,000 times, nothing happened 1,000 times, that’s how the Spaniards played the pass game. And with all the euphoria about defending title-worthy defenses, one thing is clear: no goals, no victories. Without victories, no titles. The Spaniard’s team is actually exciting, has a ripped-off midfield, which is a bit ripped off by the reintegration of Sergio Busquets, who was last infected by the corona, and is actually at least good to very good in every position. Especially now that striker Alvaro Morata, who has been tough at home in the meantime, meets again.

There are still the Czechs, the Swiss and the Ukrainians. The Czechs are playing a great tournament with their robust boys. Safe in defense, dangerous in the counter game and with a strong finish with Patrick Schick from Leverkusen. Should the path go a little further, it would not be a surprise. This also applies to the Ukrainians. Their biggest star is the coach, Andrij Shevchenko. The former world-class striker has imposed the Eastern European form of Tikitaka on his team. Technically strong, tactically clever and always with maximum commitment. What applies to the Czechs also applies to the Ukraine: the road doesn’t have to end in the quarter-finals. It will be tight for the Swiss, however. Will the team around the outstanding Granit Xhaka succeed in such an emotional witch ride against Spain as they did against the French when they turned a 1: 3 late into a 3: 3 and made themselves a hero through the penalty shoot-out?