On the bill: Russia-Denmark and Austria-Ukraine
It’s finals day in groups B and C. If Belgium, in Pool B, and the Netherlands, in C, have already composted their ticket for the round of 16 with two wins in two games, all remains playable for the second, and any third qualifying places.
In a very open group B, Denmark will try to grab their first points in this Euro against Russia. Authors of a very good performance against Belgium despite the defeat, the teammates of Christian Eriksen, who left the hospital after his heart failure, can still hope to qualify. But that necessarily means a victory against Russia. In the other group match, Belgium (6 points) faces Finland (3 points), which can also hope to qualify.
In Group C, second place will be played between Austria and Ukraine, who each have three points. A draw and it is Andreï Chevtchenko’s players who would validate their ticket for the eighth. In the other match of the group, the Netherlands, assured of finishing first, will be able to turn against Macedonia (0 point).
North Macedonia – Netherlands and Ukraine-Austria, Monday June 21 at 6 p.m., on BeIN Sports 1
Euro star: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne, aka KDB, is back. Manchester City’s attacking midfielder could hold the Euro for the first time, Monday, June 21, against Finland. The Belgian is slowly recovering from a double fractured face after a violent fault by German Chelsea Antonio Rüdiger, in the Champions League final (0-1), on May 29.
On the bench in the opening match against Russia (3-0), De Bruyne entered the break on the second day to help his team, battered against Denmark. In forty-five minutes, the Citizen proved once again that he was among the best players on the planet. A withdrawn center full of altruism offered the equalizer to Thorgan Hazard (55e) before he reverses the encounter with a strike with his left foot (70e).
“I don’t feel anything on the left side, like after a visit to the dentist, he slipped after the meeting. My nerve is badly affected, which could take six months. ” Even if he is not at 100% of his means, Kevin De Bruyne is a player apart.
Finland-Belgium and Russia-Denmark, Monday June 21, at 9 p.m., on TF1 and BeIN Sports (and live on Lemonde.fr)
The last two matches of Group A have given their conclusions: Italy, already qualified, achieves a clear round after their victory (1-0) against Wales, who also validated their ticket for the knockout stages thanks to to a better goal difference over Switzerland. The Nati, precisely, can still dream of qualifying, thanks to its convincing success over Turkey (3-1).
Petkovic’s men, however, have to wait for the results of the other five groups to see if they will finish among the best four thirds allowed to continue the competition.
For Turkey, on the other hand, it is Bérézina: three defeats in as many games for Lille’s teammates Burak Yilmaz, synonymous with a hasty return to Istanbul.
Meanwhile…: Norway will not boycott the World Cup in Qatar
We may see Erling Haaland at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. While a boycott of the competition was demanded by public opinion in Norway to protest against the plight of migrant workers and the human rights situation, the Norwegian football ruled on Sunday: it’s no.
At an extraordinary congress called by the Norwegian Football Association, 368 delegates voted against the boycott while 121 were in favor. “A boycott means turning your back on Qatar and its challenges, and thus depriving yourself of the possibility of committing to improvements”, justified the president of the Norwegian federation, Terje Svendsen, at the beginning of the debates.
Despite this vote, the presence of Norway in this competition is not yet assured on the ground. Haaland’s teammates, who have not played a major international competition since Euro 2000, are in fourth place in their qualifying group with 6 points, one length behind the Turkish leader.
Class is permanent. ? #DEVILTIME # EURO2020 https://t.co/6PO27JGEVV
This section has never lived up to its name so well. Back on the bench of Belgium since the end of May as assistant to Roberto Martinez, Thierry Henry gave a lesson to the offensive players of the selection who were practiced on a free kick. The 1998 world champion put the ball down, cocked his left foot and sent the ball right into the skylight, enough to impress the Belgians. “We have been training for thirty minutes, we have registered a few. He arrives with his left foot and he kills us “laughed Kevin De Bruyne. Admire a little!
A corner of blue sky: “Grizou” the Portuguese
Antoine Griezmann is a little piece of Europe. Trained in Spain, married to a Basque, the native of Mâcon (Saône-et-Loire) has German origins through his father. But the maiden name of his mother, Lopes, refers to the next opponent of the Blues: Portugal. Asked about this, the striker wore a big smile to evoke the atmosphere at the Griezmann-Lopes, Wednesday, June 23.
“It will also be a bit special for me because in the family, some will have the jersey of Portugal and others that of France. This will speak until the end of the match and whoever loses risks getting chambered. “
? # EURO2020 ? Griezmann on Portugal: “Winning for France, and my mother” https://t.co/A6T9Kc8EVk
Could “Grizou” have made a pair in attack with Cristiano Ronaldo? His uncle, José Lopes, came up with the idea in 2015 at the Portuguese site Mais Futebol. According to him, his nephew would have considered this option after being suspended in 2012 for the famous nightclub trip in Paris (from Le Havre) with four other “blueberries”. The story has ended there. So much the better for the Blues.
“The role of the press is not to cheer people up but to inform them. “
Two points in two games, disappointing performances, highly criticized tactical choices… The crisis is brewing in Spain between coach Luis Enrique and the media. After the new draw against Poland on Saturday night (1-1), the Spanish coach said, ironically, that he “Relies on the media to motivate and reassure supporters. You are here for that! “
But for one of the voices of Cadena Cope, Manolo Lama: “The role of the press is not to cheer people up but to inform them. “ Observers are also very critical after Spain’s new performance against Poland. “Here we are in a beautiful nest”, sorry Marca, very critical against Luis Enrique.
Our selection of articles on Euro 2021