Euro 2020/21 Soccer

[Tom]

Germany XI: Neuer; Ginter, Hummels, Rudiger; Kimmich, Gündogan, Kroos, Gosens; Havertz, Sane; Gnabry.

Hungary XI: Gulacsi; Botka, Orban, At.Szalai; Nego, Kleinheisler, Nagy, Schafer, Fiola; Ad.Szalai, Sallai.

I think this will be a comfortable win for Germany by 2 or 3 goals

 

[Welshy]

What a night of football, excitement, tension.

Its nights like this that make football the greatest game.....pity we don't get more of them.

 

[Crabtree]

Wales XI: Ward; Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Morrell, Allen; Bale, Ramsey, James; Moore.

Denmark XI: Schmeichel: Christensen, Kjaer, Vestergaard; Stryger Larsen, Hojbjerg, Delaney, Maehle; Braithwaite, Damsgaard; Dolberg.

The Wales team seems to be as expected.

Dolberg in for Poulsen surprises me. Stryger Larsen also comes in for Wass. (Edit - must be because of injury as neither are in the matchday squad)

 

[Crabtree]

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Berardi, Immobile, Insigne.

Austria XI: Bachmann; Lainer, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Alaba; Schlager, Grillitsch; Laimer, Sabitzer, Baumgartner; Arnautovic.

The big call for Mancini was Verratti or Locatelli and he goes with the more experienced man. There was talk of Chiesa coming in for Berardi but he keeps faith with his original attacking three. Baumgartner fit for Austria after his blow to the head against Ukraine.

 

[Tom]

Netherlands XI: Stekelenburg; Dumfries, De Ligt, De Vrij, Blind, Van Aanholt; De Jong, De Roon, Wijnaldum; Depay, Malen.

Czech Republic XI: Vaclik; Coufal, Celustka, Kalas, Kaderabek; Soucek, Holes; Masopust, Barak, Sevcik; Schick.

The game is in Hungary, so presumably a big crowd. Can the Czechs cause problems like Austria did against Italy? I'd be surprised. I think Wijnaldum has been one of the players of the tournament and I fancy he'll lead them to a win.

 

[Tom]

Belgium XI: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, T. Hazard; De Bruyne, E. Hazard; Lukaku.

Portugal XI: Patricio; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Sanches, Palhinha, Moutinho; B. Silva, Ronaldo, Jota.

Palhinha and Dalot starting are big calls. Very excited for this one. I'll go Belgium to edge it. Hope there are a few goals.

 

[Tom]

Croatia XI: Livakovic; Juranovic, Vida, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Vlasic, Petkovic, Rebic.

Spain XI: Simon; Azpilicueta, Garcia, Laporte, Gaya; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Torres, Morata, Sarabia.

Torres and Gaya replace Moreno and Alba. Perisic out for Croatia due to his positive Covid test.

I think Spain will prove too tough. I'll go 2-0.

 

[Tom]

France XI: Lloris; Varane, Lenglet, Kimpembe; Pavard, Pogba, Kante, Rabiot; Griezmann; Benzema, Mbappe.

Switzerland XI: Sommer; Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Freuler, Xhaka, Zuber; Shaqiri, Embolo; Seferovic.

Reports that France were switching to a back three due to their LB injury issues prove to be correct. Wonder how that switch will affect them.

Would like to see a World Cup final rematch in the next round.

 

[Crabtree]

England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Phillips, Rice, Shaw; Saka, Kane, Sterling.

Germany XI: Neuer; Ginter, Hummels, Rudiger; Kimmich, Goretzka, Kroos, Gosens; Muller, Havertz; Werner.

5 goals conceded by Germany in this tournament. Is it likely they keep England out, even if they are quite conservative? This feels set up for Kane to finally deliver. I'll go England to edge it.

 

[Tom]

Sweden XI: Olsen; Lustig, Lindelof, Danielson, Augustinsson; Larsson, Olsson, Ekdal, Forsberg; Kulusevski, Isak.

Ukraine XI: Bushchan; Karavayev, Kryvtsov, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko; Shaparenko, Stepanenko, Sydorchuk; Yarmolenko, Yaremchuk, Zinchenko.

Zinchenko to play in a more advanced role if the official line-ups are to be believed. Kulusevski with his first start in this tournament.

Want to see Sweden win and think they will.