Euro 2024: Say Wout?

Poland - Netherlands 1 - 2

Slovenia - Denmark 1 - 1

Serbia - England 0 - 1

Although Netherlands looks like favorite, I thought this game would be more balanced than on paper. I didn't quite expect in what way. Truth is, I don't really like this Netherlands team. Something to do with Liverpool, something to do with them being captained by Depay, a player with a bad attitude who's constantly proved he's not as good as he's hyped up to be. I grew up used to the Netherlands always presenting themselves as strong contenders for the trophy, and it hasn't really been the case since van Persie's retirement. The game today proved it, a Polish team very much in transition between generations was a match for the Dutch. What use having the Dijks of this world if you concede from set pieces?

Yes, they did win, and the stats are in their favor. Plus, Austria is an outsider, so they'll qualify. But they'll be very lucky if they make the last 8.

Oh, and about the winning goal... Wout Weghorst? Really? The no-scoring striker that Burnley is trying to get rid of, the guy who scored twice in six months for Manchester United? Truth to be told, he showed more composure in scoring that second goal than he ever did for United, so no doubt confidence is a factor and it's very possible the problem might've been us as much as him. As for Gakpo, the Netherlands' best player by far... yeah, we should've signed him.

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I placed a bet on a Denmark + England double today, but I also put a draw for Slovenia - Denmark in my predictor. I don't know, I always found the Danes quite a boring team. They have really good players, and I should support them more, really, via Hojlund, Eriksen, and even Kasper Schmeichel, but then again, they should also be playing better. I didn't know what Slovenia brings to the table, I did expect ambition and desire at the very least. But I also expected them to be one of the weakest, if not THE weakest outfits at this tournament, and in this regard they have confirmed.

Yes, Denmark dominated the game, as expected, and Eriksen's goal was brilliant, but you have to cater for the odd accident. Because that's what Slovenia's equalizer was, no more than a happy accident, a deflected shot from outside the box. So Denmark gets punished for not pushing more, not scoring a second and not being able to take back control of the game in the last 15 minutes, after the equalizer, while Slovenia gets rewarded for believing and trying. Although let's see what Serbia looks like, this result might be a disservice to both.

It feels like there's a gap in the front half of the Danish team, it feels like Eriksen doesn't get enough support and Hojlund doesn't get enough balls. Or, judging by his United performances as well, Hojlund needs to track back more? He might dream of himself as a proper poacher, in the vein of van Nistelrooy or Inzaghi, but he's far from that still. If anything, Weghorst goal looked like a proper poacher goal.

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So apparently this is the day I jump on the Jude Bellingham bandwagon. Scored the only goal of the match, but this is only half the story. The way he chased that ball, the way he hit the defender at speed are reminiscent of a peak Cristiano Ronaldo, while the calmness and precision are above peak Ronaldo. Plus, he was magnificent the entire game. There's something about him. An elegance not seen since the likes of Berbatov or in-form Ibrahimovic. Always making the right decision, always finding a way. Amazing football brain, and amazing composure on the pitch, knowing when to provoke and when to pull back. All before his 21st birthday.

I saw him in the Champions League final too, and he was ok. But today was a wonderful display, looking forward to the rest of the tournament!

England otherwise, either very practical, or rather lacklustre. They got the win and got the points, and they will win the group with ease, but one would hope today was not their best, just squeezing past Serbia.

Serbia, otherwise, best I've seen them in a long long time. I'm curious if it was down to England's poor second half or if they finally got their shit together and manage to play like a team. It's gonna be a really interesting game against Denmark, played with the second place on the table. Based on today, I'd rather Serbia gets it.