Euro 2024: Still Ron

Turkey - Georgia 3 - 1

Portugal - Czechia 2-1

Not to be negative or disrespectful, but I do feel that in Turkey - Georgia we have seen two of the poorest teams at this tournament. The game was open and pleasant enough, but there was a lot of defensive naivety, especially on the Georgian side, and it felt like the overall level was a notch under most other games at the tournament. Turkey dominated, as they were expected to, but conceded less than 10 minutes after opening the scoring, and Georgia can consider themselves unlucky for having hit the bar twice.

The biggest takeaway from the game is Arda Guler's long-range goal, truly a thing of beauty. No wonder Real Madrid snatched the kid. There might well be a brilliant Turkish generation in the making here, but I don't feel this is the tournament where they will shine.

And for the third goal... yes, it's true, there isn't much difference between 2-1 and 3-1, that's why the Georgian keeper stayed up, but you have a whole continent watching you, and one thing you don't want as a tournament debut is to be included in a bloopers reel. This is pretty much the highlight so far. The midfielder who intercepted the ball before the goal, Altunashvili... dude, if your keeper is out, don't try to dribble, just keep it safe. It's these moments when the lack of experience really shows.

***

Already made a Holeš pun last Euro

By contrast, I thought Portugal - Czechia was a really entertaining match, dare I say THE most entertaining so far? Not as high-scoring as others, but it was never meant to be. The two teams are very evenly balanced, somewhat surprisingly. I suppose Portugal should be considered favorites, but the Czechs always give a really good account of themselves.

I'd completely forgotten about him, but as soon as I heard the name Schick, memories of the brilliant tournament the Czech forward had 3 years ago came back. He didn't make as big a mark on this game as on the last Euro tournament, but there's still time. 

Portugal only just snatched the win, and it does feel deserved, though one must also feel for the Czechs. A really unfortunate own goal to be drawn level at 1, then Portugal snatched the winner in injury time, with the keeper caught wrong-footed and the defenders not yet aware of the new substitute Conceicao, who scored with his first touch of the ball. Conceicao's reaction shows how much it meant for Portugal, who put a strong display in, but struggled to dominate a stubborn opponent. 

I suppose I should support Portugal more, at the end of the day they have the most United players in the starting line-up. But for every Bruno Fernandes there's a Diogo Jota, and - as you know - I have very mixed feelings about Ronaldo. Who, at 39 years of age, is still the biggest attacking threat in a team otherwise full of flair and attacking intent.

I'd be really surprised if Portugal and Czechia don't finish first and second in the group, but the order in which they do it is the difference between potentially playing France or a third place in the next round. And Portugal took a really strong option for first place last night.

Euro 2024: Virtually qualified

Romania - Ukraine 3 - 0

Belgium - Slovakia 0 - 1

Austria - France 0 - 1

Athletic? Since when is Romania's team athletic?

All my bravado about how little I know about Romania, and especially how little I care goes out the window about 10 seconds after the national anthem starts playing. There's just something about that song that's deeply rooted inside of me and can melt away all of the cynicism I use to hide past sufferings and protect from future ones. So as the game started, I was fully geared up to support Romania having a good game. I didn't really imagine exactly how good it's gonna be and in truth, I think very few people did.

I don't know if it was an accident or if this is about the standard of Romania's team, and it remains to be seen over the next two games, but boy oh boy, was it a good watch or what?

Dominant start from the Ukrainians, clearly the better team on paper, but after Stanciu's super-shot went in the game was played in one direction only. Never ever at a final tournament have I seen a Romania team so dominant, not even in the age of Hagi & Lacatus, the World Cups of 1990 or 1994. It's true, we beat Columbia and Argentina in 1994, both very good and in-form teams, but rugged defense and counter-attacking were the order of the day, and lest we forget, we just about squeezed past Batistuta's Argentina.

But today, today was magnificent! And Romania's biggest-ever win at a finals tournament will stand to testify for it in the future. It remains to be seen what the next two games will look like because in truth, Ukraine really had an off day and our boys are still struggling to create in the last third, so they might not be able to put three past a more organized defense. But let's save these worries for Saturday and acknowledge that this result virtually qualifies us for the next round. 

Excellent, really excellent defensive organization, and more courageous going forward than Romania has been in this millennium. And judging by today's performances, we could finish the group with 9 points. We probably won't, but it's still a nice thought.

***

Belgium, on the other side, favorites to win the group, are in a bit of a pickle. Not only did they lose, they never looked like winning. Belgium has constantly underperformed at national team level, and this year they're not even as good as they were in the 2018 World Cup, probably their peak in the last 30 years.

Yeah, two goals canceled might sound harsh, but they were both pretty clear offside and handball, respectively. 

And the group is now wide open. Sure, Belgium might still get 6 points, and Ukraine might beat Slovakia and fight it out with Belgium for one or three points, but look at the games today. Anything can happen. And it would be nice to see Romania & Slovakia through.

***

I couldn't watch most of France's game and I was curious, as they are dubbed as the favourites. One French director I met today was pretty confident they'd win it. I think it's too early too say.

A rather drab 1-0 nil I thought, even though France clearly controlled the game, and Austria is a better team than I thought they'd be. Plus, some Mbappe drama, which could spell really bad news if all of a sudden he's not available anymore. 

It's a more balanced group than I first thought, but I'll stick with France and Netherlands going through.

And looking forward to seeing the last games of Matchday 1 tomorrow, mostly to see if Portugal will have any claim to anything this year. I like Portugal, despite Ronaldo.

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.

***

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.

***

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.

Euro 2024: The encroachment

After the biggest goal difference for an opening game on Friday, another few firsts on Saturday, the most notable of which is Albania's fastest-ever goal at a Euro tournament and Croatia's disallowed goal for 'encroachment'. It's important to note that we had three very entertaining games with lots of goals and, as far as I could tell, quality football. And it's part of the reason why I love these tournaments: during the regular season, especially if your team is not really doing well. not playing in midweek and with life also getting in the way, I usually only see about a game a week, maybe less. And it's always high stakes, and a lot hinges on the result, and the result becomes the all-important thing. Whereas here, with an abundance of football and, despite various sympathies, being mostly neutral, I can relax and actually watch the football. And rediscover, time and time again, why they call it the beautiful game.

Hungary - Switzerland 1 - 3

Spain - Croatia 3 - 0

Italy - Albania 2 -1

I had Switzerland winning 2-1 in my pre-match predictor, and I thought they'd have to tough it out against a very physical Hungarian team. This is based largely on Hungary's previous performance at Euro 2021, but apparently, things have moved on. And not for the better for our Pannonic neighbors. Switzerland dominated the first half authoritatively, and always looked like they could score more, and indeed, they should have scored more than the two goals they got in at half time. Brilliant pass and a cold, composed finish for the first goal, brilliant shot for the second goal, but both on the back of a shaky Hungarian defense. From my one-eye on football one-eye on work perspective, it looked like Hungary upped their game in the second half. Not in that they became more threatening, but they made it more difficult for the Swiss. By recurring to physical prowess, by and large, as technique is harder to come about. But it was a much more even, much more battled second half, and Hungary might take a hint from it as to how to approach their remaining two games. I am looking forward to Hungary - Scotland, that one's gonna be a battle.

The Hungarian goal felt largely accidental, but these accidents tend to happen when you don't let your opponent create much. 'It's game on' said the commentator, but in all honesty, it didn't really feel like it was. So my prediction would have been spot on in the end, if not for Embolo's pressing in the dying minutes. Which was brilliant, and I loved the flying boot, scoring with the bare foot action, it's dramatic and it shows dedication, but it's these kinds of defending mistakes that make or break a team. He should've never been allowed to get to the ball in that position. Great game by Embolo otherwise, he was all over the place offensively, and in general, great performance by Switzerland. Not a great footballing nation by any means, but if this is the level they're bringing to the tournament, they'll certainly make some waves.

***

Spain - Croatia. I really genuinely thought Croatia's gonna win this one. All the way up to 2-0 for Spain. Though watching back the highlights I must say some of that Croatian defense was really shabby. I can excuse Morata's goal, with a speedy run and inspired finish, though even there he shouldn't have had that much space, but Fabian Ruiz dribbling a line of three before slotting it home is an 80's flashback. All credit to the PSG forward, the goal was absolutely spectacular, but the defense should ask themselves a few questions. 

I guess my backing of Croatia might've been sentimental rather than rational. I am a fan of the courage and the footballing talent constantly coming out of the only Eastern European team to reach a World Cup final in my lifetime. Aware that they're changing generations, but I thought so was Spain. Perisic > Morata, I thought. Apparently not.

Even so, I think Croatia was quite unlucky. Hard to argue when you've lost 3 - 0, but if that triple header would have gotten in at any point, the game would've changed face. And there were a few chances before that. Plus, the weird penalty, the first canceled by VAR, I would think. 'Encroachment' will be more present in the football vocabulary I suspect.

All in all, credit to Spain. They're certainly not as good as 15 years ago, but they're still good enough to punish you on an off day. And I like to think Croatia can do better than this. We will see, but since they've also got Italy in the group, it's looking like 3rd place qualification for them. And the Albania game won't be a walk in the park either.

***

The show on Saturday finishes around 8.15, so by the time I pack up and get to the pub across the street, the Italy game was more or less done. There were still 70 minutes to play, sure, but a rather uneventful 70 minutes. So I've seen none of the goals live, but apparently you were only allowed to get them if your surname starts with B.

Excellent work for Bajrami to chase that ball and score the fastest Euro goal ever, but the fact that Albania couldn't build on it and only enjoyed the lead for 10 minutes shows the gulf in class. Italy wasn't dominant or impressive, but then again Italy rarely is. Fully in control though, goal difference won't really matter, so they pretty much ensured qualification. They need one point from 2 games and, tough as those two games might be, Italy will get it.

Bad news for Albania though, I don't see them getting anything from either Spain or Croatia.

Euro 2024: Don't stand on ceremony

Germany - Scotland 5 - 1

Should you have asked me for a favourite before the game, I would've said Scotland, because of McTominay. But since Andrew Robertson is the captain, and it's his face we see the most on TV, it compensated somewhat. I enjoy seeing him sad.

Hard not to feel sorry for Scotland, but they really didn't come prepared for what hit them. The game was mostly played in their half, with the Germans having substantially more possession. Just a matter of time until you concede when that happens, and it wasn't even a lot of time. The game was never balanced, and after 1-0 at the 10' mark and 3-0 at halftime, all that was left for Scots was to hold tight. 

They did great to score, but they could've conceded a lot more too.

The Germans put in a strong display, but I wouldn't get excited just yet. Let's see how the other big boys line up.

Full marks for Musiala and Fullkrug, two very promising performances. I'm glad the next gams is against Hungary, a tougher game for the Germans than Switzerland I think. And for the Scots, some dusting off and putting the game behind is required.

Euro 2024: Before we start

Since United is doing so badly I just kind of wallowed in our 0-4 losses to Palace and squeezed 0-1 against Arsenal to bother too much about international football. I feel like this makes me the perfect neutral, or as neutral as one can be. Romania qualified, but I know exactly one player from the team, and only because his transfer to Spurs, I'm still completely indifferent towards England and their loss in maybe semifinals this year, the usual suspects, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, no idea what they look like in relation to each other nowadays. So neither do I know, or care too much who's gonna win the tournament. And I really mean it when I say I hope it will be the most deserving team. 

I will try some predictions, and look back on them, but they're very much blind.

Group A: I'm hoping Germany and Scotland. Switzerland look slight favourites ahead of Scotland, but I think the Scots can beat Hungary in ruggedness, hold for a low scoring draw against the Swiss and hopefully they both lose against Germany. The Swiss look more able to squeeze a point out of Germany, but they also look more liable to drop points against Hungary.

Group B: No doubt the toughest group and as such the most unpredictable. I'm hoping for Croatia & Italy, though Italy is nothing if not inconsistent. Albania can throw a spanner in the works, but I don't see them qualifying. Italy - Spain is always a 50/50 affair.

Group C: England is being gifted qualification, and Denmark's is their to lose. Looking forward to the looks of confusion all throughout Western Europe when they find out Serbia and Slovenia are two different countries.

Group D: Easy money, France & Netherlands. You have red & white on the flag you're good, but you also need blue to qualify.

Group E: Belgium & Ukraine. Romania will have a shot until the second half of the last game probably, but we'll only manage a draw against Slovakia and everyone will say we did ok.

Group F: I have a lot of sympathy for the Turkish team of the early noughties, but I'm afraid the current lot is some way out of the Hakan Sukurs, Umit Davalas and Bulent Korkmazes of yesteryear. I hope they can battle it out well, but really, it's gonna be Portugal and Czechia.

Third-place qualifiers are wild cards, never understood how it works, which means we might see a couple of the weaker teams pulling through. But let's revisit predictions after the first two rounds or so.

For tonight, I'm going for a Scott McTominay hattrick.

The Mongol Khan - Production value over production quality

The Mongol Khan, London Coliseum, 17.11 - 02.12.2023, watched on 20 November (gala night). Produced by Hero Entertainment, Director Hero Bataar

It's not fair, from my position, to be reviewing theatre. For better and for worse, and to my surprise, I am a director of a theatre in London, so it feels out of place to be commenting on other theatres' productions.

I am, however, completely unlikely to ever do anything of the scale of The Mongol Khan in my life, so I suppose I can get a pass this time. The play, one of the most talked about in London at the moment, is very well-reviewed, so this isn't a review as much as it's a series of clarifying thoughts whose intended readership is a short series of future me-s rather than anyone else. And besides, I got to see this show on a press ticket, so this feels like a bit of giving back.

Ever since I saw the posters, this show piqued my curiosity. I wanted to see it, and I have Zuza to thank for seeing it for free. Was it what I expected? Well... I don't know. I tried to go in without expectations, but you are encouraged to think 'lavish' when you are greeted outside of the theatre by actors in medieval Mongolian attire either on horses or holding flags.

What, you thought I was kidding?

It is a lavish production, this much is clear. They went for the spectacle and they do provide: 70 people on stage and a costume department that must've been bigger than most production teams I work with. But where the director got it wrong, and where the lack of stars throughout the reviews must stem from, is watering down a story that feels it has quite a lot of complexity, even if not a lot of innovation. What we are seeing on stage is a lot less than what the original play seems to be. It's a showcase of costumes first and foremost and the plot is not a lot more intricate than that of a fashion show.

I say it a lot, audiences are usually smarter than we give them credit for, and if the director had given his English audience a bit more credit to understand a story where basic human impulses are superseded by various inherited patterns of thought, where the duty to society supersedes the love of family, this might've been a better show. As it is, all of the themes are merely hinted at, all of the characters are underdeveloped, and audiences are right to complain about the pace and the looseness of the plot.

Of course, the show doesn't owe us anything, but by the same token, we're in no way forced to like it, however beautiful and carefully researched the costumes might be. It feels almost like a convention has not been agreed between the show and the audience. For this reason, spectacular as it might be, The Mongol Khan feels like a missed opportunity.

Though I for one, would be curious to read the original play in full.

Are you not entertained?