The ability to set several alarms in a row is one of the greatest achievements in this world. 7:00, 7:15, 7:30, for the more awake, also 7:45. The smartphone will scream exactly until the person wakes up. There is a small amount of sadism in this. But from an everyday point of view, snoozing alarms is something absolutely irreplaceable.
What does the European Championship have to do with it? And even though several top national teams seem to have their last alarm clock left. The playoffs have already started, but they haven’t woken up yet. The quarter-finals are just ahead. If they don’t wake up now, they can sleep peacefully until the next big tournament.
It has all been said about how terrible England, France and Portugal are. Before the Euros, these teams were considered among the favourites. Portugal, perhaps with reservations. As for England, the only reservation was Gareth Southgate. And as for France, there didn’t seem to be any serious reservations.
How many. They. Win:
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Favourites in major tournaments tend to gain momentum as they go along. You don’t need to knock them all out at once. We need to reach our peak for the decisive matches and give our best there. In general, England, France and Portugal follow this schedule: they got out of the group and made it to the round of 16. But there is a nuance. Getting fit for the decisive matches doesn’t mean not playing at all before they come. And this is exactly what is happening with England, France and Portugal.
These teams left the group without any sparkle, but also without panic. All three had problems: the game was not going well, the attack did not work well, Portugal also managed to lose to Georgia. But all three achieved results. The difficulties can be attributed to the noticeable acceleration of the favourites: the group had warmed up and they would show all their strength in the playoffs.
Jude Bellingham scores against Slovakia
Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
But here we are: the round of 16. France avoided injury time against Belgium only thanks to their top scorer: an own goal. Portugal face Slovenia in a penalty shoot-out and that is where the brilliant Diogo Costa decides. Without him, by the way, there would have been no tie if he had not beaten Benjamin Sheshko in the one-on-one at the end of extra time. Well, England. A goal with the first shot on goal in the 90+5 minute, a comeback in extra time and panic attacks in defence, only to not reach the penalty spot.
They won all three again. But those play-off victories don’t seem to be part of the plan. This is too subtle a game even for masters like Didier Deschamps, Roberto Martinez and especially Gareth Southgate. England and Portugal were really hanging by a thread over relegation. France had a better situation. But they didn’t give the impression of a team that adds and presses at the right moment either. Jan Vertonghen’s own goal was not the result of pressure. It was just an episode. Which, fortunately for France, ended in their favour.
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The round of 16 was the penultimate wake-up call for England, France and Portugal. You can’t sleep anymore, you have to wake up! Sleep will not be forgiven in the quarter-finals. England play Switzerland, the champions of this European Championship in terms of discipline and organisation. Sleeping opponents, even if they are of a higher class, are suitable prey for Murat Yakin’s team. Germany could have become such a prey in the group stage. The Swiss came close to winning, but in the end they missed the mark.
Portugal and France are facing off. There could be a battle over who will sleep with whom. It is necessary to stock up on matches so that, if necessary, they can be put in each other’s eyes and prevent them from closing. The sight can be difficult. Almost like a very bad film that they try to disguise as an author’s film.
Other quarter-finalists have already joined the team. Spain and Germany have been working hard since the first match. Spain is generally the best at the Euros in terms of game content. Germany makes mistakes; in the group it was almost punished by Switzerland for being relaxed. But that was a one-off event. Otherwise, the Germans are very calm and try to reveal their strong qualities as much as possible. However, it would be strange if Germany behaved differently at the Euros.
The German national team celebrates a goal at the European Championship
Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
The Dutch played on their own and let their group rivals play. However, they themselves played in the round of 16, but Romania was not allowed to do anything. Turkey has shown that it can not only be reckless and unpredictable, as a group, and historically in general, but also disciplined and pragmatic.
Yes, if it weren’t for the magician Mert Günok, the Turks would have missed out on the victory over Austria in regular time. But in any case, Vincenzo Montella’s team showed flexibility. The team doesn’t sleep, it is able to change during the tournament. And the ability to be a chameleon is a strong quality. And, by the way, not only in football.
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So far, in the case of England, France and Portugal, the marathon has worked in the sense that they bring results even without playing. Did you make it to the playoffs? We’re out. Did you make it to the quarter-finals? We’re out. Yes, with a crunch, but you’re out. After the victories in the round of 16, the fear of “we’ll add when necessary” has moved on to another stage.
It will not be possible to move it any further. Only the best remain at the Euros; it will not be possible to get through them without playing. So soon, in the quarter-finals, we will get an answer to the question: are England, France and Portugal really capable of joining forces and adding points? Or maybe the public expects this, expects it of themselves, but there are no opportunities for it?
This is one of the most interesting intrigues in the Euro. It has heated up well and should be resolved very soon.
