The EM has its first sensation with the out of the Netherlands. There is also talk of Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank de Boer and the overly open German defense. That and more in the EM check of the stern.
This is how the EM matchday went
All results, goal scorers and tables of the European Championship matchday for reading in stern-Ticker.
This is what the EM is talking about
Italy versus Austria? 3-0, easy. Czech Republic against Holland? No chance. But puff cake! The EM picked up speed with the start of the knockout round and the first title favorite fell by the wayside. The way the Czechs put the orange sky strikers in their place with the basic virtues of football was impressive. And the suspicion is justified that the Elftal might have failed with eleven men, because Oranje had problems with the combative nature of top scorer Patrik Schick and Co. before Matthijs de Ligt was sent off. The Czechs made a quarter-final of the underdogs with their victory complete – the next opponent is Denmark, carried by the will to play for the collapsed Christian Eriksen. So it is already clear: an outsider is definitely among the top four. But can a semi-finalist still be an outsider? Experience has shown that the final will provide the answer at the latest.
Whether we will see Cristiano Ronaldo again in three years at a European Championship, this question is (still) unanswered. Portugal’s 0: 1 against Belgium could actually have been his last European Championship game. There are plenty of reasons for this speculation: his age and his announcement that the 2022 World Cup will be his last, for example. In any case, CR7 provided plenty of topics to talk about with his acting performance on the field. Somehow we will miss that – at some point, for sure.
Idiot of the day
There is certainly no European Championship player who feels more miserable than Matthijs de Ligt. It is well known that anyone who has the damage does not need to worry about the mockery, and so it was said on Twitter “the last one makes de Ligt off” after the Dutchman’s exit, which was largely initiated by de Ligt’s red card. But the defensive star of Juventus Turin is not even the main culprit in the Netherlands. “De Boer should better not read the newspaper on Monday,” recommended former national player Nigel de Jong (including Manchester City, AC Milan, Hamburger SV) bond coach Frank de Boer on British television. De Boer had been consistently criticized even before the tournament – like every national coach in the Netherlands. His 5-3-2 system just didn’t go down well with the fans. In Holland the 4-3-3 is sacred – although the flying colors tactic practically never leads to the title. Of course, De Boer knows the Oranje mechanisms: “We all have a big hangover and have to think about it together,” he answered questions about his future. “De Telegraaf”, one of the big papers in the country, has gone further and titled his game analysis: “Oranje pays maximum price for De Boer’s stupidity”.
Winner of the day
In Germany he is well known after years in Gladbach and Dortmund, but internationally he is mostly in the shadow of his brother Eden. Thorgan Hazard was therefore unable to pull the grin off his face after his decisive flutter ball against Portugal. This time he was the focus. The airline was a bit strange for the Portuguese goalkeeper, said Hazard about his decisive shot. First to the left, then to the right. “I just tried my luck, it couldn’t be more fantastic,” he commented on the goal that pushed Belgium into the quarter-finals. There are strong feelings about meeting for your country. When he watches the news on his phone, “it’s the most important goal of my career”. But who knows, maybe there is even more to come.
The EM-Moment
And the Germans?
“The team” continues to believe that “Wembley suits us,” as Manuel Neuer said immediately after the Hungary game. Before the DFB convoy leaves for London today, where tomorrow, Tuesday, from 6 p.m. (live on ARD, on Magenta TV and in stern-Ticker) the classic against England rises, national coach Jogi Löw worries about the fitness of Antonio Rüdiger and Ilkay Gündogan. While Leon Goretzka is already under discussion for Gündogan, a loss of Champions League winner Rüdiger in the already shaky defense would certainly be a bigger problem. Thomas Müller also sees it that way, who criticized the defensive as “too open”. The Munich-based player is expected to return to the starting XI against England after Leroy Sané failed to convince against Hungary. The now also got pressure from his club. “Now we expect him to be a top performer and to support the team,” said FC Bayern sports director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic to the “kicker”. Had to get rid of it before the crucial European Championship games. Brilliant timing, Brazzo!
That’s up for today
Again two round of 16, again two tournament favorites will try not to stumble. The closer match should Croatia against Spain (6 p.m. / live on ZDF, on Magenta TV and in stern-Ticker). Curious: Thanks to Luka Modric, runner-up world champions Croatia have more Real Madrid players in their squad than Spain, which is taking part in a major tournament without a single “royal” for the first time in what feels like forever. Unbelievable, Modric of all people should kick the Spaniards out. Top scorer Ivan Perisic has to pass because of a positive corona test. In the evening, Switzerland is a clear outsider against world champions France (9 p.m. / live on ZDF, on Magenta TV and in stern-Ticker). Certainly a clear thing for Les Blues. Or …?!?
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
