Switzerland challenged Germany to the fullest, but the hosts won the group with a goal in extra time. Reigning champion Italy is in an even tougher position today.
European Football Championships on channels 14.6.–14.7. Go to the competition website from this link.
The first group stage of the European football tournament ended on Sunday, when Germany and Switzerland drew 1-1 and Hungary beat Scotland 1-0 with an overtime goal.
Switzerland was in the lead for a long time, but Germany leveled at the last minute. The host country of the Games thus marched to victory in the A group without losses. On Sunday, however, a big surprise was close.
– Germany was measured very properly in every way. You have to admire Switzerland, which has come to the Games to show what it can do at its best, Urheilu’s expert Erkka V. Lehtola says on Monday morning’s 11 friends podcast.
– The underdog’s raid was really close, and that’s what it’s all about when the playoffs start. Switzerland is brave and clever. They have a field full of leaders. There are many good signs in the air.
Germany beat Scotland 5–1 in their opening match and Hungary 2–0 in their second match. On Sunday, it conceded a goal that wasn’t an own goal for the first time, but avoided defeat. Germany will face the runner-up of Group C in the playoffs. In the group, for example, England plays, which has not yet secured a group victory.
Lehtola says he was convinced of Germany already in March, when they knocked out Holland and France in practice matches. Sunday did not shake faith.
– Then I decided to put everything on the line for this summer fairy tale and the German championship. I still hold onto it. Now the conquering, charming attacking of Germany was missing. There comes a moment in the fairy tale when the big bad wolf blows the feathered hut into a snuff. The ending is happy though. I will continue to write this fairy tale, Lehtola said.
Switzerland took second place in the group. With three points, Hungary advances to the comparison of the best group threes and will have to worry about their next place for the next few days. That was the end of the Scottish Games.
The top four from the three groups qualify for the playoffs.
Tonight, Group B will be played to the end, where only Spain has secured its place. Italy, Croatia and Albania are still dreaming of reaching the top 16.
Switzerland will be closely watching the top match between Italy and Croatia, as they will face the runners-up of Group B in the playoffs.
– A really fascinating match. The reigning champion versus the classic winner of the prestigious championships. Now is Croatia’s last chance on the way to sunset, Urheilu’s expert Juho Rantala anticipate.
Before the last matches to be played today, Italy is tied for second place in the group with three points. Albania and Croatia are tied on one point, but Albania is ahead on goal difference so far.
If Albania doesn’t beat Spain today and Croatia beats Italy, Croatia will move up to the second place in the group with four points. However, both Italy and Croatia as well as Albania have the opportunity to go further also through the comparison of the best group threes.
At the same time, it is possible that, for example, the reigning champion Italy will still be completely sidelined from the playoffs. Italy would secure their next place with a draw or a win. Croatia is safe with just a win.
– Can Croatia still raise the level? There are a large number of the same, experienced guys from the top of the world. Is there still a new gear? Italy was at the bridge against Spain for a good hour. Still, they had the ability to suffer, to accept and finally come out stronger. Italy is still not among my favorites for the championship, but you can’t count it out either, says Lehtola.
At 21:15 EM studio TV2 and Areena
22:00 Croatia-Italy, Group B TV2
At 22:00 Albania-Spain, Group B Arena
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