Euro 2020/1 - Day 5
Morning, boys - I missed our usual breakfast with the Euros meet-up this morning; "Morning Joe" is a poor substitute. But we've got some cracking Group F action to look forward to this afternoon. "The Group of Death" kicks off in a few minutes with Portugal v. Hungary. Portugal are current champions and on paper are a very strong side led by Cristiano Ronaldo and featuring a wealth of stars including ManYoo favorite Bruno and Liverpool striker Diogo Jota. Hungary in contrast are a bit of an unknown quantity, but surely won't stress the Portugeezers out that much.
That's followed by the match of the round - France v. Germany. France are World Champions and the Germans are not the force they've usually been, but you can never count the Germans out, right? It should be a fascinating 90 minutes. Join me for all the fun this afternoon, won't you?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 11:37 AM
459 Comments:
Good morning, Bob. Thanks for getting us started. Here to join everyone for the Group F matches
Morning boys
61,000 Hungarians there to cheer against the reigning champs
Quite a line up for the Iberians....I still picked them to finish bottom of the group!
Hiya, boys - welcome! It is quite a line-up for the champions. Here it is, along with the Hungarian squad:
Hungary: Gulácsi, Fiola, Orbán, Attila Szalai, Lovrencsics, Kleinheisler, Nagy, Schäfer, Botka, Sallai, Adam Szalai
Subs: Dibusz, Bogdan, Lang, Kecskés, Cseri, R. Varga, Siger, K Varga, Nikolic, Schon, Bolla
Portugal: Rui Patrício, Semedo, Rúben Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro, Danilo, William, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota
Subs: Lopes, Rui Silva, Fonte, Joao Moutinho, Andre Silva, Rafa Silva, Renato Sanches, Neves, Goncalves, Joao Felix, Oliveira, Mendes
Surely the Magyars will be winning the wooden spoon. These two met in the Group stages in 2016 where it finished 3-3 and Portugal finished third in the group, yet win the whole tournament while Hungary finished second ion the group and went out ion the Round of sixteen
Good morning, Dave
Teams in the tunnel at Puskas Stadium - I expect a terrific atmosphere in Budapest.
Teams in the tunnel
It's Derek Rae and Efan Ekoku on the mics so expect some fussy pronunciation of the Hungarian names.
Here comes the Champs followed by the hosts
If Portugal lose today...my prediction could be right
67,000 not 61,000
As for Wembley, they announced that Wembley will have 40,000 for the semis and Final
A capacity crowd at the Puskas Arena in Budapest
Hungary is apparently the Florida of Europe when it comes to Covid protocols, so a full stadium today.
Texas is similar to Florida in that regard
He does annoy me with that crap but they are my second favorite duo on the mic
Darke and Robson 1
these guys 2
Champs and TT and the Yank and Moreno tied last
I guess Champ gives them a nod
Heard Hungary got vaccines from Russia and China
I guess I would rank the announcers the same
My brother-in-law feels safe in Ft Lauderdale
That sounds about right for the Magyars in terms of the vaccines. I'm wondering if neighboring countries had similar ;policies
From Instagram....Real Madrid are looking to by Timo W!!!
The Championship represented today as Adam Nagy of Bristol City starts ion the center of midfield for the Magyars. That's not idle gossip
They're off from the Puskas Stadium
YIKES! That's a Real risk!
We're away from Budapest then. Let's hope we get some goals today.
Of course, Hungary should be a country that should have been World Champions in 1954
Crushed England a Wembley 6-3 becoming the first overseas winner at the Twin Towers... backed that up with winning 7-1 in Hungary!
In the World Cup, crushed Germany 8-3 in the Group stages, 2-0 up in the Final after 8 minutes....lost 3-2.... CRUSHING!
That's my ranking of the commentary crews as well, Dave.
That 1954 final was apparently one of the great finals. Unfortunately, the film of it is difficult to find because it was before the tv era.
I quite like the Portuguese away kits - what do you think?
First shot of the game....Liverpool's Jota with a decent hit...A pass on for Ronaldo tho
Nice save by Gulasci from Diogo Jota
Oh - Jota got through the Portuguese defense on the second attempt. Ronaldo wanted the ball played square to him but he shot on target - keep parried it away.
Efan is correct...he had the right to shoot... Ronny would have shot...but the pass was still there
Derek's given you your pronunciation homework for the summer boys - try to get your mouth around "Bruno Fernansch."
He's off again with Leips
Kate is in the office on her email but called out "God...annoying!" when Derek said "Liepzeeg."
Derek will have a tough time with some of the Magyar names as I doubt he's fluent in Hungarian
He said Budapest normally....shocking!!
Agreed with Kate. She's getting sa taste of what fans deal with when listening to Derek
Good one Kate
Oh - Jota had a decent chance there. Got it all wrong. Nice open feel to this one.
He's Scottish....they're not supposed to talk proper
I like the Portugeezer's kits too. Anyone with a distinctive away gets my vote. I'll always recognize their home, but helping out with something new away is very helpful.
Everybody recovered from that dry Spanish shower yet? I haven't quite. I'm still pretty angry about how shit it was.
The funny thing is that, as you mentioned, he's not consistent with the fussy pronunciations. Ronaldo, for example, in Portuguese is "Honaldo" with an aspirated "H" sound - but you'd sound a complete prat saying that on an English language broadcast.
Kleinheisler nicknamed Scholes. Being a ginger doesn't mean he's remotely close to the player Scholes was. Hard to believe any ion the Magyars are
Good morning, Steve. I was pleased to see Spain being held and the fact that Tiki Taka failed
Afternoon, Steve - welcome. I quite enjoyed that abject Spanish failure. I keep hoping that one more failure will encourage them to give up on the tiki taka tedium but they just seem to keep producing little midfielders who love a square ball.
LOL, Bob. Derek Would sound foolish pronouncing Skippy's name properly
Square balls putting Spain back to square one?
I think he thinks he is being so impressive with his pronunciation...someone should tell him to knock it off
Afternoon Stevie
Fiola sent flying off the aerial challenge from Nelson Seemed
Sorry. Semedo. Bloody auto check
I am very impressed with the amount of airtime ESPN is giving these matches
8:30 to 6 most days!
I won't be satisfied until the Spanish team is booed off the pitch at the half for such a sorry spectacle.
Hiya Boys.
OH! Ronaldo through but volley blocked by Gulasci. Flagged offside . Nice long ball from Pepe
Ronaldo with a shot saved but offside anyway
I saw that video...two Coke bottles(sponsors) on the desk....he moves them off camera
Ronaldo is being well shepherded by about three or four Hungarians.
Szalai is a forward only Sean Dyche could love.
I really didn't know how good Jota was when he as at Wolves
I agree Dave. Jota is easily the latest blooming most impressive Prem player. I love watching him.
I just checked Szalai. Hard to believe that he started with the Real Academy . Since 2010 has been with various smaller Bundesliga clubs
The thing is... the media love that crap!! It's Bloody Pep Ball
Papers are talking about Pickers going long a few times and Stones complaint about it
Hungary lose possession... ball into the box...good tackle
Jota had a good first year with Liverpool. He's quite a player. Wolves were a completely different team without him
Hungary doing better than I thought they would. The vocal support really helps
Never thought Weekend at bernie's was fouled. Great tackle by Orbon
A buddy of mine on the Over 30s team I used to play for is a big Union fan(he grew up in Philly). He said the Union player in the Hungarian squad didn't make the bench
Wow. Real must have pulled the plug double quick watching him lope around barging into players. I can hardly believe it.
Nelson Semedo has a cross go off of Fiola for a corner
I used to live in DAAARMSTAAADT
Steve, thought you would find that interesting
Ronaldo can get up so high.... jumped slightly too early for that one
Several MLS players at the Euros. I think there are three in the Finnish squad. They started two Minnesota United players. Poland had a Chicago Fire player come on a s a sub yesterday
Hungary should be wearing green socks
Szalai sounds like he had disciplinary issues at Mainz and that he thinks he's better than he actually is
Come on, you Magyars!
Sahleye Schalleye . Derek struggling with the pronounciations
No DC United players?
Revs?
Torros?....is that their name David?
Szalai translates into Ashley Barnes in English.
Haven't seen any players rolling about . Good to see
DC United has players at the COPA, COPA America.
I'm not aware of other MLS players. The Torros play in the Championship of the USL, the second tier. No players from that level made the Euros. Thankfully we're at full strength
Are they playing the hottest spot north of Havana?
Shocker David!
Decent free kick...header straight at keeper
Free kick headed by Szalai straight to Rui Patricio. Should have done better with a free header
I think the Toros had one or two players at the last Gold Cup, but not sure about Copa America
Ruben Dias booked for a challenge on Kleiheiselr
Rrrruubun Diyashhh! Give it a rest Derek.
Thanks Dave for picking up my Manilowism
Jota spun and shot but could have left it for Bruno
I think Ruben Dias is overrated
Fair number of MLS players at Copa America. Venezuela has seven in their squad.
Always a pleasure Steve
I have a question....Do you write the songs?
Nice Mani Barrilow theme
OH! Skippy blasts over from two yards out. Should have given Portugal the lead. Best chance of the match
It's 0-0 , but this has been a decent match
Did you hear that Jamie Vardy has become a co-owner of the Rochester Rhinos in NY
Rochester, formed in 1996, have not competed at any level for four years, but they have won the national championships four times and are the only non-MLS team to have won the US Open Cup.
With Vardy involved, they plan to field a team again in 2022.
Skippy with a shocking miss. Concentrate Boy!
Closer to you or me Bob.... or about the same?
WOW! The rhinos are legendary. Not sure ion Steve will be a fan with Ferret Face being a co-owner
WAY CLOSER TO YOU!!
1 hr 50 min from Dunkirk
3 hrs 9 min from Schenectady
Huh, that's surprising about Vardy. I wouldn't have thought he was eligible for a US Visa with his ASBO past.
HT
0-0...shocker
It's 0-0 at the end of a competitive first half with Portugal looking slightly more likely to score
Bob just a tad closer. He could go to some matches
I like the Rhinos a lot because we faced them a few times in the Open Cup and they were very obliging to Roy Wegerle, Jaime Moreno, and Roy Lassiter to name 3. I always wondered why given their pedigree they weren't offered an MLS slot, but I guess with Garber, they have a real estate problem when compared with Austin, Atlanta, Nashville etc.
Just back from a bite of lunch. This is precisely what I expected from Portugal.
Yeah - the Rochester Rhinos are about two hours away from us heading toward you, Dave. Probably three hours for you heading in the opposite direction. Would love to catch a game some time. I've never been.
If this were a proper footballing nation, the Rhinos might have had a chance at MLS at some point, while one of the duff MLS sides would have been consigned to the A-League.
Great to hear the super news from Christian Eriksen. He looks great under the circumstances.
Agreed, Bob and Steve. In the past I always thought that Rochester didn't have the population to have an MLS side, but based on results they should have been given a chance
Agreed. Delighted to see Christian Eriksen progressing
Players coming out again for the second half. All to play for. Portugal will know that this should be the easiest match for them in the group.
Second half underway from the Puskas Arena
Skippy and co get us underway in this second half then.
Off we go
What big 'ed were involved in the only goalless match in the entire WC18?
Portugal have picked up where they left off.
Tors have their next match match tomorrow vs Austin , which is the reserve to team to Austin's MLS team
Decent header from Pepe but it was saved well. Portugal still knocking on the door.
I think it was France vs Denmark who played the only 0-0 in 2018
Someone's Knocking on the Door?
I think MLS made a mistake for not accepting the relegation/promotion option
I think they turned down a lot of money for it
It was France I was looking for....the eventual winner...uh oh...Spain to win it all
Someone's ringing the bell!
Long range shot from Szalai straight to Rui patricio
Open the Door and let them in
Relegation /promotion would have made MLS a lot more interesting . Imagine if our local team were promoted to MLS.
At least have two tiers!
Indeed! Well in with the Wings reference.
Barry Manilow in the first half and now Macca in the second. We're on fire today!
The nearest MLS team to me are Houston and Austin both a five hour drive from here. Austin a little more than five hours from here
Szalai is a poor man's Ashley Barnes
Totally agree, Dave - footballing culture in the US won't progress until they institute promotion and relegation.
Vardy to become a Rhion when he's done being a Fox?
Nah....he will just a suit
If Portugal wins will Fiola play the Viola?
Szalai thought he was elbowed by Dias there but the ref's not having it. Still having a whinge about it.
I know there are five tiers in the U.S. pyramid and they become regional starting with the second tier. If one team goes into freefalll they may end up playing only local clubs
american owners can't fathom not being able to "wait til next year" mindset
Vardy looks like a Ferret , but is closer to looking like rhino than a fox
I could see Vardy ripping it up for an MLS side in his twilight years. He could probably score bundles.
Magyar shot straight to Rui Patricio
I honestly don't think that the fans would notice the difference. But the telly money would be a factor.
Vardy will fit into a side where the tactic is to hoof it clear and have him run on to the long ball in a foot race. I could see him in MLS within two years
The Hungarians are just starting to get a bit more ambitious in this one. Might open the match up a bit.
I just thought about it. Would the Toros be eligible for promotion since they're the reserve team for the Houston Dynamo. Not sure if they would be allowed ion the same division as them. That would out rule about half the Championship teams
You guys really don't like the long ball
I don't see anything wrong with it at all
I don't know MLS enough to know which of the sides plays that kind of counter attacking style that suits Vardy's skillset.
Willy Carvalho looks exhausted for Portugal. Still half an hour to play
I don't know how promotion works with the reserves
Can Barca B ever make La Liga...I don't think so
In other countries the best the reserves can do is play a division below their first team, so for example, the Barca B would not be eligible to be promoted to La Liga. That would out rule a lot of teams run the USL Championship if there was promotion to MLS
That's a mystery to me as well. The Leeds Reserves are sometimes referred to as the Under 21s even though Pablo Hernandez sometimes played for them and they were in something called the Premiership 2. I don't get it.
Portugal having trouble breaking down the red brick wall
I'm not sure if the under 23s or 21s have promotion or relegation. Not sure how that works
Firzt Hungarian sub - Nego on for Schaeffer.
Botka heads out for a Portugal corner. Taken short
I did enjoy watching highlights of the Leeds Reserves on YouTube last season. We've got some really exciting talent coming through.
Bruno with a decent effort saved
Bruno has a dig from distance and it's well turned around by the keeper.
OH! First chance for Bruno and his long range shot is turned around by Gulasci
Portugal corner played back to their keeper, Rui Patricio
Salai drags a shot well wide
Bruno gets behind the defense again but then his cross is wasteful. Not really sure between a cross and a shot.
IS there a Silva lining for Portugal? Raffa for Weekend at Bernie's on a weekday
It's about time that Pepe got a card. He starts on a yellow for me.
Salai with a bit of trickery then brought down by Pepe
That one should have been a card
Back to back Nil Nillers?
Szalai goes for the spectacular there hoping to knock Patrick Schick off his Goal of the Tournament perch, but he gets it all wrong.
Adam Szalai well wide looking like a bUrnley player with that shot. Not surprised that he only scored once in the Bundesliga last season
Ronny and Bruno want a pen
Will VAR look at it
Ronaldo bursts through into the box and then claims a handball but the ref's not amused.
Promotion/Relegation is a non-started for US Sports. No matter the lip service paid to the idea by Garber, he and the owners are wed to the NFL model of cartel ownership. You forget the early days almost didn't happen. It was the price the US Fed paid for the 1994 WC that even allowed the MLS to happen. Prior to the first season, there was strong backing for a team America team that would also function as a US National team. It would have been based in NYC, but the media experts said that making it too NYC based would alienate any Spanish speaking support around LA. So that was dropped.
The then organizers of the league had to run around begging for sponsorship. They couldn't find it, so the major sponsors of USA 94 were marched forward and distributed around the small league which is how DC United got MasterCard. The league nearly didn't happen and the two years that a NY and LA team didn't win hampered the investment that the MLS assumed would happen. It also didn't help that the Tampa team went bankrupt, scaring more potential development and support.The KC, Dallas, and another couple of teams were running on fumes as well. So the very last thing that the MLS honchos were interested in doing was proposing a business idea where ownership of a 1st division club was not guaranteed.
That's a lot of writing to illustrate a simple point. The example of the NFL is what is followed in the MLS. The example of the Prem with relegation and promotion is as alien and unwelcome a concept of American sports as there is.
Skippy want a penalty called for hand ball on Fiola. I didn't see anything that merited a penalty
VAR are talking to the ref.... Nothing given
I think Var is checking. Nothing doing
David Sieger on for Kleinheisler
Again, VAR is used SO MUCH BETTER than the Premier League!!
Remember, the Premier League Fixtures get released before we get up tomorrow
Aszlai Barnes should be subbed as he's not even a physical threat any more.
Thanks Steve
Sallai and Kleinheisler are coming off now to be replaced by and Seger
Very well stated, Steve and a perfect description as to why there will never be promotion /relegation to and from MLS
Hungary hit the net....the flag is up!!!
GOAL! Schon bursts through and beats Rui Patricio at the near post!
No - he's been flagged offside, sadly.
We'll offside.... why oh why does the linesman take forever to put his flag up
GOAL !!! THE MAGYARS TAKE A SHOICK LEAD . SCHION BEATS RUI PATRICIO AT THE NEAr post. Disallowed for offside and the replay showed he was a good yard or two off
Derek wants to mis pronounce Sanches and Silva!!
All change for the Portugeezers as they chase the elusive win here.
Andy Silva lining for Jota and Renato Sanchez for Willy Carvalho as Fernie the Saint makes much needed attacking changes
This very much feels like the Spain v. Sweden match from yesterday where Spain were dominant but Sweden had chances to nick it. Hungary could easily nick this one.
Another MLS player on the pitch as the Magyars brought on Schon as a sub , who plays for FC Dallas
Bugger... Portugal take the lead
There go my picks down the tubes
Bugger! Deflected effort by Rafael Guerrero dribbles into the bet.
0-1 Portugal
GOAL !!! RAFFA GUERRERO GIVES PORTUGAL A LATE LEAD
Two luck deflections!!!
So that goal piles the pressure on France and Germany now.
AND NOW A PENALTY
Ronaldo to make history
Very soft pen in my book
PENALTY PORTUGAL AS THE MAGYARS FALL APRT LATE. WILLY ORBAN CALLED FOR A TRIP ON RAFFA SILVA
Now it's a penalty to Portugal and it's all gone pear-shaped for Hungary. Orban gives away a pen and gets a yellow only moments after he deflected that Guerrero shot in.
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