0-1
Headlines
ALBANIA
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The Player – Ermir Lenjani
A great game from the left wing back. Lenjani defended well, as expected of him, and was the one player that could carry the ball forward with better criteria, for Di Biasi’s team. When it was expected that Albania would be a right-sided team, Lenjani gave them a different outlet that their striker’s couldn’t capitalize.
A great game from the left wing back. Lenjani defended well, as expected of him, and was the one player that could carry the ball forward with better criteria, for Di Biasi’s team. When it was expected that Albania would be a right-sided team, Lenjani gave them a different outlet that their striker’s couldn’t capitalize.
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The Moment – Lorik Cana’s loss of control
It’s hard to not feel sorry for Cana. He slipped, saw that Sefevoric was away on goal, and just handballed. He knew what he did, as soon as he did it, and he left his team forced to climb a mountain too high for them.
The Albanians did very well, but it felt that they needed the good version of their captain. And he failed them.
It’s hard to not feel sorry for Cana. He slipped, saw that Sefevoric was away on goal, and just handballed. He knew what he did, as soon as he did it, and he left his team forced to climb a mountain too high for them.
The Albanians did very well, but it felt that they needed the good version of their captain. And he failed them.
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The Team
Conceding a goal in the first chance was the worst they could’ve asked
for, but Albania was able to regroup and try to level the game. They played
well, with good passing play and movement, and created some chances, but Sadiku
wasn’t on his best days.
Lorik Cana was the stain in the sheet, but apart from that the fans should be proud of their team, and believe qualification is still very open.
Lorik Cana was the stain in the sheet, but apart from that the fans should be proud of their team, and believe qualification is still very open.
SWITZERLAND· The Player – Haris Seferović
Eintracht Frankfurt’s striker was the big surprise of the starting XI, and it felt like a wasted bet from Petkovic. Seferovic had three great chances that a player like Derdyok or even Embolo, could have done better with and his physical presence was only felt in Lorik Cana’s sending off. It would be a very big surprise if we seem starting against Romania.
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The Moment- Sommer saves the day
The game was very near the end, and Albania had been lurking around but without real danger. Abrashi opened up Switzerland defense, and with a fantastic pass, he put Gashi straight on goal. Sommer made himself big, waited for the striker to shoot and made a wonder save that was celebrated like a goal. Decisive.
The game was very near the end, and Albania had been lurking around but without real danger. Abrashi opened up Switzerland defense, and with a fantastic pass, he put Gashi straight on goal. Sommer made himself big, waited for the striker to shoot and made a wonder save that was celebrated like a goal. Decisive.
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The Team
It was a very poor performance by Petkovic’s squad. The goal very early on determined they could play their game of waiting for the opponent to come out, but as Albania was unable too, it was up to the Swiss to keep the tempo up. They weren’t particularly interested in it, allowed their opponent to gain some confidence, and ended up risking their win.
- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS
The nervous start from Albania ended up setting up the whole tone for the match. After only five minutes, the surprise in Swiss central defense, Schar jumped ahead of Berisha for the goal. It was the dream start for Switzerland, known for their difficulties in the finishing area.
With a goal scored so early, the game took a
route that was not expected, with Albania having to attack, but as they are not
used to it, we ended up having a game that Switzerland was controlling until
the 37 minute. And then things had a turn for worse for Di Biasi’s team, when captain
Lorik Cana did a woeful mistake, handballed and got his 2nd yellow
card. It was the end of Albania…
Or so it would seem, but the Albanians weren’t
done yet. Di Biasi found the right words to motivate his players at half time
and they went forward, tried to pressure Switzerland, and were almost rewarded
by it, if only Sadiku or Çikaleshi had done better with their chances.
Switzerland had and horrible match, and can be
very happy that they actually won the game, as Albania certainly deserved more
from this. Petkovic knows he needs to have better showings in the next two
games, if he wants to avoid any problems in qualifying. Di Biasi, on the other
hand, should be happy with his players, and motivate them to try to recreate
what they did against France. It will be an even harder game, but the game in
Lens left some good notes.
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2-1
Headlines
WALES· The Player – Gareth Bale
He’s ready to take his team further and further. Gareth Bale responded to the call and said “present” the first chance he got, in a beautifully taken free kick, and had a great chance with a header that the keeper barely kept out.
Bale was the leader his team needed, always chasing the ball when not in possession, and carrying the team forward with it. The Real Madrid galatico will continue to ride his own dragon.
·
The Moment – Joe Ledley’s back!
After having broken his leg in May, it was very surprising to see Ledley in the 23-man squad, let alone a possibility to play in the first game.
The fairytale wasn’t quite complete with just that though, was it? With ten minutes to go, the Palace man got the ball in the midfield. He saw the blonde Ramsay and, feeling it was weird, threw a rock at him. Ramsey, like a Brazilian, took out Skertel without touching the ball, and left it to Robson-Kanu that hit it to win the game for Wales. With his shin, fooling everyone. Like it was on purpose.
After having broken his leg in May, it was very surprising to see Ledley in the 23-man squad, let alone a possibility to play in the first game.
The fairytale wasn’t quite complete with just that though, was it? With ten minutes to go, the Palace man got the ball in the midfield. He saw the blonde Ramsay and, feeling it was weird, threw a rock at him. Ramsey, like a Brazilian, took out Skertel without touching the ball, and left it to Robson-Kanu that hit it to win the game for Wales. With his shin, fooling everyone. Like it was on purpose.
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The Team
There was a lot of surprises from Coleman. Starting with the forced one, with Hennessey having woken up with a back spasm that took him out of contention. King not being started was a surprise, and Williams a bigger one, but understandable, as it freed Bale to be the danger that he is.
Coleman’s team did a great job in Bordeaux, in control during most of the match, and only shaken by Duda’s goal.
There was a lot of surprises from Coleman. Starting with the forced one, with Hennessey having woken up with a back spasm that took him out of contention. King not being started was a surprise, and Williams a bigger one, but understandable, as it freed Bale to be the danger that he is.
Coleman’s team did a great job in Bordeaux, in control during most of the match, and only shaken by Duda’s goal.
SLOVAKIA· The Player – Juraj Kucka
After a good season at AC Milan – team that, admittedly, isn’t what they used to be – Juraj Kucka was expected to be the protector of Marek Hamsik, the player that would help carry the team forward. Instead, Kucka (or Kuco) was off it, barely having possession, and more interested in arguing the referee’s decision. Very underwhelming.
·
The Moment- Hamsik’s run ends in nothing.
It set the tone for a frustrating game for Slovakia. Hamsik got the ball from a welsh player, made a great run, avoiding red shirts like Maradona, and just Ward between him and goal, he made the shot. He was starting to celebrate when Ben Davies stopped the joy. And the game just went downhill
It set the tone for a frustrating game for Slovakia. Hamsik got the ball from a welsh player, made a great run, avoiding red shirts like Maradona, and just Ward between him and goal, he made the shot. He was starting to celebrate when Ben Davies stopped the joy. And the game just went downhill
·
The Team
Very disappointing performance from Slovakia. Duris was started instead of Duda, and he was left to fight against three center backs, in an impossible mission. Hamsik was affected by the chance in the beginning, Weiss was horrendous and Mak irregular.
Jan Kozák will have a lot to
think about, because the display had very few positives. Those would have to be
Duda’s goal and the reaction after it, but all the rest was just poor.
- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS
Chris Coleman surprised everyone with Williams, but he showed to be the right decision as he would be the most similar player to Robson-Kanu, that was available to start.
The game
started very nervous, with both teams feeling the environment, and Hamsik had a
glorious chance to start the Euro with a goal, but Ben Davies made an
impressive sliding tackle to avoid that. And ten minutes in, Gareth Bale had a
free kick from 30 yards and he hit it perfectly. The keeper could’ve done
better, but the shot had all the Welsh’s power in it and the goal shook
Slovakia that disappeared from the game until half time.
Bale had a great chance to score the second,
but he was denied by a brilliant save from Kozacik, with Wales keeping the
pressure and always seeming nearer the goal. So, it was completely out of
nowhere that Mak was able to find Duda and the wonderkid, coolly, slotted it
away.
Finally
Slovakia had momentum, but it only lasted until Coleman brought on Ledley and
Robson-Kanu. Not only this two were the ends of the goal (with the brilliant
Ramsay signature) but Ledley got control of the midfield back with ease from
Kucka and Hamsik, being determinant for the win.
Wales surprised with their positive, going
forward attitude, caught Slovakia off guard, and are rewarded with top of the
group until the second matchday. And with the win, at least 3rd
position seems fairly certain. Slovakia was woeful and will have to turn things
completely around if they want to succeed.
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1-1
Headlines
ENGLAND
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The Player – Wayne Rooney
Playing further back than usual, for England, Wayne Rooney showed he’s ready to finish the transition to a midfielder for the latter part of his career. Commanding his team, he was untiring in defensive matters and had a couple of chances to score himself. Very unselfish in letting Dier take the free kick for the goal.
Playing further back than usual, for England, Wayne Rooney showed he’s ready to finish the transition to a midfielder for the latter part of his career. Commanding his team, he was untiring in defensive matters and had a couple of chances to score himself. Very unselfish in letting Dier take the free kick for the goal.
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The Moment – Kane is taking corners?!
It wasn’t the first time, but before you would’ve thought it was just a friendly game thing. But apparently Kane is now the corner taker for England. He’s a decent crosser and everything, but it’s weird that Hodgson is willing to give up of having his striker in the box for the corners…
It wasn’t the first time, but before you would’ve thought it was just a friendly game thing. But apparently Kane is now the corner taker for England. He’s a decent crosser and everything, but it’s weird that Hodgson is willing to give up of having his striker in the box for the corners…
·
The Team
Roy Hodgson shuffled the cards just before the game, and dealt us the 4-3-3 that he seemed to have abandoned. Vardy and Wilshere were then replaced by Lallana and Sterling, and England did a good game. They pressured immensely, they created enough chances to have the game won by the 70’ minute. But the lost concentration in extra-time and wasted two points. Heartbreaking.
Roy Hodgson shuffled the cards just before the game, and dealt us the 4-3-3 that he seemed to have abandoned. Vardy and Wilshere were then replaced by Lallana and Sterling, and England did a good game. They pressured immensely, they created enough chances to have the game won by the 70’ minute. But the lost concentration in extra-time and wasted two points. Heartbreaking.
RUSSIA
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The Player – Aleksandr Kokorin
When Russia was able to carry the ball to the offensive end, Kokorin was always involved. Appearing left, right and center, the Zenit forward was a trouble maker that need more help from Smolov to be effective.
When Russia was able to carry the ball to the offensive end, Kokorin was always involved. Appearing left, right and center, the Zenit forward was a trouble maker that need more help from Smolov to be effective.
·
The Moment- Oh look!! We’ve scored
It was the most unlikely thing to happen. Russia had zero chances throughout the whole game and two minutes after the regular time, Berezutski was ahead from a corner and headed a cross over Joe Hart, straight into a goal.
It was the most unlikely thing to happen. Russia had zero chances throughout the whole game and two minutes after the regular time, Berezutski was ahead from a corner and headed a cross over Joe Hart, straight into a goal.
·
The Team
It was a robbing in Marseille, protagonized by Slutsky’s team. Adding a solid defensive show, England’s lack of composure, and a late goal out of nowhere, Russia got a great result that should give them some confidence for the rest of the games.
It’s certain that the exhibition was extremely poor, with very few moments to remember, but the point, that’s in the history books.
.
- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS
Both managers decided to try and surprise us, with Hodgson going further changing all the system, while Slutsky deployed Neudstader for the first time in the midfield.
England started strongly and controlled the
game, creating chances from the right side, with Walker having a great showing,
always bombing forward, and Lallana fluffing a couple of shots. Russia tried
their best to hold England, and they did a good job at it, with Golovin and
Neudstader forming an unlikely pairing that had troubles, but survived.
Russia was never a threat offensively and England made the most of it, but they lacked the punch to put a certain victory in the bag. There was always that last pass, the touch or the shot, something was always off.
It seemed everything was okay, when Dier powered a free kick into Akinfeev’s net. Russia never seemed dangerous anyway, and England still felt the team more comfortable with the ball so things were going well. Only to have everything ruined by the header of Berezutski.
Both teams have hopes and worries to take from this game. England will have a crucial game against Wales, needing to win it, and Russia knows that the exhibition against Slovakia can only be better.
Russia was never a threat offensively and England made the most of it, but they lacked the punch to put a certain victory in the bag. There was always that last pass, the touch or the shot, something was always off.
It seemed everything was okay, when Dier powered a free kick into Akinfeev’s net. Russia never seemed dangerous anyway, and England still felt the team more comfortable with the ball so things were going well. Only to have everything ruined by the header of Berezutski.
Both teams have hopes and worries to take from this game. England will have a crucial game against Wales, needing to win it, and Russia knows that the exhibition against Slovakia can only be better.
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