Group F analysis - A group of minnows, dominated by the minnows of the minnows

1^st Hungary (>FIL’s Prediction)

  Hungary came into France knowing they were looked as the weak team in a weak group. Storck was aware of his team’s limitations, set them to defend and counter against Austria, in search of, maybe, a draw to set them alive in the competition.

 Things went better than expected, with a great win that catapulted to the top of the group, place they would never give up. They had real trouble against the organized Iceland, only getting the draw in the dying minutes of the game. And in the end they gave us the most electrifying game of the competition, a positive 3-3 draw against Portugal.

 They got first place and they did much more they expected, so they have nothing to lose, and that can be their biggest force.

2^nd Iceland (>FIL’s prediction)

 The biggest of the fairytales, a country that is so little that 10% of its population is in France to support this absolutely unthinkable dream. A dream they don’t want to end and their trusting their heroes to let continue, and what a job they’re doing in it.

 With a lot of players that never dreamed to be here, allied to the experience of names like Sigurdsson, Gunnarson or Sigthorssen, Iceland has a very clear game plan, and have the perfect executioners for the plan, designed by cult hero Lars Lagerback. They defend with every man, very physically, and try to counter with long balls to the two players upfront, giants that are now able to hold the ball. That’s how they surprised Portugal and got the win against Austria. The dream is alive!

3^rd Portugal (<FIL’s Prediction)

 One of the teams that can be very thankful to the format of the competition, Portugal was very underwhelming during the group stage. With Ronaldo only being himself in the last match, when his team was getting desperate, Portugal is a team that seems unable to create danger when they control possession.

 They had three matches where they were the favorite, and they drew all of them, always making shots, with Ronaldo being prolific at that, but very rarely able to actually transform them in goals. Nani and Ronaldo need more help from their midfield, like it happened, finally, against Hungary. They qualified, and with Ronaldo they can win any game, but they haven’t yet, and that cannot be positive for morale.

 4^th Austria (<FIL’s Prediction)

 It was the opening match that determined Austria would be a flop, more than a dark horse. And it all started so well, they were pressing, they had chances, but they faced the best Király of the competition, and were always just an inch away from the goal.
 Then, the horror. They conceded, Dragovic was sent off, and a second goal still went by Robert Almer. And the competition was that much harder now, especially with Portugal coming, also in need of a win.

 They hold Ronaldo, but then, again, weren’t able to break down an organized defense, this time in the form of Iceland, ended up losing the game, and going home, with the feeling they could’ve done much more...