1-2
Headlines
RUSSIA
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The Player – Fedor Smolov
Very active, but with problems with his finishing, Smolov ended up being the most resilient man upfront for Russia, even if he wasn’t that productive. Smolov tried, fought a lot, and is in the goal play, with a good pass for Shatov.
Very active, but with problems with his finishing, Smolov ended up being the most resilient man upfront for Russia, even if he wasn’t that productive. Smolov tried, fought a lot, and is in the goal play, with a good pass for Shatov.
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The Moment – Another late goal.
At a time that Slovakia already thought the game won, came the best Russian play of the game, a great combination in the right between Smolov and Shatov, with the latter find Gulashkov for the goal. It wasn’t enough.
At a time that Slovakia already thought the game won, came the best Russian play of the game, a great combination in the right between Smolov and Shatov, with the latter find Gulashkov for the goal. It wasn’t enough.
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The Team
It was a good start from Russia, knowing that a win would be vital to qualify in this group. Slutsky entered the match determined in being the first team to score and they had chances. Unfortunately everything went sour when Hamsik sliced up their defense for Weiss goal. And with Napoli’s star great strike, the Russians could never had come back.
It was a good start from Russia, knowing that a win would be vital to qualify in this group. Slutsky entered the match determined in being the first team to score and they had chances. Unfortunately everything went sour when Hamsik sliced up their defense for Weiss goal. And with Napoli’s star great strike, the Russians could never had come back.
SLOVAKIA
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The Player – Marek Hamsik
Much better from the Napoli better, that this time had no great runs denied miraculously, but had much more influence in the result, creating Weiss’ goal, and scoring one himself. He commanded the midfielder, and made sure his team got the win.
Much better from the Napoli better, that this time had no great runs denied miraculously, but had much more influence in the result, creating Weiss’ goal, and scoring one himself. He commanded the midfielder, and made sure his team got the win.
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The Moment- Goal of the tournament?
The way how Hamsik takes the opponent out of the way, looks up and, from the edge of the box, makes the ball go away, away from Akinfeev and against the back post, before laying comfortable in the net. The best goal of the tournament so far.
The way how Hamsik takes the opponent out of the way, looks up and, from the edge of the box, makes the ball go away, away from Akinfeev and against the back post, before laying comfortable in the net. The best goal of the tournament so far.
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The Team
Now, this is the Slovakia we expected. They
started waiting to see how Russia would play, and after the first twenty
minutes, Hamsik started controlling the game, with his pinpoint passing that
never misses the target. They ended the second half in a high, and tried to
kill the game, which they couldn’t
Ended up suffering, but Slovakia definitely deserved the win.
Ended up suffering, but Slovakia definitely deserved the win.
- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS
A very open and well played match, ended up with the better and most organized team winning fair and square. Russia started the game very well, trying to create chances, something they never did against England. Slovakia opted for a more contained approach, waiting for the Russian to take control.
When Hamsik started taking the play to his feet though, the game changed. With the space left behind the full backs, Hamsik could play “find the alone winger” and create a goal. And after he decided to present us with a highlight that will stand for long time.
The Russians accused the two goals, and barely tried to react until the 65 minute. Until then, Slovakia could’ve won the game and ended up suffering a goal, and risking losing points in a game they did not deserve it.
Slovakia almost guaranteed third spot but they face a tough game versus England, and Russia knows they have to win and that might not be enough. It promises to be an emotional third round.
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1-1
Headlines
ROMANIA
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The Player – Alexandru Chipciu
One of Iordanescu’s bets for the game, Chipciu showed he was ready. Playing on the left side, move that implicated Stancu on the middle, Steaua’s winger created constant trouble for Lichsteiner, being involved in the penalty play and confusing the Juventus’ full back with his pace and technique.
One of Iordanescu’s bets for the game, Chipciu showed he was ready. Playing on the left side, move that implicated Stancu on the middle, Steaua’s winger created constant trouble for Lichsteiner, being involved in the penalty play and confusing the Juventus’ full back with his pace and technique.
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The Moment – Sapunaru misses the 2-0
Romania’s great first half translated in various chances, none bigger the one Sapunaru missed. After scoring first, the Romanians kept attacking in search of doubling their lead and they almost got it, when Sapunaru got the ball in the 6-yard box and smashed it against the post. And Switzerland would make them pay.
Romania’s great first half translated in various chances, none bigger the one Sapunaru missed. After scoring first, the Romanians kept attacking in search of doubling their lead and they almost got it, when Sapunaru got the ball in the 6-yard box and smashed it against the post. And Switzerland would make them pay.
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The Team
Good game from Romania. Iordanescu believed that he could get the win
against Switzerland and changed things around in order to do so, and the pace
of the game proved him right. Only the blaster from Mehmedi could stop Romania
from getting an historic win, in the end.
SWITZERLAND
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The Player – Blerim Džemaili
You could say it’s not necessarily it’s fault that Petkovic wants him to play advanced in the pitch, but every time Dzemaili gets that chance he seems to not enjoy it. He has a hard time with the ball at his feet, and rarely takes the best decision in the shot selection, making him fairly easy to annul by the Romania side.
You could say it’s not necessarily it’s fault that Petkovic wants him to play advanced in the pitch, but every time Dzemaili gets that chance he seems to not enjoy it. He has a hard time with the ball at his feet, and rarely takes the best decision in the shot selection, making him fairly easy to annul by the Romania side.
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The Moment- Mehmedi, bomb them!
It was looking exactly like the Albania game, where Switzerland created the chances, but could not take them. Until a badly dealt with corner, from Romania, that came straight to Mehmedi’s left foot, and the Leverkusen player not wasting it and, virtually, qualifying Switzerland for the next stage.
It was looking exactly like the Albania game, where Switzerland created the chances, but could not take them. Until a badly dealt with corner, from Romania, that came straight to Mehmedi’s left foot, and the Leverkusen player not wasting it and, virtually, qualifying Switzerland for the next stage.
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The Team
It was, again, far from pretty, but in the end Switzerland got a result that serves them perfectly. Seferovic was again wasteful, and this time Switzerland did have to run after the result, which resulted in more attacks and more possession, where the Swiss did ok, even though they still need to improve to face bigger opposition.
- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS
A good game
where both teams went for the win, and both ended up coming up short.
Iordanescu’s changes in the attack messed up the Swiss plans, and Romania ended
up scoring in an unquestionable penalty.
Switzerland was then force to take back
control of the game, which they had troubles with in the first half, where
Romania could’ve grabbed a second goal and possibly the match, with Sapunaru’s
chance being the most flagrant.
Before the teams could really settle Mehmedi
equalized, and the game dropped in intensity. After all, both teams know that 4
points should be enough, and Switzerland got them while Romania believes they
can defeat Albania. And it’s not exactly a great imagination exercise that that
happens.
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2-0
Headlines
FRANCE
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The Player – Kingsley Coman
Started instead of Griezmann in the right side, and the Bayern player should he deserves more time. Always looking for the ball, to play it forward, brave enough to attack far post crosses, Coman only lacked some composure in the final third, something we will put down to nerves, as we’re talking about a 20yr old.
Started instead of Griezmann in the right side, and the Bayern player should he deserves more time. Always looking for the ball, to play it forward, brave enough to attack far post crosses, Coman only lacked some composure in the final third, something we will put down to nerves, as we’re talking about a 20yr old.
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The Moment – Déja vu!
Much like the Romania game, the winning goal came late, very late, in a time where the press was surely testing headlines for such an unthinkable result. With pressure mounting, Albania’s defense ended up opening, and Rami did a great cross for Griezmann to finish it. Deadlock broken, and Albania’s hopes almost shattered.
Much like the Romania game, the winning goal came late, very late, in a time where the press was surely testing headlines for such an unthinkable result. With pressure mounting, Albania’s defense ended up opening, and Rami did a great cross for Griezmann to finish it. Deadlock broken, and Albania’s hopes almost shattered.
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The Team
It was another exhibition that felt like something was missing, but that in the end guaranteed qualification. That’s France so far, not being brilliant against weaker opponents, but they get the win, and that’s mostly due to their individual quality. A team with Payet, Coman, Pogba, Griezmann, Martial can create so much that’s almost impossible to stop them.
It was another exhibition that felt like something was missing, but that in the end guaranteed qualification. That’s France so far, not being brilliant against weaker opponents, but they get the win, and that’s mostly due to their individual quality. A team with Payet, Coman, Pogba, Griezmann, Martial can create so much that’s almost impossible to stop them.
ALBANIA
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The Player – Elseid Hysaj
Good game from the Napoli right back that had mostly defensive worries, but never tried to help in the attack, as points were needed. With a great physical capacity, Hysaj covered all the ground he could whilst try to stop Coman, Martial and others from creating danger.
Good game from the Napoli right back that had mostly defensive worries, but never tried to help in the attack, as points were needed. With a great physical capacity, Hysaj covered all the ground he could whilst try to stop Coman, Martial and others from creating danger.
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The Moment- Those last 5 minutes of the 1st
half
There was also Ledian’s confusing ball to the post, but those five minutes were brilliant. Confident after a good first half, where they had hold France, the Albanians tried their luck and created 2 or 3 half chances that, with more time or composure, could’ve been scored. And, in the end of the 2nd, France showed how it’s done.
There was also Ledian’s confusing ball to the post, but those five minutes were brilliant. Confident after a good first half, where they had hold France, the Albanians tried their luck and created 2 or 3 half chances that, with more time or composure, could’ve been scored. And, in the end of the 2nd, France showed how it’s done.
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The Team
It was another valiant performance that ended up in disappointment and
no points. But again, you cannot fault Di Biasi or his team, as they played
with their strengths, tried to hide their faults, and did a great job at that.
They have a final against Romania that, with some luck around the groups, might seem them through.
They have a final against Romania that, with some luck around the groups, might seem them through.
- FIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS
France guaranteed qualification in a game where, again, they underwhelmed everybody with the production they had. They hardly ever could break the Albanian organized defense, and even ended up the first half in trouble, with Di Biasi’s team forcing for a possible strike from heaven.
It wasn’t to come, and Lloris still saw a ball
hit his left post until Albania’s gas ran out. It was time to try to hold on,
and they were doing a fantastic job until they left Griezmann alone in the
penalty spot, with the Atletico player not wasting the chance. Payet scored the
second and sealed a hard fought win.
France can rest players against
Switzerland, if it pleases Deschamps, but that’s unlikely as he’ll want to top
the group. As for Albania, they have to win against Romania, and then pray for
the results they’ll need.
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