As a nation drenched in footballing history, the Netherlands were left distraught and embarrassed having failed to qualify for the last two major tournaments in 2016 and 2018. Alas, it’s fair to say their current crop have endeared themselves to the Dutch faithful with three vintage group displays in Amsterdam.   Whilst their success isn’t…

For the first time in the nation’s history, Austria have secured qualification for the knockout stages of the European Championships, following a thoroughly deserved 1-0 victory over a rather disappointing Ukraine. In what started as an end-to-end affair, it was Austria who quickly asserted dominance on the game, who were rewarded with a breakthrough goal…

The final game of group B in Euro 2020 saw Finland needing just one point to guarantee safe-passage to the Round-of-16. Unfortunately, they faced a Belgium side who had won 10 out of their last 11 tournament group games since 2014. Within 25 minutes, the tone had been set.   Finland set out to defend…

It was no goal or assist which garnered the greatest cheers, but the confirmation of another game’s end, as Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium erupted upon the completion of Finland’s bout with Belgium, which unfolded over 1.5k kilometres away. In fact, it was affairs off the pitch which often took precedent for the fans, over the Danish…

A chorus of boos erupted upon the final whistle in Turkey’s home away from home, as Baku bore witness to a series of performances that only the Turkish lira can rival in terms of national embarrassment. The Turkish provided an abject and soulless performance that would see most of the players get abuse at their…

Summer had well and truly arrived in Rome as Italy took on Wales under the sunny skies of the Stadio Olimpico. It was Italy that led Group A with a spot in the knockout stages already guaranteed. Meanwhile, a Welsh draw would secure them a top two spot, however, if Gareth Bale and co could…

As the final whistle pierced the drone of chatter inside the Estadio de la Cartuja, the Spanish players looked to the sky and puffed out their cheeks once again. Another uninspiring draw in Seville means that it’s the first time since 1996 that the national side haven’t won either of their opening two group games…

On May 29, a Chelsea team led by German manager Thomas Tuchel and a German triumvirate of Antonio Rüdiger, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz defeated Manchester City in the Champions League Final in Porto, stifling a Portuguese contingent of Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias, whilst their compatriot João Cancelo remained on the bench. On June…

The games played in Budapest at full capacity are reminding us of pre-COVID times gone by, where crowds were raucous and the 12th man. With a partisan atmosphere and the crowd cheering every block and positive Hungarian play, they pushed a spirited, aggressive Hungary team to frustrate the world champions and gain their first point…

Heading into this crucial game at Hampden Park, Croatia had never lost their second game at any of their last 10 major tournaments, the World Cup and European Championships. In those 10 games, they’ve won six, drawn four and Czech Republic were gonna be number 11.   The Czechs had the upper hand in the…