UEFA 2020 Euro Championship – Day 14

Group E: Slovakia (0) 0 – 5 (2) Spain

Goal-scorers: Dúbravka (30’og), Laporte (45’+3’), Sarabia (56′), Torres (67′), Kucka (71’og)

La Cartuja, Seville

Spain had come into the game on a wave of criticism, and it looked like it was just not going to be their day in the opening thirty minutes of the first-half. Alvaro Morata had his penalty saved on twelve minutes and other excellent chances went begging until a freakish own-goal opened the floodgates for the Spanish. After half an hour, Sarabia shot from distance, with his shot going straight up in the air off the crossbar. As it came down the Slovakian ‘keeper Martin Dubravka went to push the ball over the bar, but instead simply palmed it into his own net. It was the piece of luck that Spain needed, and they never looked back from that moment. Laporte headed home in time added on at the end of the first-half, with the rout completed with three second-half half goals, including yet another own-goal as Kucka shinned in on the goal-line in a melee in the box. Spain through in second-place edging out Slovakia, with them having to wait until the later kick-offs to find out that Croatia would be their opponents in the last sixteen.

 

Group E: Sweden (1) 3 – 2 (0) Poland

Goal-scorers: Sweden – Forsberg (2′, 59′), Claesson (90’+3’). Poland – Lewandowski (61′, 84’)

Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg

A game which looked all over after an hour with two clinical finishes from Forsberg, sprang to life in the final thirty minutes. With the Swedish fans still celebrating the second goal, on fifty-nine minutes, two minutes later Lewandowski produced a special finish to reduce the deficit. The comeback was complete with six minutes remaining as the Poles looked for a winner that would give them a chance of progress. However, deep into time added-on, substitute Claesson ended Poland’s hopes as he jinked into the box to give the Swedes a dramatic 3-2 victory. Sweden top and a trip to Glasgow to take on Ukraine.

 

Group F: Germany (0) 2 – 2 (1) Hungary

Goal-scorers: Germany – Havertz (66′), Goretzka (84′). Hungary – Szalai (11′), Schäfer (68′)

Allianz Arena, Munich

At 2-1 with six minutes remaining Germany were heading out, until Hungary were unable to clear the pressure from their box  leaving Goretzka to drive home an equaliser. Hungary held the half-time advantage through Szalai, a lead they held until a mistake by Hungary’s ‘keeper Gulácsi gifted Germany an equaliser, as he came for a cross and got nowhere near it allowing Havertz to bundle the ball home from close range. The lead was short-lived as Schäfer bravely headed home as Neuer rushed out  of his goal to put Hungary 2-1. But it wasn’t to be a fairy-tale ending for the Magyars, as the Germans got that important leveller to set-up a date with England at Wembley.

 

Group F: France (1) 2 – 2 (1) Portugal

Goal-scorer: Portugal – Ronaldo (30′ pen, 60’pen). France – Benzema (45’+2’ pen, 47′)

Puskas Arena, Budapest

Penalties galore in this one! Two for Portugal converted by Ronaldo (who else) which saw him equal Ali Daei’s record set (109 goals) with Iran between 1993 and 2006. Both were pretty nailed on penalties, whilst France could be said to have got a soft one, with Mbappe going down under what looked like a should-to-shoulder collision with the Portuguese defender. Benzema did the business from the spot just before the break and finished neatly just after half-time to put the French 2-1 up, until Ronaldo’s leveller from the pot on the hour mark. France’s best chance to win it produced a brilliant double-save from Rui Patricio, to deny Pogba and then Griezmann from the rebound. Both sides through with France top and a game against the Swiss, with Portugal facing Belgium in Spain. A truly incredible last day of group games.

 

After that dramatic evening, all that now know the last sixteen pairings, which are as follows:

Saturday 26 June 2021

Wales v Denmark (Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam)

Italy v Austria (Wembley Stadium, London)

Sunday 27 June 2021

Netherlands v Czech Republic (Puskas Arena, Budapest)

Belgium v Portugal (La Cartuja, Seville)

Monday 28 June 2021

Croatia v Spain (Parken Stadium, Copenhagen)

France v Switzerland (Arena Na?ionala, Bucharest)

Tuesday 29 June 2021

England v Germany (Wembley Stadium, London)

Sweden v Ukraine (Hampden Park, Glasgow)

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UEFA 2020 Euro Championship – Day 13

Group D: England (1) 1 – 0 (0) Czech Republic

Goal-scorer: Sterling (12′)

Wembley Stadium, London

Football is a results game and England’s first task was to qualify from the group and on that basis on paper that is what has happened. Top of the group, unbeaten in three games and no goals conceded. This was a decidedly better performance than that against Scotland and particularly in the first-half there was some genuinely positive play from Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and goal-scorer Raheem Sterling. Harry Kane drew another blank but was unlucky with his one genuine opportunity which Tomas Vaclik did well to save. The Czechs had their moments but huffed and puffed without much success and this result combined with the win for Croatia, saw the Czech Republic drop from top position to third but still make the last 16. England back at Wembley next week and await to see who visits the arch once the games conclude tonight. Whoever it is, it will be a proper test, unlike the phoney war of the group games.

 

Group D: Scotland (1) 1 – 3 (1) Croatia

Goal-scorers: Scotland – McGregor (42′) Croatia – Vlasic (17′), Modric (62′), Perisic (77′)

Hampden Park, Glasgow

This was a do or die game for both sides. The equation was a simple one, only a win would be good enough to have a chance of progress to the knockout phase. With my feet-up watching the England game, the biggest cheers of the night from the Wembley crowd  (other than for England’s winner) was when news from Hampden Park filtered through every time Croatia scored. Despite home advantage the Scots maintained their record of never having progressed from the group stages of major finals. Vlasic opened the scoring for Croatia with McGregor getting the leveller to offer some hope for Scotland to set up a vital second period. However, it was Croatia who got the job done. Modric’s goal on sixty-two minutes can only be described as world-class, with a genius finish and fifteen minutes later the final nail in Scotland’s coffin was delivered by a flicked header from Perisic following a corner. 3-1 to Croatia, a result which saw them leapfrog into second spot and a trip to Copenhagen in the last 16.

 

So we reach the last group games and then a couple of days of no action, until the last sixteen games get underway on Saturday (26 June). Group E comes to its conclusion with Slovakia v Spain at La Cartuja in Seville, whilst Sweden take on Poland at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg. Slovakia only need a point against Spain to ensure their place in the last 16, whilst Spain will reach the knockout phase with a win but could also progress if they draw and Poland do not beat Sweden. It has been a strange couple of games so far for Spain, but surely they will win today? Sweden who top the group will maintain that with win over Poland, but a draw and results in the other game could see the drop to second spot. For Poland its all or nothing, with only victory over the Swedes enough to see them through

England will have their eyes on the games in Group F with the runners-up here the Three Lions opponents next week. Germany host Hungary at the Allianz Arena in Munich, whilst over in Budapest World Champions France play European Champions Portugal. Nothing is cut and dried in this group, and this is what each team needs to do to ensure they are not heading for the exits:

  • France will finish first if they win, or if they draw and Germany do not beat Hungary. If France lose and Hungary win, second place will be decided on overall goal difference.
  • Germany will go through if they win, or if they draw and France do not lose. Germany will finish first if they win and France do not. Germany will finish third if they draw and France lose, or if both Germany and Portugal lose.
  • Portugal qualify if they win, or if they draw and Germany lose. Portugal will finish first if they win and Germany do not. Portugal will finish fourth if they lose and Germany also lose.
  • Hungary will go through in second place if they win, and Portugal lose. If they win and France lose, second place will be decided on overall goal difference. Hungary will finish third if they win and the other game is drawn.

After all this I think the two-day break will be a welcome one for all!

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UEFA 2020 Euro Championship – Day 9

Group E: Sweden (0) 1 – 0 (0) Slovakia

Goal-scorer: Forsberg (77′ pen)

Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg

Given there was so much at stake for both sides, it was incredible to witness an opening half that was so devoid of action. Slovakia seemed content to sit back and take a point whilst the Swedes offered little and looked unlikely to make any sort of breakthrough. As a result I ditched this game at the break. From the highlights in the second period at least both ‘keepers were made to earn their money with Sweden’s Olsen reacting smartly to keep out Kucka’s effort, whilst at the other end as Dubravka produced a superb save to keep out Ludwig Augustinsson’s header. The Slovakian ‘keeper was then called into action again saving at his post as Isak went onto a slaloming run through the Slovakia defence and fires goalward. The defining moment arrived thirteen minutes from time, Isak flicked a ball onto Quaison who touched it on as Dubravka came out and collided with the Swedish player. The referee pointed to the spot. Now I’ve looked at it a few times and I think Dubravka is unlucky as he has to come out and can’t get out of the way of the players as the ‘keeper goes for the ball. However, Forsberg stepped up and coolly placed his kick home. The final round of games will see Slovakia play Spain whilst Sweden will face Poland, with a clearer picture of who needs what emerging after today’s encounter between Spain and Poland.

 

Group D: Croatia (0) 1 – 1 (1) Czech Republic

Goal-scorers: Croatia – Perisic (47′). Czech Republic – Schick (37’pen)

Hampden Park, Glasgow

I’ll be honest and a say I wasn’t fully paying attention to this one, with the England game a nervous distraction. Suffice to say, Croatia put in a better display than they did against England with Perisic’s leveller early in the second-half showing the quality of the Inter Milan striker. The Czech Republic had led through Schick’s third goal of the competition after he earned the Czech’s a penalty eight minutes before the break. With a bloody nose from the foul, he sent Livakovic the wrong way earning himself top spot in the race for leading scorer at this early stage. The Czechs have one foot in the last sixteen with England up next, whilst Croatia know that only a victory against the Scots will give them a chance of progress.

 

Group D: England (0) 0 – 0 (0) Scotland

Wembley Stadium, London

Why are so many people surprised at the result? I said yesterday a point was likely which was exactly as it turned out. Whilst the heavens opened in the Wembley sky, the goals dried up on the pitch. Scotland failed to score for their second group game and England also drew a blank as Harry Kane looking decidedly off the pace was withdrawn for a second successive match. It wasn’t as dour as it could have been with genuine chances on both sides. And what a different game it would have been of any of them had been taken. As ever it was a reality check for England, with their pre-tournament betting as one of the favourites, laughable in the extreme, as they are simply not even amongst the best five teams at this competition. Maybe I’m being too harsh, and this was simply a bad day at the office, with the pressure of the Auld Enemy just too much for the players on the night. Tuesday will be a different game entirely and it will be intriguing to see if there are any changes for the Czech Republic. For now the Scotland game should be confined to the history pages and its onto the next challenge.

 

Today signals the end of the second round of games, which starts with Group F and Hungary hosting France at the Puskas Arena in Budapest and is followed by Germany in Munich who welcome Portugal to the Allianz Arena. Proceedings conclude with Spain hosting Poland in Seville.

Hungary will hope that home advantage has some benefit after the late collapse against Portugal, but it will be no easy task against a French side brimming with confidence after their win over Germany. Can’t see anything other than Les Bleus taking three points and progress to the last sixteen. Could Germany really be heading out of the competition? They will be in real danger if Ronaldo and Co. take all three points in Munich. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility and would be a sad way for Germany coach Joachim Low to end his stint in charge. Finishing up the day is the Spain v Poland clash. And it could be a very interesting one. Spain all possession and no finish against Sweden, with just a point and Poland undone by Slovakia with no points going into this game. Surely if the Spanish have the same possession again they will surely score? Stranger things have happened. A draw between these two would make for an intriguing last round of games. Things are starting to get interesting!

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UEFA 2020 Euro Championship – Day 8

Group C: Ukraine (2) 2 – 1 (0) North Macedonia

Goal-scorers: Ukraine – Yarmolenko (29′), Yaremchuk (34′). North Macedonia – Alioski (57′)

Arena Na?ionala, Bucharest

This game came as a pleasant surprise as I was unsure whether to tune in or not. As it turned out it was an end-to-end and highly entertaining ninety minutes. Ukraine looked dangerous from the start and Macedonia’s ‘keeper Stole Dimitrievski was called into action on a couple of occasions. He could though do nothing about the first goal on twenty-nine minutes. From a corner, a flick-on seemed to deceive the Macedonian defence and it allowed Yarmolenko to steal in at the back post to guide his effort home from an angle. Just five minutes later it looked game over as scorer Yarmolenko turned provider with a through ball to Yaremchuk who finished with aplomb. But as in their game against Austria, Macedonian fought back, and veteran striker Goran Pandev finished with a lovely dink over the ‘keeper only to see it ruled offside shortly before the break. Into the second-half and Dimitrievski kept his side in the match clawing away a free-kick from Malinovskiy. Macedonia made things interesting after fifty-seven minutes when they were awarded a penalty. It come after Arijan Ademi forced a fine save from Georgiy Bushchan with  Oleksandr Karavaev fouling Pandev as he looked to knock in the rebound. Alioski took the spot-kick only for Bushchan to save it, however, the Leeds United player swept in the rebound to raise hopes of a comeback. Macedonia continued to press but it was Ukraine who had the chance to kill off the game with six minutes remaining, when they were awarded a penalty for handball after a VAR intervention. Malinovskiy couldn’t make it count as Dimitrievski guessed right and parried the spot-kick away to keep alive Macedonia’s search for an equaliser. Ukraine fight to live another day. A mention for referee Fernando Rapallini, who I thought had a good game and it was good to see him book Ukraine’s Shaparenko for simulation in the box.

 

Group B: Denmark (1) 1 – 2 (0) Belgium

Goal-scorers: Denmark – Poulsen (2’). Belgium – T Hazard (54′), De Bruyne (70′)

Parken Stadium, Copenhagen

This was always going to be an incredibly emotional occasion given the awful events at the Danish game on Saturday and the outpouring of love and support for Christian Eriksen powered the Danes to an impressive first-half performance. Denmark got the perfect start when after only two minutes Belgium gifted the Danes the ball at the back and Yussuf Poulsen fired in. Belgium simply couldn’t get going and the Danes had decent chances to increase their advantage, through Wass and Damsgaard. Kevin De Bruyne returning from his facial injury came on in the second-half and was instrumental in turning it around for the Red Devils. On fifty-four minutes Lukaku made a storming run down the right into the box and played in De Bruyne, his neat ball onto Thorgan Hazard was swept in for the equalizer. The Belgians were now going through the gears and with twenty minutes left some wonderful interplay released De Bruyne on the left and from just outside the box he crashed home. In a grandstand finish the Danes poured forward at every opportunity. Their best chance fell to Martin Braithwaite who was unfortunate to see his header skim the top of the bar. In time added on, the Danes ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel came up for a corner and was grateful to see the Belgian effort on the break cleared by his defence as he scrambled back to his goal. Belgium through to the last sixteen, whilst the Danes sit bottom with no points.

 

Group C: Netherlands (0) 0 – 0 (0) Austria

Goal-scorers: Depay (11′ pen), Dumfries (67’)

Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam

Statistics are useful, but never tell the whole story. Look at this game for instance. Austria had the greater percentage of possession in both halves of this game yet lost the match 2-0. It simply goes to show that you can have as much ball as you like, but if you don’t create anything with it, then its pointless. The Netherlands were functional rather than impressive. They pressed in phases as required but were at times wasteful in front of goal. The Dutch were ahead after eleven minutes from the penalty spot. Denzel Dumfries was clipped by David Alaba and Memphis Depay did the rest from the spot. He should have had a second after Weghorst choosing to pass rather than shoot himself laid it off to Depay who contrived to blast over from inside the six yard box. Thankfully it didn’t come back to bite the Dutch as on sixty-seven minutes Donyell Malen burst through the Austrian high line and unselfishly squared for Dumfries to seal the win. The Dutch through, whilst Austria have another bite of the cherry in the last round of group games.

Today’s offering sees Group E continue with Sweden taking on Slovakia in Saint Petersburg, and the Group D fixtures of Croatia v Czech Republic in Glasgow, with the Scots travelling to Wembley to face England in the last game of the day.

Slovakia caused the upset of the competition so far with their 2-1 victory over Poland and will face Sweden who took a point against Spain. These two sides have never met in a competitive fixture, and this meeting is a crunch game for both sides if they harbour chances of progression. I’ll take the Swedes to take this one although it will be close.

Interest then switches to Group D and Croatia and the Czech Republic. Croatia need something out of this game if they are to give themselves a shout of making the last sixteen. Were they poor against England, or did the Three Lions play that well? Maybe a bit of both. They are fighters and I can see Croatia storming back in this one with a two-goal win.

Which leaves us with the ‘Battle of Britain’. For this particular Englishman the nerves have already started some 10 hours before kick-off. It will no doubt be a dour old game familiar to anyone who goes to see their team in a ‘derby’ fixture. It’s a game neither side will want to lose, and England would probably be happy with a point having already banked three against Croatia. I’d love to see a free-flowing encounter with the Three Lions cruising to a 3-0 win but fear it will be more about attrition. Watching England for me is always a nervy experience and will be even more so against the ‘Auld Enemy’. Is it over yet?

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UEFA 2020 Euro Championship – Day 5

Group D: Scotland (0) 0 – 2 (1) Czech Republic

Goal-scorers: Schick (42′, 52’)

Hampden Park, Glasgow

This was a game I would have attended if COVID hadn’t intervened. With a reduced capacity for 2021, UEFA held a ballot and I lost out unfortunately. So it was a day at work and meetings in Manchester. I had my laptop so thought great I’ll be able to watch the game on the way back to Leeds. Of course I had forgotten how poor the Wi-Fi can be as the train has to pass through various tunnels and the area around Marsden Moor. Subsequently it was nigh on impossible to make out much of the game – I resigned myself to the fact I was simply not meant to watch this fixture. By the time I reached home it was just in time to watch the last thirteen minutes, so had to settle for catching up on the highlights. It seems that there were chances on both sides, and the Czechs were simply more clinical. Scoring just before half-time is always a significant time for a side to take the lead and Schick was impressive to get behind his markers and plant his header away from the five of Marshall. If that was quality then his second seven minutes after the break will be one of the goals of the tournament, catching Marshall off his line from just inside the Scotland half. Attention in this group moves to Friday and the England v Scotland battle and an intriguing contest between the Czechs and the Croats.

 

Group E: Poland (0) 1 – 2 (1) Slovakia

Goal-scorers: Poland – Linetty (46′). Slovakia – Szczesny (18’og), Skriniar (69′)

Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg

Can this be considered the first shock result of the tournament? Poland ranked 21st in the FIFA list with Slovakia down in 36th position. Yes, I suppose we can. Slovakia were dangerous from the off and it was no surprise when they went ahead, although there was a touch of fortune about their goal on eighteen minutes. Robert Mak ran at the Polish defence and fired low, Wojciech Szczesny in goal got down to his right and pushed the ball onto the post, but it ricocheted off the prone ‘keeper and into the net. Slovakia held the advantage into the break and could have been further ahead. That lead was short-lived as within a minute of the restart Poland were level with a well worked move, and although Linetty didn’t connect cleanly it still found its way in. The game swung Slovakia’s way just after the hour mark after Krychowiak collected a second yellow card for a pretty soft foul leaving the Poles down to ten-men. Within seven minutes Slovakia went ahead, from a corner it was played to Skriniar close to the penalty spot and his sweetly struck finish beat Szczesny nestling in the bottom right corner. A famous victory for Slovakia which put them top of the group.

 

Group E: Spain (0) 0 – 0 (0) Sweden

La Cartuja, Seville

Yes a game that finished 0-0 but not a boring encounter by any means. The stats showed that Spain had 85% possession and had 17 shots to Sweden’s 4. Morata and Olmo had the best chances for Spain which were wasted, but credit must also go to Robin Olsen in the Swedes goal who made some smart saves. As so often in games like this where one side has so little of the ball, they are always dangerous on the break with Alexander Isak unlucky after a charging run into the box that saw his shot deflect off Spanish defender Marcos Llorente onto the post and into the arms of a relieved Unai Simon in the Spanish goal. Isak also created Sweden’s best second-half opportunity as he created a chance for Marcus Berg who wastefully fired wide. Spain will see it as two points dropped and will be desperate to beat Poland in their next game.

 

The first round of group matches concludes today with two games from Group F, with Hungary hosting current European champions at the Puskas Arena in Budapest and Germany welcoming France to the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Hungary and Portugal met in the group stage of the Finals in 2016. It was the last round of fixtures and turned out to be quite a game. Hungary were ahead three time in the game through Zoltan Gera, and a brace from Balazs Dzsudzsak, but each time were pegged back with goals from Nani and two from Ronaldo to ensure a 3-3 draw. It proved to be a vital point for Portugal as it enabled them to qualify to the knockout phase as one of the best third placed sides and of course went on to lift the trophy. This could be a cagey encounter and may well end as a draw.

France and Germany conclude Tuesday’s action in Munich, with their last meeting at Euro 2016 in the Semi-Finals, where Antoine Griezmann got a double to send the hosts through to the Final. Is there discount in the French camp after the recent Giroud and Mbappe spat in public, and will it impact Les Bleus performance? It’ll be a case of wait and see. Whilst this game doesn’t have the friction of a Germany v Netherland encounter, there is bound to be a bit of an edge between these two and for fans of a certain age, Harald Schumacher’s appalling foul (well assault) on Patrick Battiston at the 1982 World Cup which left the Frenchman without two teeth and three cracked ribs necessitating his requiring oxygen on the pitch, is not something easily forgotten. Don’t be surprised if this game ends as the second draw of the day.

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UEFA 2020 Euro Championship – Day 4

Group D: England (0) 1 – 0 (0) Croatia

Goal-scorer: Sterling (57′)

Wembley Stadium, London

When the England team was announced there were more than a few people scratching their heads as to the side Gareth Southgate selected. However, he was totally justified in his selection as England came through without too many nerves to take a 1-0 win through Raheem Sterling who continued his impressive scoring record for the Three Lions. England started brightly with Phil Foden curling an effort onto the post early on, with Sterling also dangerous and Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips impressive in midfield. The Croats settled into the first-half as Modric saw more of the ball, but it was all square at the break. The Three Lions got their breakthrough on fifty-seven minutes as Phillips drove at the Croatian defence and slipped a ball into the box, where Sterling fired in as ‘keeper Livakovic advanced. Chances were at a premium for both sides in the Wembley sunshine, with Harry Kane just not getting onto a cross and a Mason Mount free-kick which just went over bar, the best England had in search of a second goal. A good start for England, with Scotland next up, with Croatia facing the Czech Republic on the same day up at Hampden.

 

Group C: Austria (1) 3 – 1 (1) North Macedonia

Goal-scorers: Austria – Lainer (18’), Gregoritsch (78′), Arnautovic (89′) North Macedonia – Pandev (28′)

Arena Na?ionala, Bucharest

Gave this one a miss after the exertions of watching England. My only observation was on watching the highlights was who put together that shirt and short combination for the Austrians???!!! Black shirts, with light blue shorts and socks…wow. Result wise, no surprise that the Austrians took the three points.

 

Group C: Netherlands (0) 3 – 2 (0) Ukraine

Goal-scorers: Netherlands – Wijnaldum (52′), Weghorst (58′), Dumfries (85′). Ukraine – Yarmolenko (75′), Yaremchuk (79′)

Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam

Will Group C come to be remembered as ‘GoG’, the ‘Group of Goals’ as following on from the earlier game in Bucharest and the four goals served up by Austria and North Macedonia, we were treated to another five in this see-saw encounter. Despite a scoreless first-half there were genuine chances for the Dutch in the opening forty-five minutes. Within thirteen minutes of the restart though the Netherlands were two-up through Wijnaldum and Weghorst and seemingly cruising. Then as the game entered the last fifteen minutes Ukraine hit back with two goals inside four minutes. First, Yarmolenko curled one in from distance (goal of the tournament so far) and then Yaremchuk had a free header as the Dutch switched off at the back. The game though had one last twist, as with five minutes remaining Dumfries jumped highest to head home, although Ukraine ‘keeper Bushchan will look back on it and know he should have done better.

 

Group D continues today with Scotland hosting the Czech Republic at Hampden Park. It’s a game I had a ticket before the capacity was reduced but lost out in the ballot. Gutted. In addition Group E gets underway with Poland against Slovakia at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg and Spain hosting Sweden at La Cartuja in Seville.

Scotland qualified after coming through the Play-Offs, winning ties against Israel and Serbia on penalties, to make it to the Euros for the first time since 1996. The Czech Republic were runners-up to England in the qualifiers and inflicted the Three Lions only defeat in that campaign. The Czechs won only once on the road in the qualifiers in Montenegro, losing against England, Kosovo and Bulgaria, so Scotland with home advantage may fancy their chances to get three points on the board.

Poland were group winners in their qualifiers, losing just the once away to Slovenia and conceded just five goals in their ten group games. Slovakia made it through the Play-Offs, beating both Irish teams. The Republic were seen off on penalties in Bratislava, and then ousted Northern Ireland in Belfast 2-1 AET. Poland will be favourites with the dangerous Robert Lewandowski looking to get amongst the goals early in the tournament.

The last of Monday’s games sees Spain host Sweden in a repeat of the qualifiers. Spain topped the group with 26 points, five ahead of Sweden. The margin created by Spain’s 3-0 win over the Swedes in Madrid and a 1-1 draw in the return game in Solna. Home advantage could be crucial here which might be enough to see the Spanish get off to a winning start.

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