EURO 2020

Two teams locked into a midfield struggle throughout. Only 1 shot on goal by Denmark in the first 30 minutes. Switzerland breaks through with a shot and goal in 33'. Each would attack and weather the storm. The Swiss defense remained strong and ran out the clock.

O. Zinchenko got his second yellow in the 35th minute putting the Ukraine down a man. C. Immobile got his second yellow in the 90th minute making it 10 vs 10.

Well the Cinderella dream is over as North Macedonia goes down. Portugal used all subs at half (with circles) and ran off 29 minutes of midfield and fast clock in the second half after building a 3-0 lead by halftime.

England break Polish hearts coming from a goal behind to advance to the quarterfinals. Poland took a lead (2') and despite going down a man (22') looked to be going through as they ground out the clock and pulled off two spectacular saves. It wasn’t to be though as England tied it (89') won it in the 91st minute.

Spain totally dominates this one from start to finish. The Russians did hang around and keep things interesting. Two late goals made it worse than what it was. Russia did have their chances.

Croatia was up early with a goal. The referees played a major role (many offsides, 4 yellows). Add in some key injuries and you had a tense game. France was able to overcome injuries to pull ahead and hold on. The key play was a France header in the 46th minute. A penalty kick about 10 minutes later put the game out of reach.

The Netherlands take out Hungary in a spirited affair.

Turkey dominated the first half, but it was scoreless at the break. Belgium scored in the 60th minute off of a rebound shot. The score was made 2-0 after Turkey's goalkeeper knocked the ball back into the net after a save for an own goal.

Italy, the offense-minded team, and Switzerland, the defense-minded team, meet for their quarterfinal match. Sommer holds Italy to only one goal but it is all that Italy needs as the Swiss offense cannot rally for a score. Pellagrini scored early (18'), but it held up as Italy advances.

Wow, you talk about excitement! Two very evenly matched teams and the play was very close. Portugal had 18 attacks, England 17. Mason Mount scored on a rebound shot (57') for the game's only goal. Jordan Pickford (ENG) made a spectacular save (81') to stop a PK by Christiano Ronaldo. Portugal had another chance to tie it (90'), but Andre Silva's header goes wide. England barely hangs on as Portugal poured it on in the last 12 minutes.

Spain made it a physical game early controlling the action in the first half. Torres (SPA) opened the scoring (10'). Benzema (FRA) equalized (40') off of a rebound when de Gea (SPA) was unable to make the spectacular save. In added time (first half), Spain was able to launch a counter attack and Morata gave Spain the 2-1 lead. France had chances in the second half with Coman forcing a spectacular save by de Gea (55') Mbappe doing the same (66').

Belgium and Netherlands met on neutral grounds with fans from both sides in full voice. Romelo Lukaku (BEL) finds the net at 18' for a 1-0 lead. This was the only goal of the night as Belgium lifts the steins!! Krul (NED) and Courtuois (BEL) both registered 2 Spec Saves. Both teams were great on defense. Shots on Goal: Belgium 5, Netherlands 7.

All goals scored in wild first half - with 3 scored within 4 minutes of each other. England used 9 attacks to score 4 goals against Italy in the first half. They added 7 more attacks in the second half, but couldn't put any more goals past the Italian keeper. Italy tried desperately to for the come back, but couldn't muster any real threat. Italy ended with 7 total attacks, 3 in the second half with almost all offensively minded players on the pitch. The game was spirited, but very clean, with only 2 yellow cards, both to England.

The Belgians played a nearly flawless game. Hazard scored the first goal (15') and Lukaku added the other off a direct free kick. (63') Spain’s best chance was when Azpilcueta was foiled by a spec save by Courtois (77'). Belgium was full value for this win. They were clearly the better side and Lukaku’s brilliant free kick was the death blow for Spain. Spain was continually frustrated by a stout Belgian defence.

Scoring happened early in the 1st half with Belgium quickly jumping out to a 2-0 lead on goals by De Bruyne and Castagne. England answered with a goal by Fodon, but Belgium pulled away with back-to-back goals by Lukaku. A 4-1 halftime lead was all Belgium needed. They dominated play in the second half, despite allowing an own goal and won easily 4-2.

2020 EURO Champions

John M McGuinness (11)

Maury Geib (9)

John Millar (7)

Harvey Couch (6)

Bob Hansen (5)

Rob Gallamore (4)

Steve Gorman (3)

James Cast (2)

Kevin Robson (2)

Paul Salzgeber (1)

Keith Avallone (1)