Four weeks, 51 matches and 142 goals…it’s been quite a tournament and Euro 2020 has delivered all we hoped for and more.
After a month of non-stop drama and world class entertainment Italy are worthy champions following victory over England in a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium. The tension was almost unbearable as the Three Lions finally wilted under the pressure and the Azzurri, tougher and cooler than their younger opponents, drove home the advantage.
As an England fan that wasn’t my most enjoyable moment of the competition, but there are plenty to choose from as Europe’s best players put on a show that will long remain in the memory. Here are four of my favourites that put a smile on my face and do something to soften the blow of England’s fall at the final hurdle.
Chiellini’s semi-final bear hug
36-year-old Giorgio Chiellini skippered the Azzurri to glory and he put in a string of outstanding performances belying his age, with some lung-bursting runs, last-ditch tackles and moments of pure brutality. The way he hauled down 19-year-old Bukayo Saka in the final was great to watch for those of us who like to see some physical combat in our sport, and it was a moment of professionalism, taking a yellow card for the team, which set Italy apart from their opponents.
Chiellini is a smiling assassin and often has a laugh at the most unexpected of times, one of them being just before the semi-final shootout with Spain. As the referee tossed a coin to decide which end the penalties should be taken at, the Italian skipper, with a broad grin spread across his face, grabbed Spain skipper Jordi Alba and gave him a massive hug. Alba wasn’t smiling, in fact, he looked a little shocked; and while the Italy stars dispatched their penalties the Spain players, visibly more nervous, faltered and lost the shootout 4-2.
Of course, Italy went on to beat England by the same method but Chiellini didn’t need to hug anyone, the young Lions looked frightened enough already!
Schick’s 50-yard goal against Scotland
Few people outside Bayer Leverkusen or the Czech Republic had heard of Patrik Schick before this tournament but they certainly know about him now, as he shared the Golden Boot with five goals, and could well have won it outright had the Czech’s advanced beyond the quarter-finals. And he provided the goal of the tournament, when his team turned over possession against Scotland, Schick spotted goalkeeper David Marshall off his line and he unleashed a spectacular shot that flew over the stopper and into the net. It was the longest shot recorded in major tournament finals since 1980 and fired the Czechs into the knockout stages.
Schick’s wonder strike was one of the best Euro 2020 highlights and is well worth another look.
Christensen’s rocket against Russia
Neutrals across the world were cheering on Denmark as they recovered from their opening day loss to Finland, following the collapse of Christian Eriksen. As the midfield ace gradually made a welcome recovery his teammates tried to rescue a situation that left them pointless after two games, losing to Belgium in their second encounter. They needed a win over Russia to keep their competition alive and, at 2-1 up with ten minutes remaining, matters were delicately poised, until Chelsea centre back Andreas Christensen fired an unstoppable shot from 25 yards home to give Denmark some daylight. It hit the net before the Russian keeper saw it!
The Danes celebrated wildly and their competition was up and running, as they went on to thrash Wales in the Round of 16 and made it to the last four before going out to England in the semi-final.
Switzerland’s comeback against France
Denmark’s recovery in the tournament was some turnaround, but for the best fight back in a match, I’ve gone for Switzerland’s shock win over France. The Euro 2020 betting odds here at SBOTOP rated Didier Deschamps’ World Champions as the favourites to lift this trophy and they had coasted through the group stage. At 3-1 down and with just ten minutes remaining the Swiss looked long gone as Les Bleus played with panache and certainty, but late goals from Haris Seferovic and Mario Gavranovic levelled the game to take it into extra time.
The underdogs had taken the wind from France’s sails and by the time penalties arrived the tension on the French players’ faces was visible; when Kylian Mbappe missed his penalty the comeback was complete and Switzerland had pulled off the shock of the tournament.
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