For most people across Europe this was the summer of a well needed international break. After a full year delay, due to the complications of Covid-19, the 2020 Euros had finally gotten underway. So many people all over Europe were so engaged and were very excited for this year's Euros. Even people who are not usually fans of the sport were just as excited as everyone else. I truly believe that there is nothing that can unify a people and a nation like a global competition where they battle to hoist the ultimate prize in European sports. Being crowned as the champions of Europe is a major accolade for many who play the sport. To win and to be crowned the best in Europe while representing your country is also very fulfilling and prideful for all who take part.
For this year's Euros there were six separate groups and the top two seeds within each group automatically advanced to the knockout stage. The top four third place teams too would advance as a wild card based on point totals and goal differential. In the Final 16 we were left with many of Europe's powerhouses in France, Spain, England, Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Germany and Belgium. Odds were one of these teams was going to bring home the Championship.
The elimination matches were not exactly what anyone expected to see. There were shocking results all over the board. Reigning World Cup champions France lost to Switzerland in penalty kicks. The Netherlands lost to the Check Republic 2-0. While underdog Ukraine also defeated a very well formed Sweden squad in the Round of 16.
One of the most shocking teams to have made it so far was the Christian Erikson(less) Denmark squad. What was almost a near death experience for Erikson during the first match for Denmark in the Euros. Soccer families all over the world came together to honor and show so much love and support for Erikson. The Denmark squad took this and used it as motivation that willed them through all the way to the Semi-finals against England. They had shown how to be resilient and strong when facing adversity. It was truly amazing to watch and see what Denmark was capable of.
In the Semi-finals we had Denmark vs England and Italy vs Spain. England went on to come back after being down 1-0 to win 2-1 over Denmark. The opening goal was scored on an amazing free kick by Mikkel Damsgaard. Not too long after, came an own goal by Simon Kjaer of Denmark in the 39th minute. At all tied up at 1-1, the game then went on into extra time and the game winning goal was scored by none other than English Captain Harry Kane in the 104th minute. England was awarded a penalty kick, and Kane was the man to take it. Although he missed the initial attempt, he was the first man to the loose ball to tap it back in. So with a bit of luck, the chances of England becoming European champions greatly improved.
In the other Semi-final match Italy and Spain were fighting in what was a very evenly matched game. For Italy Federico Chiesa opened the scoring in the 60th minute with a beautiful shot taken right inside the penalty box headed towards the far right post. No keeper could have saved that type of a shot, it was perfect. Then only 20 minutes later with a great one-two touch with Alvaro Morata and Dani Olmo, Morata received the ball back and beat the Italian defense cleanly right through the center and scored in the bottom left corner. Again at the end of the 90 minutes the game was tied up at one all(1-1). The game then proceeded into extra time. After the additional 30 minutes, no winner had still been decided. So on we went to the crucial penalty kicks. With a miss from Dani Olmo and a key save by Gianluigi Donnarumma on Alvaro Morata, the game was left in the right foot of Italian star Jorginho. Jorginho with his usual and tricky hop step, was able to fake the Spanish keeper Unai Simon into leaning to the left. Jorginho then tapped the ball easily to the right side of the net. This kick won and secured Italy’s place in the Final.
Italy and England, a final match up between two nations who have seen each other far too often at international tournaments. In recent history, Italy has been the better squad on most of those occasions. Could this time be different? Could England finally bring home a first European Championship? Could Italy’s best team in years defeat the home favorites England? All these questions were soon to be answered.
Sunday July 11th at Wembley Stadium, Italy and England faced off in the 2020 European Finals. The home crowd for England was loud and strong and was going to be something Italy would have to overcome. As soon as the match began, England was playing very confidently and that confidence didn't take long to turn into the opening goal. Defenseman Kieran Trippier delivered a beautiful cross towards the back left post for Luke Shaw who tapped the ball in with his left foot. This was only the 2nd minute and England had already put one into the back of the net. Wembley Stadium was going crazy!
As the game went on, both sides had great chances of scoring but none could find any until the 67th minute. Italy had won a corner kick and the ball had been swung into the penalty box. After about three shots on net the ball was ricocheting around the goal. All of a sudden Italian Defenseman Leonardo Bonucci stepped up and placed the loose ball into the back of the net. Italy had found its necessary equalizer.
For the rest of the regulation time and extra time neither Italy or England were able to find the game winning goal. This meant only one thing. They were going to crown the winner of the match through penalty kicks. For England they sent up Harry Kane and Harry Maguire who both scored effortlessly for England. The English Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made key saves on the Italians Andrea Belotti and the great Jorginho. However, before the PK’s there was something to note that ultimately impacted the game. In the last minute of the game England Head Coach brought on Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho specifically to take
penalty kicks. With no warm ups or playing time they were going to be sent out to win the game for England. So when it was time for Marcush Rashford’s shot, he had beaten the keeper but missed the shot just off the left goalpost! Up next for England was Jadon Sancho, his shot went right and so did Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Donnarummma had made the necessary save! England had one final chance to extend the penalty kicks into sudden death with a young star in Bukayo Saka. The 19 year old stepped up and went for the right side of the net, unfortunately for English fans so did Donnarumma. Again Donnarumma made the save! With those key saves and misses, Italy had claimed the throne over Europe being crowned European Champions.
Regardless of who you supported in the final, the fact of the matter is that it was a great game from start to finish. Both Italy and England played very exciting football and as a fan I couldn't have asked for more. It was the match that soccer fans like myself will remember for a long time to come. I'm sure this too wont be the last time that we see these teams face off in major competitions as well.
As for 2022 in Qatar. Italy has shown that they should be considered heavy favorites and should be feared. England, who has a slightly younger side, has so much potential and talent that I do expect them to be one of the top teams heading into Qatar for the World Cup as well. I wouldn't be the least surprised if they ended up playing in the final there too.
Comments