Euro 2020 is here just on the back of a hectic season all across the nations. It is good to always have football around. It's always boring when there are no football matches available and this Euro 2020 - rescheduled for this year, came at the right time.
It means little or no rest for the players called up but they wouldn't mind due to the pride that is associated to playing for their respective countries. It's always a thing of pride to also win something major for your country apart from going into these notable competitions with them.
There would be massive upsets in results, there is no doubt about that and these are the moments we live for in football - the unpredictability of the results. Anyone can beat anyone and the tactics employed by the coach is vital too.
These are the predictions I would go with for this Euro 2020 group stage even though I know a lot can change. It is just a prediction anyway.
Group A:
Italy
Turkey
Switzerland
Wales
I want to believe Italy and Switzerland would go through. I know Wales have the ability to cause an upset but I am sticking with those two.
Group B:
Belgium
Denmark
Russia
Finland
Belgium and Russia will go through in my own opinion. It's Finland's first appearance and there shouldn't be much expectation on them and I know Denmark is also strong.
Group C:
North Macedonia
Netherlands
Ukraine
Austria
Netherlands and Ukraine should go through without much hitch but no one can rule out Austria too.
Group D:
England
Scotland
Croatia
Czech Republic
I believe both England and Croatia to go through, barring any unnecessary upset haha.
Group E:
Spain
Sweden
Poland
Slovakia
Spain and Poland are my pick for this group.
Group F:
Portugal
France
Germany
Hungary
This is the supposed group of death and I am tipping both France and Germany to go through. Portugal, being the winner of the last edition would have it all to do this time again but you cannot rule out Cristiano and Bruno Fernandes' abilities but I believe it might not be enough against these power houses.
What are your predictions and who do you think will win it this year? I am going with Belgium, France or Germany, in that order.
Turkey v Italy Match Review:
The game starter with so much expectation and enthusiasm. All eyes were on the first game of the tournament and you would understand the careful approach both teams took in the first half of this match because they want to start the group stage on a high note.
Italy dominated the game as most must have expected and you can't take away the resilient nature of the Turkish for this game. They held on resolutely and gave glimpses of what they can do but in the end they fell short.
Italy knew better than to take anything for granted and they bombarded Turkey over and over again. They had a few penalty shout which the referee didn't bulge to much to their frustration but they kept at it and never looked back.
The first goal came as a result of the delivery from Locatelli. He was trying to pick out a teammate before Demiral bundled the ball into his own net. The first goal for this Euro 2020 came as an own goal. The floodgates opened and Italy intensified effort with great and brilliant interplays.
Immobile came up with the second goal for Italy in the 67th minute when an initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Immobile was at the right place and at the right time to steer the ball into the unguarded net. The 3rd goal came, which completed the game, in the 79th minute when the goalkeeper miskicked and he was punished for it. The long miskicked effort was finally played into the path of Immobile who unselfishly found Insigne. He produced a brilliant curling effort into the other side of the net leaving the goalkeeper helpless.
The game ended 3-0 and Italy would be happy with their display because it is a right step in the direction they would be hoping for in this tournament.
I look forward to the other games for today.
