This Friday we will have the opening game of the European Championships 2020. Yes the year is correct but the covid pandemic did force the UEFA to postpone it for a year!
Normally the house here would already be decorated inside and outside but this year I didn’t find the motivation to do this (yet)!
This was from during the last World Cup!
Outside it was more moderate!
So now you know that I an from Belgium and do support Belgium! But I do work in the Netherlands! And football wise the Ditch are our enemy! So this was my office space then!
But this year everything is different! There are plenty reasons for this. But the biggest one is covid! Also when I do look around me not a lot of house are decorated. People just do have other worries!
Normally the build up to such a tournament start long before the kick off when meeting friends and discuss football in general. But until recently I haven’t seen my friends a lot in real life!
I do find this a real miss in life. Always like the atmosphere during such tournaments. I do life in a multicultural area. So normally house are decorated with all kinds of flags! But even the other nationalities are staying behind!
Belgium
So let’s talk about the chances of Belgium to lift the cup! According to the bookies we are third in line but I di see this differently!
We still have a golden generation but they haven’t scored any gold medal yet. 2 more chances for them with these Euros and the World Cup next year.
Defense
In the goal there should be no problems. With Courtois protecting our nets we do have one of the best goalkeepers of the world!
But our defense is getting older. You could say more experience but I see only a decrease in pace which could hurt us.
Midfield
We should have a worldclass midfield with Debruyne (Pep he isn’t a number 9, really he is not), Witsel and recently Tielemans. This could be a golden triangle which could hurt many other teams!
But, yes there is always a but, Witsel hasn’t played a game in 9 months due to a torn achilles. So the question is how fit will he be and is he is fit enough what will his form be!
Debruyne. Well he already had minor injuries at the end of the regular season in the Premier League and did get rest to be 100% in the final of the Champions. And there he did broke his noise and eye socket. So also here there are big question marks!
Offense
We so have with Lukaku a world class striker. No doubt about that! He has proven this year in the Serie A that he did mature as striker. He is just impressive. Doubt it, ask the defenders of the other teams!
But on the wings we do have problems. Mertens can be more seen as super sub. And Eden Hazard was more injured than he did play games this year. And again he is coming back from an injury!
Carrasco on the other hand looks great. He did impress me during the last friendlies, but that is what they are friendlies!
Doku is upcoming and could be a surprise for many!
Conclusion
Do we have a chance to lift the trophy. 6 months ago I would have said yes. No doubt about it!
But now with a lof of key players with a doubtfull form I guess it will be even hard to reach the semies. But I do hope that they will prove me wrong!
So what do you thing about the Euro? Would like to know!
cheers,
Peter
You can still join my game. You will of course have a handicap because many games are already over, but the first 3 players will get a prize in BCH and places 4 to 10 will get a consolation prize (also in BCH). So don't hesitate.
https://read.cash/@Telesfor/euro-2020-betting-game-ad4c5a7b