Match Day Three Recommendations

 Like any major competition with a group stage, the last matches in each group are played concurrently.  This makes it difficult to watch one without hearing the results of the other.  So choices must be made.  Below we will offer our recommendations for each group.

Match Day Three begins Sunday.  This was written before the Spain-Poland match.  Our recommendations draw on our own observations but also the analysis from ESPN provided here.

Group A

Italy are through and Wales with four are probably advancing as well.  Turkey is, ahem, on the chopping block but could mess up Switzerland's hopes.

Should watch: As we noted before the tournament started, you can't pass up Turkey and Swiss (Sunday at noon)

Will watch: Probably Turkey and Swiss but we are enamored of the Wales side (and still hoping for a glimpse of our Forest Green MVP Dylan Levitt).

Group B

Belgium are in. Despite two losses, Denmark still have a chance to finish second.  Russia are in good position but really do want a result against Denmark.

Should watch: Russia - Denmark (Monday at 3 pm)

Will watch: Russia - Denmark (Monday at 3 pm)

Group C

With Netherlands in and North Macedonia out, this is an easy one.

Should watch: Ukraine - Austria (Monday at noon)

Will watch: Ukraine - Austria (Monday at noon)

Group D

Since four points probably gets you in, England and Czech Republic are likely advancing.  Croatia and Scotland, with one point each, need to win.

Should watch: Croatia - Scotland (Tuesday 3 pm)

Will watch: Game time decision.  Would like to see if England get their act together against Czech Republic but Scotland have played with a lot of heart so would also like to see how they do against Croatia.

Group E

Nobody guaranteed anything yet (this is before Spain - Poland), though Sweden are looking pretty.  Would love to see Slovakia advance but they probably need at least a point against Spain.  Note, if Poland lose to Spain, they are out.  If that happens, the choice is clear.  But if Poland get a result, the Sweden - Poland match could be tense.

Should watch: Slovakia - Spain (Wednesday at noon) unless Poland beat Spain, then Sweden - Poland

Will watch: Slovakia - Spain (Wednesday at noon) unless Poland beat Spain, then Sweden - Poland

Group F

France are probably in but could finish as low as third.  With three points, Germany and Portugal have a good chance of advancing too.  Germany should be able to handle Hungary but so should have France.  Both France and Portugal should be properly motivated.

Should watch: Portugal - France (Wednesday 3 pm)

Will watch: Portugal - France (Wednesday 3 pm)

Hope you got to see Portugal vs Germany.  Most exciting match of the tournament so far, especially in the context of Germany falling behind 0-1 and looking at crashing out of the tournament.  Poor Kai Havertz scores the equalizer only to have it be changed to an own goal.  Symbolic of the year he had.  But, he got one that counted later.  At 4-1 Germany looked solid until they gave up a goofy one and Sanches rifled one off the post.  After looking punchless against France, now you have to wonder.

Two of the Countries in This Country

The Scotland - England 0-0 draw was probably a moral victory for the Scots but definitely a let down for the Three Lions.  Too slow in the attack with no creativity does not yield goals.  Grealish did come on around 60 minutes and sparked the team for a bit.  But, as ESPN noted, "the collective malaise soon engulfed him as well."  We will note that when he came on, 13.64% of the players on the pitched were from Aston Villa; no club had more.

Hope to be back Thursday to discuss knockout stage.