Four Scores and Five Clean Sheets Ago...

...the English advanced to the semis of the Euro 2021 2020.  Overall continued great viewing with four interesting quarterfinals.  For the Union, the viewing - and the news  - was not as good.

End of the Road for the Boys of Sommer

One of Sommer's 10 saves versus Spain

No one's had a better tournament that Switzerland's keeper Yann Sommer.  He continued with another fine performance against Spain, recording 10 saves (tournament high) through regular time plus 30 minutes of extra time, getting the Swiss to a 1-1 draw.  Then he stopped another one in the shootout.  Unfortunately, it was not enough, and Spain advanced on the strength of the 3-1 shootout.  

Spain played a man up from 77 minutes on after Michael Oliver issued a dubious red card to Remo Freuler.  We are big Oliver fans but agree with Mark Clattenberg here; better he had issued a yellow and let the VAR chime in.  You can't say it was an egregious error; though Freuler had slid a long way before contact, Oliver judged it was excessive force and that was hard to overturn.  However, it would have worked the same way had he issued just a yellow; it would not have been overturned by the VAR.

Italy Exposes Belgium

Jeremy Doku - Coming to an EPL side near you?

During the Spain Switzerland match, Efan Ekoku suggested words to the effect that the Belgian back line was old and slow.  A few hours later, it was clear that 1) he was right and 2) it wasn't just the back line.  The exception would be Jeremy Doku, the 19 year-old left winger who was responsible for most of the Belgian attacks.  There were a few moments from De Bruyne that forced a couple of saves from Donna Summer Donnarumma.  Otherwise, Italy looked the far better side and arguably 2-1 doesn't reflect how much they were in control of the match.  The Belgium goal came on a poorly timed challenge in the box.  To be fair, some of Belgium's troubles may not be "old age," but the fact that Italy are a solid team.  A tense match and a fair outcome.  

Miracle Recovery of the Tournament

In the build-up to Italy's first goal after a failed bicycle kick and collision inside the Belgian six, Immobile went down writhing in agony.  His teammate Barella is obviously not concerned as he plays on and puts a beautiful shot past Courtois.  The most interesting part though - which you can see here - is how after the ball is in the net, Immobile immediately picks himself up with no apparent lasting effects of the contact; you might say he's no longer immobile.  Frankly, that's just embarrassing.  Stop it.  Feigning an injury should be specifically listed in the Laws as unsporting behavior and a cautionable offense.  

The Paler Dark Horse Advances

An early strike from Thomas Delaney and a late first half goal from Kasper Dolberg were enough for Denmark to take the measure of the Czech Republic 2-1.  Patrik Schick's fifth goal of the tournament (tied with Ronaldo) and spirited play second half play from the Czechs made this a close one.  With Schmeichel in goal and Christiansen, Kjaer, and Vestergaard in the back line, the Danes have yielded just five goals in five matches.  Maybe they weren't expected to make it quite this far; on the other hand, this is a pretty good team.

England  Bid "Harryvederci" to Ukraine in Rome

or

Ukraine Can Crimea River (hat tip to BFS Super League Correspondent Philip S.)

Our dismay in not seeing Jack Grealish in the starting 11 was short-lived as Harry Kane put The Three Lions up in the 4th minute.  A different Harry - Maguire - doubled the lead early in the second half. That was followed shortly by another tally from the first Harry.  The final was 4-0 and if it flatters England, it's not by much. This was easily the best the English have looked so far, especially in attacking.  Five matches in and they still have not conceded a goal.  Don't forget some love for Luke Shaw - he's been a critical part of the good run.  Arguably, they are the deepest team in the tournament.

I've Got the Nashville Blues (apologies to the Everly Brothers)

Speaking of early goals, the Union coughed one up early in Nashville to - wait, this can't be - CJ Sapong.  Fortunately, he missed several other chances.  Unfortunately, so did the Union and the 0-1 loss looks like a fair result.  Once again, Curtin's line-up was part of the story line.  He opened with Gazdag on the left wing with Monteiro at the top of the diamond. Though it doesn't really show up in the stats - everything, including expected goals, is very close - something didn't look right on the pitch.  Not sure if it was Gazdag being uncomfortable on the left side or having a bad day or still recovering from the knee injury.  Curtin pulled Gazdag for Martinez in the second half and things did go a little better.  Nashville might be a decent team too.  They play good defense and look for the counter attack, so this was always going to be a tough match up.  Also, they have four wins and four draws and no losses at home.  

More Midweek Football

Two great semi-finals on tap.  I can only hope that my projects don't require meetings on Tuesday or Wednesday.  As of publication - still clear.

Tuesday is Italy - Spain.  The Italians are in better form, coming off an impressive win over Belgium; the hardest they've been pressed was Austria taking them to extra time.  Spain have been all over the map in this competition.  Croatia scored twice late to force them extra time and frankly they were unimpressive against Switzerland.  

Wednesday is England - Denmark.  As we've noted, the English have not been scored on yet.  On the other hand, they can look stodgy in the attack.  The Danish have been tough on defense and they have been able to score.  Happy to see either side advance though I will admit to a preference to see England in the final.

The Union also play midweek, traveling to Harrison not NY to face the Red Bulls on Thursday.  We sense there may be some goals in this one.  

May be back before the Euro Final but possibly not until next week.  The USMNT will begin play in the Gold Cup Sunday night at 8:30 versus TBD.  That is not a country abbreviation so don't worry if you're not familiar with it.  The US opponent won't be known until the preliminary phase of the tournament is over.  Midweek football will continue for a few more weeks!