Yesterday, l'équipe de France played their opening match of the Euro 2021.
Les Bleus entered the tournament as one of the favorites, having won the World Cup three years ago, and reached the final of the last Euro tournament back in 2016.
However, they were playing against another favorite, traditional football powerhouse Germany.
It was a very low scoring game. In fact, the only goal scored proved to be an accident. Germany's Mats Hummels scored an own goal in the 20th minute for the game's first, and as it turns out only, scoring in the game
Yes, France's defense would prove to be very solid throughout the match, allowing that early 1-0 lead to stand up, as they ultimately secured the win.
A solid beginning for Les Bleus. Next, they will play Hungary on Saturday, the 19th, and then finish up first round action against Portugal on the 23rd.
I watched the game, and with the exception of possession – I think Germany had the ball approximately 60% of the time, if memory serves – Les Bleus dominated far more than the 1-0 scoreline would suggest. They had far more dangerous scoring chances. Plus they had two additional goals which briefly counted before being waved off for offsides. Les Bleus seem to be firing on all cylinders, while Germany's team has become uncharacteristically weak and inept. They lost a WC qualifier at home to North Macedonia 2-1 back in March, roughly four months after being trounced by Spain 6-0 in the Nations League. They'll need to at least split the points with Portugal in their next game, lest their first round closer against Hungary be rendered largely irrelevant. How crazy would it be if Germany were to fail to advance past the first round of two major tournaments in a row?
ReplyDeleteAh, your hatred for the German national team reminds me of my hatred of the Lakers and/or 49ers. As Emperor Palpatine once said, "I can feel your anger. It gives you focus. " No, but seriously, I am glad that France won, beating Germany for a second straight time in a major tournament, having knocked them off in the Euro 2016, as well. France might seem to have a real chance to win this one, especially if they keep playing on this level.
DeleteAlthough you're right in observing that I'm definitely not a fan, acknowledging that they've largely struggled since their last major triumph seven years ago, and that they were outplayed yesterday (the commentators said as much, and I'm pretty sure they were both neutral going into that one) is not hatred. Dems just da facts. Plus, as you and I have discussed previously, there's a major difference between European soccer and traditional US sports like basketball, baseball, hockey or American football: the dominant teams here don't stay at or near the top without interruption for decades and decades and decades. Even hugely successful franchises like the Yankees, Lakers, Canadiens or Patriots have had their share of losing seasons. The closest comparison might be the US basketball team (which far more often than not is heads and shoulders above everyone else) and the US hockey team, which I believe is consistently in the top 4 or 5 teams in the world. In Europe, you have maybe two handfuls of elite sides (both clubs and national teams) that very seldom seem to go away, even briefly. So the exceedingly rare times that they do, yes, I tend to enjoy it. *Cue creepy Emperor Palpatine grin* Or maybe Jack Nicholson...
ReplyDeleteYou can rationalize your seething hatred any way that you like. With each argument, you grow closer to the Dark Side of the Force. Give in to your hate. It gives you focus, makes you stronger.
DeleteLOL. While we're on the subject of the Euro, Italy has just become the first team to clinch a spot in the elimination round by virtue of two consecutive 3-0 victories, against Turkey and Switzerland. They seem to be hungry for redemption after their bizarre failure to qualify for the last World Cup. I think it's fair to say that their opponents are going to have to bring their A-game to have any chance of defeating them.
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