Euro 2012, Matchday 1

Round One of games is over then. Some players have impressed, some not so much. I am going to have a look at the things that impressed and the stuff which perhaps didn't

I received a little tip off for my fantasy team from a secret source that a young Russian attacking midfielder called Alan Dzagoev (21) would light the tournament up. Sure enough two goals and 84 minutes played I am 13 points better off because of him. The little Russian was a massive part of so much of what Russia did well in their opener against the Czech Rep and capped it off with some terrific goals, and should possibly have had a hattrick. Arshavin had a great game too but for me Dzagoev was the main man and really impressed me.

Dzagoev is all well and good but Russia were expected to win that game, admittedly not necessarily by three goals, but still. Denmark however, turned on their tournament with a huge win against some people’s favourites for the whole thing – The Dutch. It is easy to throw plaudits in the direction of Krohn-Delhi who nicked the all important goal through Stekelenburg’s legs, but save a moment for keeper Stephan Andersen and the Danish defence who held the door shut whilst RVP, Sneijder, Robben and Huntelaar hammered away (albeit with some certainly incorrect decisions against them.)

I also want to take a second for the defeated Irish. They were the 2^nd best team at the match and Croatia deserved to win. However, this afternoon France were better than England and England got a result. Ireland were beaten by an unsighted keeper early goal, a goal from a offside player and an own goal. They face a really tough task going for the QFs now with games against Spain and Italy.

Also congratulations to Group D’s golden oldies. Shevchenko and Ibrahimovic both netted in their Ukraine v Sweden match. There is a lot to be said for international pride, something which in the past England have been missing, which today brought Chelsea reject Shevchenko to hit the back if the net with two impeccable headed attempts.

It would be false of me to go on about the first round without a mention of England, or do they prefer Chelsea II? They defended resolutely, and had Steven Gerrard not dived infront of Samir Nasri, Joe Hart may have kept France to nil and won the game for England. Very good stuff, France are a top team and one of the favourites to win this thing, and to think England stifled them and frustrated them through 90 minutes is excellent. From what I saw of Sweden and Ukraine, which admittedly was only the first half, England can certainly get through to the quarters.

And as a fun trivia fact; Joleon Lescott has a higher scoring record in Euro 2012 than Van Persie, Huntelaar, Ronaldo, Benzema, Torres, Klose and Ozil put together. Wonder what odds you’d have got for that five days ago?!

So, any surprises in the next round? If Denmark can put something together against Portugal they can all but see themselves through, as a massive shock against the odds. It’s certainly a possibility. Hosts Ukraine might also ride their victory wave and give France a game and a half. The big one though I think might see Croatia turn Italy over. 2-0. You read it here first.  

Also, if anyone likes to smile, check out my other blog clivethetortoise.blogspot.co.uk as little Clive, who is a tortoise, goes on a tour of all the competing nations at Euro 2012. Here's a taster.

Portugese Clive