Archive for July, 2021
“Football’s Diving Home”
Of course not everyone is happy with England’s victory over Denmark courtesy to a soft penalty given after contact was made with Raheem Sterling in the box close to the byline. There was a VAR check, but the penalty stood … and was criticised by several pundits after the game, and defended by others.
There were several twitter users speaking of “diving”. “And then they wonder why no one likes England,” the Danish Jyllands-Posten newspaper quoted one Danish twitter user, Kasper Grøndah, writing: “Booing during the Danish national anthem, diving like crazy during the game, elbows in every header. Laserpens. I hope they get a taste of their own medicine against Italy.”
Uncle Rice
There was a surprise waiting for midfielder Declan Rice after England’s victory over Denmark. The West Ham star learned of the birth of his new niece, who arrived in the world at the exact moment Kane scored the winning goal that meant that the Three Lions reached the final of Euro 2020.
Speaking to BBC Sport, a delighted Rice said: “My brother has literally had a baby as the second goal went in. He’s crying his eyes out, he’s had a little girl. It’s a special night all round!”
A Squad For All England
“This is not just any England squad. This is a squad for all of England.
“I was always more passionate about my club than country, but this England team has stirred me like no other”
(Jamie Carragher in The Telegraph)
Gareth Southgate and his players are playing Italy in the final at Wembley on Sunday, and this English national team can go all the way!
C’mon England!
Semifinale in Wembley
Spanien – Italien 1:1 n.V. (0:0, 1:1) Elfmeterschießen 2:4
Dänemark – England 1:2 n.V. (0:0, 1:1)
Five Aspects of Rice
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice may not be universally loved by fans but five aspects of his game against Ukraine proved his importance, as the Telegraph reports.
That Rice is undroppable for England was also shown when he was substituted in the second half when England was in control of the game at 3:0 to protect him from a second yellow card. He is one of England‘s “brains” and hence is going to be very important on Wednesday in the semifinals.
What makes “Deckers” so important are these five aspects of his game:
– exemplary positional sense
– recovering posession and tackling
– doing dirty work with an industrious work rate
– powerful shooting and
– set piece threat.
“Let’s Go All The Way!”
After the 4-0 win over Ukraine in Rome, England manager Gareth Southgate, whose side beat Germany in a knockout tie for the first time since that World Cup final 55 years ago, said his team wanted to “go two steps further” and win the tournament (BBC).
“It’s lovely to see everyone on a Saturday night, beer in hand. They should enjoy it,” Southgate smiled.
“It’s been a long year for everyone. I’m chuffed the two performances have brought so much happiness to people.
“It’s fabulous for our country – a semi-final at Wembley. Everyone can really look forward to that – it’s brilliant.”
EXTRA TIME 
Recent Comments