I had started updating my Euros chart from last week to show the quarter-final matches. But now I can't bring myself to do it… England's dreadful show against the smallest nation in the tournament and 2-1 defeat to Iceland was all too much.
A poor performance from players and a team that a few weeks ago looked good enough to be named 4th favourites to win the competition. Did the Premiership players* look tired after the usual long season in England saw them crash out of a Summer tournament tamely and prematurely. Certainly Harry Kane was very disappointing, as were the other Tottenham players, after their efforts in the Premier League. Joe Hart made mistakes. But the fact of the manager not knowing his best eleven, accompanied by a system and no real team organisation were all part of the problem.
But enough - I shall try to put my brave face on and offer up some light-hearted moments for your distraction in my Euro Commentary: (overheard or dreamt, I'm not entirely sure)
- And Salata, the Slovakian defender, does well for starters.
- Evans forward to Evans, he's tackled by Davies. And Davis will take the throw-in for Wales.
- Kroos will be cross with himself there. Should have scored !
- Belgium verses Hungary in Toulouse, a game neither side can afford to lose.
- Ireland going long to Long.
* To be fair other Premiership players didn't perform as well as expected. Arnautovic (Austria) and Shaqiri (Switzerland), both had great seasons at Stoke, but average Euros. While Payet (France) and Pelle (Italy) have been the exception along with the Welsh and Irish team efforts.
I was sorry to see Croatia go out, as they had played well and had some promising young players. Markos Pjaca and Rog, worth keeping an eye on.
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