Euro 2024
2024 was that year again: It was time for the Euros! And after 18 years, a tournament returned to Germany.The second Sommermärchen?
The opener took place in Munich against Scotland. I wasn't yet in the mood for the Euros. Therefore, I didn't see the first few minutes of the match, but I arrived just in time for the first goal. The result was the biggest opening win – in all tournaments, and also for Germany. For Scotland it resulted in a negative goal difference, and I felt a bit sorry for them. They were saved by a German own goal – the second in an opening match in a row.
The second game, Switzerland against Hungary, wasn't shown on tv. Why did they always have to do it to Switzerland? The match was worth watching and the Swiss won convincingly, therefore starting the tournament better than they did three years prior.
Croatia disappointed me. I had hoped they could do some damage to my former favourite team, Spain. However, that wasn't the case and they were down three goals by half time. They almost scored a penalty, but it was disallowed and so the score line stood. We had missed the first half and I found out about it on the radio. Since the game was already decided, I thought there's no use in watching the rest. My sister did anyway, as she hadn't heard the spoiler.
Albania meanwhile set a new record: the fastest goal in Euro history. As the previous record holder was Russian, I was sad to see it broken. I didn't watch that match either, so it was a Euro-free day for me. After fifteen minutes in which the Italians had turned the match around nothing more happened anyway.
This didn't change on the third day. The only match I saw a few minutes from was England against Serbia. Despite already being behind, the Serbian goalkeeper showed some impressive saves, preventing more goals from going in.
Denmark caused a special moment: The player that had collapsed three years prior scored the first goal. What symbolism! They still had to settle for a draw in the end.
Romania against Ukraine started with a disappointment: For the latter it wasn't the goalkeeper we hoped for standing inside the goal. The match would also become a disappointment for the Ukrainians as they lost to Romania. The first surprise of the group, but not the last one!
As in the next match, Slovakia surprisingly beat group favourites Belgium. When I briefly tuned in, Belgium had seemingly equalized – only for that goal to be disallowed, and it wasn't the first one that wasn't given. Belgium was out of luck! Group E had caused some major upsets!
Austria against France ended in favour of the two-time world champions – but like their first group stage match three years ago only thanks to an own goal. It was already the second of the tournament. Their captain fractured his nose after he got hit in the face by an opponent's elbow. He had to sit out the next match. A minor blow for the team.
The best match at this point was unexpectedly delivered by Turkey and Georgia, the second Euro debutant after Serbia. We were rooting for Georgia. At half time, the score was level, though Turkey had a goal disallowed. They regained the lead with an admittedly nice strike. The referee didn't blow his whistle after stoppage time ended. For a corner kick, the Georgian goalkeeper left his goal – which would prove fatal. Turkey took advantage of the situation and even though the Georgian ran for his life, he couldn't prevent the goal from happening. An asshole move by the Turkish, whose spectators also constantly booed the Georgians. The goal shouldn't have counted and wouldn't have happened had the referee just ended the match earlier.
Czechia had sensationally taken the lead against Portugal at first, but an own goal leveled the scores. For a long time it looked like the draw would stand, but in the last minute of injury time, Portugal scored the winner. Not a good start for the Czechs.
On match day 2, Albania and Croatia were already under pressure. After ten minutes, Albania took the lead and Croatia was on the verge of elimination. For seventy minutes, it looked like a sensation would happen, but out of nowhere the match took a turnaround. Croatia equalized before conceiding an own goal. Its scorer made up for it and scored the equalizer for Albania in the last minute. What a wild last couple of minutes!
To my disappointment we didn't get the funny constellation HUN - GER. Hungary needed to get points, but they couldn't do it against Germany. This resulted in our early qualification for the knockout stage.
Scotland's lead was listed as an own goal at first, but later given to a Scottish player. After a while Switzerland equalized with a beautiful goal that even got a reaction out of me. Another goal wasn't given. With four points they had good chances to reach the next stage.
Group C continued with the draws. Serbia managed a last minute equalizer in the Balkan duel against Slovenia, while Denmark scored a nice goal. Everything was still possible for the third match day, and except England no one had achieved a win yet.
I hoped for a draw in the Spain and Italy matchup. And for a long time, it looked like my wish would be granted as the Italian goalkeeper stopped every shot – until he was defeated by an own goal. Thus, the draw I wanted unfortunately didn't happen and Spain were already confirmed as group winners, while Italy had to wait a bit longer.
In Group E, two surprise packages met up next: Slovakia, who upset Belgium, and Ukraine, who suffered a heavy defeat to Romania. Them changing up their goalkeeper caught my interest, but it was not who we hoped for. Slovakia once again took an early lead and it didn't look good for Ukraine. Elimination was close. The second half turned things around as they managed to equalize. Our mother cursed when they wasted a good chance. It was that same player who would score the winning goal. On first glance, we thought it was an own goal, but the replay proved otherwise. Changing the goalkeeper turned out to be the right move, and after the whistle tears were shed.
Austria defeated Poland quite convincingly. I had expected a draw.
Instead, the draw happened in the next match, and I was initially happy with it. Cause what I didn't want was for the Netherlands to win against France. Rarely have I been so glad about a goal being disallowed. It ended up as the first goalless match of the tournament, though France had plenty of chances.
We were forced to skip the next day. Therefore, we didn't see the Georgian goalkeeper almost beating a record. One more save and he would've achieved the record for most saves in one match. He conceded against a record holder: the goalscorer of the previous Euro's goal of the tournament. Instead from afar he scored it from close range though. It was the equalizer as Georgia had taken the lead through a penalty that was caused by the same player who had scored the own goal against Portugal. He was once again unlucky. Before that, a Czech goal had been disallowed.
The match Portugal against Turkey had the weirdest own goal of all. It was similar to that of Spain against Croatia during the last Euros as it was another failed backpass to the goalkeeper with the ball going behind the line. Communication didn't work there. Portugal couldn't be moved from first place of the group anymore.
Belgium and Romania probably caused confusion with their flags. It was the former who were still winless, but that was about to change with the second fastest goal of the tournament, and in the second half they extended their lead. This led to the unique situation of all teams having three points before the final matchday. Everything could still change and the final match would bring the decision.
Germany and Switzerland were playing for the win. We had previously pointed out that Switzerland were the better looking team – despite the absense of my new Swiss favourite who had to miss out due to injury much to my dismay. My ideal outcome was a draw since I didn't want the quarter final of the previous Euro to repeat. The apparent lead for Germany was disallowed due to a foul inside the box. Then Switzerland fought back and took the lead in the table. It seems like the result wouldn't change until Germany scored in injury time and became the group winner. My wish got fulfilled.
The other group match had a shocking moment. A Hungarian player collided with the Scottish goalkeeper and fell down. He was transported off the pitch and taken to hospital where they discovered fractured bones in his face. This lead to heavy injury time that the Hungarians could make use off and score in the last minute. They of course dedicated the goal to their injured teammate and had hopes to go through as third placed team.
The first place in the next group was already decided. Croatia and Italy fought for direct qualification on second place. The first half went by without a goal. In the second half, Croatia were awarded a penalty, but the Italian goalkeeper stopped the goal sensationally. What a save! However, he conceded less than a minute later anyway and Croatia took second place. Italy didn't give up and fought for the equalizer. Croatia were minutes away from making it to the round of 16 – but Italy had other plans and equalized. The Croats dissolved into tears, as elimination was all but confirmed with just two points. No one had expected that before the tournament. With this, England, France and the Netherlands had already savely qualified.
Albania managed to only concede one goal against Spain who played their second team. However, the name of the goalscorer made me mad. It's the player I don't want to score goals. Anyone, but him! I just can't stand him.
The next day, I only had one wish: France winning the group. I just really wanted to see them on the right-hand side of the branch. Later, I would wish they had won against the Netherlands instead. Even against Poland who were already eliminated it felt like they were cursed as they just couldn't make use their many chances. In the second half, they took the lead through a penalty scored by their captain in a mask. But Poland were also awarded a penalty and I crossed my fingers. The goalkeeper could indeed save it which even made me scream. My joy was short lived, however. To my dismay the penalty had to be repeated – and this time, the ball went in. This decision was unjustified and lowered my mood significantly as France didn't win the group and ended up on our side of the branch.
The group wasn't won by the Netherlands though, but unexpectedly by Austria. They took the lead early through an own goal, but four more goals would follow in the second half. Five minutes after the Netherlands' second equalizer Austria scored the decisive goal – and secured top spot of the group which annoyed me deeply. It would be better if Austria and France could swap their places on the branch. I wasn't too unhappy about the Netherlands finishing third of the group though.
The next group had the most boring matches. All but one match ended in a draw – and this would still apply afterwards. Goalless draws didn't change anything about the standings. The result was enough for Slovenia who could celebrate alongside England. The former's qualification was a bit of a surprise. Denmark came second only due to less yellow cards and became our opponent in the round of 16.
The next group, in which everything was still possible, was far more exciting. Ukraine knew that a draw would only suffice if the other match had a winner and was trying their best. They were qualified for a short time when Slovakia lead against Romania, but it didn't last long. Both teams seemed to settle for the result that would help them both. The ball missed the goal by inches and with that, Ukraine was eliminated. That was especially tragic since all teams had the same amount of points. The conceded goals were their downfall! Being eliminated like that is really sad. Especially since other teams went through with three and therefore less points. It was disgraceful of Slovakia and Romania to just settle on the result. The standings didn't change anyway even though I hoped for a different second place. One round of 16 matchup therefore made me very unhappy.
Group stage truly ended spectacularly. Three teams still fought for advancing to the next round. The situation seemed clear. But Georgia didn't want to go without a fight – quite the contrary. After just ninety seconds they took the lead against group winners Portugal, with not only my sister going into a state of shock. No one expexted that! Their goalkeeper once again prove reliable. In the second half they were awarded a penalty which they could convert. After the final whistle, the surprise was complete and the Georgians were in complete ecstasy! As only team from the playoffs they've done the impossible.
In the other match I wanted to see Czechia winning. However, they went down one man after just twenty minutes. At that point Turkey could even be eliminated due to Georgia's lead. Only in the second half time the first goal was scored, in favour of Turkey. The Czechs managed to equalize with a controversial goal, but Turkey regained their lead in stoppage time. This match broke the record for most cards, even reserve players received cards. At one point they even had to substitute a goalkeeper – that's something you don't see every day! I felt bad for the Czechs, they didn't deserve that. I had expected them to make it out of the group. Now I was even more annoyed with how group D ended, as I would've preferred France - Turkey and Austria - Belgium to France - Belgium and Austria - Turkey.
In the round of 16 Switzerland once again met a reigning champion – this time the title holders. They had never decided a knockout match in regular time, but that was about to change. The Italy defense was sleeping when they conceded the first goal. The second half time had barely begun when Switzerland doubled their lead. This result would stand – and I didn't know what to think about it.
The German match became a water fight. In the fourth minute, it seemed like Germany had taken the lead, but due to a foul the goal didn't count. Ten minutes before half time, the match was suspended due to severe weather conditions. It lasted nearly as long as extra time. Things got wild after the match was restarted. Denmark seemingly scored – but it was ruled out for a very close offside. The almost-scorer would once again be unlucky when he caused a controversial penalty. That decision was a bit harsh, after all it wasn't intentional. At least there was nothing wrong with the second goal so it ended up being a fair win after all. For the first time I saw coaches receiving yellow cards – including our own.
Against England underdog Slovakia took the lead. In the second half England almost equalized, but it was offside. The Slovaks almost doubled their lead with a shot from the halfway line – not the only one of that day – but it flew past the goal. Then England was rescued with a beautiful strike towards the end of stoppage time. So it went to extra time, just as my sister had predicted – before reconsidering and declaring Slovakia the winner. Too soon! As England didn't need a minute to score the winner and therefore advanced to the quarter finals.
Georgia had a tough opponent in Spain. Something incredible happened as for the first time in sixteen years, my sister wasn't rooting for Spain. I haven't for some time now. Even more incredibly, an own goal made the underdogs take the lead. The Georgian fans were in tears. But the joy didn't last long, as the equalizer came twenty minutes later. In the second half, a Georgian showed traces of Schick and attempted a shot from the halfway line. The ball just barely flew past the post. What an incredible goal that would've been had that gone in! After that, the match took a turn and three more goals brought the decision. With that, the Georgian fairytale came to an end, but they had already made history.
I didn't watch France against Belgium from the beginning. But as it turned out, I hadn't missed much since the match was still goalless in the second half. Just shortly before the end France was rescued. To me, it looked like a regular goal, so the decision to rate it as an own goal was surprising for me.
In Portugal against Slovenia, a heavyhitter once again met an underdog. But the latter fought with everything they had and didn't give Portugal a chance. They were resilient, leaving the match goalless after regular time. Towards the end of extra time, Portugal were awarded a penalty. That's it, my sister believed who mostly supported underdogs. The Slovenian goalkeeper howewer stopped the goal in spectacular fashion. In the meantime, their coach had received a red card and was watching from the stands. He could therefore not give his players advice. A Slovene missed a chance at goal and so the match unexpectedly went to penalties. No one saw it coming for this match. The Slovene players couldn't deal with the pressure and missed. There was no upset after all and the Euro 2016 final would get another rematch.
We didn't care for the second-to-last round of 16 match, and the last one wasn't shown on tv. Austria had become a dark horse after winning their group and could rely on the support of the host country. But it was Turkey who took the lead after around a minute – the second fastest goal in tournament history. The Austrians tried everything to equalize. In the second half Turkey doubled the lead. Austria could only pull back one goal – another shot was saved shortly before the whistle – and so their fairytale had ended in the round of 16. You couldn't help but feel for the Austrians. I was facing a problem, as I wanted neither the Netherlands nor Turkey in the semi final.
Instead, the entire left branch of the tournament could be the semi finalists. The first quarter final was considered an early final and awaited with anticipation. Spain had to deal with an injury early on and were forced to substitute. It was an even match with chances on both sides. In the second half, it happened: Spain took the lead – thanks to the player that was subbed in early. Germany tried everything to equalize, but they hit the post and missed by centimeters minutes later. When all hope seemed lost, they scored the equalizer in the dying minutes of the match. Extra time had to decide and especially the Germans were eager to score again. That's when a scandal occured: At the beginning of the second half of extra time, a penalty after a clear handball was not given. Despite Germans protesting, the referee didn't change his mind. It was a clearer handball than the Danish one. When everything was pointing at a penalty shootout – which is what I predicted before the match – a headball brought the decision. In injury time, we had one last chance to equalize, but it didn't work out. And with this Germany was eliminated because of a controversial decision that would be discussed for a long time. The denied penalty left a sour aftertaste. But a circle was closed as the player who scored our last goal had also scored the first of the tournament.
I was more nervous for the second quarter final – the second rematch of the Euro 2016 final. One shot from afar was saved by the goalkeeper. That one could have been dangerous. A curios scene occured when the referee lost the yellow card and a player picked it up. It looked like he was showing him the yellow card. In the second half, France wasted two chances in the span of a few minutes. Unfortunately, what I didn't want to happen came to pass: A penalty shootout. I was worried for nothing though. Before the third Portuguese penalty, I predicted that he might miss – and I was right. The French all converted their penalties coolly. I had rarely seen such a strong performance in a penalty shootout. Despite my relief, I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. Like the last Euros – where it didn't come to fruition – I was scared of a match between Spain and France. The latter definitely should've been on the other side of the branch.
Since the last Euros, Switzerland has slowly gained my sympathy – even though it didn't seem like it. Despite that, I didn't want them to do better than three years before, so I was in a dilemma. Had there been a certain defender, who had been subbed in against France during the last Euros, I'd probably think otherwise. In knockout matches Switzerland were unbeaten, though the round of 16 had been their first win. After the battle of cross flags it would still stand. The first shot on target only occured in the second half though, and Switzerland took the lead. Their joy was shortlived as England equalized just five minutes later. The third quarter final also went to extra time, but it couldn't bring a decision, so a penalty shootout had to do it. The first Swiss failed, while the English all scored and therefore advanced to the semi final. It has to be said that they were all very well shot. I was sad for the Swiss, but not too disappointed. At least they're the only team of the DACH-region to be unbeaten, unlike during the last Euros, so they still did better in some way.
I'd volontarily swap the Netherlands' semi final place for Germany. Even my sister – who normally doesn't support us – admitted that we would've deserved it. We did ourselves no favour by winning the group. Instead, a third placer would now be in the semi final. And it didn't even look like it at first as the scorer of the own goal against Portugal brought Turkey ahead. In the second half, the Netherlands scored and then won thanks to another Turkish own goal. It was the only quarter final that didn't need extra time.
The first semi final was a nightmare for me and I didn't know how to react. It would've been a good final. Sirprisingly, France took the lead with their first regular goal of the tournament. The player who had initiated the Belgian own goal rewarded himself – after an opponent had pushed his head onto the pitch. I was perfectly fine with that result – but unfortunately, there were still eighty minutes left to play. And within four minutes, the match would turn around. The goal that got Spain the lead was originally listed as an own goal and later reversed – which we couldn't fully understand, as we had seen less obvious own goals, including the Belgian one. I remained calm as there was still a half left to play. But in it, the result couldn't change, to my dismay.
The second semi final went similarly: The team that first scored within ten minutes didn't win the match. But the winning goal was only scored minutes before extra time. The equalizer had been scored through a controversial penalty. This showed parallels to the semi final of the last Euros, where the same team also won due to a questionable penalty. They reached the final for the second time in a row – but this time they wanted to leave as winners.
The trauma of 2012
The first half of the final went surprisingly boring. The most memorable moment was a Spanish player's gesture towards an English one. My personal highlight was when my favourite Spanish player with the number 7 was shown among the spectators. Fangirl alert! I even let out a scream! I still mourn the fact that he never got the second European title he merited. I would've still given it to him regardless. Things went down in the second half when Spain took the lead. England didn't want to give up and equalized with a beautiful strike. If there's one thing you can't say, it's that the English goals aren't among the best of the tournament. Cause they definitiv do. I was thinking about extra time when Spain had other plans. I was a bit disappointed as it meant that the last remaining world champion in the squad had now received his second Euro title – one, that the player in the stands would've deserved. The day afterwards, they even honored a player with an honorary title as he had to miss out due to injury. They should have also done that with a certain number 7 twelve years prior. With seven goals he had played a huge part in qualifying, after all. While we're at it. The current player with said number was the only one I was happy for. He was also the top goalscorer for Spain at the Euros.
You could only feel sorry for the English. Losing a final twice in a row was really harsh.