itsbeautifuloutside

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IBO Reporter : channonite

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Game 1 - Austria v North Macedonia

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|The Macedonians were the reason that I picked this group, because who doesn't like an underdog? For a good 70 minutes they were well in this game, urged on by their Wiley old warhorse, Goran Pandev and it was he who scored North Macedonia's equaliser in the 28th minute, following Lainer's spectacular opener.

The Austrians, to be fair, were significantly more technically skilled, and although I was impressed with the Macedonian left back, Alioski, eventually the difference in class made the difference, although they left it late, sealed by further goals from Gregoritsch and almost at the death from the obnoxious Arnautovic. After he scored Arnautovic could be seen screaming at a couple of the Macedonian players. There was comeback for this behaviour, as he was subsequently suspended for one game by UEFA.

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Game 2 - Netherlands v Ukraine

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|This was a cracker of a match that looked destined to end in a draw, after a great comeback from 2-0 down by the Ukrainians, until Dumfries scored a dramatic 85th minute header to seal the match for the Dutch side.

The big point of interest for me was, that ex-Saint Maarten Stekelenburg was in goal for the Dutch at the age of 38.

The first half was goalless, but it didn't take long in the second half for the floodgates to open. Firstly came a brace from the Dutch, with Wijnaldum scoring from distance, after the Ukrainian goalkeeper could only parry a shot, having come rushing off his line. Six minutes later the Netherlands were two up, as Weghorst was fortunate to have a goal allowed, after another Dutch forward appeared to unsight the goalkeeper, with the ball finally going in off the keepers knee.

Ukraine then began a period of sustained pressure, but Yarmolenko scored an outstanding goal in the 75th minute, shooting from some 25 yards out, with the ball dipping into the net. Just four minutes later it was all square, when Yaremchuk got on the end of a free kick, to head past Stekelenburg.

All square with ten minutes left! Then came the deciding goal from Dumfries. I reckon that the Netherlands just about deserved it on the balance of play, but the Ukraine surprised me with how good they were.

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Summary of the first two group games

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I have to say that I enjoyed both games, but Netherlands and Ukraine are easily the class of the group and although the Dutch should qualify easily, I think the Ukraine might have a battle on their hands with the Austrians.

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IBO Reporter : channonite

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Group C, Match 3

Ukraine 2-0 North Macedonia

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|North Macedonia are making their debut at a major tournament, but they become the first team to be eliminated from this years delayed Euros, after the Netherlands won their game later the same day, ensuring that the debutants would finish bottom of Group C.

The game got off to a rousing start, with the Macedonian's failing to cope with a Ukrainian corner and Yarmolenko was on hand to turn in the ball just before the half hour mark. Less than five minutes later Yaremchuk made it 2-0 to Ukraine, with a good finish, just inside the near post.

The Macedonians then rallied and the old warhorse, Goran Pandev even had the ball in the net, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

2-0 to Ukraine at the break, but you just sensed that this game was far from over. Both goalkeepers had made good saves at crucial times and chances kept coming.

North Macedonia made two changes at the break and this had an impact, as they pressed forward more, leading to a corner, from which the resultant shot at goal was brilliantly saved by Bushchan, pushing it up onto the outside of the crossbar. Unfortunately for him, the ball dropped in the area and in the ensuing panic, one of the defenders hacked down the onrushing Pandev. The referee pointed straight to the spot. Penalty. Up stepped Leeds Utd's Alioski, whose kick was parried straight back to him, but he made no mistake the second time. 2-1.

The rest of the match had Ukraine looking edgy, as they protected their lead. They had a glorious chance to put the match to bed, when they were awarded a penalty for handball, but the excellent Dimitrievski saved it.

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Group C, Match 4

Netherlands 2-0 Austria

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|This was a routine win for the Dutch side, playing in front of their fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam. The manager, Frank de Boer has had a lot of criticism for playing a 5-3-2 formation in the games leading up to the competition, but with this and the preceding win against Ukraine, I just feel that they are hitting form at exactly the right time. How far it will take them remains to be seen.

Austria on the other hand seemed devoid of ideas, other than shooting from distance and only once did ex-Saint, Stekelenburg look remotely troubled in the Netherlands goal.

For what it is worth, the goals came from a Depay penalty kick in the 11th minute, following a reckless challenge by Alaba on Dumfries in the penalty area. The second goal was scored by Dumfries in the second half, when the Austrian high line was outsmarted by the speed of the Dutch forwards.

The Netherlands will likely finish with three wins, as their last match next Tuesday is against the already knocked out North Macedonians.

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IBO Reporter : channonite

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Group C, Match 5

North Macedonia 0-3 Netherlands

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|The Netherlands cruised into the last 16, with a third win out of three, courtesy of a goal from Depay and a brace from Wijnaldum.

The North Macedonia side had their chances early on, when it looked as if Goran Pandev, playing his last international of 122 appearances for his country, had an assist, when Trichkovski appeared to score from his through-ball inside 10 minutes, only for it to be ruled offside.

Shortly after that Trajkovski hit the woodwork, but in what is becoming their trademark, the Dutch side scored with a lightening counter-attack, begun by Blind, winning possession on the edge of his own area and finished by a Memphis Depay strike at speed.

Depay, who is in a rich vein of form for the Netherlands, was playing his first game since his move to Barcelona was announced on Saturday and he has now scored nine goals with three assists in his past 10 games for the national team.

The game was wrapped up in the second half when Wijnaldum scored two goals in seven minutes, the first a simple tap-in from from Depay's inch-perfect cross, before Macedonian keeper Dimitrievski's save from a Depay shot fell kindly for a second close-range finish.

It was an emotional day for North Macedonian captain Goran Pandev, who was making his 122nd and final appearance for his country. He finishes as both his countries record appearance holder and record goalscorer, with 38 goals.

The 37 year old Pandev was eventually substituted in the 69th minute and was applauded off the pitch by his team-mates as the curtain came down on his international career.

Tournament newcomers North Macedonia, who were already eliminated after defeats against Austria and Ukraine, made the Dutch step up their game, but seemed to offer little going forward and were eventually well beaten.

In the sort of stat beloved of a friend of mine, North Macedonia are just the fourth team to lose all of their matches on their first appearance at a European Championship finals, after Turkey in 1996, Denmark in 1964 and France in the very first tournament in 1960.

Meanwhile, the Dutch will travel to Budapest for their last 16 match in the Puskás Aréna, where they will face the third-placed finisher from Group D, E or F on Sunday, 27th June.

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Group C, Match 6

Ukraine 0-1 Austria

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|Well, Ukraine chucked this one away and very probably their chances of progressing to the last sixteen, by just being too darned timid, while Austria were completely the reverse. They grabbed the chance with both hands.

The winning goal came early on, when Baumgartner turned in a corner kick in the 21st minute, but the Austrians could and should have had more. In the first half alone they had 13 shots on goal before half-time, a record only bettered in the tournament so far by Italy's 14 against Turkey on the opening night.

In contrast to the Austrians, Ukraine struggled to find any sort of momentum and their only real chance in the first half was when Shaparenko forced a relatively straightforward save from Bachmann.

Ukraine manager Shevchenko cut an understandably frustrated figure on the touchline, after a historic unbeaten qualifying campaign. They must now wait to see if they secure one of four places on offer to the best third-place country in the group stages. They will need to be a lot better should they squeak through.

Austria will have to be more clinical against Italy, given the host of chances they failed to convert today. Goal scorer Baumgartner suffered a head injury and had to be substituted just after the half hour mark. Austrian manager, Foda will hope the 21 year old, whose bustling style of play seems integral to the success of the team, will be fit to play when they meet Italy, Group A winners, at Wembley on Saturday.

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Group C Summary

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So, the Netherlands won the group at a canter, but in such a poor group I suppose that is nothing to shout about. However, I have enjoyed watching them and they do look a team coming into form at the right time. Both Depay and Wijnaldum look very sharp and will score goals. If I have a concern, then look no further than the goalkeeper, ex-Saint Stekelenburg.

The big disappointment of the group were the Ukrainians. Technically good, but they just didn't step up to the plate when needed, although they could still go through as one of the third place teams.

Austria go through as runners-up, but frankly they just don't impress me, a workmanlike side at best.

Propping up the others were North Macedonia, the first timers with few genuinely international players. I just hope that they learn from the experience, as they had periods in each game where they pushed their opposition hard. They have to do that more though.

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