itsbeautifuloutside

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Group D Preview

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⚽️ IBO Reporter: channonite

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This group is to be covered by ivangolac, but he seems to be lost somewhere in France, probably without any reliable internet connection, so here is a slightly late and abbreviated preview (after two games!!)

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Poland

Obviously, the first thing that springs to mind is that Saints’ own Jan Bednarek is in the squad and likely to be playing. Secondly, the legendary Robert Lewandowski is also in the squad and, even at the age of 35, is still a force to be reckoned with. He played no part in the first group match against The Netherlands, as he suffered a thigh injury in the last warm-up game against Turkey at the beginning of the month. He is expected to return for the next match.

Other than that, the only thing that I can offer is that Poland only squeaked through in a play-off win on penalties against Wales in Cardiff.

442 magazine's preview said:

Poland's problem isn't in reaching European Championships - 2024 is their fifth finals outing in a row, including as 2012 co-hosts alongside Ukraine - but in achieving anything remotely good now they are there.

They have won only two of 15 games in normal time over the previous four tournaments - both at Euro 2016 when they reached the last eight by beating Northern Ireland and Ukraine, then Switzerland on penalties. Poland have otherwise suffered group-stage exits, and something drastic would have to change if they are to avoid stinking out the gaff again in Germany this year.

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Netherlands

They are probably the second-ranked team in this group, behind tournament favourites France. Needless to say, there is plenty of Saints interest, managed as they are, by maybe my favourite Saints manager of recent times - Ronald Koeman. Our interest doesn’t stop there, with Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence. There are a host of other familiar, current and former Premier League players, including, off the top of my head, Nathan Aké, Daley Blind, Wout Weghorst and Cody Gakpo.

If Koeman can negotiate the group stages, and I see no reason why they should not, then they should go a fair way in the competition. As always with the Netherlands, it’s trying to make a team out of a group of talented individuals.

442 magazine's preview said:

Regardless, this is a group looking to get back on track. It's been a long, long time since the Dutch tasted glory at this level, with their only silverware coming back in 1988 in this competition – and in the last decade or so, they've severely underwhelmed. Consecutive failures to qualify for tournaments in 2016 and 2018 means that this will be captain Van Dijk's first taste of representing the Oranje at a summer tournament. Victory might be a little premature for a blossoming group – but they're hoping for a big showing, nonetheless.

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Austria

The team that I know least about in this group. They are managed by Ralf Rangnick, who had a short and unhappy spell at Manchester United, but I won’t hold that against him!

Looking down their list of players in the squad, one name sticks out: that of Marko Arnautović, who had a successful spell at Stoke and followed that up by joining West Ham for a time that was nothing if not controversial. I remember him being sent off at St.Mary's after just half an hour for elbowing Jack Stephens. Robust is one word you could use.

Austria is predicted to finish bottom of the group, and I see no reason to argue with that.

442 magazine's preview was slightly more charitable, saying

After a chastening Euro 2016 as dark horses, Austria outperformed their humbler expectations at Euro 2020, reaching the last 16 by beating North Macedonia and Ukraine for their first tournament victories since Italia 90.

For Euro 2024, anticipation levels lie somewhere in the middle. Das Team qualified in a solid yet unspectacular manner with a strong collective crafted by manager Ralf Rangnick, albeit one beset by devastating ACL injuries to Sasa Kalajdzic and captain David Alaba. Still, there's enough quality in this group.

442 magazine's preview said:

Can a side that has reached the last two World Cup finals, winning one, really have enough motivation to lift the lesser of the two major trophies for which they compete? Oh, you bet.

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France

The Group and outright tournament favourites.

Managed by Didier Deschamps, this squad has quality in every position, with Kylian Mbappé up front and even Saints bete noir, Olivier Giroud, having now reached the grand old age of 37, still a threat. With Griezmann and Kanté standouts in a strong midfield, they just have the look of a team that could well go all the way.

442 magazine's preview said:

Can a side that has reached the last two World Cup finals, winning one, really have enough motivation to lift the lesser of the two major trophies for which they compete? Oh, you bet.

My group prediction is:

1. France
2. Netherlands
3. Poland
4. Austria

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Poland 1-2 Netherlands

June 16, Volksparkstadion, Hamburg

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⚽️ IBO Reporter: channonite

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This group is to be covered by ivangolac, but he seems to be lost somewhere in France, probably without any reliable internet connection.

A Brief Match Report

Substitute Wout Weghorst, 32 in August, swept in a late winner two minutes after coming on as former champions the Netherlands began their Euro 2024 campaign with victory against Poland at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion.

Poland were without their all-time top scorer, Robert Lewandowski, for this match, out with a thigh injury, but put that behind them to stun the Dutch early on when Adam Buksa headed home.

The Netherlands had been the dominant side in the early exchanges but missed a number of chances before Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo equalised when his deflected shot flew past Wojciech Szczesny in the Polish goal.

The Dutch continued to create opportunities and Gakpo should have got his second before the break but sent Nathan Ake’s pass over the crossbar from close range.

Ronald Koeman’s side continued to dominate after the break, and Szczesny denied Denzel Dumfries before the exciting youngster Xavi Simons drove an effort wide after being set up by Gakpo.

But just as it looked like they would have to settle for a draw, Weghorst, who plays for Championship side Burnley and only two minutes after coming on in the 81st minute, snatched the win with a close-range finish.

It is a big win for the Netherlands, with France up next for them in Group D on Friday the 21st, while Poland face Austria on the same day.

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Austria 0 France 1

17th June, Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf

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⚽️ IBO Reporter: channonite

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This group is to be covered by ivangolac, but he seems to be lost somewhere in France, probably without any reliable internet connection.

Brief Match Report

Kylian Mbappé produced a moment of magic, mixed with a dash of good luck, to ensure France's Euro 2024 campaign got off to a winning start against a well-organised Austrian side in Dusseldorf, but was also unfortunate to pick up a late and unpleasant injury.

France's captain and Real Madrid's latest "Galactico" was substituted in the 90th minute as an eventful night ended with him covered in blood from a broken nose after hitting the back of Austria’s defender and ex-Saint, Kevin Danso, as they both jumped for the ball.

Mbappé also picked up a yellow card for returning to the field before dramatically falling to the ground and then going off.

The 25-year-old French striker showed lightning pace and fast footwork to leave Austria’s full-back Phillipp Mwene trailing behind him before Mbappé’s cross was diverted into his own net by centre-back Max Wöber just before half-time. Wöber spent the 2023-24 season on loan to Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach from parent club Leeds United.

Austria had missed their best chance just moments earlier when Christoph Baumgartner's shot from close range was blocked by the feet of the French keeper, Mike Maignan. Their frustration was further increased by referee Jesus Gil Manzano's controversial decision to award a goal kick rather than a corner.

Mbappé, who saw a first-half shot well saved by Austria’s keeper, Patrick Pentz, produced an early contender for the miss of Euro 2024 after the break when he showed astonishing pace to race past Wober, but with the goal at his mercy, he held his head in disbelief after shooting wide.

France were not at their best, but with veteran N'Golo Kante producing a magnificent individual performance after two years away from the international stage, they did enough to get past a determined Austria and set the platform for the key Group D game against old rivals the Netherlands on Friday. Whether Mbappé is able to play with a broken nose, we will have to wait and see.

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Poland 1 Austria 3

June 21st, Olympiastadion Berlin

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⚽️ IBO Reporter: channonite

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This group is to be covered by ivangolac, but he seems to be lost somewhere in France, probably without any reliable internet connection.

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Netherlands 0 France 0

21st June, Leipzig Stadium

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⚽️ IBO Reporter: channonite

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This group is to be covered by ivangolac, but he seems to be lost somewhere in France, probably without any reliable internet connection.