Kickoff chronicles

Poland vs The Netherlands

The first game to kick off day 3 of the 2024 Euros was staged in Hamburg with Poland ready to take on the Netherlands. The main news of the morning was the announcement that Poland would be playing without their star man and captain, Robert Lewndowski, as he is out with a thigh injury. Despite this, Poland started positively, soaking up lots of Dutch pressure before turning to goal themselves in the 15th minute. Poitr Zielinski played a corner in from the left side which was met by a brilliant header from Lewandowski replacement, Adam Buksa. His effort glanced off his forehead and found the back off the net, giving the Poles an early lead. This was a wake up call for Ronald Koeman’s team as they turned their attention to the Polish goal. After missing multiple opportunities, they finally made one count when Coady Gakpo drew the two sides level. Nathan Ake pressed forward and won the ball back, his touch a little heavy but also a perfect pass into the path of Gakpo. The Liverpool striker progressed with it before cracking a shot, watching it catch a deflection and fool Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny and find the back of the net. The half finished 1-1 with this game still in the balance here at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg

The Dutch started the 2nd half much like the first and were on the front foot straight from kick off. It took them until the 83rd minute though before they eventually found their second goal to put them in front. Once again, full back Ake made a driving run forward before playing a low ball across the Polish penalty area. Waiting for the ball to come his way was substitute Wout Weghourst. The ex Burnley and Man.U players’s striker instincts kicked in as he beat the opposition defender to the ball before lashing it into the near corner. Poland made a late attempt to come back in the final minutes, forcing Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen into some terrific saves. The game finished 1-2 taking Netherlands straight to the top of Group D. Poland will obviously sit bottom as they pick up no points but both teams will be watching tomorrow night when France take on Austria.

Slovenia vs Denmark

The first game in Group C of the 2024 Euros was all set and ready in Stuttgart with Slovenia playing Denmark. The Danes started off a little shaky but soon settled and found an opener just after the quarter hour mark. It all came from a quick throw from the right wing by Alexander bar which he launched into the Slovenian penalty area. Jonas beat his marker to the ball where he flicked the ball onto Christian Eriksen with the back of his heel. Eriksen took it with his chest before poking the ball into the bottom left corner. It was an emotional goal for the midfielder, being just 3 years ago since his infamous cardiac arrest and collapse. Denmark dominated the rest of the half with the bulk of their chances coming from set plays. The first 45 minutes ended 0-1 with things looking bright for Kasper Hjulmand’s men.

Slovenia came out the blocks motivated in the second period and in search of an equaliser. They came very close on a few occasions but they finally broke through in the 77th minute. A corner was not fully cleared by the Danish defence and it sat up nicely for Slovenian defender Erik Janza. Janza positioned his body well and struck the ball perfectly, watching it catch a slight deflection before soaring into the far right corner. This was the final major action of the tie and it all finished 1-1. Denmark will be disappointed they dropped 2 huge points as they now have to play England on Thursday afternoon. Slovenia will be feeling quite the opposite as they win a point and go into their tie against Serbia on a high. 

Serbia vs England

The final game of day 3 was potentially the most anticipated so far with England taking on Serbia in Gelsenkirchen. England got off to a solid start, dominating possession and moving the ball around well. They found the opener in the 13th minute of the game when the La Liga player of the season, Jude Bellingham, scored for the Three Lions. Bukayo Saka, who was looking sharp so far, received the ball from Kyle Walker down the right wing before crossing the ball into the penalty area. Making a darting last minute run was Bellingham whose bullet header rippled the back of the Serbian net. England dominated the rest of the half, but a few defensive errors showed that Serbia would potentially be gifted a route back into the game. The half finished 0-1 with the stats in England’s favour, but the game was still in the balance. 

Serbia came out strongly for the second period but England defended well. English manager Gareth Southgate made some tactical substitutions to try and hold out for the 0-1 win but one of the many subs had other ideas. As soon as West Ham man Jarrod Bowen came on, he looked up for the task. His first involvement he made a dancing run down the left wing and chipped the ball into the penalty area. Waiting was Harry Kane who jumped high to head Bowen’s cross at the Serbian goal. Unfortunately for the Lions, Serbian shot stopper Predrag Rajkovic made a superb save, tipping Kane’s header onto the crossbar. England turned back to their defence which was solid, resulting in them holding out for the 0-1 win. This outcome takes them into no.1 in Group C while Serbia fail to score and sit 4th.

Written by Ollie Wade