We were made to wait a full year for it, but UEFA Euro 2020 more than delivered when it eventually came around. The pan-European format was both praised and criticised, with some liking how numerous countries had the opportunity to create a fervent atmosphere when playing host to matches and others justifiably citing the imbalance of air miles between the 24 competing teams.
The competition began with Italy easily seeing off Turkey in front of their home support in Rome, but Saturday 12 June will go down as one of the darkest days in the tournament’s 61-year history. The excitement of football fans who were beaming as the games got underway rapidly gave way to fear and prayer as Christian Eriksen collapsed to the Parken Stadion turf in Copenhagen, necessitating the heroic intervention of medical staff at the venue. It was only when it became clear that the 29-year-old’s life was not in imminent danger that it felt OK to refocus on enjoying the football.
The first week of the tournament felt like a slow burner, with few genuinely standout games in the opening days of Euro 2020. Italy, Belgium and Netherlands made a strong early impression, whereas the likes of Spain, Croatia and at times England and Germany all toiled. However, with the Germans’ 4-2 thumping of Portugal towards the end of the second cycle of group games, the competition exploded into life.
The four days of concluding group action threw up the kind of drama which gives some credence to the 24-team format of the Euros. Beaten in their first two games, Denmark delivered a monumental performance to annihilate Russia and miraculously qualify for the last 16. Croatia finally came good when they most needed to, while Sweden and Poland turned out to be an unexpected thriller. As for the final night of Group F when literally every goal in the 2-2 draws between Portugal and France, plus Germany and Hungary, altered the course of who was surviving and who was going out…those are the nights we live for when it comes to these tournaments.
Of the eight teams who fell at the group stage, Turkey were undoubtedly the most disappointing. Touted as possible dark horses coming into the finals (I’m guilty as charged here), Senol Gunes’ side not only lost all three games but ended up as statistically the worst team at Euro 2020. Not for the first time, Poland and Russia flopped on the big stage, although Hungary and Finland at least bowed out with respectability.
The group stage ended with drama aplenty and that continued into the round of 16. While Wales imploded in the face of a rejuvenated Denmark, Austria pushed Italy all the way at Wembley, Netherlands’ perfect group stage record counted for nothing after a tame exit to Czech Republic and Belgium dethroned holders Portugal in a drab, bad-tempered affair.
Monday 28 June was a day to cherish. The evening began with a see-saw thriller between Croatia and Spain, with the three-time champions prevailing 5-3 after extra time in a classic. We had barely recovered our breath from that by the time France and Switzerland kicked off, those two serving up yet another unpredictable treat. The World Cup holders appeared to be coasting through at 3-1, only to concede twice in the final 10 minutes and then bow out on penalties, Kylian Mbappe the shock candidate to produce the costly miss. The round ended with England finally getting one over on Germany in a knockout fixture and Ukraine producing a surprise to stun Sweden with a 121st-minute winner at Hampden Park.
The quarter-finals produced one classic as Italy saw off Belgium in a thumping encounter in Munich, a rather laughable penalty shoot-out as Spain overcame Switzerland, a comeback victory for the Danes over Czech Republic and a procession for England against a Ukraine side which was out of its depth by that stage.
Neither of the semi-finals was a thriller but both were captivating nonetheless. Italy held their nerve on penalties to defeat Spain, ending La Roja’s hopes for the second Euros in a row. The following night, England finally got over the line in the last four, albeit with the help of a controversial penalty decision and a fortuitous bounce of the ball to Harry Kane. It brought an end to Denmark’s hell-to-heaven tournament, but Kasper Hjulmand’s side gave Christian Eriksen the best possible tribute by playing so tremendously in the wake of unthinkable adversity.
And so to the final at Wembley, where England ensured that there would be home representation. On the pitch in northwest London, Gareth Southgate’s team did the nation proud, reaching the country’s first final in 55 years and vanquished only after a penalty shoot-out in which youngsters Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka had the grave misfortune to miss.
On the night and over the course of the tournament, though, Italy were deserving winners. Roberto Mancini took over the Azzurri towards the end of 2017 when they were reeling from the shock of failing to qualify for the following year’s World Cup and he set in motion a sequence of 34 games unbeaten, the latest of which was Sunday’s triumph at Wembley to claim the Henri Delaunay trophy for the first time since 1968 – coincidentally the same year in which Manchester City had last won the league prior to Mancini ending their barren streak in 2012. Italian football’s renaissance has been well and truly completed ahead of schedule.
Even allowing for the inclusion of 24 teams, it was the highest-scoring European Championship in terms of goals per game since the four-team finals of the 1960 and 1970s. Only two of the 51 matches ended goalless, while you could count on one hand the number of games which were genuinely hard to watch and still have fingers left over.
Off the back of the best World Cup in a generation or more, Euro 2020 continued in a similar vein, with the last two major tournaments both showcasing why it’s worth prevailing through the much-maligned international breaks during the club season. Very few teams were abhorrently defensive in the mould of Greece in 2004, with even the less fancied nations picking their moments to show some enterprise.
Another positive note was the largely satisfactory standard of officiating at the tournament. Raheem Sterling’s dive for England’s penalty in the semi-final was the only unfathomable decision taken during the tournament, with the vast majority of matches passing off without any great controversy. VAR by and large worked well during the finals, which again serves to underline that the concept is sound and that any problems arising from it are due to the incompetence of those charged with using it. Sadly, it seems inevitable that, in a few short weeks, we’ll be back to weekly carnage of its misuse in the Premier League.
Aside from a plethora of thrilling matches, we were also treated to no shortage of spectacular goals. From Andriy Yarmolenko’s curler against the Dutch to Patrik Schick’s first-time lob of David Marshall from almost the halfway line; Andreas Christensen’s piledriver against Russia to Lorenzo Insigne’s stunning slalom finish against Belgium, trying to compile a top 10 goals of the tournament became a tough task. Suffice to say the likes of Unai Simon’s own goal against Croatia and Martin Dubravka literally handing Spain the opener in the 5-0 drubbing of Slovakia won’t make the cut.
Don’t tell Tony Holohan, but it was a welcome sight to witness stadia bustling with atmosphere as supporters again graced some of the great arenas of European football (and Baku). The cheers, jeers and chants which cannot be replicated by push-button augmented crowd noise were sounds to savour, as was the backdrop of human beings decked out in full colour rather than oversized canvasses emblazoned with tournament sponsors. That said, I remain glad that Dublin was removed as one of the host venues given the continuing uncertainty over the pandemic in this country.
Sadly, the presence of fans in and around stadia wasn’t always a positive. Indeed, England’s genuine football supporters were shamefully let down by the loutish behaviour of an element of the population who caused disturbances throughout London on the day of the final. Then there were the thugs who gatecrashed Wembley despite not having tickets for the match, with numerous violent incidents in the ground, families left fearing for their safety and ticket holders with disabilities left discommoded by inconsiderate morons occupying the spaces which weren’t intended for them. Even after the match, the worst of human behaviour manifested itself in instances of online racism and abuse towards the England players whose only ‘crime’ was to not succeed with scoring a penalty. One can only wonder how the Internet bigots would fare had they been in the shoes of Rashford, Sancho or Saka.
It was a distressing way to round off what had been a largely excellent tournament, one which began under the dark cloud of Eriksen’s collapse in Copenhagen. That incident brought out the best in many players and supporters in displaying their own tributes to the Inter Milan playmaker, a comforting by-product of a scene that nobody wants to ever again witness.
When the fallout from the vicious scenes in London subsides, hopefully we will be able to look back upon Euro 2020 as a whole as a tournament which showcased a lot of what we want to see from football – fans at stadia, thrilling matches, plenty of goals, an absence of match-ruining decision from officials… and no talk of super-rich clubs devising ways in which to alienate themselves from the rest of the sport.
Top 10 goals
10: Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark) v Russia
9: Robert Lewandowski (Poland) 1st goal v Sweden
8: Luka Modric (Croatia) v Scotland
7: Andreas Christensen (Denmark) v Russia
6: Lorenzo Insigne (Italy) v Belgium
5: Karim Benzema (France) 1st goal v Switzerland
4: Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland) 1st goal v Turkey
3: Paul Pogba (France) v Switzerland
2: Andriy Yarmolenko (Ukraine) v Netherlands
1: Patrik Schick (Czech Republic) v Scotland
Top 10 matches
1: France 3-3 Switzerland (4-5 pens)
Worst 5 matches
1: Denmark 0-1 Finland – it could only be that one based on the horrendous Christian Eriksen incident
Team of the tournament (4-3-3)
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (Italy): Still just 22, PSG’s new signing gave the authority of someone 10 years his senior as Italy’s last line of defence. Assured throughout the tournament and produced the goods in the semi-final and final penalty shoot-outs. Already looking like the reincarnation of Gianluigi Buffon.
JOAKIM MAEHLE (Denmark): The right-back chipped in with two goals and one assist at the finals and was a bundle of energy up and down the flank for the Danes. Also posted the second-best tackling average in his country’s squad at the finals.
SIMON KJAER (Denmark): In purely footballing terms, the Denmark captain was a rock at the back for the semi-finalists, often averting danger in a no-nonsense manner. He also showed admirable leadership by consoling Christian Eriksen’s wife and his team-mates on that regrettable evening in Copenhagen.
LEONARDO BONUCCI (Italy): Uncompromising centre-backs have long been a staple of Italian football and the Juventus veteran was the epitome of that throughout the tournament. Alongside Giorgio Chiellini, he oozed assurance at the back and gave his more attacking team-mates the security of knowing that they had a trusty guard behind them.
LEONARDO SPINAZZOLA (Italy): Until his unfortunate tournament-ending injury against Belgium in the quarter-finals, the Roma left-back was playing splendidly for Roberto Mancini’s side. Defensively sound, he also offered an abundant attacking threat along his flank.
PAUL POGBA (France): An improved season for Manchester United preceded another strong tournament performance for France from Pogba. Provided so much energy from midfield and came up with a wonder goal against Switzerland. Could’ve been a strong Player of the Tournament contender had Les Bleus gone further than the last 16.
JORGINHO (Italy): Surprisingly fluffed his lines in the final penalty shoot-out but the Chelsea midfielder was one of the eventual champions’ best players overall, directing operations smoothly with his near-flawless passing while also doing the hard graft, averaging 1.9 tackles and 3.6 interceptions per game. Out-Kante’d his Stamford Bridge team-mate at Euro 2020.
EMIL FORSBERG (Sweden): The Swedes may have limply exited in the last 16 but they would have gone home in group stage disgrace had it not been for the RB Leipzig man’s four goals. Scored the winner against Slovakia and netted twice in the 3-2 thriller against Poland. Lifted an ordinary team from total mundanity.
CRISTIANO RONALDO (Portugal): The Golden Boot winner set the all-time record for the most goals at the European Championship, taking his tally to 14, along with equalling Ali Daei’s international record of 109 goals. Even at 36, he plays with the verve and influence of someone in the prime of their career. The one player who stood tall for the underwhelming 2016 champions.
PATRIK SCHICK (Czech Republic): Set the tone for his tournament with an audacious yet brilliantly crafted lob from almost 50 yards against Scotland. Joint-top scorer at the finals with five goals and the inspiration for his team being surprise quarter-finalists. He looks a completely different player from the one who bombed at Roma.
RAHEEM STERLING (England): His simulation in the semi-final was lamentable but the Manchester City winger otherwise had a magnificent tournament. Came into the Euros off the back of much criticism following a below-par club season, but made a massive contribution for Southgate’s men at the finals. He can be infuriating at times, but we saw the best of the 26-year-old over the past five weeks.
SUBS: Jordan Pickford (England), Yann Sommer (Switzerland), Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands), John Stones (England), Robin Gosens (Germany), Luke Shaw (England), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine), Manuel Locatelli (Italy), Pedri (Spain), Bukayo Saka (England), Jack Grealish (England), Federico Chiesa (Italy), Harry Kane (England), Karim Benzema (France), Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
FLOPS XI: Anton Shunin (Russia), Nelson Semedo (Portugal), Andrei Semenyov (Russia), Caglar Soyuncu (Turkey), Umut Meras (Turkey), Grzegorz Krychowiak (Poland), Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey), Roman Zobnin (Russia), Bruno Fernandes (Portugal), Kylian Mbappe (France), Thomas Muller (Germany)
TV watch
For a generation reared on seeing the late, great Bill O’Herlihy anchoring the analysis in the RTE studio, with John Giles and Eamon Dunphy providing the classic yin-and-yang double act, it still seems strange not to hear their voices during an international tournament. Still, those in the anchor’s chair acquitted themselves commendably, not least Jacqui Hurley, who was in the unenviable position of steering the discussion on the evening that Christian Eriksen collapsed.
Of the pundits, Damien Duff delivered plenty of humorous one-liner quips and illustrated a thorough tactical knowledge of numerous teams in the tournament. Richie Sadlier often brought the straight-talking punch, a trait which wasn’t lacking in Didi Hamann either. Liam Brady sometimes let himself down by showing less than rigorous knowledge of some teams and players on show and coming out with some bizarre arguments with the other members of the panel.
Euro 2020 also saw a notable increase in the presence of female commentators and analysts, and those commissioned to give their views quickly dispelled any accusations that they were merely there for tokenism. Karen Duggan, Stephanie Roche, Aine O’Gorman and in particular Lisa Fallon even went as far as to show up some of their male counterparts on BBC in the tactical analysis and insight stakes, and the same can be said for Emma Hayes on ITV.
Quotes of the tournament
“Let it go” – Richie Sadlier embraces his inner Elsa in chiding Liam Brady when he was talking about Declan Rice and Jack Grealish choosing to play for England over Ireland.
“He’ll be telling the grandkids ‘that’s my scar from the Euros’” – Ronnie Whelan on Kiefer Moore’s head injury against Switzerland. The Wales striker is only 28, so we hope that grandkids are some bit away yet.
“The city of Baku in the USSR” – Danny Murphy delivers what would have been an excellent geography lesson prior to Azerbaijan’s gaining of independence in 1991.
“The keeper could’ve thrown his cap on it if he was wearing a cap” – Liam Brady wasn’t impressed with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s penalty against Finland.
“It’s a tight group. Spain, who you would normally win this group easily, are in disarray.” – Liam Brady chooses a weird time to bring Group E into it when previewing the Group C clash of Austria v North Macedonia.
“The Austrian fans are going to be celebrating on the streets of Budapest” – Siobhan Madigan expects an influx of Austrians to neighbouring Hungary after their win over North Macedonia.
“He seems to have failed his way there” – Richie Sadlier on Frank de Boer getting the Netherlands job.
“12,000 very, very lucky Scotland fans in here for today’s game but they, I’m quite assured, will make the noise of 1,000 Scotland fans” – Jim White predicts a not-so-raucous atmosphere at Hampden Park for the Scots’ clash against Czech Republic.
“It was the lack of a goalscorer and the lack of poor decision making” – Jim White on why Scotland then lost to the Czechs.
“He went to China for his payday” – Damien Duff isn’t remotely cynical about Marek Hamsik’s move to the Chinese Super League from Serie A.
“The sound effects were impressive” – Stuart Byrne on Peter Pekarik’s roar when being challenged in the air against Poland.
“That ref has obviously played tennis and never played football” – Damien Duff on Ovidiu Hategan’s decision to send off Grzegorz Krychowiak against Slovakia.
“Four of them ran out and turned their arse to it” – Kevin Doyle was unimpressed with Poland’s defending for Slovakia’s winning goal.
“He’s always got that sad look on his face like he’s just gotten a bit of bad news, as if the dog had just eaten his favourite jumper or something” – Ger Canning on the melancholy Portugal coach Fernando Santos.
“Hostile atmosphere in Budapest, like throwing the Portuguese players to Wolves. Which is usually Jorge Mendes’ job” – The42’s Gavin Cooney comes out with an absolute zinger.
“You get the feeling they love defending, these central defenders for Finland, in the central area” – Danny Murphy on Finland central defenders, in case you missed that.
“It really is all or nothing, unless it’s a draw” – Steve Wilson hedges his bets ahead of Turkey v Wales.
“From Dublin it’s a mere 5,000km as the crow flies – some crow, says you – to the capital of Azerbaijan” – Peter Collins ahead of Turkey v Wales in Baku.
“It’ll make people sit and stand up” – Rio Ferdinand on Italy’s strong start to the tournament.
“Get a bit of magic water in him and he’ll be alright” – Aine O’Gorman dispenses medical advise as Andriy Yarmolenko received treatment against North Macedonia.
“That’s not a lot of money nowadays” – Damien Duff on Yarmolenko’s weekly wage at West Ham, a miserly £100,000 per week.
“It’s not a course of action I’d advise for any footballer, particularly one playing for Millwall” – Richie Sadlier on his previous goading of fans when discussing Marko Arnautovic doing the same against North Macedonia.
“He’s an out and out bully” – Damien Duff on Lyndon Dykes elbowing Luke Shaw.
“England 0 Lithuania with kilts 0” – Mark Goldbridge of The United Stand fame fumes after England’s draw with Scotland
“And at 8, Spain against Seville” – Stephen Alkin seemed to forget that Poland were coming to Seville to play against Spain.
“Didi Hamann must be doing a conga line around the studio at the moment” – Kenny Cunningham after Germany went 4-1 up against Portugal.
“He’s a bit of a madman” – Didi Hamann on Marko Arnautovic. Hard to argue.
“He’s a holiday home there” – Damien Duff explains why Didi Hamann had been talking up Austria.
“You wouldn’t catch lads with hangovers on the Phoenix Park on a Sunday morning missing these passes” – Damien Duff delivers an unflattering verdict on Ukraine’s performance against Austria.
“Fine mouth of teeth, hasn’t he?” – Ger Canning on Yusuf Poulsen celebrating his goal against Russia.
“People say Busquets’ legs are gone. They’re not gone. He’s as slow now as he was at 18.” – Damien Duff on the veteran Spain midfielder.
“Dubravka hoping the ground will open up now and take that Slovakia team into it” – Des Curran after Juraj Kucka’s own goal put Spain 5-0 ahead v Slovakia.
“He still finishes with a plum” – Liam Brady struggling with ‘aplomb’ when discussing Kylian Mbappe.
“The group stages would normally put me to sleep” – Kevin Doyle is honest if nothing else!
“This isn’t a nursery school where you give everyone a badge for getting involved” – Richie Sadlier doesn’t like the idea of four third-placed teams getting out of the group stage.
“It’s that man Kasper the friendly footballer who’s put Denmark ahead” – Jacqui Hurley ghosts in with this comment on Kasper Dolberg’s goal against Wales.
“At Blackburn, Graeme Souness used to tell us to find the dope in the opposition team. We have found a dope here.” – Damien Duff on Matthijs de Ligt getting sent off against Czech Republic.
“That guy’s an impostor! He’s an impostor! Your country needs you. He comes on – hit the target! £100m? If I was Ronaldo I’d be going after him in the dressing room. Shocking.” – This section wouldn’t be complete without a contribution from Roy Keane. Here he is showing his admiration for Portugal’s Joao Felix.
“His first touch was like the proverbial baby hippo there” – Kenny Cunningham on Croatia’s Ante Rebic losing possession.
“I don’t like the guy” – Damien Duff on Granit Xhaka. I suspect many Arsenal fans can resonate.
“Renault, Peugeot, Gerard Depardieu, Rene from Allo Allo, your boys are out!” – Mark Goldbridge at the end of France v Switzerland.
“I’m starting to think I’m a bad omen for these teams, so England to win” – Damien Duff unsuccessfully tries to jinx Gareth Southgate’s men before their clash with Germany.
“Audi, Mercedes, Beethoven, Klinsmann, you’re out! You’re all out!” – Mark Goldbridge after Harry Kane’s goal wrapped up England’s win over Germany.
“Deserved win for England, introduction of Grealish swung it their way. Germany were f***ing useless.” – Gavin Cooney doesn’t mince his words after the last 16 clash at Wembley.
“It was the quickest I’ve ever seen him move” – Damien Duff on Didi Hamann’s reaction to Thomas Muller’s miss against England.
“I’ve got a headline for you: ‘England 2-0 Germany’. Close your laptops. Let’s go get f**ked.” – An England fan who approached Miguel Delaney in the press box after Kane’s aforementioned goal.
“He must have a periscope head, Dani Olmo” – Kenny Cunningham on the Spaniard picking out a clever pass against Switzerland.
“They’ve got Zinchenko, they’ve got…I can’t pronounce his name” – Liam Brady treats us to a masterclass in Ukrainian football knowledge prior to their clash against England.
“That’s an absolute delivery” – Jermaine Jenas on Luke Shaw’s free kick into Harry Maguire for the goal against Ukraine.
“Walker and Sancho will have a great understanding due to their time together at Manchester City, even in training” – Jenas might not realise the England duo had six weeks together at the Etihad Stadium.
“I don’t even want to think about it” – Stuart Byrne when George Hamilton ponders what the reaction in England must be to them thrashing Ukraine.
“We watched him in the first few games and he looked a bit legless” – Didi Hamann inadvertently suggests that Harry Kane was on the sauce in the group stage.
“Morata was describing what it was like. He said it was like being put in a cage with a gorilla and you’d to steal its food” – Richie Sadlier on Alvaro Morata coming up against Giorgio Chiellini.
“He hasn’t got legs” – Liam Brady on Morata facing a discernible stumbling block for a professional footballer.
“I probably know them better than I know my wife” – The potentially divorced Damien Duff on his forensic analysis of Denmark throughout the tournament.
“He’s a bit hyper” – Liam Brady on Jordan Pickford. Some might apply other adjectives to the Everton and England goalkeeper.
“I ended up arguing with the woman next to me – she kept singing the songs out loud, so I ended up in a bit of a trouble that night. But brilliant concert!” – Roy Keane on going to a Neil Diamond concert as ‘Sweet Caroline’ rang out around Wembley after England beat Denmark.
Euro 2020 dislikes
- The likes of Russia and Poland again offering little, if indeed anything, at a major tournament
- Turkey completely flopping and making a mockery of those who tipped them as pre-tournament dark horses
- Spain’s impotent attack
- The structure of the stadium in Baku which left even front-row fans feeling alienated from the on-field action
- Goalkeeping howlers from the likes of Martin Dubravka, Unai Simon and Anton Shunin
- Wales’ loss of discipline in their undignified exit to Denmark
- The Dutch completely blowing it again upon getting out of their group
- The scrappy last 16 clash between Belgium and Portugal, two teams who ought to have produced a far more enjoyable match
- Germany again being flat, save for that outlying virtuoso display against Portugal
- Ukraine barely raising any modicum of a fight against England
- Raheem Sterling’s dive against Denmark and the failure of the VAR officials to intervene despite several replay viewings
- Boris Johnson parading around in an England shirt trying to hop on the bandwagon, in spite of his foolhardy running of the UK throughout the pandemic
- The loutish scenes in and around Wembley on the night of the final
- The online abuse of the England players who missed penalties in the final
- Most of all, the distressing scenes in Copenhagen as Christian Eriksen fought for his life in full view of a global TV audience – we all owe an unrepayable debt of gratitude to the medics who acted so quickly and effectively to ensure that the Denmark player would pull through this frightening episode.
Euro 2020 likes
- The remote-controlled car delivering the ball to the centre circle ahead of the opening match, the semi-finals and the final
- The unity of the Finland and Denmark fans in the Parken Stadion chanting Christian Eriksen’s name to demonstrate their support for him on that dark Saturday evening
- Andriy Yarmolenko’s screamer against the Dutch
- Patrik Schick’s audacious lob against Scotland
- Hungary proving to be no pushovers in Group F against the last three winners of major tournaments involving European teams
- Portugal 2-4 Germany
- Denmark’s heroic performance in seeing off Russia and getting out of the group despite losing their first two games
- The dramatic final night in Group F as every goal altered the qualification picture
- The format allowing for no shortage of drama in the final round of group matches as we tried to decipher which third-placed teams would advance
- Manic Monday and those two all-time classics between Croatia and Spain, plus France and Switzerland
- Paul Pogba’s exquisite goal and ensuing celebration against Switzerland
- Italy’s electric performance against Belgium in the quarter-finals
- The by-and-large excellent standard of refereeing at the tournament, a welcome break from the weekly error-fest in the Premier League
- The conduct of Gareth Southgate and his England players during the finals, with those involved in the squad representing their nation in the best possible manner
- Italy climbing back to the top after the wreckage of the 2018 World Cup debacle, and doing so by playing some superb football along the way
- The sight of fans back at stadia in general, aside from what happened on the day of the final
- Just the two goalless draws, both in the group stage
Man, Ball and All 
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