EURO 2024 ⚽

[DuncinToffee]

EURO 2024 kicks off in Munich on Friday 14 June and ends with the final in Berlin on Sunday 14 July

I was cheering on and hoping Czechia would keep their 1-1 draw, but I knew it was unlikely. Portugal were lucky!

That's just rubbish as Ronaldo is known for encouraging his team mates for club & country.

At Real Madrid, Benzema was struggling for form and lacking in confidence. When a penalty came, Ronaldo took the ball to Benzema and told him to take it to boost his confidence. Benz scored.

During a shootout Portugal needed to win in Euro 2016 (I think), Ronaldo encouraged Joao Moutinho to step up by telling him he's good at those. Look at how he encouraged the team in the final - the players cited Ronaldo's half time talk as inspirational to them to go on to beat France.

Young players like Elanga and Garnacho at Man United spoke of how Ronaldo helped them with their game.

In the history of football, only four players have made more assists than Ronaldo. It shows he involves his team mates and believes in them too.

Fair enough. I should have included the caveat that's the way he comes across to me and plenty of others.

But I know Manchester United fans and many others think he can do no wrong. I'd probably be the same if I was a United or Portuguese fan.

Back to this afternoon, this is not looking good for Croatia.

Ah an equaliser! Shame you have to immediately wonder if it's going to go to Var.

Finally Croatia manage to get a goal.

X 2!!!

The young players in the Portugal team also talk about how helpful he is to them and their confidence this year too.

That's why he's the captain!

Well that's just lovely to hear.

A defeat this afternoon and, realistically, the Euros will be over for Albania which would be a shame given how long they led.

And with 29% possession too!

Shame they conceded an OG.

Ouch for the Goalie there.

Oooh! 2 - 2!

So late on!

Albania pulls it back in the final minutes.

Omg!

What a game that was! Credit to Albania, they really made things difficult for Croatia.

My word, what a game that was! We have already had so many bangers and we're only just starting the second round of group games! This is shaping up to be one hell of a tournament.

Argh missed it!

Home now to watch Germany and Hungary.

I watched the Turkey v Georgia on catch up late last night having missed most of it. Made me think how lucky to be able to do that compared with tournaments of the past! Especially if you can avoid the result. Shades of The Likely Lads episode!

Hungary messed that up

Germany's kit is horrible

It looks like the kit on the home screen of Football Manager. Bit of a strange choice.

I've said the same! Who the heck decided on it?!

Ribena?

Good shout. Maybe that's what they've got in their water bottles

Dh thinks that ' octopus energy ' sponsored the German kit ! Same colours
It is shockingly bad