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On display : England-Croatia
England-Croatia is the remake of the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup which is on the program for the third day of the Euro, Sunday June 13 at 3 p.m. It is also the highly anticipated first shock of the competition.
In Russia, Three lions had opened the scoring, but the checkered team had pocketed the 2-1 victory at the end of extra time at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Three years later in London, England is a scarecrow with its offensive arsenal: Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford …
For its part, Croatia still appears as a credible outsider to the final victory. Since the World Cup, the Vatreni lost their midfielder, Ivan Rakitic, who decided to retire internationally in the summer of 2020, following the postponement of the Euro. But they still have Luka Modric, 35, in their ranks. In 2007, the 2018 Golden Ball was already part of the 3-2 victorious Croatian squad at Wembley. A dark memory for England who had put an end to Euro 2008 that night.
England – Croatia, Sunday June 13 at 3 p.m., on bein Sports 1 (and live on Le Monde. Fr)
The second day of the tournament, Saturday, was marked by the unease suffered by the Danish Christian Eriksen, 29, during the Denmark-Finland match (group B). The player suddenly collapsed on the pitch, his eyes wide. He was taken care of by a medical team who performed cardiac massage. In the evening, the Danish Football Federation (DBU) announced that he had arrived at the hospital “Awake” and UEFA explained that he was in stable condition. The match was stopped before a decision was made to resume it an hour and a half later. The Finns won this meeting (0-1) thanks to a goal from Pohjanpalo.
In addition, in this same group B, the Belgians quietly dominated Russia (3-0) , while in group A, Switzerland and Wales neutralized each other (1-1) in group A.
Euro star : Memphis Depay
Absent at Euro 2016 and then at the 2018 World Cup, the Netherlands finally find a final phase of international competition on Sunday against Ukraine (9 p.m.). Figurehead of the team, Memphis Depay will be keen to wear the “Oranje”.
The Lyonnais was on the bench in the semi-final lost at the 2014 World Cup. Seven years have passed and Depay, 27, has become one of the best players on the continent. With Lyon, this season, he has recorded 20 goals and 12 assists.
To demonstrate his skills on a European scale, the former Mancunien must play a high-level tournament. He is in great shape with five goals in the last three meetings for the Netherlands.
After the Euro, Memphis Depay could sign for Barcelona while he did not extend his contract at Lyon. The Spanish club made a little splash on its website on Saturday by offering the flocking of blaugrana jerseys in its name. Problem: Barca have yet to officially announce the signing of the Dutchman.
Meanwhile… : Michy Batshuayi improvises as a wedding photographer
Before their meeting against Russia (won 3 to 0) on Saturday night, the Belgian team went for a walk in the streets of Saint Petersburg. The opportunity for the Red Devils to stretch their legs, relieve the pressure and visit the city. The occasion above all, for Michy Batshuayi, to seize the camera of the selection to immortalize the moment with his teammates.
But the former Olympique de Marseille striker, now under contract with Chelsea although on loan at Crystal Palace last season, was not content to point his goal at the other players. After having validated his mission by taking pictures of Thibaut Courtois and Dries Mertens, Batshuayi without obviously paying too much attention to the way of framing, preferred to change targets, and the result is to say the least folkloristic.
A cap, a horse-drawn carriage and even… a newlywed couple (this time much more in the center of the photo). Batshuayi played it paparazzi as can be seen on the Belgian selection’s Twitter account. Rather used to being on the other side of the camera, the attacker seems in any case to have taken a lot of fun with the camera in hand.
Michy, we asked you to photograph the players during the walk 😅 #DEVILTIME # EURO2020 https://t.co/wONLlRWp4D
In the skylight: an aerial tactic
Dutch supporters have tactical demands. While the Dutch team were in training before their first game against Ukraine on Sunday, a plane passed over the group dragging a banner on which was written: ” Frank. Gewoon 4-3-3 ! “ A message to the coach, Frank de Boer, to recommend his 4-3-3 to the detriment of his favorite 3-5-2.
A plane, a banner and a completely unusual request from Dutch supporters to Frank de Boer # EURO2020 https://t.co/2GTKnvi6MS
“The day has arrived that I have dreamed of all my life. The one for Macedonia to play a major tournament ”
North Macedonian star Goran Pandev summed up the spirit of a whole country on Instagram. Sunday (6 p.m.), against Austria, his selection will play in the first final phase of an international competition in its history. The small nation of 2 million inhabitants wishes to create the feat in this Euro. For this, the “Risovi” (Lynx) must remember their victory against Germany (2-1) in a qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup in March.
A corner of blue sky: Mbappé casts doubt on his Parisian future
In an interview with France-Football magazine, Kylian Mbappé took stock of his future at PSG, while his contract ends in 2022. “I don’t necessarily have to go fast. I have to make the right decision, which is difficult, and give myself every chance to make up my mind. I’m in a place where I like it, where I feel good. But is this the best place for me? I don’t have the answer yet “, exhibits in particular the French world champion. “I’m not crazy: I know that a project with or without me is not quite the same for the club. But the PSG understands my request “, adds the 22-year-old striker.
Covidometer: Spain relieved
During the training of the Spanish selection, the reservists, who were in a parallel health bubble after the positive test of Sergio Busquets, were thanked with a beautiful guard of honor. Note that Diego Llorente, central defender of Leeds tested negative for Covid-19, after a first positive test. He therefore returned to the Roja group.
👏🏻 Gracias por vuestra predisposición, esfuerzo y Compromise. 🫂 Despedida de honor en Las Rozas para los jugadores… https://t.co/gxBimJ4b1M
