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euro 2020 bracket

6/24/2021

 
UEFA 
EURO 2020


Champion: Italy!

Final

Italy (w)                      England



Semi-finals

Italy (w)                      England (w)
Spain                            Denmark


Quarter-finals


Belgium                        Ukraine
Italy (w)                         England (w)

Switzerland                 Czech Republic
Spain (w)                       Denmark (w)



Round of 16
 
Belgium (w)                                                                              Sweden
Portugal                                                                                      Ukraine (w)           
 
Italy (w)                                                                                        England (w)
Austria                                                                                          Germany
 
France                                                                                          Netherlands
Switzerland (w)                                                                       Czech Republic (w)
 
Croatia                                                                                          Wales
Spain (w)                                                                                      Denmark (w)



Commentary: 

7-12-21

Italy are worthy champions of the 2020 UEFA Euro! A true nail-biter of a game, Italy came back to take down mighty England in an exciting penalty shootout to earn its second overall Euro. As I predicted before the tournament, Italy would be champions and it did so in deserving fashion. There is much more to come from this Italian side as the next FIFA World Cup is right around the corner!

7-7-21


Both Italy and England are on a roll and playing well, with a spark. It should be a tremendous game. Don't be surprised to see England walk away as champs! 

Prediction:

7-7-21

​Before the tournament I chose Italy all the way. I'm still going with the Azzurri but it's a toss up! 


Commentary: 

7-7-21

England is back in a major tournament final for the first time since 1966! A 2-1 victory over Denmark today in the Euro 2020 semi put the Three Lions over the top! 


7-6-21

Italy has reached the final after a long slump in international soccer that was accentuated by its absence in the recent 2018 FIFA World Cup. (Unheard of!) This 2021 squad, which deftly got past Spain in a semi-final shootout, reminds me of the 2006 FIFA World Cup champions. The 2006 side had a fervor unlike most. You can tell a lot about a side from its subs. The 2006 Italians had no ego in terms of who came off the bench; there was a unity among starters and subs that was refreshing; they all served an important purpose; you could see it on their body language; i.e., no sub felt inferior as everyone felt honored to be on the team, to serve their country, and the coach configured the lineup based on chemistry, and no one seemed to care; it was more important to support one another and win. This 2021 side shares that sentiment. So far so good. It's looking prosperous for Italy in the final. My prediction before the tournament, that Italy would win it all, still stands. A lot of my prediction was based on a gut feeling. Hopefully it will stand. The world of international soccer is better when Italy wins. Go Italy!  

6-30-21
​

Best match from the Round of 16? By far: Spain vs. Croatia! High octane, amazing passing combinations under immense pressure, lots of drama!

6-30-21

As I predicted months before the tournament, Italy all the way! However, the Italians are up against the world no. 1 Belgium. This is the matchup of the Quarterfinals, by far!

Equally interesting is England vs. Ukraine. England should win, though you never know. Ukraine has some fight in them. However, with Kane and Sterling in scoring form it might just be England's year to find the championship game.

Spain should handle the Swiss with no problem. But I've said before: Spain will have a hard time finding goals in the post Golden Generation era. With that said, Spain scored a ton in the Round of 16 yet this, in my opinion, was an anomaly. 

Czech Republic and Denmark: A toss up. Both are playing well.

 
​

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did you see that?!!! best goal of copa america: colombia vs. Brazil

6/23/2021

 
6-23-21

Colombia vs. Brazil

The opening goal for Colombia, from Diaz, was not a bicycle kick, but something in-between. You be the judge. Best goal of Copa America!!!

Euro 2020 has some competition! 

euro & copa America thoughts!

6/21/2021

 
Euro 2020-21

Denmark's Uniforms: The best!!!

Thank you Denmark for not going with ubiquitous Nike or Adidas! Instead the Danes have adorned their typical (and awesome) Hummel brand! Very nice, a great change of pace! More Hummel please!!!

Copa America 2021

Uruguay. I hate to say it but Uruguay takes all the life from my soul and just stomps all over it with boringness. My goodness are they awful. My apologies Uruguay, but you might be the most boring team to watch, ever! And I mean ever! Wow it hurts to watch, they are so boring. I've rarely seen such a lack of creativity in all my life. Literally. 


So then Shane, Mr. Know it all, how does Uruguay qualify for the Copa America and World Cup? Got me! 

Here's the thing, traditionally, Uruguay is one of South America's powerhouses. True, but you have realize the list down there is small. It goes like this: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Suriname and that's about it. 


Uruguay, man, just get better, please!!! And do it now!!!

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BOOK EXCERPT: THE EURO 2020-21 BOOK

6/6/2021

 
The following is a book excerpt from The Euro 2020-21 Book: 
​
Stay’s UEFA Euro 2021 All-Star 11 Lineup 
 
Who says we need “defenders” in the traditional sense? With a little work, these offensive powerhouses can transition into defensive roles that would unleash outright offensive magic. The 4-3-3 seems like the best formation for such a group. The possession would be off the chart, and few teams would be able to break through this organized defense. 
 
 
Timo Werner               Harry Kane                 Cristiano Ronaldo 
            
Mbappé                      Luka Modrić               Marco Reus 
 
Julian Brandt               Sergio Ramos              Jorginho          Eden Hazard
 
Thibaut Courtois
 
 
Other players who deserve to be on this list: 
Antoine Griezmann, Isco, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitić, Ivan Perišić, Dele Alli, Harry Maguire, Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Bernardo Silva, Toni Kroos, Serge Gnabry, Paulus Arajuuri, Birkir Bjarnason, Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti, and too many others! 


EURO Cup 2020-21
​All games take place: June 11-July 11 2021 !
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The Book & Tournament that Almost Didn't Make it! 
COVID-19 Will Be Defeated

Enjoy the Tournament Safely!

    Shane stay +   
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    Shane Stay, author of This Is Our CITY, THE World Cup 2022 Book, THE World Cup 2018 Book.

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