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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 14:56:00 GMT
Here we go again.
Group C offers up our chums North Macedonia but for all the thrills and spills they've provided, it's the other game that takes centre stage as 2nd place Ukraine take on 3rd place Austria. Switzerland have laid down the first marker for best 3rd placed finishers with 4 points and a -1 GD. The scary thing about today's game is that a draw would suit both Ukraine and Austria pretty well - but that's without talking about who would play whom.
The 2nd placers in this group would face Italy. A draw would see Ukraine go through in second and also see Austria better Switzerland's finish by +1 goal, thereby reducing the field they're up against. But playing for a draw? In this day and age? Well, Slovakia tried that v Sweden and ended up losing. There's little chance of nobbling Netherlands from top spot, but nevertheless surely it's all out for the win, just to be on the safe side, even if it means meeting Italy. After all, the successful 3rd place finisher in this group would meet the winner of Group F for god's sake.
Let's hope for a full-bodied battle then.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 15:07:11 GMT
Here are the line-ups for both games. Ukraine makes one change, Austria two. And two changes each for NM & Netherlands.
Ukraine : Bushchan; Mykolenko, Matviyenko, Zabarnyi, Karavayev; Zinchenko, Sydorchuk, Shaparenko; Malinovskiy, Yaremchuk, Yarmolenko.
Subs: Pyatov, Trubin, Sobol, Sudakov, Kryvtsov, Stepanenko, Marlos, Makarenjo, Tsygankov, Besedin, Tymchyk, Dovbyk.
Austria : Bachmann; Lainer, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Alaba; Schlager, Laimer, Grillitsch; Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Arnautovic.
Subs: Schlager, Pervan, Ulmer, Posch, Ilsanker, Gregoritsch, Lienhart, Trimmel, Schaub, Schöpf, Onisiwo, Kalajdzic.
Trophy odds -
Ukraine 100/1
Austria 150/1
*
North Macedonia : Dimitrievski, Ristovski, Velkovski, Musliu, Alioski, Bardi, Ademi, Trickovski, Elmas, Trajkovski, Pandev.
Netherlands : Stekelenburg, De Ligt, De Vrij, Dumfries, Blind, Van Aanholt, Gravenberch, Wijnaldum, De Jong, Malen, Depay
Trophy odds -
North Macedonia ELIMINATED
Netherlands 12/1
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 15:58:27 GMT
It's an even market at 19/20 each as to which side kicks off in Bucharest.
Over in Amsterdam, North Macedonia are 7/10 favourites to win the coin toss, with Netherlands coming in at 11/10.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 16:02:45 GMT
We're underway in both games, with Austria kicking off in Bucharest and coin-toss favourites North Macedonia winning the toss in Amsterdam.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 16:13:33 GMT
North Macedonia has a goal disqualified for extremely marginal offside on '10.
In Bucharest, Austria is making the early running.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 16:24:05 GMT
GOAL
Austria's 5th corner is delivered by Alaba and it dips and meets the outstretched leg of Baumgartner who sticks it away for nothing-one on '22. The Ukranians were defending against heads but Baumgartner had other ideas.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 16:26:58 GMT
GOAL
Memphis Depay bursts into the N Macedonia area and slots home the opener for Netherlands on '24.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 16:49:03 GMT
Oh, big chance goes a-begging for Austria just before the break as Schopf tears down the right and feeds a spot-on ball square to Arnautovic who makes a mess of the finish when he was all set up to bury it. He could only send it wide.
Half time and as it stands Austria is second and Ukraine third on 3 points and a negative goal difference. They have been uninspired in the creativity department and know they have to improve against what has been a lively Austrian first half.
Austria leads one-nil, as does Netherlands.
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Post by DrKrippen on Jun 21, 2021 16:56:20 GMT
Bad luck for North Macedonia. I wasn't sure Austria was that much better than Ukraine but I guess they are.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 17:13:04 GMT
GOAL
It's Wijnaldum for 0-2 Netherlands shortly into the second portion, a tap-in job from Depay's ball across.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 17:15:27 GMT
Both sets of supporters are bouncing up and down and chanting but it's the Austrian contingent which will be doing the happier dance. Ukraine has shown better intent this half but still need to find the route to goal on '56.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 17:20:27 GMT
GOAL
Netherlands increase their lead to 3-0 before the hour, Wijnaldum potting his second of the game, mopping up the parried save from Depay's shot to pounce on the rebound and poke it home.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 17:33:41 GMT
Goran Pandev, in his final international, is ceremoniously subbed off in Amsterdam. 38 next month, he is a Macedonian and Serie A idol. Long Live The Goran!  |
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 17:40:02 GMT
Into the final ten minutes and Ukraine yet to find the breakthrough. They need a lift because three points and minus goals isn't necessarily going to get them very far.
Austria have kept a measured game in this second half, taking no risks with rash attacks, setting up their table nicely in the middle third and doing a good job at shutting down the opposition.
But there's still time.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 17:45:10 GMT
Besedin comes on for Ukraine with 5 minutes plus added to go. A strong physical presence up front, but what can Besedin do in the time allotted him?
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 17:49:35 GMT
No late comeback Netherlands-stylee for Ukraine as the clock creeps into added time.
And there's just 3 minutes of it.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 17:51:44 GMT
The bouncing throngs of red and white cheer in the stands with one minute left.
The despondent fields of yellow and blue can only sit there glum of face.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 21, 2021 17:54:01 GMT
It's all over. Austria win by the single goal and will go on to face Italy.
Ukraine has to await their fate, but it's not looking great for them on 3 points and minus GD, you have to say.
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