Key occasions
Thanks, Dave. No, I don’t thoughts a little bit of Eurovision, even when it has gone a bit foolish lately. I’m a person of the old-school, like this primary ever nul pointer from Norway. Jahn Tiegen, a real genius.
I do desire ill-fated British entries, like Love Metropolis Groove’s fairly, er, city entry in 1995.
Gina G started Australia’s encroachment into this cultural jewel.
Or Scott Fitzgerald from 1988. Went on to play for Wimbledon…
And on that bombshell, I’ll hand over the weblog to John Brewin. Not a Eurovision fan so far as I do know however I could possibly be fallacious.
Breaking: the enjoyable truth concerning the 4 semi-finalists of Euro 2024 being the joint winners of Eurovision 1969 has been uncovered as false.
Antony T writes: “I’ve an official quibble. At first I assumed the semis having these 4 groups could possibly be like “the true quiz” of throwing stuff over pubs in The Workplace . However then I realised it’s full bollocks as Lulu is Scottish. Making this semi ultimate situation of the 4 not possible to ever occur. Ever. Cheers.”
Good ‘shout’, Antony. The UK entrant that 12 months was certainly Lulu, who continues to be very Scottish. And filled with beans (I noticed her on a cookery programme final week).
For those who’ve not listened but, try the most recent Soccer Each day podcast. Reflections on Spain v France and a look forward to Netherlands v England.
Forged checklist
Max Rushden – host
Philippe Auclair – French soccer skilled
Semra Hunter – Spanish soccer skilled
Barry Glendenning – impartial skilled
Paul MacInnes
Newest reside information from Dortmund by way of Paul MacInnes with kick-off simply over eight hours away…
Within the bars. Oranje. Within the streets. Oranje. Within the parks. Oranje. Popping up across the nook. Oranje. Dortmund has turned fully orange forward of the semi-final tonight and there’s nonetheless eight hours till kick off.
England followers, the place you could find them, are shaking their heads. “I’ve by no means seen us outnumbered like this”, was the sentiment I received from a couple of supporter, the truth is even the Soccer Supporters’ Affiliation. At each earlier fixture there’s been one sq. (shrinking as time has gone on, to be honest) which is stuffed with St George’s flags, however not right here.
There’s a easy cause why, after all. Whereas two guys I spoke to from Exeter had been travelling since yesterday afternoon, and their occasion included a bloke from the tip of the Cornish peninsula who’d been on the go since 7 on Tuesday morning, for a lot of Dutch followers Dortmund is only a hop, skip and a bounce from residence. Not solely does that imply a shorter, simpler journey, however decrease prices too.
There’s extra to it that than that although. The Dutch have come ready, with a lot of cell discos, a great deal of bits of paraphernalia and, after all, a most popular uniform. They usually’re additionally ready to go lengthy; they’ve been dancing within the streets since 10am and are planning to begin their fabled fan march at half previous 4, nonetheless a number of hours earlier than the match at 9pm.
There was a lot discuss of an ‘orange wall’ on the BVB stadium tonight, however wanting on the crowds which may find yourself being partitions plural. In England’s matches up to now, the massed and organised assist of each the Danes and the Swiss have clearly raised the degrees of their staff’s efficiency at key moments. Wanting on the tangerine tide spreading out throughout Dortmund proper now, it should absolutely show an element once more tonight.
A pair extra Johnny Rep-inspired emails.
Charles Antaki: “That French Johnny Rep track has a pleasant little bit of accordion in it – not one thing we’re used to over right here. Looking for one thing comparable in British pop didn’t get me very far, however I did come throughout this use of the melodica, which, if in case you have the stamina to sit down by way of, is a reasonably good aural illustration of what the French staff have been like on this match: well-organised however skinny, repetitive and in the end pointless.”
Simon McMahon: “Hello David. I used to be six and a half in 1978 and have imprecise recollections of watching Scotland v Iran in Argentina, although after all Archie Gemmill’s aim in opposition to Holland is etched into the reminiscence of each Scotland fan. Sometimes, our desires had been crushed minutes later when Rep scored from distance. Who’d have thought, 46 years later, that Scotland would nonetheless be ready to make it past the group stage within the finals of a serious match? Truly, don’t reply that. England followers, it may not all the time really feel prefer it, however you don’t understand how fortunate you might be.”
Bobby Robson and Terry Venables, each mentors to Gareth Southgate, received very totally different outcomes in opposition to the Dutch in 1988 and 1996. Louise Taylor appears again to match and distinction.
After all, Lamine Yamal’s marvel aim and show in opposition to France sparked a collection of age-related gags on X. Some contributions right here from a few Guardian Soccer Weekly favourites.
Sure, Yamal is sort of actually a greater participant than I used to be at 16, however gamers develop at totally different charges. I am nonetheless enjoying each week at 43 – will he be capable to say the identical?
— Elis James (@elisjames) July 9, 2024
Pfffft
At 16 I used to be tanning bottles of Eldorado Outdated Tawny wine in Campsie Cemetery and getting off with Caroline Scott so who’s the true winner right here pic.twitter.com/cAfwOYmRfX
— Jim Burke (@Barcajim3) July 9, 2024
Lamine Yamal’s heroics final evening didn’t go unnoticed by one other precocious expertise who additionally shocked the sporting world on the age of 16. Unsure this was Luke’s personal work although.
The Dutch are having enjoyable on a bus. A enjoyable bus. An Oranje enjoyable bus.
“Acting on the parade might be Rob Kemps, 38, a comedian-cum-lead singer of Snollebollekes, whose 2015 occasion track, Hyperlinks Rechts (Left Proper), has been the theme tune of the nation’s match.”
Right here’s some footage of Rob, a type of cross between a vacation rep and a Dutch tennis participant who misplaced in straight units in spherical two at Wimbledon.
Extra Johnny Rep now and the ending to this story could be very Dutch.
Arjan de Jong emails: “I’m too younger to recollect Jonny Rep in his pomp however as one of many legendary members of the 70s classic was thrilled to fulfill him within the mid 80s within the altering rooms when he was enjoying for provincial membership PEC Zwolle. As soon as the sport had completed my uncle marched myself and cousin straight down the tunnel and into the altering rooms the place Jonny was glad to debate the prospects of regaining his place for Oranje. It gained’t shock you to be taught that he rated his prospects as nil as a result of ‘earlier’ with the then coach. Hup Holland, Arjan.”
After all, Scots followers of a sure classic will bear in mind Rep all too properly. This was a scorcher and the timing was key too, coming simply 4 minutes after THAT aim from Archie Gemmill which had put Scotland 3-1 up and on the point of gaining the three-goal margin of victory they wanted to achieve the second spherical. You may learn extra about it right here from Scott Murray’s reside report from, erm, 2020 when issues received unusual throughout lockdown.
On an excellent evening for Spain, they may have finished with out this.
Reflections from Barney Ronay after France crashed out in opposition to Spain.
“France by no means performed like pre-tournament favourites throughout their six matches in Germany. Right here they had been crushed by a superior staff, much more incisive of their attacking, and supremely good at controlling the midfield. Defeat by Spain is one factor. This felt like one thing else too, maybe even a passing on for the strangulation-football of the mature Didier Deschamps period.”
Paul MacInnes
Our roving reporter, Paul MacInnes, is reside in Germany. What’s the phrase on the road?
The Dutch are already at it in Dortmund, of their fancy costume, launching confetti bombs and enjoying godawful techno variations of songs about Johnny Rep from a pick-up truck disco. By way of followers, that is like Dutch 19 England 0. Although I did simply see Huge Ben Foster going for a jog straight by way of the crowds.
Appears like hell Paul. A lot desire this French Johnny Rep ditty, a tribute to his time at Saint Etienne within the late 70s/early 80s.
Is it fallacious to really feel a bit short-changed concerning the Golden Boot race on this 12 months’s Euros? The place’s that six-goal striker all of us crave? The leaders this 12 months are solely on three though Dani Olmo is in pole as a result of offering extra assists. Spaniards gained the Golden Boot in 2008 (David Villa with 4) and 2012 (Fernando Torres with a paltry three) so perhaps that bodes properly for Spain on condition that they went on to raise the trophy in each these editions. Perhaps Harry Kane (2 targets up to now), Jude Bellingham (2) or Cody Gakpo (3) can shake issues up tonight?
Fairly exceptional what AI can churn out nowadays. Besides that is actual!
On e mail, krishnamoorthy v sees the pics and notes the timing after Messi’s aim helped Argentina overcome Canada of their Copa América semi-final final evening: “Morning David, each ‘males’ powered their respective groups to the finals.”
Staying with the obscure…
Little bit of a distinct segment thought however Musical Youth appear to have the semi-finals properly lined.
“Can’t drink, can’t smoke. Can’t drive, can’t vote. Can curl a soccer into the highest nook.” That’s how Sid Lowe begins his column on Lamine Yamal after the 16-year-old’s sensational efficiency in opposition to France.
Now some correct tactical evaluation from Jonathan Wilson as he runs his big mind over Netherlands v England. Some good airport reads on this lot: ‘The Dumfries protocol’, ‘The Gakpo gamble’ and ‘The Kane query’.
If this all comes all the way down to marginal beneficial properties, may some Dutch journey disruption show decisive? Not in line with Gareth Southgate, who glossed over it with this remark. “I don’t see that having any affect on the sport. We don’t play until 9 o’clock tomorrow, so there’s loads of time. I’m certain they’ll nonetheless get their dinner.” Right here’s the story from Reuters. Planes, Trains and … if solely they’d a pair of twins known as Van Driel.
The Netherlands had their journey to Dortmund on Tuesday for the European Championship semi-final in opposition to England disrupted and had been pressured to desert their plans to journey by practice, the Dutch Soccer Affiliation (KNVB) stated.
As an alternative, they needed to fly to Dortmund from their base in Wolfsburg, arriving at their lodge at 21h35, some 4 hours later than deliberate. “The practice service was cancelled as a result of a blockage on the route,” the KNVB stated.
They deliberate to journey at 1600 native time however then needed to change plans and take a airplane to Dortmund, the place they’re staying in a single day earlier than the sport on Wednesday. It meant the pre-match press convention with coach Ronald Koeman was cancelled.
The Dutch had not deliberate a coaching session on the stadium, having accomplished their preparations in Wolfsburg earlier on Tuesday.
Let’s get an early little bit of England build-up within the weblog with this scene-setter from our man in Dortmund, Jacob Steinberg.
“Can he win the tactical battle? Can England lastly click on in assault and make it to Berlin? Can they reply if the tide turns within the second half? If not, the Southgate period might be over.”
“This is only one extra signal that that is an insatiable staff that desires to maintain enhancing,” stated Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, considerably ominously, after the victory over France. Quotes right here, together with one about wanting to maintain Lamine Yamal’s toes on the bottom.
That was a cracker, wasn’t it. Particularly the primary 25 minutes when the lead modified arms twice, the second time for good. Right here’s Jonathan Liew’s match report from Munich.
Preamble
Twenty 4 groups headed to Germany earlier this summer time to contest Euro 2024. Now simply three stay standing and, regardless of followers lobbing drinks at Gareth Southgate throughout this stickiest of runs to the final 4, England are one among them. Tonight in Dortmund we’ll discover out if Southgate’s males can attain their second Euros ultimate on the trot. Standing in the way in which are the Netherlands, winners of this match approach again in 1988 when their run to the ultimate included a Marco van Basten-inspired 3-1 gubbing of England within the group stage.
Whereas all eyes are on England and the Netherlands this night, our pupils are solely simply beginning to contract after Lamine Yamal’s marvel aim for Spain of their 2-1 semi-final win over France final evening. He’s solely 16, you understand! Extra response from that and massive dollops of build-up to tonight’s semi to observe. Learn on!…
-makes-an-appearance-in-the-western-sky-after-sunset-vw0g9vyu.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75 "Comet final seen by Neanderthals 80,000 years in the past is noticed above London skyline")
