Rob Smyth's Blog, page 28
July 10, 2024
Netherlands 1-2 England: Euro 2024 semi-final – as it happened
Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score the winner to send England into Sunday’s final
ENGLAND’S DREAMS ALL COME TRUE
Here’s the great David Lacey’s report from that giddy night at Wembley in June 1996.
1988 Netherlands 3-1 England
1996 England 4-1 Netherlands (poor old Scotland)
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July 9, 2024
Jimmy Anderson: his six best wickets for England, from Ponting to Sharma
The greatest seam bowler England has produced gave us sexy cricket – enjoy this selection of masterpieces
Before Jimmy Anderson arrived in 2003, most English swing bowlers were hard-faced brawlers who harassed the outside edge. Anderson introduced us to sexy cricket: the boyband looks, the Freddie Ljungberg-tribute hair and most of all the stump-busting outswingers to the right-hander. That delivery defined the first phase of his career, when he was erratic but exhilarating and there was sometimes a whiff of accidental magic. The most spectacular demonstration was at Trent Bridge against New Zealand in 2008, when Anderson took seven for 43 to settle the game and the series.
Continue reading...July 6, 2024
Uruguay 0-0 Brazil (4-2 pens): Copa América 2024 quarter-final – as it happened
Manuel Ugarte scored the winning penalty as ten-man Uruguay eliminated Brazil after a horrible game in Las Vegas
There’s a lovely pre-match embrace between Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa and Brazil winger Raphinha, who worked together so thrillingly at Leeds United.
“With Vini Junior suspended, the only number 7 on the pitch is Uruguay’s Nicolas de la Cruzm,” writes Peter Oh. “And there’s no 77 in sight to slot in for a Vegas-style 777. For what it’s worth, Araújo’s 20 beats Brazil in blackjack.”
Continue reading...Euro 2024: England v Switzerland buildup, plus quarter-finals reaction – as it happened
All the reaction to Germany and Portugal’s elimination, plus previews of England v Switzerland and Netherlands v Turkey
France’s semi-final opponents are Spain, who edged a bruising, dramatic match against the hosts Germany.
Back to Portugal v France, a match dominated by a player who hardly touched the ball.
Continue reading...Euro 2024: England v Switzerland buildup, plus quarter-finals reaction – live
Hello and welcome to our coverage of day 23 of Euro 2024. It’s a big one for England, Switzerland, Turkey and the Netherlands, who are hoping to join Spain and France in the semi-finals. We’ll have reaction to last night’s games and all the buildup to today’s contests.
Let’s start with Julian Nagelsmann’s reaction to Germany’s dramatic defeat to Spain.
Continue reading...July 4, 2024
Argentina 1-1 Ecuador (4-2 pens): Copa América 2024 quarter-final – as it happened
Emi Martinez was the hero in another penalty shoot-out as Argentina survived a big scare in Texas
3 min Fernandez stabs a promising pass towards Lautaro Martinez, forcing Preciado to come across and sweep up on the edge of the area. Argentina have had all of the ball in the first few minutes.
3 min There hasn’t been a goal at either end in the first half of Argentina’s games, so don’t be surprised if this takes a little while to get going.
Continue reading...July 3, 2024
England beat New Zealand by five wickets: third women’s cricket ODI – as it happened
Lauren Bell took her first five-for at international level before the brilliant Nat Sciver-Brunt guided England to a 3-0 series win
“Absolutely huhning it down here in Bristol Dan”
That’s the bleak report from Michael Jelley. I’m not sure what was meant by ‘huhning’, but choose your own adventure here. However you cut it, it’s wet.
Continue reading...July 2, 2024
Euro 2024: Netherlands ready for Romania and pain-free Sané gunning for Spain – as it happened
News and features from Germany ahead of the last fixtures in the round of 16
Austria v Turkey (8pm)
Ralf Rangnick’s side hammered Turkey 6-1 in a friendly in March, which adds a meaty layer of context to tonight’s game. Here’s Nick Ames’ preview of what is going to be a cracking game. You have our word.
I thanked him [afterwards] for being the way he is, for caring for the group. I was certain that he would be the first penalty taker and show us the way to take victory. I think we’re all very proud of our captain. Our dressing room was all delighted. I think he gave us all a lesson. Life and football gives you difficult moments and the way he reacted shows why we are so proud in Portuguese football.
Continue reading...Euro 2024: Ronaldo talks of relief after being ‘at rock bottom’ in emotional victory – live
In other news, the Copa América hosts USA went out at the group stage after an extremely controversial defeat to Uruguay, whose winning goal looked offside to the naked eye. Team VAR thought otherwise.
France 1-0 Belgium
Deschamps suggested that this was all part of the plan, proud of a team he said had not fallen into the “traps” the Belgians laid for them. Getting here, he said, was something worth celebrating. After all, it is not so easy and they might not have done.
Continue reading...June 30, 2024
Euro 2024: England 2-1 Slovakia (aet) – as it happened
Jude Bellingham injury-time overhead kick saved England before Harry Kane headed the winner in extra time
Introducing today’s opponents. They’re good, you know, and they won’t die wondering.
I am lucky because I have a very focused team who want to play offensively. We must be defensively sound, we must care about the details, but I trust my players. Until now they have given us a lot of satisfaction in terms of performance and behaviour.
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