That's it, everyone broke the ice.
The teams of group F were the last not to have yet stepped on a lawn of Euro 2020. Place after the group stage.
This Wednesday, we will have the opportunity to see Italy at work, which marked the spirits last Friday during the opening match against Turkey (3-0).
But that's not the only reason to turn on the television.
Today's program
Finland-Russia (Group B): 3 p.m. (beIN Sports 1)
Turkey-Wales (Group A): 6 p.m. (beIN Sports 1)
Italy-Switzerland (Group A): 9 p.m. (M6 & beIN Sports 1)
Because the matches are worth more
Winning or losing your first match in the group stage only ensures qualification or elimination.
But this Wednesday is already the second of three matches to be played in this first round.
For example, if Finland wins, they will already be eighth finalist.
Turkey can already say goodbye to the Euro!
The stress inherent in major international competitions will rise a notch this Wednesday.
Because Finland holds its dream
She had never played a Euro or a World Cup.
And here it is to a victory of the round of 16 of the 2020 European Championship, after beating Denmark last Saturday (1-0).
The Finnish selection could be the big surprise of the summer.
“
We started the tournament with a dream,” commented coach Markku Kanerva.
But it goes through stages.
We haven't reached our dream yet.
A draw against Russia, back to the wall after its defeat against Belgium (0-3), could even be enough to qualify.
“
It's not the right attitude to play a game to draw.
We want to win,
”however warned the Finnish midfielder Joni Kauko.
Because Yilmaz's Turkey is under pressure
He was expected at the turn after his big season in Lille, crowned with a title of champion of France.
Burak Yilmaz went through, like his entire team, in the opening of the Euro last Friday on Italian soil (3-0).
Wales, which held Switzerland in check (1-1), seems much more within reach of Turkey.
The latter would be on the edge of the abyss in the event of disappointment this Wednesday in Baku (Azerbaijan).
The performance of the Lille striker, assisted by his club teammate Yusuf Yazici and star Hakan Calhanoglu (AC Milan), will be scrutinized from all sides.
Burak Yilmaz's incredible impact in Lille
Because Italy made your mouth water
64% possession of the ball, 24 shots including 8 on target and 3 goals: Italy engulfed Turkey at the Olympic Stadium in Rome last Friday (3-0). Without a real star and orphan of the Parisian milieu Marco Verratti, but perhaps not for a long time, the Squadra Azzura sent a message. It is to be taken seriously for the Euro, and it is not limited to the cliché of the catenaccio. "
We always try not to let the opponents breathe, we will take them high,
" defender Francesco Acerbi told the press on Monday. Obviously, we want to see this Wednesday evening (9 p.m.), against Switzerland, if the center forward Ciro Immobile will continue. If Lorenzo Insigne will still sublimate with his right foot. What if Italy was the favorite that we weren't expecting this summer?
Because there is Breel Embolo
The less Germanophiles must have wondered why Breel Embolo (24) is not an indisputable holder in Mönchengladbach last Saturday.
Against Wales, the Swiss striker wandered: 4 successful dribbles out of 5, 10 duels won out of 15, two assists before a shot, 6 shots and a goal.
His thrusts destabilized the Welsh.
Bis repetita against Italy?
The challenge will be quite different against the old hands of Juventus, Leonardo Bonucci (34 years old) and Giorgio Chiellini (36 years old).
But an international tournament always feeds on these players who burst the screen and present themselves to the general public.
