The weekend sport (so far)
On Friday I watched the first of the Euro quarter finals.
Spain v Germany matched the recent champions against the hosts in which the former came on top. It was a vibrant, full-blooded game which tipped into nasty when Tony Kroos put Pedri out for the rest of the tournament.
I thought Spain deserved their win but it was refreshing in an era of superannuated galacticos to see both teams fielding young teens.
One such galactico is the 39 year old Ronaldo. It was clear in the disappointing match between France and Portugal – which ended with a Gallic victory on penalties – that Ronaldo is running the team and does not get on with Bruno Fernandes.
Roberto Martinez was an impressive manager at Wigan, less so with Belgium and Portugal.
On Saturday I was up bright and early for the first rugby Test match at Dunedin between England and the All Blacks which the Kiwis shaded 16-15.
Marcus Smith was not accurate off the tee but fellow Quin flanker Chandler Cunningham South was England’s most impressive player. There is more than a touch of the great Fergus Slattery about him.
With Tom Curry, Alfie Barbary and Zac Mercer in the wings England have plenty of options at back row but lack world class players like Audie Savea or Eben Etzibeth.
South Africa v Ireland was a must.
I was disappointed in Handré Pollard, normally such a reliable kicker, who missed three as the Boks ran out winners.
I then switched over for England v Switzerland.
Gareth Southgate’s tournament nous has improved e.g. by bringing on his subs for game time before the inevitable penalty shoot out. Time was when England lost these shoot-outs, epitomised by the crass comment of the then manager Glenn Hoddle that you cannot replicate match conditions so there is no point in practising them.
Clearly this team does practice them with the pleasing result of scoring all five. Also the way Konsa and later Shaw slotted in reflected well on the depth of the squad.
Turkey have been one of the stars of this Euros and produced an exciting game against the Netherlands.
Pargie has predicted a France v England final and who am I to disagree?
