Scheduled Group matches for Monday 17th June.

E: Romania vs Ukraine 

(Munich, 15:00)

E: Belgium vs Slovakia 

(Frankfurt, 18:00)

????Austria vs France 

(Düsseldorf, 21:00)

@Wheelbarrow repair man

Agree about Bellingham having to take a lot of abuse. I  am old enough remember Pele and Garrincha taking loads of physical abuse in the 1966 World Cup in England. 

Football hasn't changed as far as teams targeting certain players. 

How about this footage of Pele in a 1966 World Cup group game against  Portugal taking foul after foul then playing the match on one leg.

You wouldn't see a player doing this nowadays, and he still looked good even though he was immobile.

 

Half time 

Romania 1 Ukraine 0.

A goal after 29 minutes for Romania 

Romania hit the bar direct from a corner too 

Two quick.goals for Romania in the second half.

Romania 3 Ukraine 0 

58 minutes gone.

Final Score

Romania 3 Ukraine 0.

Wasn't expecting that. Ukraine were big favourites in this one. Romania had the reputation of not scoring many.

Ukraine have a lot to do if they have any chance of qualifying.

Just 6 minutes into the match Slovakia score.

Belgium 0 Slovakia 1

 

Half time 

Belgium 0 Slovakia 1

Slovakia playing well. Belgium will need to go up a gear in the second half.

Big shock in Euro 24 

Belgium 0 Slovakia 1.

Belgium have two goals ruled out by VAR, one for a hand ball leading up to the second disallowed goal.

If there wasn't VAR the goal wouldn't have been disallowed.

First controversy of Euro 24.

Can Austria get a result against France?

It will be a very tall order.

The match has just begun.

Austra 0 France 0:  5 min gone 

Half time.

Austria 0 France 1.

A fortuitous own goal gives France the lead.

Austria was competing well up to that point.

Final score.

Austria 0 France 1.

A thrilling game ends with a one goal win for France 

Austria unlucky not to come away with a point.

France will need to improve if they are to satisfy their favourites tag.

I was impressed with Austria, very well organised and hassled France well over the course of the game. They're in a tough group with Netherlands and Poland too, but I think that performance will give them hope that they can progress.

And I wonder if that injury will keep Mbappe out action for a bit, looks like a broken nose...

@menzinho if France do lose Mbeppe for a few matches it will be a big blow, the fact that he may be targeted too might decide them to rest him for at least one or two matches.

Just depends whether the nose  has to be reset or not.

Just two matches scheduled for today 18th June.

F: Türkiye vs Georgia 

(Dortmund, 17:00)

F: Portugal vs Czechia 

(Leipzig, 20:00)

Turkey 0 Georgia 0

22 min gone.

Good open game. Turkey player hit the Georgian post early on.

Turkey 1 Georgia 0

A right foot 20 yard volley into the top right hand corner.

Nearly two in a minute but the 2nd Turkey goal ruled out for offside by VAR.

HALF A BOOT OFFSIDE.

Turkey 1 Georgia 1

Georgia equaliser, good move down the right, Turkey keeper beaten at near post, should have saved it 

Turkey look so nervous at the back. Anyone who likes direct, British-style football should watch this, there's no continental faffing about here! Cracking match. 

Half Time

Turkey 1 Georgia 1.

A cracker of a match.

BBC summary staying clear of any VAR controversy. Never even mentioned it.

Pre VAR there was no offside given for half a foot being in front.

Turkey 2 Georgia 1.

Goal out of nothing for Turkey.

A 25 yard left footed curler into the far side of the net. 66 min gone.

Georgia hit the bar: 69 mins.

That's got to be the goal of the tournament so far surely? The lad probably doesn't even need to shave yet and he's banging those in.

Turkey aren't home and dry yet though, some of their defending is a bit Nottsy.

What a game this is.

The Georgian goalkeeper goes up field as Georgia take a corner. Georgia hit the post and a massive block by Turkey player on the follow up 

From the corner Turkey break away and score their 3rd into an open net.

And the whistle has blown.

Final Score

Turkey 3 Georgia 1

 

Match started 

Portugal 0 Czechia 0

Can the Czech's upset Ronaldo & Portugal?

Portugal 0 Czechia 0

30 mins gone.

Portugal doing most of the pressing.

Great Dave from Czechia goalie from Ronaldo.