A few days have now passed since England’s UEFA Euro 2012 exit. The finale of Sunday’s quarter-final defeat on penalties against Italy was a familiar experience. England had battled their way through the group, landed superior opponents in the last eight and then collapsed like a drunken teenager in Newquay when faced with a penalty shoot-out, allowing an altogether calmer Italy to advance to the semi-finals.
In qualifying for the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2012, Roy Hodgson and England met my expectations for the tournament. That was it – not reaching the last four, not playing swashbuckling football, not even winning Group D. It was a group with several potentially tricky obstacles, from a talented France to co-hosts Ukraine by way of Sweden, never previously beaten by England in tournament football.
Today was the final day of the UEFA Euro 2012 group stage, and England helped bring up the rear in the quest to advance from Group D. A tricky tie against co-hosts Ukraine awaited them, while France simply had to beat Sweden to finish top of the group. England needed a draw to secure second; for Ukraine, only a win was good enough.
Two matches down, one to go, and it’s all to play for as England prepare for the conclusion of their UEFA Euro 2012 Group D quest. Roy Hodgson and his players return to Donetsk’s Donbass Arena – the scene of Friday’s spectacular storm that interrupted Ukraine’s match against France – to face Oleh Blokhin’s team in the final group game. Elsewhere, France face Sweden on a night that will either see England top the group, qualify in second for the quarter-finals, or go home. No pressure.
For a while, it seemed as if Kiev wouldn’t be the venue for England’s first tournament win over Sweden. Scraping a victory over Erik Hamren’s side is England’s level at present, and a firm indication that change – tactical, strategic and systemic – will be required in order to genuinely brighten the future for the national team. But for now, things are looking up. Roy Hodgson has earned four points from a possible six so far at UEFA Euro 2012 and a draw against Ukraine on Tuesday will take England through to the quarter-finals.
Supporting the England national football team from a fresh perspective.
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