This season has, in many places, been a little mundane.
In Italy, Juve romped to their fifth straight title. In Germany, Bayern Munich strolled to their fourth consecutive crown. In Spain, Barcelona scratched out their sixth title in the last eight seasons. In France, Paris Saint-Germain strode unbridled to their fourth championship on the trot. It seems, from this evidence, that the status quo is as rock-solid as ever, a granite obelisk thickening ever year, inching deeper into the earth, consolidating its foundations. Defending champions became reigning champions, as the glass tendrils of deja vu crept in and withered the mind.
Except, of course, in England. The dusty, long-hanging aristocratic banners were shredded by the hot, brilliant razor that was Leicester City, and by the seasons end, they lay in tatters on the ground, covered by a spreading carpet of blue and white ticker tape. The light shining from this refreshed Premier League title conversation has lingered the longest, and with the European leagues long concluded, the remarkable luminescence of the upset Leicester pulled has leaked over the channel and has bled into the Euros.
Of course it was always likely to happen, with how populated the tournament is with smaller nations, thanks to the expanded format. The potential for upsets was boosted by numbers alone. But there also seems to be a detectable atmosphere hanging around the stadia in France, either an increased robustness emanating from the underdogs, or a perilous trepidation seeping out of the favoured nations. The fact that Iceland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Hungary made the tournament proper is stellar enough, but that all these teams made the Round of 16 is even more astounding. These nations finished above the likes of Portugal, England, Slovakia, the Ukraine and Sweden in the group stages, and now, two of them – Wales and Iceland – are preparing for a raucous quarter-final clash.
Iceland, as we all clangingly witnessed, have already pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament, perhaps the biggest in the history of the Euros. By beating, convincingly, a diabolically awful England 2-1, the team representing a country the size of Coventry handed the Brits their worst ever tournament result, as well as their second European exit of the week. Iceland’s astonishing result gave the underdog spirit a mighty stir, and it now seems poised, just before the point of eruption, waiting for a telling second push.
Wales must feel it, simmering. The Welsh finished above England in Group B – a fine achievement already earned – and have gone further in the competition than their neighbours. But their work isn’t done yet, and the Belgian team waiting for them in the quarter-finals is a fearsome group indeed. Eden Hazard and company – although not Kompany – are coming off a thrilling 4-0 victory over Hungary in the last round, and appear to be striding toward their peak at exactly the right time. Theirs is a squad so incredibly weaponised, so rippling with glinting barbs, the Welsh could be forgiven for feeling a little nervous.
But Belgium poured in most of their goals against the Hungarians in the final, stretched stanza of the match, and Hungary were allowed some opportunities on the break. The Belgian defence is still suspect at times, and their riches in attack – Hazard, de Bruyne and others – aren’t hugely enthused about getting back on defence when their trickery in the final third falls down. Hungary, willing and hard-running, weren’t able to capitalise on the occasional generosity of the Belgian players.
But Wales, in Gareth Bale, have the most devastating counter-attacking weapon in the tournament, an athlete of supreme virtues, who is also blessed with exquisite close control and a laser-guided cannon for a left leg. Wales will have to defend for long periods of the match, and desperation and luck might be the bywords here. But the Welsh aren’t short on heart – or stamina – and will probably welcome back their underdog status after the Northern Ireland game.
Belgium have all the pressure on them, a Golden Generation that has no excuse not to make the final. The Welsh must bask in the light of Leicester and Iceland’s towering deeds, and allow its rays to warm their spirits; the upsets might not be over quite yet.
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