In Group D of Euro 2024, the Netherlands and France were a surprise performer. On matchday 26 June, the Netherlands lost 3-2 to Austria, while France drew 1-1 with Poland. This series of results means that Austria unexpectedly qualified as group winners, becoming a dark horse in the group stage of this European Championship.
The Netherlands and France have shown very different attitudes and tactical orientations in the competition in Group D. Although France got a draw against Poland, their expressions and performance on the pitch showed that they were not satisfied. One netizen commented: "The French team today looked like they were getting the job done instead of going all out to win. The draw ensured France's progress, but it did not allow them to avoid a formidable opponent early in the knockout round.
In contrast, the performance of the Dutch team was shocking. After losing to Austria, they were unable to fight for first or second place in the group, but the defeat allowed them to avoid the highly contested zone known as the "Dead Half". One Dutch fan wrote on social media: "After the loss, our position looks better than France, which won. Sometimes, it's a blessing to lose. The Dutch have opted to forgo the fight for second place in the group and seem to be more focused on avoiding early matchups against the likes of Spain, Portugal and Germany.
With the knockout rounds just around the corner, the Netherlands and France face a crucial decision: whether they should fight for third place in their group rather than second to avoid encountering strong teams such as Spain, Portugal and Germany in the early stages of the knockout rounds. This decision was crucial for their knockout journey.
France came in a 1-1 draw against Poland, a result that came as a surprise to many. After the game, some fans took to social media to express their opinions, with one saying: "France were a bit disappointed today, they should have fought for a better result." Another fan commented: "Although we qualified, this draw is regrettable because we may face stronger opponents. ”
The Netherlands, on the other hand, suffered a surprise upset against Austria, losing 2-3. The defeat left them to finish third in their group and not get a better standing. A Dutch fan gave his opinion outside the stadium: "The defeat was really heart-wrenching, we could have had a better result. Perhaps, it would have been wiser to opt for third place. ”
The final group stage standings were unexpected: Austria topped the group with two wins, making them a dark horse. France finished second and although they were not completely satisfied with their performance, they still had a chance to prove themselves in the knockout rounds. The Dutch qualified in third place, leaving them facing an even tougher knockout journey.
Such a ranking is not only surprising, but also adds more excitement and suspense to the next knockout round. Many fans are starting to pay attention to the competition in the first half of the knockout round, which is expected to be extremely fierce. A netizen wrote on a fan forum: "It seems that the first half of the knockout round will be a tough battle, with balanced teams and fierce competition." ”
Star players such as Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo could be at risk of ending their European Championship journey early, which has also become a hot topic. Some commentators said: "It's a shame for fans that big names can leave early in the knockout rounds." ”
Some netizens commented: "It's strange to expand the army to 24 teams, not all teams are saints, and they won't go all out." No one counts the knockout rounds. This view has sparked heated discussions on social media. Some fans believe that after the expansion of the European Championship, the increase in participating teams may lead to some teams performing unsatisfactory in the game, affecting the spectacle and competitiveness of the game. One netizen wrote on a fan forum: "The 24 teams do give more countries the opportunity to participate, but sometimes it also makes people miss the feeling of the elite game in the past. ”
In addition, some netizens recalled the classic moments in the history of the European Championship and believed that the game was more exciting when there were fewer participating teams. An enthusiastic fan commented: "In the past, there were only a handful of teams competing in the European Championships, but every game was a high-level matchup. Looking back at the Dutch team's victory in 1988, the game at that time was indeed full of passion and competition, and it can be said that it is the pinnacle of European Championship history. ”
Another person wrote on social media: "When there are so many outrageous appearances, you have to consider whether the game is played or not." The remarks reflected doubts about the veracity of the results, especially in the event of an unexpected result, with some arguing that there may have been improper factors influencing the match.
Other netizens paid attention to the mistakes and own goals that occurred in the game. One fan commented on the fan forum: "If you see in the final, will the Netherlands have so many own goals. "This concern is not just about doubts about the results of the game, but also about the evaluation and trust in the team's performance.
It was evident from the performance of the match that the French and Dutch teams did not seem to be interested in winning first place in the competition. One commentator said on a sports program: "In fact, Liu saw from the first half that France and the Netherlands didn't want to win. You know, it's bad, they don't want to take the first. The view is that in some matches, teams may deliberately control the game in order to avoid stronger opponents or adjust their opponent selection for the knockout rounds.
These different perspectives and perceptions reflect the deep concern and discussion among fans about the changes in the format of the European Championship. The expanded European Championship has given more countries and teams the opportunity to participate, but it has also raised questions about the quality and excitement of the competition. As the game continues, these discussions continue, influencing fans' perceptions and expectations of the Euros.
This Group D battle is not just about the football scoreline, but also about the wits and strategy that will affect the fate of each team in the European Championship. With the knockout rounds fast approaching, we expect to see more exciting matchups and unexpected twists, and it's a time that football fans are looking forward to.
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