The Euro 2020 first round ended on Wednesday evening with the final games in Group F. The sixteen qualified teams for the Round of 16, which starts this Saturday, are known. And several players who passed through the Maurice Revello Tournament are among them. Here is a summary of this first round for the former Festival players.
They are qualified
Of the 47 former participants in the Maurice Revello Tournament to take part in Euro 2020, 37 will be present in the Round of 16:
Belgium : Matz Sels (Tournament 2013), Yannick Carrasco (2013), Dennis Praet (2013)
Czech Republic: Alex Král (2017), Michal Sadilek (2017) – Manager : Jaroslav Šilhavý (1980, 1981 & 1982)
Denmark : Mathias Jorgensen (2010)
England : Jordan Pickford (2015 & 2016), Ben Chilwell (2016), Reece James (2017 & 2019), Jack Grealish (2016) – Manager : Gareth Southgate (2014 & 2016)
France : Hugo Lloris (2006), Steve Mandanda (2005), Presnel Kimpembe (2015), Thomas Lemar (2015), Adrien Rabiot (2014), Moussa Sissoko (2009) – Manager : Didier Deschamps (1988)
Netherlands : Tim Krul (2006 & 2008), Maarten Stekelenburg (2001), Joël Veltman (2012), Steven Berghuis (2012)
Portugal : Rui Patricio (2009), Rui Silva (2016), João Cancelo (2014), Ruben Dias (2016) Danilo Pereira (2011), Bruno Fernandes (2014), Sergio Oliveira (2011), Cristiano Ronaldo (2003)
Sweden : Andreas Granqvist (2004)
Wales : Chris Mepham (2017), Joe Rodon (2017), David Brooks (2017), Daniel James (2017), Tyler Roberts (2017)
They are elminated
After this first round, 10 players who have passed through the Tournament are leaving the competition :
Hungary : Peter Gulacsi (Tournament 2011), Attila Fiola (2011), Loïc Nego (2011)
Poland : Manager : Paulo Sousa (1990)
Russia : Aleksei Ionov (2010) – Manager : Stanislav Tchertchessov (1984)
Scotland : Greg Taylor (2017 & 2018), Billy Gilmour (2018)
Turkey : Altay Bayindir (2018), Merih Demiral (2018)
They shone :
In group A, the Welsh finished in a surprising 2nd place, where the Swiss or the Turks were rather expected. The displays of Joe Rodon and Daniel James were noteworthy, the former providing defensive solidity and the latter verticality in front. Chris Mepham also made a convincing start to the tournament, starting twice.
In group B, Belgium's Yannick Carrasco, who started in the first two games, brought his experience to the Red Devils. The same goes for Dutchman Maarten Stekelenburg in Group C, who was a surprise starter in the Netherlands' goal following the unavailability of the usual number one Jasper Cilessen. The Ajax goalkeeper had not started a game for the national team since... Euro 2012!
With three countries that have recently played in the tournament in Group D, there were plenty of representatives. This gave luck to the English, who are top of the group but will have to face Germany in the round of 16. Unbeaten in all three games, the goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is the only one with Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma to have recorded three clean sheets in a row. The tournament's former players had different paths, but Jack Grealish's start and assist against the Czech Republic and Reece James' good performance against Scotland in his only appearance were all noteworthy. Gareth Southgate's men are still in the group stage and are dreaming of a final at home at Wembley.
Alex Kral's Czechs also made three appearances, including a start, in the first round. Jaroslav Šilhavý's men are among the best third-placed teams and will be looking forward to the next round.
Finally, in the "group of death", the French have fulfilled their mission. Undefeated and top of their group, Didier Deschamps and his players will face Switzerland in the round of 16. The former players of the Tournament among this squad have distinguished themselves. Despite conceding 3 goals and a foul leading to a penalty against Portugal, Hugo Lloris was reassuring and authoritative in his box. The same can be said of Presnel Kimpembe, probably the best French defender in this first round and definitely a starter in this team. Finally, Adrien Rabiot also showed himself to be at his best against Germany, then in a new role of left-back after the injuries of Digne and Hernandez against Portugal.
The Lusitanians will also be in the round of 16. Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored five goals and is already top of the Euro scorers, has obviously been the main man of the Portuguese squad. This performance takes his total to 109 goals for the national team and equals the record set by Iran's Ali Daei. Rui Patricio and Ruben Dias were also in the starting line-up on three occasions, despite an unlucky own goal by the defender against Germany.
Round of 16 fixtures
Mathieu Lauricella