The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 18
The home nation’s last representative, Wales, were looking to create history by beating Belgium to reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals. They had to face Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, and furthermore keep them quiet. But they have a not-so-secret weapon… Bale, Gareth Bale.
It was a great match from the start, and a definite challenger for game of the tournament; not a true contender after that 3-3 Hungary v Portugal match.
Yannick Carrasco’s early shot produced a good save from Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey. The rebound was blocked by the Welsh defence before Hazard fired another effort at goal that only went out for a corner.
After 13 minutes, though, Hazard passed the ball to Radja Nainggolan. The Belgian then proceeded to fire the ball venomously at the goal. Hennessey could only get fingertips to the missile, as it flew into the net.
Neil Taylor had Wales’ first chance, and it was a great one. Some good work on the wing resulted in the ball being crossed into the box, and Taylor met it with a powerful effort. He couldn’t divert it into the corner, though, as Thibaut Courtois saved well in the middle of the goal.
In the 31st minute, Wales did equalise, at a time when it seemed Belgium may extend their lead. A corner came across by Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, and it was met by a towering Ashley Williams, who headed it into the corner of the net unchallenged.
Lukaku missed a free header just before the break, putting it just wide when really he should have done better, but an encapsulating half ended 1-1.
Hal Robson-Kanu then guaranteed free drinks for life anywhere in Wales in the 55th minute. He received the ball in the box, and wonderfully turned on a sixpence, sending three defenders for an absolute hotdog. The turn gave him space and facing the goal with only Courtois to beat. He calmly finished into the net to give his side the lead.
Marouane Fellaini had an opportunity, when he rose for a header. However, he despicably put it well wide when you’d put your daughter’s trust fund on it finding the net.
Belgium heavily pressed, as the Welsh were being forced well back. Out of nothing, though, a cross found Sam Vokes. The striker met the ball with an excellently-placed header which went into the corner of the net and out of the reach of a helpless Courtois. Wales unbelievably held out to win 3-1 and setup a semi against Portugal.
De Bruyne gets no points for a desperate Nike team, however Bale did the business for Adidas and gained a point for a good performance.
Adidas
Bale +1
Nike
De Bruyne 0
Vermaelen 0
Overall score
Adidas 26-10 Nike
Tomorrow’s Euro 2016 match
Germany v Italy
Player’s involved
Adidas: Neuer, Hummels, Howedes, Ozil, Muller
Nike: Gotze
Another awful day for Nike as only five more matches remain in the Euro 2016 and this boot battle. Not only do they fall further behind, but also De Bruyne is out and Bale is through. Tomorrow also features five players for Adidas and just one for themselves. They can only hope that Germany lose, concede goals but also Gotze has a blinder.
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 12
Oh my word PANIC. There were four matches at Euro 2016 today… Four! We just do not think we are ready for this. But it was a huge day of football. The first match involved a lot of battle players in the Germany side who faced Northern Ireland, who still had a realistic chance of going through, even if they were to lose. Michael McGovern saved early when Thomas Muller went through on goal. He then ...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 11
Today was the day which home nations Wales and England would decide their Euro 2016 fate. England faced Slovakia knowing that they were all but mathematically through to the last 16, with Wales playing Russia. What more motivation did the two need to win today than knowing that wins would send those Russian muppets home? Roy Hodgson changed his side majorly from the team which beat Wales in the pr...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 10
Business time! Two matches played simultaneously. Obviously we can’t be in two places at once, and don’t have the dedication or will-power to record one game and watch it after, so we only watched the most important game. Seeing as though the tournament is being held in France, and the fact you could probably count the number of Romanian and Albanian players on a paraplegic’s hand, we chose to wat...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 9
Day 9 of Euro 2016 was the final day of the tournament where group matches will not be played simultaneously. What does this mean? It effectively means that we are getting down to the juicy, meaty, business end of the tournament. The part where teams can no longer sit back and rely on gaining a point through solid defensive play. No. Teams will have to all-out go for it with the kitchen sink, dish...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 8
Today hosted another three matches in this glorious Championships. No team has taken the initiative and the tournament by the balls and really put in an impressive performance. On show on day 8, were three teams who were fancied to do well at Euro 2016; Croatia, Spain and Italy. Italy were up first, and after never really emulating their famous 2006 World Cup success, they had a real chance to com...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 7
Day 7 at Euro 2016, and it was a big one. We’re going to do something a little different with this one. There may have been three matches, but only one stood out like a Zinidine Zidane headbutt to an Italian. England v Wales, so we will concentrate mostly on that battle. Firstly, though, Northern Ireland faced Ukraine in a match that they could do with winning after their opening-game defeat...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 6
The Russian fans took time out of their MMA schedules to show up to their nation’s game against Slovakia. But they needn’t have bothered. Their team, much like their reputation over the past week, got battered. Marek Hamsik was the star for the Slovaks, and his early volley went just past the post in the opening 15 minutes. The breakthrough came after 32 minutes though, when Hamsik again switched ...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 5
Fifth day of the tournament, and we’ve named it Pepe Day in honour of one of football’s biggest d****. His Portugal side faced minnows Iceland. In the same group, Hungary faced Austria. Sad news, there were only two games today. Good news, those two games produced more drama than the rest of Euro 2016 put together. And while we’re talking about bad news, on an unrelated topic, we...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 4
At last, a day of Euro 2016 without violence! Thank God, just how football should be. And thank God also that Germany weren’t playing again today, so we didn’t get another Joachim Low sex show. Holders Spain were in action first today, with Nike’s Iniesta and Ramos as well as Adidas’ Alba all involved. It was an absolute annihilation by the Spaniards, who dominated the Czechs in both possession an...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 3
Anyone else wake up this morning with an overwhelming sense of disappointment and a banging headache (as a result of trying to deal with that disappointment)? Me too. Kane on corners… No Vardy… We think this may be the beginning of the end for Roy. So expect Hart on all free-kicks and Rashford starting holding mid for the Wales game. But oh well, let’s not reminisce of the past. Today was another ...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 2
Second day of the 2016 Euros, and two of the home nations were involved. But before that, it was Switzerland’s turn to open their campaign against Albania. Fabian Schaer heading in after five minutes following a keeping misjudgement, putting the Swiss 1-0 up. Lorik Cana received two first-half bookings, firstly for a rash challenge and the second one for a humorous and blatant handball follo...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 1
Despite Payet’s incredible display in last night’s opening match which saw France defeat Romania 2-1, the two teams are tied. Koscielny looked uncomfortable at times paired with Rami, but in the end avoided losing points for a bad performance by being more solid in the second half. Evra however, had a shocker topped off with him conceding the penalty, meaning both defenders loose points for the go...[Read More]