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 day. World champions Germany opened their campaign, with an array of ‘team Adidas’ players on show. But first up was Turkey and Croatia, featuring Adidas’ Rakotic.
A dull first half was lit up by an unbelievable strike as it neared its end. The ball was cleared hurriedly by the Turkish defence, and up into the air. As it fell with an incredibly steep trajectory, Luka Modric was there on the end of it thirty yards out. The midfielder connected beautifully to strike home and give the Croats a deserved lead.
The second-half saw Croatia dominating, with Modric and Rakotic running the show. They created chances at will, the best of which came when Srna and Perisic both struck the bar with a free-kick and header respectively. Turkey pressed a little but in the end struggled to create chances. Corluka was valiant and his heroic defending ensured that they shutout their opponents. At 16/1, they may be worth a shout for outsiders to win the whole tournament.
As for the battle, Rakotic certainly advanced Adidas’ lead. He gets one point for a good performance, as does defender Srna.
Next match up was the hugely anticipated return of Northern Ireland to a major finals. They went in as underdogs, despite being unbeaten in 12, as Poland came into the finals on the back of an impressive qualifying campaign.
For the first 15 minutes, Ireland couldn’t get into the game and barely made it out their own half. They withstood, however, the pressure and grew into the match as it progressed. Their strong defence crumbled though in the second-half, as Milik struck a low shot which proved to be too powerful for the keeper to keep out.
So their first game ended in defeat, but the Irish fans were not deterred and showed immense support throughout. Fair play to them!
The biggest game of the day was the final one, where Germany took on Ukraine. The Germans looked overly comfortable while in control of the ball and they dominated possession. After 20 minutes, Mustafi headed in powerfully from a Kroos cross.
Ukraine did trouble a shaky-looking German defence at times, and Boateng had to make a clearance off the line. It was a Yarmolenko effort towards the goal which caused the problems, as it hit the defender and looked to be going in. But Boateng managed to stretch and clear it fantastically.
The second-half was less fluid and chances were not as frequent. But as Ukraine pressed for that equaliser, Germany scored the most German goal ever on the break. Ozil latched onto a through ball and ran down the left wing. He had Schweinsteiger as company, and the Manchester United man was found with an inch-perfect cross that could have only come from heaven. As the ball bounced, the veteran expertly caressed the ball into the top corner from close range to give Germany the win.
They now sit top of the group, and will play Poland in their next game – who also have three points.
In terms of the battle, Adidas extend their lead hugely with no Nike players featuring as opposed to Ozil, Neuer, Howedes and Muller all starting for Adidas.
Ozil earned his side three points alone; one for a good performance, one for the assist and another bonus one for that assist being so damn sexy. Neuer and Howedes both get a point for the clean sheet, and Neuer gets another one for a good performance. Muller didn’t do enough to earn himself one. But in total, the Germans secured team Adidas six points in this match alone.
Adidas
Rakotic +1
Srna +1
Ozil +3
Neuer +2
Howedes +1
Nike
No points
Overall score
Adidas 11 – 1 Nike
All is not lost just yet for Nike though, as they come back on day 4 in force with
Tomorrow’s Euro 2016 matches
Spain v Czech Republic
Republic of Ireland v Sweden
Belgium v Italy
Players involved
Adidas: Vermaelen.
Nike: Ramos, De Bruyne, Iniesta, Ibrahimovic.
It’s official! Adidas is better than Nike – Euro 2016 Review
Yep, forget all previous theories. Adidas is officially better than Nike. Our ‘extensive’ research over Euro 2016 and our Boot Battle showed us that the Germans performed better than their American counterparts. So, missing the football? Can’t wait for the new footy season to start? Well, why not read our recap of how the two big names in football boots performed at the Euros in our ep...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Final
So, Euro 2016 started one month ago in Paris, with a host-nation eager and ready to impress in a stadium full of Frenchies. Now, four weeks on, we are here in Paris with a host-nation eager and ready to impress in a stadium full of Frenchies. An underwhelming tournament which has seen more hype around Joachim Low’s balls, Iceland fans clapping and Russian ‘hard-men’ turning up to the Euros thinkin...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 22
The big semi-final saw the hosts France face Germany in an epic clash of the big guns. France dominated international football back in the day, but things change… England used to not be a laughing stock among football fans everywhere- even the Dutch are laughing at us. Germany are of course World Champions, and were looking to replicate Spain’s back-to-back major tournament wins of 2008 and 2010. ...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 21
The first semi-final saw Wales take on Portugal. Wales were without Aaron Ramsey, but had Bale in their team. Portugal had Ronaldo. It was going to be an epic battle of the Real forwards. It is those two who feature in the battle today. Ronaldo representing Nike and Bale starting for Adidas. It was another fantastic match as the knockout stages of this tournament really have impressed… Is somethin...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 20
The last quarter-final saw hosts France play everyone’s favourite underdogs Iceland, a team who single-handedly made an old man redundant while simultaneously exposing him to abuse from an entire nation. ‘What? But that’s horrible,’ you may say. But when you realise the old man is Roy Hodgson and he was getting paid more than any other manager at Euro 2016, are Iceland not our heroes as well? Pogb...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 19
Today gave us one of the matches of the tournament, on paper beforehand if not in reality. Italy, the team who have perhaps looked the most solid of all the nations so far played Germany, a team who you can never not fancy. Howedes, Hummels, Neuer, Muller and Ozil all started for Adidas, whereas Nike were solely represented by Gotze, who did not make it on to the pitch. It says a lot about the fir...[Read More]
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 a...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 17
Oooh it is getting real. Quarter-finals time! Portugal faced Poland today, with both sides competing to be the first into the last four. Maybe the best in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, obviously started for Nike and Portugal. From best in the world we go to the other end of the spectrum, with a little side note. Roy Hodgson, has finally left his position as England manager, just in case you needed...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 16
Today was the last day of the last 16. England faced Iceland in the late kick-off with Italy playing Spain before. Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta, Joe Hart and Deli Alli all featured in the boot battle today. David De Gea pulled off a worldie of a save in the opening ten minutes from a great header by Graziano Pelle. The Spaniard was in amazing form as always, and saved from Eder soon after, but cou...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 15
Three more last-16 ties were played today. The hosts were in action, as well as hotly-tipped Belgium and Germany. Ireland versus France was the day’s first match, with Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet, Patrice Evra and Laurent Koscielny all featured in the boot battle. In the opening two minites of the game, Ireland won a penalty following a rash challenge by Adidas’ Paul Pogba. Robbie Brady stepped up t...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 14
First day of the knockouts for Euro 2016. At last teams have to go for it, with a clean sheet and a draw not quite hacking it now, unless you’re confident with your penalties. Switzerland played Poland in the day’s opener, with no players involved in the battle. Switzerland started very sloppily and nearly conceded in the opening 30 seconds after Arkadiusz Milik latched onto some lazy defending, b...[Read More]
The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 13
Last day of the group stages, and what a day it was. You would have lost a lot of respect, but you would have been understood if up until now you’d chosen to watch a bit of Eastenders instead of one of the matches at this tournament. Actually, no. It is never acceptable to miss a match for Eastenders, but anyway. It has not really got into fifth gear… That is until now. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portuga...[Read More]