Euro 2020: Group D talking points
With Harry Kane-led England, 2018 World Cup finalists Czech Republic, Croatia and Scotland, this Group promises some tough battles.
CZECHIA’S DIMINISHED POWERS
The Czechs are no longer the kind of force they used to be in the earlier part of the century. At Euro 2004, a star-studded side that had the likes of Pavel Nedved, Jan Koller, Karel Poborsky, Petr Cech, Vladimir Smicer, Milan Baros, Tomas Rosicky, among others, reached the semis. This time, Czech Republic’s biggest names include Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick, Sevilla’s second-choice goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik, West Ham duo Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal and Burnley’s Matej Vydra. Another name that gotfamous—notorious, rather—will not be there. Defender Ondřej Kúdela couldn’t overturn his 10-game ban for racial abuse.
HOT-AND-COLD SCOTS
Lack of consistency has been a bit of an issue for Scotland, who have beaten the likes of Czech Republic and Slovakia and drawn against the Netherlands in the past year but have also failed to beat Israel in three meetings in the same period. This is still a very talented Scotland side, with quite a few Premier League stars in the squad—Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, who is the captain of the team, Man United’s Scott McTominay, Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney, Aston Villa’s John McGinn, Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour, Southampton duo Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams, as well as a few others. Their recent 2-2 draw against the Dutch will give them some confidence ahead of the campaign.
THE MODRIC TOUCH
He is the only player since 2007 to win the Ballon d’Or who does not answer to either Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. He skirted bombs and lived in a hotel for seven years as a boy. He also says his time at Spurs was formative. Since leaving London, Luka Modric has silenced doubters by winning the Champions League, Club World Cup and played a World Cup final. At 36 he has had another good season at Real. "It's like he's from a different planet, down here playing with us mortals," said Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic of Modric. Croatia will need Modric to reproduce his club form if they are to get far this summer.