David Marshall's Euro Diary Day 4 - Romania-mania! (Patreon)

I am not feeling very well. Along with some snazzy socks and a Peppa Pig mug, my other present for Father’s Day was a dose of the man flu. I am feeling drained here but I have taken a nip of some revitalising tonic so let’s get into day 4.

We started off the day with Romania vs Ukraine. It’s easy to get caught up in the story of the Ukrainian players representing their country as a monster is pillaging their homeland. But what caught my attention here was James McFadden on co-comms. I mean, that was weird, right? I know this was one of the less glamourous games on paper but you could have given me 100 guesses who would have been on co-comms and I still don’t think McFadden would have entered into my consideration.

Anyway, this was a thoroughly entertaining game, pure chaos at times but utterly enthralling with a fantastic atmosphere. Ukraine were another potential dark horse but that might need to be revisited after today. They started the game well and looked the stronger side, but a calamity at the back allowed Romania to take the lead through a stunning strike from Nicolae Stanciu.

Now, goalkeeper’s union here, I am going to stick up for Andriy Lunin. I know he gave the ball away but, if I’m in that position, I’m blaming the tools in front of me for dicking about with the ball. Why was the ball at my feet? There’s a reason I’m wearing these gloves and standing between the posts. Clowns.

He’s getting no defence from me for the second. He should save it. Romania got a third and our big nepo baby Iannis Hagi got to come on near the end and lead the fans and players in the post-match celebrations. When your dad is the actual Hagi, you get a shot of the horn when you want a shot of the horn.

A great start for Romania who will already feel they’ve got one foot in the last 16 but a disaster for Ukraine….relatively speaking.

Belgium took on Slovakia next in a match that you would imagine would go one way, Belgium making an arse of things again. I was talking to a few of my mates during this game and one said this was like watching Rangers struggle against a jobber team. I do see some similarities, it doesn’t take much to rattle them, like us.

Filling in for the part of Cyriel Dessers tonight was Romealu Lukaku. Oh, what a day of it the big man had. The ball bouncing off him, chances missed and two goals ruled out by VAR. Now you tell me that wasn’t our Cyriel out there today!

There was some controversy over the second goal which was ruled out as Lois Openda handled the ball in the build-up. I don’t know how to feel about this one, he did handle the ball but the pundits post-match made a good point that he only did so because of the tussling from the defender, which I would probably agree with. By the letter of the law, it’s probably the correct decision but one that needs revision, again!

The main event of the evening saw France take on Austria as the favourites got their campaign underway. I was really hoping that France would walk over the top of Austria here so I could make the joke “Not like the Austrians to roll over to superior opposition without firing a shot”. You can have it anyway.

Another strange game, a pattern of the big teams settling in gently to the tournament. Not a bad game by any stretch, quite similar to the England game although I do feel France had a bit more control of the game and should have added to their lead.

I want to talk to my English readers now. Be honest lads, you get a wee bit excited at the end there when Mbappe went down with the bashed nose? Yeah, yeah I know, we don’t like seeing players get injured. But admit it, aye you do!

We only have the two games tomorrow, which is quite rude in my opinion, as we wrap up the first round of games. I’m off to bed with a lemsip.