Day Twelve in France

The shape of the second round is slowly - very slowly - starting to take shape with a few surprises served up along the way.

Two more groups were decided yesterday but because of the expanded format of the competition we don't know if some of the teams involved are through or not. What we do know is that Northern Ireland are through even after losing 1-0 to Germany.

Goalkeeper Michael McGovern was the star of the day as he stopped what could well have been a thrashing at the hands of a German side who still haven't clicked into gear yet. Mario Gomez started for the first time and it was he who scored the only goal of the match after about half an hour.

Northern Ireland will now go on to play either Wales or France in the next round although no-one seems to know how that will be worked out. Germany will play one of the other third place sides.

In the other Group C game Poland beat Ukraine (as expected) 1-0 to set up a second round match against Switzerland. Ukraine had already been eliminated from the tournament and this lack of pressure may have been the reason for their performance. They did have a majority of the ball and looked a better side than they had in their previous two matches but they lacked any real fire power and will be going home having failed to score a solitary goal.

Lewandowski once again looked out of sorts and although Milik was finding himself in some good positions it was left to the substitute Blaszczykowski to score the only goal of the game.

The top two teams in Group D met knowing that whoever lost would probably be facing Italy in the next round. Spain scored early through Morata but Croatia played some really nice football and it was no surprise when Kalinic equalised just before half time.

Spain continued to play their usual fluid, passing style but Croatia were more than a match for them - pressing and containing the skill and talent that is usually given free reign. It was always going to be interesting how Croatia reacted to their capitulation to the Czech Republic in the last match and the absence of Luka Modric, but Croatian fans had nothing to fear as they went on to record a famous victory.

Sergio Ramos had a penalty saved by a keeper who seemed closer to the spot than his goal by the time it was taken but it could be argued that this made up for the weak decision to give the penalty in the first place - David Silva falling over after the slightest of contacts with a Croatian defender.

Jimmy Somerville lookalike Ivan Perisic scored the deserved winner right at the end after another one of his frighteningly quick runs. A slight deflection was enough to put De Gea off balance and beat the Spanish keeper at his near post. Croatia now have a far easier route to the final leaving neutrals salivating at the prospect of Spain v Italy on Monday.

Turkey confounded expectations in the other Group D match and beat the Czechs to keep their faint hopes of going through alive. Young Turkish sensation Emre Mor put over the cross for Yilmaz to score the opener after only ten minutes. Emre Mor has been excitedly talked about during this tournament but hasn't really shown the flair that has persuaded Borussia Dortmund to take a chance on the Danish-born attacker.

Ozan Tufan scored the second to punish the Czech's ageing side and give Turkey a glimmer of hope about going through to the next round. Neither of these sides have impressed in any of the group matches and after less than stellar qualification campaigns to get to France both countries will be hoping that an influx of youth will change their fortunes going into the World Cup qualifiers.

Other things I noticed...

• I'm a big fan of Ukraine striker Roman Zozulya's denial of hair loss (see below)
• In further hair news, Turkish goal scorer was given a really hard time for seemingly fixing his hair rather than block Midric's wonder strike in the first game so it was nice to see him score yesterday
• I never really rated him that much when he played in England but Vedran Corluka has been outstanding in France - even with his many hat changes
• It pains me to say it but I really liked the Spain kit. Even if it was described by some as looking as if someone had dropped a paella on their shirts
• Spanish boss Vincente del Bosque was visibly sweating at the end of the match last night. It may well have been the Bordeaux humidity but the idea of facing Italy in the next round can't have helped

Today's matches finish off the group stage with a lot still to be decided. What will happen in Group F is anyone's guess but surely Ronaldo will be able to find his shooting boots at last to help Portugal beat Hungary. A victory could well put them top of the group where they might face Belgium. I'm going for 2-0.

Iceland play Austria knowing a win will put them through. An Austrian victory would see them progress, so it really is all to play for. I've really enjoyed watching Iceland but think the Austrians will finally live up to a fraction of their pre-tournament hype and get the result they need to qualify for the next round. Austria to squeeze a 2-1 win.

Italy should be far too good for what has been a very ordinary Republic of Ireland side. The Azzurri beat Sweden without looking anywhere near as good as they did in their opener against Belgium but I can't see Ireland troubling them - 2-0 Italy.

Zlatan will be hoping he can lead his side into the next round with a victory against Belgium in Nice. The Belgians have flattered to deceive once again but should take all three points here - 1-0.

Day Eleven in France

Oh, to be in Toulouse last night! Wales crushed Russia with a performance that must rank with the very best this tournament has seen so far. The victory meant Wales topped the group as England could not break down a Slovakian defence intent on getting a point that should take them through as well.

Everything went right for Wales against Russia. Gareth Bale had easily his best game so far thanks to a Russian team who offered little and didn't seem to be able to cope with him running at them. Alongside Bale, Aaron Ramsey - arguably Wales' best player so far - ran the show alongside Joe Allen and it was those two who linked up for the first goal after only ten minutes.

Allen spotted the early run by Ramsey and split the accommodating Russian defence with an inch perfect pass. Ramsey coolly lifted it over the advancing keeper and Welsh nerves began to abate.

Ten minutes later a powerful run from Bale was only stopped by a Russian boot inadvertently playing Neil Taylor through on the left hand side. The Swansea defender took two attempts to score his first ever goal for Wales and Russia looked dead on their feet.

As well as Wales played, Russia were awful. Their centre back pairing had a combined age of 70 but the way they played you wouldn't have been surprised if you were told that was their individual age. Wales could have been four or five up by half time and were playing some lovely football cheered on by a noisy and exuberant crowd.

Bale finally got the goal he deserved with just over 20 minutes to go when Ramsey once again split the Russian defence before the Real Madrid man stuck it past Akinfeev with the outside of his left boot.

Wales will now play one of the best third place sides and will be hoping that the tournament's top goal scorer - Gareth Bale - will continue his goal a game form to take them even further in the competition.

Roy Hodgson made a whole host of changes for the match against Slovakia and although some of them had been called for - Vardy and Sturridge playing from the start - it was a strange decision to upset the cohesion in the team however admirable the belief in his squad was.

Both full backs were replaced with Clyne and Bertrand starting. Clyne looked very good and he is only unlucky that Kyle Walker has had such as good tournament so far or he could well be expecting to play in the next game.

Obviously I can only judge the England performance from the highlights but their finishing really let them down - especially from Vardy and Sturridge. With Slovakia content to defend for the first half, England found it hard to get clear shots on goal but the chances that did come their way were wasted.

The second half saw Slovakia come out a little bit more but it was still largely one way traffic. Vardy seemed to disappear as the game went on and Slovakia could have picked up a very unlikely victory had Hamsik made more of Smalling's error when heading it back to his keeper.

A 0-0 draw was met with a few boos at the end of the match but England still go through to the next round unbeaten. This is a better squad than they have had in a while but Hodgson seems unsure who to play and where to play them. They now have a week's rest before their second round match so maybe he can work it out on the training ground between now and then.

Other things I noticed yesterday...

• Sam Vokes played really well, occupying the Russian defenders to give Bale space to run with the ball. He should probably start in front of Robson-Kanu or Johnny Williams in the next game
• Igor Akinfeev seemed to be the only one to go over to the Russian fans at the end of the game. By the look of it they were telling him exactly what they thought of the side's abject performance
• England have the expanded tournament format to thank for their next fixture. Although by finishing second they would have qualified even if there was only 16 teams, they would have previously faced a group winner. Now they get a fellow runner up (although it could well be Portugal)
• A plea to all English TV reporters: Please, please, please stop interviewing Eric Dier. He may well be having a pretty good tournament but he rivals Michael Owen for the mantle of most boring man ever

A plethora of matches today as both Group C and D come to a close. Poland have been disappointing so far but if Milik continues to get in the right positions he must find his shooting boots soon. It could be today and I'll go for 2-0 against Ukraine.

Northern Ireland could go through even if they lose today, which is good as they are playing Germany. The Germans failed to kick on from their opening match win but should be too good today - I'm going for 3-1.

Croatia will be thinking that they will need something from their game against Spain to make sure of at least second place in the group. They are both already through but it will be interesting to see how Croatia react to the crowd-related incidents of their last match. Spain, without being back to their world beating best have looked comfortable so far but I think it will finish 0-0.

Turkey have looked woeful in both matches with a real lack of invention or innovation. The Czech Republic will be buoyed by their comeback against Croatia and I can see them winning easily today - 2-0.

Day Eight in France

Some of the better looking sides from the first round of matches were in action on day eight - with decidedly mixed results.

Italy, who looked so impressive in their defeat of Belgium, reverted to type against Zlatan's Sweden in what was largely a very uneventful game. Although the Swedish captain was more involved than in their draw with Ireland, he couldn't inspire the rest of his side into anything too adventurous in what was probably the least exciting game of the tournament so far.

Eder finally put us out of our misery by scoring, admittedly, a very well finished goal in the 88th minute and put Italy through to the knock out stage. Unsurprisingly a foul throw from Chiellini went unpunished and Eder worked some space for himself for a shot after Zaza's vital flick.

Sweden actually started the match quite well but they really haven't looked like they would go very far in the tournament - especially if Zlatan is not performing.

The second game of the day will largely be remembered for the flares thrown on the pitch by disgruntled Croatian fans, but this was the first match to have more than three goals and was a real treat to watch.

Croatia played the majority of the match like they had in their first game and carried on looking like they might have a real chance of winning the whole thing. The Czechs just couldn't cope with the skill and invention of Modric and Rakitic and if was no surprise when they took the lead through Perisic just before half time.

Croatia added a second with about half an hour to go when Rakitic chipped over the advancing Cech after the keeper had put his defender under far too much pressure with a lazy goal kick.

At this point it seemed more a question of how many more Croatia would get than whether the Czech Republic would get back into the match but substitutes once again changed the day.

A wonderful cross from the outside of the Rosicky's boot was met by Skoda whose header flew into the corner of the net. It was sweetly met but I thought the Croatian keeper could have done a much better job of keeping it out.

Modric had already gone off by this time and it was now that the Croatian fans threw a number of flares onto the pitch stopping the match. Seemingly intent on causing the Croatian FA maximum embarrassment and in the hope of incurring a fine - if not more serious repercussions - six or seven flares had to be removed from the pitch while the fans started fighting among themselves.

The whole spectacle seemed to break the Croatian side's concentration and a stupid handball right at the end gave the Czechs a penalty which Necid - another sub - powered past the keeper.

The Czech Republic will now be confident of beating Turkey to qualify for the next round while Croatia, who will also go through, will wait anxiously to see how UEFA react to their fans' behaviour.

In the last game of the day Spain brushed aside Turkey on their way to the next round. Two from Morata and one from Nolito gave Spain the victory in a match where they could easily have scored four or five.

The third goal was a sheer delight with Spain showing everyone that they still know how to move the ball around with 22 passes being made before Morata finished the move off. According to the official statistics Spain had 61% of possession but it is questionable whether De Gea even touched the ball - he wasn't even on screen for the entirety of the evening's highlights package.

The defending champions are looking very good and although I doubted whether they could repeat their feat of four years ago they seem to easily brushing aside their Group D opponents so far.

Other things I noticed yesterday...

• The vibrancy and colour of the Swedish fans are always a great addition to any tournament. Shame the team aren't doing their part
• Not sure it was really necessary for the camera to stay on Croatian captain Srna during the national anthems knowing that his father had died just days before
• Turkey's second kit should always be a white shirt with a red band across the chest. The fact that it is not in this tournament is probably why they were so poor against Spain
• Although there are complex reasons for the disruption in the Croatia game it should be said that their fans have an unsavoury history that is sometimes forgotten - perhaps as Croatia are always seen, in a vastly simplistic manner, as the good guys compared to their Serbian neighbours?
• Modric ran the show against the Czech Republic and will be badly missed for the game against Spain

And so to today's matches. Belgium v Ireland could be a real cracker and although I have no doubt the Irish will be right up for the match, surely Belgium will realise that they need to get a win here if they are to do anything in this tournament. I expect them to be much better than against Italy but still only scrape through 1-0.

Both Iceland and Hungary have an excellent chance to progress thanks to their first games in the group so today's match is vitally important for both sides. As much as I would love Iceland to push on from their draw against Portugal I have a feeling that Hungary will sneak a win, 1-0 again.

The ever lovable Ronaldo will lead his Portugal side against Austria in the evening match knowing that a victory should put them through to the next round. Portugal were very disappointing in their draw with Iceland but should have too much for potential pit ponies Austria even if their captain decides to have a strop again. I'm going 2-0 to Portugal.

Day Three in France

Three days in and we're getting through the games now. Although we have seen some impressive performances, no one side has really stood out yet so it will be interesting to see if that caginess continues, or whether one nation will really shine over the next few days.

Yesterday's games saw one of the favourites and one many people's dark horses ultimately both get their expected three points. Neither Germany nor Croatia were completely convincing in their victories but a win is a win and it will be very surprising if either side don't progress to the next round.

I was probably expecting too much from the Croatia v Turkey match although it was in no way an uninteresting game. Luka Modric's wonderful volleyed goal separated the sides in the end but if Rakitic had coolly slotted home instead of falling over after a mazey dribble that took him from the halfway line to the Turkish penalty box, then we really would have had one for the highlight package.

Northern Ireland were steamrolled by Poland but still only lost 1-0 which will give them a bit of confidence going into their second match against Ukraine. Ajax striker Arkadiusz Milik scored the goal but with 18 shots compared to Northern Ireland's two they will feel they should have boosted their goal difference a little more.

It was dress down Sunday for Joachim Low and his team as they watched Germany buck the trend of the day and win by two clear goals. But we had to wait until injury time for Schweinsteiger to add to Mustafi's first half header. Ukraine played well in patches, although it is fair to say that they will be looking at the other two games for points in this group.

Other things I noticed yesterday...

• Taking the practise to the extreme, Turkey's Arda Turan covered his mouth to talk to the Croatian captain as they walked out onto the pitch. Not exactly sure why footballers think they're minor Goodfellas characters but this is the first time I've witnessed it between opposing players
• Jerome Boateng's goal line clearance was even better than Ben Davies' for Wales the other day. The way he re-arranged his feet to get the ball away at the same time as falling backwards was simply outstanding
• Northern Ireland's Jonny Evans looks like an angry player and spent most of the match kicking the over-acting Robert Lewandowski. He plays like English players did abefore they worked out the nuances of the European game - and I'm all for it!
• I was surprised to see that Verdan Corluka is still playing for Croatia. And I was even more surprised when I checked and saw that he is only 30. Nice to see he is planning for life after football by introducing his new range of hats during yesterday's match though

We have some really interesting matches today. First up is Spain v Czech Republic. I don't think Spain are anywhere near where they were a few years ago, although the exclusion of Costa from the squad will benefit them. I fancy a 'shock' 1-0 win for the Czechs though.

Ireland kick off their campaign against Sweden in the early evening match and although I'm sure Paris will be a sea of green I think Zlatan will power Sweden to victory. I'm going for 2-0.

The final game of the day should be a feast of football with Belgium taking on Italy. Will the much vaunted Belgian side show why they are many people's favourites? Or will the Juventus Italy defence keep them out? I expect both of these sides to ultimately go through but Belgium to have too much for Italy today - 1-0.

As you will no doubt be aware yesterday saw my first correct score prediction come true with Germany winning 2-0 against Ukraine. I, of course, fully expect all today's predictions to follow suit.

European Championship Day Two

Where to begin? After 58 years Wales finally played again in a major international tournament and everything went just perfectly - kind of.

The level of nervous excitement in our house was off the scale but after Ben Davies had made a wondrous clearance to deny Hamsik, Gareth Bale benefited from some questionable goalkeeping to put Wales ahead. Bale actually didn't have the greatest of games but Wales proved that they are not a one man team but a side with amazing team spirit with the bonus of a football superstar who causes fear in opposing sides.

England, on the other hand, played well (athough nowhere near as well as ITV and Clive Tyldesley was making out) and were unlucky not to come away with three points. Obviously events off the field have dominated the news reports but on a purely football note, England should still get out of this group. I don't think Russia will.

The early game saw one of my dark horses fail to look anywhere near as good as I had predicted. Albania looked devoid of ideas apart from lumping it forward and although Switzerland hardly impressed either their early goal was enough for the win.

Here's some other things I noticed yesterday...

• Switzerland's Johan Djourou has a permanently haunted face (possibly from spending so much time at Arsenal?)
• Skrtel's elbow in Williams' face was disgusting. Have any of those extra officials ever made a decision in any game?
• Is Peter Crouch now part of a Bee Gees tribute act? Those teeth!
• Although it got lost in the events surrounding the match, Clive Tyldesley's "Justice for the England eleven" comment after the goal was amazingly crass - even for him and ITV

As for today's matches, I've got a feeling that Turkey v Croatia will be an absolute cracker. I'm not entirely convinced by Croatia but I think they will have just too much for Turkey. I'm going for a 2-1 Croatia win.

Northern Ireland qualifying was incredible in itself but I think they will have a really tough game against Poland today. Robert Lewandowski will be expecting to get some goals - and I think he will. I'm going for Poland 3 Northern Ireland 0.

The final match of the day is our first chance to see if Germany are going to live up to the pre-tournament hype. I don't expect Ukraine to put up much of a fight though. Germany to win 2-0.

It must be said that I have not got one of my score predictions right so far. Maybe today?