Euro 2024: Kai on his own supply

Good morning.

It was an eventful evening in Dortmund last night, with disallowed goals, thunderbolts and lightning which were very, very frightening for Michael Oliver so he took the players off the pitch, before goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala sent Germany through and Denmark home.

It looked as if Germany had gone ahead early, a fine header by Nico Schlotterbeck appeared to be a perfectly good goal, but a not too subtle block from Joshua Kimmich saw it ruled out. Germany were on top, then Denmark got back into it. Kaspar Schmeichel saved from Havertz twice, Christian Eriksen produced a first touch of outstanding quality, and it was a decent contest.

In the second half Denmark thought they’d scored through Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen, but this too was ruled out because of the intervention earlier of a player whose toenail was offside.

Then at the other end, Andersen’s misery was compounded by the fact a penalty was awarded against him when the ball hit his hand from relatively close range. I’ve seen a lot of chat about how if we’re going to apply the handball law correctly, it was the right decision, but I think everyone would agree it’s absurd to be punished so severely for simply having arms. Arms move, hands are attached to them, and not in a million years should that ever be a penalty. The rule-makers need to sort this out as a matter of urgency, because it’s farcical to see a penalty awarded for that in a major competition.

Havertz stepped up, and although Schmeichel went the right way, he had no chance – the ball pinged in just off the post and it was 1-0. Kai could have had another after a sublime first touch sent him through on goal, but he dinked the finish just wide. I have to say though, I think he would have squared it for the onrushing Leroy Sane for a tap-in, had he not been very obviously fouled as he sprinted into the box. I think Denmark got quite lucky in that respect. As for Havertz, if he could add 10% more…

Source link : https://arseblog.com/2024/06/euro-2024-kai-on-his-own-supply/

Author : arseblog

Publish date : 2024-06-30 06:58:42

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.