Kickette.com – Soccer/football gossip, hot players, WAGs that love them

June 16th, 2011

Midweek Results: So Far, So Meh

Spain’s Adrian. Showing promise in a number of areas. Image: Getty Images/Zimbio.

Ok, we’ve managed to work out that there’s no quarter final stage in this tourney. Which may or may not help the accuracy of our reporting. Apparently, the top two teams from each of the two groups progress directly through to the semi-final stage, making the final group matches being held this weekend kind of important.

We think.

Group A

Yeah. This kid’s name is Granit Xhaka. We can work with that. Image: Getty Images/Daylife.

Switzerland are currently in pride of place at the top of Group A, having won both of their fixtures so far. On Tuesday night they consolidated on their 1-0 victory over hosts Denmark in the opening game by beating Iceland 2-0 with goals from Fabian Frei and Innocent Emeghara. Iceland, who were beaten 2-0 by Belarus in their first group game, now languish in the foothills of Group A with a highly unimpressive nil points.

Snuggling together for warmth in the middle are Denmark and Belarus, who hold three points each after their game against each other finished 2-1 to Denmark. The Danes must avoid defeat against Iceland on Saturday to stay in the competition, while hoping that Belarus lose against Switzerland.

You keeping up?

Group B

You can sulk all you want, Stuart Pearce. But you have no idea how relieved we were to see you were wearing a suit on the touchline. Image: Getty Images/Zimbio.

Wednesday night saw round two of the Group B games, but once again our desire to articulate interesting and surprising facts about the U21 teams has been thwarted. As with most other international tournaments lately, Spain top the group after beating Czech Republic 2-0 via two goals from Adrian, while England have made it hard on themselves after drawing 0-0 with Ukraine. They are in third and must win their final game against Czech Republic on Sunday in order to avoid crashing out of the tournament in a highly embarrassing manner.

Anyone up for pretending the whole thing isn’t happening and going for drinks, instead?