Croatia V Czech Rep – UEFA Euro 2020 Group D (18/06/2021)
I can finally tick attending a major international tournament off my football bucket list as I made my way to Hampden Park this afternoon. After having a ticket in 2019, to losing it in the ballot to then getting one again on Facebook thanks to Julijan. I was sat with the Croatia fans, which has been a dream since Euro 96 and World Cup 98.
Due to Covid, entry into the stadium was staggered and my window was 1400-1430 which meant I was in the stadium 3 hours early. I got my step count up for the day also as a steward told me to go round the whole circumference of the stadium to get to my gate, once I was in I was told I could go in via any gate….
I made my way to my seat in block 13 and was pretty happy that they were showing the Sweden V Slovakia game on the big screen, just a shame about the garbage that the “UEFA DJ” was blaring out.
Pre match the Croatia fans were creating a superb atmosphere and the section we were in looked great with all the red and white. Managed to grab a photo with some fans and I think a few thought I was Croatian as they shouted to me in Croatian as they passed!
Onto the game and it was a good start for the Czech’s as they created some good early chances as they took the game to Croatia. But Croatia had the first real chance from Perišić but he couldn’t beat the keeper.
VAR was called upon as the first half drew to a close, Schick who scored twice against Scotland, went down after a collision with Lovren and play continued. But play was called back and the referee signalled for a VAR check for a possible penalty. After a few minutes that felt like hours, the referee pointed to the spot. A drowsy looking Schick became the top scorer so far as he tucked away the penalty for his third in two games.
With what felt like the next attack Rebić got through on goal with only the keeper to beat but he managed to pull his shot wide. So we went in with Czech Republic leading 1-0 at the break and looking the better side if I’m being honest.
With nothing open apart from the toilets and a table with free cups of water, there wasn’t much to do at half-time but one thing that did make me laugh was when they showed the best goals so far in the tournament and they showed Schick’s second goal against Scotland which was met by a chorus of boos from the Scotland fans in attendance.
The second half had barely got going and Croatia drew level as Ivan Perišić made the most of a smart pass from a free kick and smashed the ball across the Czech keeper.
Croatia seemed the better team in the second half in my opinion and if they had taken the chances that were created would have came away with the win. But with only getting a point they will need to beat Scotland on Tuesday at Hampden Park if they are to make it through to the knockout stages.
Regardless of the result I had a good day out and really enjoyed my first Euro’s game, the atmosphere that was created by 5,607 in attendance was superb. The set up was great and worked really well, looking forward to Tuesday now with hopefully a few more fans at the game and hoping for a Croatia win!!
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – €50
Programme – £10
Programme Rating – 9/10
Refreshments – N/A
Stadium Facilities – 8/10
Getting to stadium – 6/10
Stadium rating – 7/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Croatia against Czech Rep.
Daz Carding
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