Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
The surprise team of the tournament Hungary continue their Euro 2016 adventure Tonight against one of pre-tournament favourites Belgium. Bernd Storck’s side have more than held their own during the group stages and turned Group F on it’s head by winning the group and they will have nothing to fear going into Tonight’s game
Many felt that they were here just to make up the numbers and their opening win against Austria would have certainly turned some heads. They were fortunate to draw with Iceland in their second game and probably unfortunate to draw with Portugal in their third and final group game.
They’ve looked almost fearless at times, Portugal kept having to peg them back on Wednesday in what was definitely the game of the tournament so far and 37 year old Zoltan Gera is playing like someone of half of his age. With no real expectations brings no real pressure and it’s certainly showing on the pitch.
In terms of pressure perhaps the opposite could be said for Belgium. They started badly after Italy handed out a 2-0 defeat in their opening game. Marc Wilmots then made wholesale changes for their next game against the Republic Of Ireland and that paid dividends as they ended up strolling to a 3-0 win and a late winner against Sweden saw them secure second place in their final group game on Wednesday night.
There’s no doubting the talent that Belgium have in their squad but the question that is always asked is can they gel well enough to finally land a major tournament success. They definitely didn’t in their opener against Italy with Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne looking like they didn’t want to pass too each other
But it seems as if they are ironing out those initial kinks and slowly but surely looking like the side that many people backed as winners. Romelu Lukaku looked at this best when he bagged a brace against the Republic Of Ireland while Kevin De Bruyne was a constant menace in that game
The key now will be making sure that their key man stay fit, especially in Centre Midfield where they seem to be light of options. The options they do have are incredibly strong but it will only take one of those players to be sidelined and that could derail their tilt at Euro 2016 success
Unfortunately for Hungary and as impressive as they have been I think Tonight will spell the end of the road for them. Belgium will look to clear this hurdle as then the road to the final really does open up especially with such a favourable top half to the draw. Belgium to win but Hungary to go home making a lot of new friends.
