Spurs at the Euros

Tottenham Hotspur have eleven players at the Euros, representing five different nations. Now that the first round of matches have been and gone, let’s look at how our lads have fared with their countries in the opening set of games.

Article by Nathan Flint @nathflint

Hugo Lloris, France (W 2-1 vs Romania)

Goalkeeper Lloris played the first game of the Euros last Friday night, capped by a wonderful winning goal from Dimitri Payet. In truth, Lloris had little to do besides face a penalty, which he failed to save as Romania equalised on the night. No fault of the Frenchman as the penalty was a good one. The French defence - despite looking a little rusty – coped fairly easily against the Romanians, even though the defensive partnership of Rami and Koscielny had only played two games together prior to the opener. Evra made an inexplicable challenge to concede the penalty, so Lloris will have to do a better job of marshalling his defence as the tournament goes on.

Ben Davies, Wales (W 2-1 vs Slovakia)

Davies started for the Welsh in his usual full-back position and was called into action almost immediately as he made a fantastic goal-line clearance with goalkeeper Danny Ward beaten, in the first five minutes. Davies had a big role to play, supporting Welsh attacks and taking his position in defence when required. The full-back impressed with his calm and composed defending as well as accurate distribution and won the man-of-the-match award.

Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, England (D 1-1 vs Russia)

All five Spurs players in the England started their first game. It was a mixed bag in the end, with Rose, Walker and Dier particularly impressing and Alli giving an industrious performance in midfield, most notably winning the free kick that was dispatched so emphatically by Eric Dier for England to take the lead. Dier was imperious in the middle of the park and will be a key player for England as the tournament progresses. Rose and Walker were England’s main outlets of attack and both gave great displays. The only blotch on Rose’s copybook was how easily he was beaten for Russia’s equaliser but in his defence, it was a mismatch between him and Berezutski. Harry Kane has come in for a lot of criticism after a leggy and ineffective performance. Could he be tired after a long season playing Pochettino’s pressing style? It certainly did not seem to affect his Spurs team-mates. He will need to have an impact against Wales to keep his place. Oh, and to stop taking corners!

Mousa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Belgium (L 0-2 vs Italy)

Somewhat surprisingly, only two of Belgium’s Spurs contingent made the starting eleven for their opener with Italy. Dembele was left out and he was sorely missed as the frankly awful Witsel and Nainggolan offered little. Belgium coach Marc Wilmots split the centre-half pairing of Alderweireld and Vertonghen as Thomas Vermalen lined up next to Alderweireld in defence, with Vertonghen pushed out to left-back. Alderweireld was unusually at fault for the opening goal as he misjudged a ball into the box which flew over his head and landed at the feet of Emanuele Giaccherini, who’d drifted away from his marker, Laurent Ciman. The Italian dispatched his chance as the Italian’s took the lead and then shut up shop as Belgium tried in vain to find an equaliser. Italy then picked them off at the end of the match as Southampton’s Graziano Pelle made it 2-0.

Kevin Wimmer, Austria (L 0-2 vs Hungary)

Wimmer did not figure in Austria’s surprise 2-0 defeat to Hungary. He will be hoping to see some action in their next game against Portugal, but it is unlikely as coach Marcel Koller will stick with his first choice defensive pairing in what will be their toughest game. By the time Wimmer actually sees some game time, Austria could sadly already be out of the competition.

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