Key occasions
100 min: Georgia 0-0 Greece Nonetheless goalless in Tbilisi, though West Ham’s Konstantinos Mavropanos has simply thumped a header in opposition to the crossbar from a nook.
“This may really be on television right here within the States!” cheers Joe Pearson. “Will wonders by no means stop?”
Not on my watch.
‘I’d be a particularly proud man if we get the job achieved’
Wales have already reached the Euros right this moment: their under-17s received 2-1 in Bulgaria advert can be off to the finals in Cyprus.
England are additionally in motion tonight, taking part in Belgium (bear in mind them?) in a pleasant at Wembley. Simon Burnton is watching that one.
Full time: Georgia 0-0 Greece
The playoff in Tbilisi goes to extra-time. It seems to be fairly vigorous, extra within the bar-room brawl sense admittedly, and as I sort any person is pointing a laser on the referee Szymon Marciniak, who snaps his head spherical angrily. How did he know? Possibly he actually does have eyes behind his head.
Harry Wilson had a ball in opposition to Finland and can be a key man tonight. ‘Man’ being the operative phrase; that fresh-faced mischief-maker is now 27 years previous.
“I believed Wales seemed so a lot better with a nimble entrance three of Johnson, Brooks and Wilson,” says David Bowen. “I’m a bit dissatisfied that large Keith-A has received the nod to begin. If we have been away then Chwarae Teg (truthful play). Web page has reverted to sort. Though it does present an entertaining aspect sport when guessing the minute he will get his bandaged. Right here’s hoping I’m improper.”
You’ll know higher than me however is there an opportunity Web page is taking part in the lengthy sport? I’m at all times a bit shocked, given how a lot video games are inclined to open up in direction of the tip, that there isn’t extra deal with specialist subs in soccer.
The opposite playoffs
Ukraine v Iceland additionally kicks off in simply over an hour. Georgia v Greece is 83 minutes previous: it’s goalless however Georgia are all the way down to 11 substitutes. Giorgi Loria, one among their sub keepers, was despatched off at half-time after a rumble involving each benches.
There are three playoffs tonight, which is able to full the line-up for Euro 2024. You desire a reminder of the teams, don’t you?
Group A Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland.
Group B Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
Group C Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
Group D Poland/Wales, Netherlands, Austria, France
Group E Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine/Iceland
Group F Turkey, Georgia/Greece, Portugal, Czech Republic
Workforce information: Moore begins for Wales
Rob Web page makes one change from the win over Finland within the semi-final: Kieffer Moore in, David Brooks out. That would imply a swap to 3-4-1-2, or Johnson could turn out to be one of many roaming No10s.
Poland are unchanged from their defenestration of Estonia.
Wales (potential 3-4-2-1) Ward; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts, J James, Ampadu, Williams; Wilson, Johnson; Moore.
Substitutes: Hennessey, King, Fox, Brooks, Ramsey, Matondo, Savage, Cullen, Dasilva, D James, Sheehan, Broadhead.
Poland (potential 3-5-2) Szczesny; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Slisz, Zielinski, Piotrowski, Zalewski; Swiderski, Lewandowski.
Substitutes: Skorupski, Bulka, Walukiewicz, Puchacz, Grosicki, Romanchuk, Buksa, D Szymanski, Salamon, Bereszynski, S Szymanski, Okay Piatek.
Referee Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Preamble
So: 2016, 2021, 2022 and now, doubtlessly, 2024. Don’t fear, this isn’t a celebration of latest, unelected prime minsters*. These are the years by which Wales have performed at main tournaments, having beforehand not achieved so since 1958. Tonight – and picture the confused expression in case you had pitched this to a Wales fan, let’s say our personal beloved MBM common Matt Dony, when Wales began their Euro 2016 marketing campaign with a scruffy 2-1 win in Andorra – they may attain their fourth main match in eight years.
This can be a golden age of Welsh soccer, no ifs and buts. And whereas the growth of tournaments has helped, little doubt, 4 in 5 makes an attempt would brook no argument – particularly as they received to the semi-finals of one among them.
Tonight’s sport is simply too near name. The Fifa rankings have Wales twenty ninth, Poland thirtieth, and the 2 groups had nearly an identical information in qualification.
They then romped to victory of their semi-finals. Wales beat Finland 4-1, Poland stuffed Estonia 5-1. Robert Lewandowski scored none of their 5 targets which, relying in your perspective, is both excellent news for Wales or unbelievably ominous.
Dwelling benefit offers Wales a slight the place’sthatthesaurusnow, particularly given file on large nights in Cardiff, however this could possibly be a protracted night time of the nervous system. And that’s only for the neutrals.
Kick off 7.45pm.
*That was 2019, not 2021.