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Lithuanian football experts agree - the championship is interesting, and the biggest surprises were the failures of Russia and the Netherlands.
Stasys Baranauskas Football coach
I was surprised by the Russians. I still don't understand what kind of team they are. Their first match against the Czechs seemed promising, but we saw that this team couldn't win against Lithuania. I was slightly disappointed with the hosts of the championship - the Poles and the Ukrainians. The latter didn't do well with the referees in the last matches against the English. The world vice-champions, the Dutch, didn't succeed. They came to the European championship as favorites, but the team was not psychologically prepared for any of the matches.
With the championship they said goodbye after the first lost match against the Danes. I feel sorry for the Swedes. In my opinion, they shouldn't have lost to the Ukrainians or the English, who are doing very well at the moment. In the last game they were lucky, because the referee was blind. I agree that football is a very conservative sport, but I don't understand why there are two additional referees. Why keep a blind man on the field if he can't see what's happening five meters away. Those two referees are unnecessary, let's just put one person by the television who can quickly inform the other referees through an earpiece what was and what wasn't. Unpleasant situations arose at the championship. It surprised me the most that in a sport with so much money involved, such embarrassing situations still occur. It is terrible. In ice hockey and basketball, controversial situations are always reviewed, but in football no one ever solves the problem.
Vaclovas Jurkus Legendary goalkeeper of "Žalgiris"
Those who bet in betting shops - lost, and because of the ones who didn't bet - the shops are just happy, because they won. I have never bet in my life, because I am afraid of that virus. The Dutch surprised me. I expected more from the Russians. I don't have any coaching license, so I can't get into the team, but I think there is a change of generations in the Dutch national team. Apparently, all these team stars are retiring. It's their sunset.
And with the Russians - as always: it was said that before the last match against the Greeks, a birthday was celebrated. It is very fashionable among the Russians. My favorites are the Spaniards and the high-stepping Portuguese. As always, there is something to learn from the Germans. Which goalkeeper looks the best? I'll be the diplomat - they all look good, some are doing better, some worse. I am for all goalkeepers.
Benjaminas Zelkevičius Football coach
The Dutch surprised me, because they played hopelessly. Their attacking players were very poor. I think they took a place they deserved. Interestingly, the hosts of the championship did not make it to the next stage of the competition. The Greek victory over the Russians was unexpected. The Greeks reached the quarterfinals, but there they will face the Germans, who will put them in their place.
I liked the Portuguese, I am glad that Christiano Ronaldo showed himself. I think the Portuguese will only beautify the upcoming battles. It seems that the Spaniards are having a hard time finding their game. I'll say openly: I didn't even want to watch the first half between Croatia and Spain. Maybe the Spaniards are saving themselves for more important matches. I was disappointed with the match where a blind referee appeared. If the match between England and Ukraine had ended in a draw - everything would have turned upside down. But I'm glad we will see the Germans, the French and the English. The quarterfinals will look more solid. The championship is interesting, I look forward to the knockout rounds with impatience.
