Issue # 1.0.1 "The 2021 HWCI Euro 2020 Pool... or Something Like That" (5/29)

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Saturday, May 29, 2021 

EURO 2020 REBOOTS IN 2021 IN 11 CITIES

After a one year delay, our 3rd Euro pool kicks off with a deadline June 11th

SANTA BARBARA, CA (smt)- After the pandemic postponed Euro 2020, UEFA's celebration across Europe kicks off June 11th in 2021 although the 24-team tournament will still be called Euro 2020.  Eleven cities (down from original 13) in 11 countries will host with 9 teams getting to host at least two group matches.  Thanks the UEFA Nations League, C4-North Macedonia (MKD) won a place in the tournament, its first (along with Finland).  Hosts were paired (if both qualified) in each group then drawn for order (1,2,3,4) so you'll see, for example, #37 Hungary leading Group F as F1.   Will playing at home, with fans mostly from their country (due to some inter-Europe travel restrictions), help elevate teams?  There is no overwhelming favorite so is this England's year (with a potential to play 6 of 7 matches in Wembley Stadium)?

B3-Belgium is the #1 team in the world while F3-France (#2), D1-England (#4), F2-Portugal (#5) (defending champs), E1-Spain (#6), A2-Italy (#7), and B1-Denmark (#10) are also in the top 10.  As you can infer, Group F is the group of death with France, Portugal, and Germany (have fallen to #12!).  Since there are just six groups, four of the six 3rd place teams will advance to the Knockout Stage so all three could make it but maybe #37 Hungary can surprise someone in that group.

So what has changed in our pool? 

UK Wants it All

Well, the Euros are happening and UEFA still plans to have it across 12 cities in Europe.  But potentially, England (or the UK with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in the mix) could be the sole host of the tournament when it kicks off June 11.  UEFA said thanks, but no thanks, but depending how new COVID-19 variants progress, things could change.  England was already hosting the "final four" anyway.

Thanks to the UEFA Nations League, we will get to a smaller nation in the tournament as North Macedonia qualified via the Path D playoff.  Finland will also be making their Euro debut.

Our 3rd HWCI EURO Pool (and 12th Soccer pool) will be this summer!