Chapter 681 - 9: Fierce Battles and the Elite Eight Parade! Successive Barrages! New Turmoil! Two Uninhibited Madmen!

On June 17, the current European Cup officially entered a fierce battle.

The third round of the group stage has begun, marking a moment that will determine the fate of many teams.

Except for Germany and France, no other teams have secured early qualification, and few have lost hope of advancing early.

Between June 17 and June 20, matches in groups A-D will take place successively, finally establishing the list of 8 teams advancing to the knockout stage!

At 5:30 that afternoon, the matches between Greece vs Russia and Czech Republic vs Poland started simultaneously, and whoever wins among them will directly enter the top 8.

"Russia had a smooth start but was later blocked by Poland. If they lose to Greece, their chances of advancing will be strained.

"Arshavin is fighting hard, he is the star player of this team! A shot! It’s not in!

"The fourth official raised the board for injury time, indicating 1 minute of added time for the first half.

"Greece is counter-attacking, Aleksey intercepted the ball! Taken back again! Beautiful counter-snatch!

"Karakus is in the penalty area! A shot to the far corner!

"The ball is in! Greece has miraculously taken the lead! They exceeded the score before halftime ends! One to zero!!"

"..."

"The first half is over, neither Czech Republic nor Poland has achieved a goal, somewhat surprising as pre-match predictions hinted at a goal fest.

"As the host, Poland drew with Greece in the first round and again with Russia in the second, showing stable yet mediocre performance. Today marks their last chance.

"Polanski receives a yellow card! Barosh quickly takes the free kick, an opportunity for Czech Republic!

"Iracek is entering the penalty area, facing strong physical pressure, oh...! A fall-back shot, the ball’s in! One to zero! Czech Republic leads!

"The host plunged into hell in an instant, needing to score 2 goals to turn the score around and advance at the last minute!"

"....."

"The match ended!! No added time! The referee didn’t allow injury time! Greece advanced to the Euro Cup’s last 8! They’ve created another miracle, triumphing against the odds to qualify!!

"Their fans are waving their national flags, raising shields, declaring war on the other 7 teams in the top 8!!

"The goddess Athena watches over them at the Parthenon Temple! The Sun God Apollo lights their path! Now, this Greek team is ready to create their new myth!

"Arshavin squatted on the ground crying, not expecting that the Russian team, which won the first round 4-1, ultimately failed to advance out of the group.

"They’re leaving, unable to carry the glory and honor from this field, leaving only their skeletons behind, making the successful figures that step over them appear taller!"

"....."

"One to zero! Czech Republic ultimately defeated the host Poland with a score of one to zero! Advancing to the last 8 of the Euro Cup as the group leader!

"The great one to zero! Led by Arsenal star Rosicky, this team from a country with an area of only 78,866 square kilometers has entered the center stage of European football!

"At the same time, we bid farewell to the Polish team! Say goodbye to Lewandowski! They ended this Euro Cup at home as the bottom of their group!

"I believe regret and pain fill their hearts, but this is football, victory isn’t as easily obtainable as dandelions on a hillside!

"You must give your all, do everything right, to possibly succeed on this field!!"

"....."

After the match, Rosicky was named the man of the match. Leading the Czech Republic players who don’t speak Spanish to the camera, they all shouted: "Vamos.....!!"

The other Czech Republic players didn’t understand why Rosicky spoke Spanish after having been at Arsenal for a few years, they just felt the phrase rolls off the tongue and joined in the cheerful shout.

...

On June 18, the two matches in Group B also started at 5:30 in the afternoon, Portugal vs Netherlands, Germany vs Denmark.

"Robben! Cuts inside... no, he fooled the world! This time it’s a baseline! A cut-back pass! Van der Vaart follows up for a shot, the ball’s in! Netherlands leads!

"It’s Joao Pereira! He passes to Ronaldo! Bicycle kick... past the defender! A powerful shot! Beautiful! The Portuguese star scores his first goal of this tournament!"

"Nani... crossing! Ronaldo header! Powerful!! Beautiful!

"Two to one! Ronaldo helps Portugal reverse with a double score! The Portuguese star has finally found his form!"

"The match ended! Portugal wins two to one against Netherlands! Advanced to the last 8!!

"Cristiano Ronaldo, the boy who cried at the Euro Cup final 8 years ago, has now grown into the captain, the soul of this team! Leading them against the odds, sailing upstream!

"Maybe as he looks at the young ones around him, he recalls the summer of 2004.

"At that time Figo was beside him, Zidane was still the core of France, Xiaobei was still the supreme right-wing of England, and Van Nistelrooy was still attacking for the tulips!

"But now everything is different, Ma’el has become France’s new superstar, Rooney became England’s pillar, and the once green Van Persie replaced Van Nistelrooy in England!