Washington
DC: On Sunday, two matches played among ‘Group A’ members of Union of European
Football Associations (UEFA) Euro Cup 2016 gave football lovers two varying
results. Albania defeated Romania 1-0, and on the other hand, France and
Switzerland ended up in a draw 0-0.
Armando
Sadiku’s first half header gives Albania their first ever win in tournament
football; whether they make the knockout stages depends on results elsewhere,
while Romania are definitely out. It was a historic goal and it might end up
being a particularly important one, too, should Albania qualify for the Round
of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams. Having lost to Switzerland
and France in their opening two games, it remains to be seen if three points is
enough but it would be cruel if Albania’s remarkable adventure ends here. As
Romania discovered to their cost on a lively night in Lyon, bowing out of the
tournament with just a point to their name, the Albanians are about a lot more
than just endeavour; there is plenty of enterprise and expression to their
football as well.
On the other end of the spectrum,
on Sunday, Switzerland and France played out a Euro 2016 goalless draw which
took the Swiss into the last 16 and saw the French win ‘Group A’. France will
now play the third-placed team from either Group C, D or E - meaning Northern
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are both potential opponents - in Lyon on
Sunday. The Swiss will face the second-placed team in Group C, who are
currently Poland but could be Germany or Northern Ireland, at Saint-Etienne the
day before. With Albania beating Romania 1-0, Switzerland
would have progressed even if they had lost at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.
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