EUROS: Reality Czech for the Scots (but will they boogie against England?)

Welcome to our second Euros Agent Match Report, when we get leading agents’ and suppliers’ takes on the matches featuring England and Scotland. 

Today it’s a big thank you to Andrew Fyfe, a director at Sovereign Property Partnership, Scotland’s leading retirement housing research and consultancy, for his views on Scotland’s 2-0 defeat by the Czech Republic at Hampden Park. 

Please keep watching for reports here on EAT following each England and Scotland game...meaning there will be another on Monday of next week, following the big England-Scotland clash. 

Now take it away Andrew…

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Caller: I can’t understand why Antti Niemmi doesn’t get a game for Scotland?

Radio host: He’s from Finland.

Caller: What?

Radio host: He’s Finnish.

Caller: He’s not Finished, he’s only 28.

Many Scotland fans will have heard this comical interaction with a fan on talkSPORT who couldn’t grasp the reason ex-Hearts keeper Antti Niemmi couldn’t get a game for Scotland was due to him being Finnish and not finished!

The question 2021 fans would have been asking is whether Scotland would be one step closer to the “Finnish” after their first match or indeed “finished”.

The first 15 minutes started with a bang as the Hampden crowd roared on the home team. The first moment of real concern came from a 20 yard shot from Patrick Schik which David Marshall did well to tip round the post.

The next 15 minutes passed largely without incident aside from a fleeting chance for Lyndon Dykes until Andy Robertson came oh-so-close with a rasping left footed shot the keeper just managed to tip over. Scotland might have had a penalty shout from the following corner with a handball but it would have been harsh.

Schik got his revenge on Marshall on 42 minutes with a cultured glanced header to break Scottish hearts and that was that as the half time whistle came soon after a frantic period where Mctominay charged into the box and was brought down fairly, just about...

Much to do in the second half, but a lot to like other than the score.

The second half started furiously with the Czechs pressing hard and then Scotland hitting the woodwork shortly followed by a near freak own goal from a Czech back pass gone wrong.

Then, disaster as a blocked shot from Jack Hendry turned into a freak goal for Schik who scored an incredible lob from just past halfway. A famous phrase from Trainspotting springs to mind...”It’s sh*te being Scottish...”

Armstrong was so unlucky with a deflection as his shot just looped over the bar on 60 minutes. More hope for Scotland came five minutes later as Dykes was prevented by Vaclik’s right foot. It just wasn’t happening for the boys in blue.

76 minutes and McTominay blazed over. 78 minutes James Forrest came on. Could he be the catalyst for a comeback? Nearly on 83 minutes with a jinky run but his shot is blocked. Nearly again on 85 minutes with a cross from Robertson but nae joy.

The Czechs nearly added insult to injury with a 3rd on 90 minutes and that was the end of any real action. Czech-mate.

Scotland will be left feeling a little “Schick”, but at least they’re here and they’ll be sure to bring their A game for England!

The boogie lives on…

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Thanks for putting so much into that report Andrew.

Enjoy the rest of this week’s matches and please remember to check in with EAT on Monday for our verdict (from a Scotsman AND an Englishman) on *that* game…