Sport

SPORTS WEEKLY SPECIAL EURO 2020

Sterling and Kane strike as England KO Germany

BY DAVID SAFFER

The route to the Euro 2020 final is set for England after defeating Germany for the first time in a knock out game since the summer of ’66.

Gareth Southgate’s team will be heavy favourites to defeat shock quarterfinalists Ukraine in Rome this weekend before steeling themselves to take on Denmark or Czech Republic next Wednesday night for a final spot at Wembley on July 11.

Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane scored second half goals to send 40,000 fans at Wembley into raptures on Tuesday.

England are tough to beat and when Southgate introduced Jack Grealish there was a zip to the attack. Sterling knocked in Luke Shaw’s cross after 75 minutes before Kane nodded in Grealish’s pinpoint cross late on for his first Euro 2020 goal.

England though had to thank keeper Jordan Pickford who saved Timo Werner and Kai Havertz efforts while Thomas Muller missed a golden chance to equalise before captain Kane sealed a quarter final spot.

Southgate told BBC1, “The players were absolutely immense right the way through the team and the fans were as well. Only 40,000, but it’s as good an atmosphere I can remember in Wembley. We played extremely well, I thought we deserved the win.” He added, “The whole team defended incredibly, the goalkeeper right the way through. It was a fabulous performance.”

As for his strikers, he commented, “Raheem (Sterling’s) performances have been electric and a goal for Harry (Kane) was an important moment.”

Ukraine substitute Artem Dovbyk broke Swedish hearts with an injury time winner in extra time at Hampden Park.

Oleksandr Zinchenko put the outsiders in front before Emil Forsberg’s deflected shot levelled just before half time. With no team able to break the deadlock, the match went to extra time. Marcus Danielson was sent off for a horror challenge on Artem Besedin before Dovbyk sensationally headed home.

Wales crashed out to Denmark, playing on a wave of emotion after the opening game when Christian Eriksen collapsed with a cardiac arrest.

Kasper Dolberg curled home his first goal on 27 minutes. Dolberg doubled the lead after a dreadful error by Nico Williams after half time. Joakim Maehle made it 3-0 two minutes from time. And after Harry Wilson unluckily saw red for a foul on Maehle, Martin Braithwaite completed the scoring.

The Danes face the Czechs who stunned the Netherlands in Budapest.

The match turned when Donyell Malen failed to capitalise on a one-on-one with Czech keeper Tomas Vaclik on 54 minutes. Less than a minute later, Matthijs De Ligt was dismissed for handball after a VAR review for denying Patrik Schick a goalscoring opportunity. Tomas Holes headed home on 68 minutes before setting up Schick to score 10 minutes from time.

In the other side of the draw, Italy kept their Euro dreams alive in a comeback win against Austria at Wembley and face a mouthwatering quarter-final clash against Belgium.

Austria gave the Italians a huge scare. Indeed, only a VAR offside decision ruled out a Marko Arnautovic goal in normal time before substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina netted in extra time. Austria hit back with a Sasa Kalajdzic header, the first goal Italy have conceded in the tournament, but it was not enough to deny the favourites for the tie.

Belgium’s Thorgan Hazard produced a moment of magic to knock out Portugal.

Ronaldo failed to score this time around but the defending champions went mighty close through Diogo Jota, Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro, who struck a post late on.

In the end, Hazard’s dipping 25-yard drive just before half time proved decisive.

Spain, meantime, won an eight-goal thriller against Croatia in extra time to reach the quarterfinals.

In the match of the tournament so far the Spaniards recovered from going behind to a bizarre own goal and letting a 3-1 lead slip to secure a memorable win in Copenhagen.

Luis Enrique’s side were stunned when Unai Simon inexplicably misjudged a Pedri 50-yard back pass to gift Croatia the lead on

20 minutes. But the Spaniards were level by half time when Pablo Sarabia struck home an equaliser. Cesar Azpilicueta got on the end of a sweeping move to nod home just before the hour. And when Ferran Torres slotted home the game seemed over. But Croatia substitutes Mislav Orsic and Mario Pasalic scored in a dramatic ending to send the game into an extra 30 minutes. Simon atoned for his earlier error with an important stop from Andrej Kramaric before Alvaro Morata crashed in a superb fourth on 100 minutes. Mikel Oyarzabal settled a pulsating match minutes later. Spain take on Switzerland who stunned pre-tournament favourites France with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win after a Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane scored against Germany 3-3 draw following extra time. Kylian Mbappe, who shone in this nations’ World Cup triumph, had yet to hit top gear in this competition and it was his spot kick that Yann Sommer saved to earn the Swiss a first ever penalty shoot-out triumph. Switzerland took a shock 15th minute lead through Haris Seferovic. The underdogs then had a chance to go 2-0 up only for Hugo Lloris to save a Ricardo Rodrigues penalty on 55 minutes. And within four minutes Karin Benzema scored twice to edge France ahead. When Paul Pogba scored a 30-yard screamer 14 minutes from time, it seemed over. But Seferovic got his team back into the game with his second before Mario Gavranovic sent the game into extra time in the 90th minute. After nine perfect penalties, Mbappe stepped up for France’s fifth spot kick but fluffed his big moment. So, Southgate and co have delivered at the highest level and finally defeated their great rivals at the fourth time of asking in a major tournament tie in 55 years. With the nation behind them if anyone is looking for an omen, the last time an England side played four competition games without conceding a goal was when Sir Alf et al triumphed!

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

O’s Premier champs with Peppi and Cuby strikes

Oakwood goalscorers Josh Cuby and Ben Peppi

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

BY DAVID SAFFER

Oakwood are Premier League champions after a 3-1 victory against Jewdinese at Ark Academy.

Needing a win to pip HMH and Maccabi London FC to the title the O’s came from a goal down to triumph. A Ben Peppi brace and Josh Cuby strike secured a second top-flight title for the club.

Lewis Blitz’ side trailed pacesetters HMH and Maccabi London FC until the title run. But they earned a chance of securing the championship with a scintillating run of form.

Oakwood had to produce the goods against ‘Nese who had a strong line up out.

Standing firm against the champions-elect, Reiss Mogliner scored a brilliant direct free kick against the run of play. Blitz’ boys had to react and did, demonstrating resolve to equalise just before half time when Peppi curled home a wonderful 20 yard strike.

Level at the break, Cuby, who had dazzled on the wing in the opening period, moved into a central striking role and instinctively slotted home on 50 minutes to put the champagne on ice.

Cuby then set up Peppi for a crucial third on the hour to seal the deal. ‘Nese never had a clear chance thereafter as the O’s managed the game to perfection to wrap up the title.

At full time, a delighted Blitz commented, “I knew we could come back. We just had to keep doing our thing. Peppi’s first goal made my half time talk easier.” He added, “There were nervy moments, the first 20 minutes we were on top but got complacent. We got into wide positions but couldn’t get a player in the six-yard box. In the end though, we got three quality goals.”

Regarding two-goal hero Peppi, Blitz noted. “Ben’s been one of our players of the season, he started the season on the wing and has become one of our most influential central midfielders. Cuby going up top in the second half made a big difference challenging their defence. Considering the start we made to the season it really is phenomenal that we have managed to win the title.”

Two-time title winner Cuby commented, “We knew from the beginning it would be a tough battle. It was all about heart and mentality today. We put everything on the pitch and reaped the rewards.”

Regarding his crucial second goal, Cuby noted, “It was instinctive, but it was a team goal. Three goals won the game, not mine. This is a team, we are building a squad to go again next season.”

Ric Blank became Oakwood chairman 16 years ago. He commented, “All the boys, players and managers, have put in so much hard work in a disrupted season, they fully deserve their reward. It’s amazing to see new memories being made by the next generation.”

Daniel Kristall, Director of Football, joined Oakwood in 2015 with the aim of winning silverware and becoming a dominant force in Jewish football.

“We have two Premier titles and have competed in four cup finals,” he said. “Our recruitment with the new management team last summer with new signings on the pitch has given us a fresh momentum. With the transfer targets we have in mind for this summer and age of the squad, we are well placed to compete at the top of Jewish football for the next few years.”

‘Nese boss Darren Lawrence was magnanimous in defeat, “We owed it to the league and ourselves to give Oakwood a battle. The best team won on the day.”

Maccabi needed a seven-goal swing to finish ahead of HMH on goal difference if Oakwood slipped up and duly thumped Hendon United 9-2 at Rowley Lane.

Until Oakwood struck a third goal the title could have been heading Maccabi’s way but it was not to be.

On the day, player boss Max Kyte hit six goals, Ben Kohler, Mikey Perkins and Jamie Cohen completed the scoring. The win edged Maccabi into the runners up spot by a goal ahead of HMH.

“It was a great way to end the season, we did what we had to do to have a chance of scraping the title,” noted Kyte. “It’s a true testament of what the boys can do when they put their minds to it, and we are pleased to finish second in the league. A big congratulations to Oakwood who had an unbelievable second half of the season and deservedly champions.”

Division One champs London Bears defeated Borussia Barnet 2-1 to complete a memorable season whilst Hertswood Vale ratified promotion with a 3-3 against Faithfold Green.

In other fixtures, Club de Chigwell finished third in style, thumping FC Team 5-1.

Brook Farm Rovers shared the spoils 2-2 draw against Mill Hill Dons to finish in fifth spot.

Oakwood celebrate winning the Premier League

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

Ben Peppi makes it 3-1 to clinch the title

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER