The Championship began with a draw: Croatia and Wales slept. Belgium suffered to win and Turkey has heart above all.

Men

Croatia vs. Wales, 2-2 (0-0)
It was a lukewarm game with five minutes of gluttony (four goals scored) and 35 minutes of frugality: slowness, half a dozen of shots to goal, without any interest. In the beginning of the second half, the two goals of the Croatian team seemed a promise, but Wales only wake up at the two last minutes of the game. Croatia was a little more dangerous, but Wales, very “britishly”, don’t forgive mistakes and at 7 seconds to the final whistle equalized the score. A game like that only could give a draw.

Turkey vs. Belgium, 5-6 (2-3)
Self-confessed favourite, even by Belgian press, Belgium initiated the game with three scores to goal and seemed have conquered the way to a robust victory. Big mistake! The Turks assumed the commitment to the contest and sold expensively the defeat during all the game. The last seven minutes, with the score in 3-6, the Belgians droped the rhythm, suffered the 4-6, the 5-6 but they consolidated the victory they deserved. But the Turkish team has heart!

Armindo Vasconcelos