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Euro 2020 is over. Let’s review it, A-Z

From Baku to Magic Monday, we look back at the good, the
bad and the weird of Euro 2020.

A tournament that started with legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli serenading the
Stadio Olimpico in Rome, ended with Italian captain Giorgio Chiellini lifting the
European Championship trophy in London after a gripping penalty shootout victory
over England.
Italy, now unbeaten in 34 matches, were worthy winners of Euro 2020.
The other tournament winners were European football fans, who briefly glimpsed
normality after more than a year of tight coronavirus restrictions at stadiums.
Here’s a full review of the good, the bad and the weird of Euro 2020.
A is for acting. The Academy Award for best diving went to Italian forward Ciro
Immobile, who was rolling around on the ground in apparent agony, before being
miraculously resurrected as teammate Nicolò Barella lashed in Italy’s opening goal
against Belgium. While the Italians won hearts with a modern, attractive style of
play, the moment was a reminder that they’ll never lose their taste for the dark
arts.
B is for Baku. The Azeri capital — which hosted four forgettable matches — was
one of the most controversial venues at Euro 2020, with UEFA accused in some
quarters of ignoring the security situation in the country and turning a blind eye to
the repression of Azerbaijan’s LGBTQ+ community.
C is for Crimea. Ukraine stirred up some pre-tournament controversy with a
uniform that included the outline of a map of the country — including the Russian-
annexed Crimean peninsula. The kit, which also included the phrases “Glory to
Ukraine” and “Glory to our heroes,” caused a war of words between Kyiv and
Moscow, and UEFA eventually stepped in and demanded one of the slogans be
removed.

D is for devils. Belgium’s Diables Rouges cruised through the group stage and beat
Portugal in the Last 16 … but, with an aging and hurting squad, fell flat against Italy
in the quarterfinals. Though Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku remain
dangerous, all evidence suggests the Belgian golden generation’s best days are
behind it.
E is for Christian Eriksen. The world watched in horror during the first weekend of
the competition as Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest
while taking on Finland. Eriksen’s life was saved due to immediate attention from
his teammates and medical staff. In England, lawmakers and the Football