Serbing It Up

England; much touted as favorites in this Euro 2024 tournament; got their campaign off with a victory - but only just. Serbia proved to be no-one's cup of tea; with a resilient & effervescent performance that in the end may have just left them slightly disappointed not to get something from this game.

Make no mistake: they are packed full of talent themselves. FM legend Sergej Milinkovic-Savic proved well worth the advertising; while with Aleksandar Mitrovic & Dusan Vlahovic upfront; they have two strikers who need no introduction in the current world. Add to that Eintracht Frankfurt legend Filip Kostic on the wing and bench players such as Dusan Tadic & Luka Jovic; and you see why this became such a tense game in the end.

For England; it was yet again Jude Bellingham who was their star man. Coming off a remarkable season when he was voted the best player in La Liga & won the double of league & Champions League with Real Madrid; his potential seems to have no boundaries (cue Adam Lambert). Another sterling display up & down the park; capped by a priceless brave header for the winner; adorned this performance. As I thought; the over-estimation of their physical under-prowess in John Stones & Marc Guehi proved unfounded; even when tested against the size & strength of this Serbia team; quite possibly the biggest team on this planet.