Arnold Clark Cup 2023 - Full Matches - Google Drive
These are just the England matches.
As usual, please do not stream the videos directly from the Google Drive. Download them instead. Refer this post or this guide if you have trouble downloading.
-- Credit to @rockyren for the videos. They have also offered to record and share the other matches if anyone asks.
The footballbro Stupid Prizes Awards: Euro 2022 Edition
The “We’ll Draw Anyone” Award
This dubious honour goes to Iceland who managed to go unbeaten in the group stage with 1 all draws against France, Belgium and Italy but didn’t manage to get to the knock out stage thanks to Belgium beating Italy.
The “Here for a Good Time” Award
This goes to Austria who crashed not one but two press conferences with music and dancing
The “History Makers” Award
This is goes to Northern Ireland who were appearing at their first Euros and managed to score their first Euro goal thanks to Julie Nelson
The “Not Another One” Award
This goes to the infamous ACL injury which took many players out of the Euro competition. This includes, but is not limited to just, Putellas, Katoto, Marozsan and Katoto.
The “How the Fuck Did That Not Go In” Award
This is awarded to almost all of the Sweden versus Belgium game thanks to a combination of good goalkeeping, luck and bad shooting.
The “Two Person Defence” Award
This is awarded to van der Gragt and van Domselaar for their performance against France. Between them they keep out multiple French shots on goal
The “Excellent Time Wasting Award”
This goes to Ella Toone and Alessia Russo for trying to read the note passed round by the German players.
The “About Last Night...” Award
Finally this award goes to the hangovers the Lionesses are bound to be nursing
Keeping up with everything in a month-long tournament is hard, so no comment (yet) on the first set of quarter-finals, instead a continuation of previews, with Groups C and D squaring off today and tomorrow!
Sweden vs. Belgium
Belgium are the biggest surprise in the knock outs, having weathered what arguably might be considered the actual group of death (RIP my dark horse predictions). Add to that the fact that Sweden seemed to hit their stride in their last group game in a 5-0 victory over Portugal, and it seems likely that Sweden will be meeting England in the first semifinal. HOWEVER, this is the knock outs and Sweden have a string of COVID absences, so you never know . . .
Keep an Eye On . . .
Sweden's formation
With absences due to illness, they may not be able to field their preferred starting 11, but one of the most impressive things about them is that they're very fluid tactically. Will be interesting to see if they go for a back three or a four or if it shifts during the game based on personnel. Once again, please read Om Arvind for really great tactical insight, as he's done a breakdown of this match-up that includes Sweden's approach to different formations.
These Players
Kosovare Asllani has been having a stellar tournament, marshalling the offense and leading Sweden's notoriously organised press. I've linked to work Om has written about her before, but here's a new piece that emphasises some of the intangibles.
Stina Blackstenius has yet to fully make an impact at this tournament, so this could be a big game for her up front. And Fridolina Rolfö will be a key, especially on the flank without Hanna Glas or Jonna Andersson for this match.
For Belgium, Janice Cayman and Tessa Wullaert have been essential to the Red Flames chances in the tournament and will need to do the same in this match up. Maybe so more quick transition goals . . .
And the break out star for Belgium in the knock outs was their keeper, Nicky Evrard. She stopped two penalties and has clearly helped keep the Red Flames in close matches.
France vs. The Netherlands
Based on the first games of the group stage, you might think that France will have this one easily under control, but things have shifted for both teams since then. France still look the stronger and more cohesive side, even with the major blow of losing Marie-Antoinette Katoto. And the Netherlands have continually suffered from injuries and absences due to covid, losing Sari van Veenendaal and most recently Lieke Martens for the rest of the tournament while Vivianne Miedema and Jackie Groenen missed games while in isolation. But, Viv and Jackie are back! And some of the young Dutch replacements have been very impressive. Plus, France's defense looked shaky against both Belgium and Iceland after their opening thrashing of Italy, so who knows!
Keep an Eye On . . .
Defense
The Netherlands have had a shaky defense for quite some time, so the telling thing will be what strategy they manage to come up with to try to handle, if not completely stifle, the French attack. And as I mentioned, the French defense, particularly one of my faves, Wendi Renard, have looked shaky at times, leaving opportunities in the counter attack. Basically, it will be interesting to see how each team adjusts their defense for a knock out setting.
These Players
It feels obvious to say Viv Miedema, but it is a big deal that she's back in the Dutch squad, as much of their offense goes through her. Jackie Groenen is also immense for the Netherlands, and despite missing one game in the group stage due to Covid, she's had two really strong performances in midfield. While Daniëlle van de Donk struck one of the goals of the tournament and certainly will be someone to look to, I've really been impressed with some of the younger players that have had an opportunity due to all these injuries. Damaris Egurrola impressed in her Euros debut with a goal and Victoria Pelova has looked electric on the wing any time she's entered a game. Perhaps the biggest talking point for the Dutch so far has been replacement goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who has really stood up to the challenge of her first major tournament action.
For France, while losing Katoto is certainly a blow, they're perhaps the most stacked offensive team in the entire tournament, and have some great options to turn to. I'm probably most excited about the potential for more action from Melvine Malard, who was incredibly dangerous against Iceland in her first start of the Euros, including an excellent goal.
On the wings, Sakina Karchaoui and Delphine Cascarino have both looked lethal so far in this tournament, coming up from an outside back and forward position respectively. And another player who will look to step-up in Katoto's absense is Kadidiatou Diani, who is always in the mix but will be looked to even more in the knock-out rounds.
It's difficult to highlight individuals in the midfield for France, as they've looked strong collectively, but Grace Geyoro laid a bit of a gauntlet down with an opening game hattrick and Clara Mateo has looked really exciting when she's had opportunities (see her assist to Malard above).
Will we see the indestructable looking French-side that opened the tournament if they have to face-down a Netherlands side that always seems to get-up for big knock-out games? Guess we'll find out soon enough!
Italy vs Belgium - 1-2. Second half was all Italy, beautiful goal to tie and then a heartbreaker in the dying minutes of the game.
England vs South Korea - 4-0. First half left us with one goal, and a very disciplined South Korean side. Second half was just a shit show, first goal came in the first 16 seconds, second a few minutes later. Still, if South Korea had managed to maintain the same pressure they had in the first half, this would've been much closer. Great showing from England, Lauren James absolutely killed it!
Hello! I was hoping you or maybe your followers would know where to watch the arnold clark cup 2023 matches. I searched everywhere and can't find any 😩
Oh, I could have sworn it was on YouTube but it seems it isn't. 🤔
I know I don't have any of the matches, so posting here in case anyone has them. Do you have any particular matches you were looking for?