WHILE it is true to say Euro 2020 did not completely catch fire until the last pair of games in the group stage, you cannot help but look at some of the match-ups in the second round and get excited.

Leave aside England and Germany, or what might lie in wait beyond, my focus will be squarely on willing Wales on against Denmark and Italy to beat the Austrians today, before a mouth-watering double bill of Netherlands v Czech Republic and Belgium v Portugal on Sunday.

Mirroring the multi-venue tournament format, I think Euro 2020 has yet to develop any real character beyond a strange proliferation of missed penalties and own goals.

But I have picked out some of the players who have impressed me in the opening three games to make a team, of sorts. Feel free to tell me I have been watching a different tournament.

MY GROUP STAGE XI

Jordan Pickford (England) – Only two keepers in the tournament have yet to concede a goal but while Italy’s Donnarumma has made just two saves in his three outings, Pickford has doubled that tally with a couple of good ones to boot. Considering we all had lingering doubts about him, he has been a real plus point of the group stages for Gareth Southgate.

Joakim Maehle (Denmark) – The Atalanta right-back has been a real bundle of energy and narrowly pips Dutchman Denzil Dumfries for this particular position. Grabbed a goal against Russia and has always looked a threat.

Simon Kjaer (Denmark) – Could easily win Player of the Tournament based on what he did for Christian Eriksen against Finland but on purely footballing terms, the Danish skipper was simply outstanding in the final two group games.

David Alaba (Austria) – There is little remarkable about the Austrians, when all is said and done, with the exception of their ultra-versatile captain. Included here at centre-back but equally at home on the left, the new Real Madrid man is a class act. 

Leonardo Spinazzola (Italy) – The Italians haven’t conceded yet but have done so playing decidedly un-Italian football. Spinazzola has been electric down the left, particularly against Turkey in the opening game, and sums up a team which has been a delight to watch so far.

N’Golo Kante (France) – We are starting to run out of superlatives for the understated Frenchman, who has bossed each and every game he has been involved in so far. If France’s attacking talents have been hit and miss, the solid base that Kante provides means they are always going to be in with a shout.

Joshua Kimmich (Germany) – He has been absolutely everywhere for Germany in this tournament, covering 33.7km in the three games and providing two assists. If England are going to progress to the last eight, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice are going to have to out-work him and Toni Kroos, which is not an easy task.

Gini Wijnaldum (Netherlands) – Perhaps under-rated in his time at Liverpool, the midfielder has thrived in a fluid Dutch side which has surprised a few people. Not necessarily known for his goalscoring but has arrived in dangerous areas time and time again this summer. 

Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) – Looks fitter than ever and when Belgium have managed to work the ball to him in the right areas he has been virtually unstoppable. If he continues in this mood and Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard et al manage to get back to full form and fitness, he could easily end up as the top scorer at the Euros.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – The man really is a machine. Nobody has scored more goals or put more shots on target in the first three games and Portugal’s hopes of progressing to the last eight really do seem to rest on his shoulders. Yes, he isn’t the lollipopping, free-spirited winger of old but he has matured into a completely different, and no less dangerous animal, even at the age of 36.

Alexander Isak (Sweden) – If you didn’t know about the 21-year-old’s promise from his time at Real Sociedad this season, you probably do now. Has been a breath of fresh air in a relatively workmanlike Swedish side, always looking to be positive on the ball. 

Subs: Donnarumma, Pogba (France), Stones (England), Depay (Netherlands), Yarmolenko (Ukraine), Locatelli (Italy), Gosens (Germany), Beradi (Italy).