Scout Notes

Euro 2024 Fantasy: Croatia stunned, Spanish depth + Calafiori ban

Monday brought the closing round of Group B matches. So here are the Euro 2024 Fantasy notes from Albania v Spain and Croatia v Italy.

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CROATIA 1-1 ITALY

MORE LATE DRAMA

This European Championship just cannot stop producing scenes of stoppage-time delirium. 24 hours earlier brought dramatic late goals in both Scotland v Hungary and Switzerland v Germany, not long after Serbia did the same against Slovenia.

Go back one day further and you’ll remember that Croatia also allowed an Albania equaliser right at the death. So they only have themselves to blame for this imminent elimination, armed with a complete inability to hold onto leads.

Reigning champions Italy looked set for third place after another disappointing display. Yet, although they’ve still not beaten Croatia since the latter’s 1991 independence, the circumstances of this result certainly feel like one.

With all hope seemingly lost, substitute Mattia Zaccagni (€5.5m) curled a strike into the top corner, sparking total carnage throughout Leipzig Stadium.

CALAFIORI SUSPENDED

Euro 2024 Fantasy: Croatia stunned, Spanish depth + a Calafiori ban

It means Italy will face Switzerland in the round of 16 – a match that Riccardo Calafiori (€4.5m) must miss due to his second yellow card.

However, almost like Paul Gascoigne in 1990 and Roy Keane in 1999, he embraced this setback and stepped up. Because it was his pass that slipped in Zaccagni, meaning he finished on six points for Euro 2024 Fantasy managers.

Federico Dimarco (€5.0m) remains Italy’s most-owned defensive asset and he passed a late fitness test to play left wing-back in Luciano Spalletti’s system switch. Rather than Gianluca Scamacca (€7.0m), the head coach opted for Giacomo Raspadori (€7.5m) and Mateo Retegui (€6.0m) up front.

Also worthy of a mention is centre-back Alessandro Bastoni (€5.5m). He came up with a monstrous 13 ball recoveries and would’ve netted a second goal of this group stage, had his header not been denied by a brilliant Dominik Livakovic (€5.0m) block.

NERVOUS CROATIAN WAIT

Speaking of superb stops, Gianluigi Donnarumma (€6.0m) was rewarded five points for saving Player of the Match Luka Modric’s (€7.5m) 54th-minute penalty. It was awarded after a cross hit Davide Frattesi’s (€6.5m) nearby hand.

30 seconds later, the goalkeeper superbly denied an Ante Budimir (€7.5m) header, only to see Modric tap in the rebound. Now the oldest scorer in European Championship history, his 80th-minute withdrawal looked like a well-earned rest before the knockout phase.

Instead, Croatia are on the verge of underachievement, considering their strong record in major tournaments.

PosGroupTeamPWDLGDPts
1DAustria210113
2ESlovakia210103
3AHungary3102-33
4CSlovenia202002
5BCroatia3021-32
6FCzechia2011-11

The four best third-placed teams will qualify for the round of 16

We already know that Group A’s Hungary are a better third-placed finisher and that those of Groups D and E definitely will be. Their only hope is that England heavily defeat Slovenia while Denmark simultaneously overcome Serbia. Then, in Group F, wins for Portugal (v Georgia) and Turkey (v Czech Republic).

Each of those seems individually doable but chances have to be labelled slim, at best.

Those owning Modric and Josko Gvardiol (€5.5m) will be thankful for the unlimited transfers that precede the next deadline.

ALBANIA 0-1 SPAIN

SECOND STRING SPAIN

Meanwhile, the other Group B clash had very little Fantasy impact because Spain were already guaranteed first place. It meant Luis de la Fuente had the luxury of being able to make 10 changes to his starting line-up. Aymeric Laporte (€5.0m) was the sole player to remain selected.

Wearing a pale yellow and silver kit, Ferran Torres (€7.5m) slotted home a gorgeous Dani Olmo (€7.5m) through ball to secure their 1-0 victory. La Roja still haven’t conceded, although Albania found some rhythm after the break, mainly from Kristjan Asllani’s (€5.5m) four shots and five chances created.

Euro 2024 Fantasy: Monday’s goals, assists, Player of the Match awards + stats 18

Alvaro Morata (€8.5m) and Lamine Yamal (€6.5m) cameos began in the 72nd-minute but the likes of Pedri (€7.0m), Nico Williams (€7.0m), Dani Carvajal (€5.5m) and Fabian Ruiz (€6.5m) stayed unused. Furthermore, Rodri (€6.5m) served his suspension.

Of these back-ups, perhaps Olmo has the best chance of breaking into the XI. But it’s still more likely that the usual midfield three will return in the round of 16, where Spain will go against a third-placed team. One whose exact identity is yet to be determined.



FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

67 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Knights Template
    • 11 Years
    9 months, 12 days ago

    Are Norway in the tourney?

    0
    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      Finished 3rd in qualifying behind Spain and (embarrassingly) Scotland, but ahead of sneaky Georgia

      +1
  2. Ninja Škrtel
    • 11 Years
    9 months, 12 days ago

    Grimaldo captain with 16. Switch to Kane?

    0
    1. Saint Tim
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      I captained Grimaldo too. And I'm inclined to stick...

      0
    2. Chockky
      • 7 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      id stick personally, Kane would need at least a goal and assist to beat.

      0
    3. JBG
      • 6 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      Stick, Kane has been awful (and I still picked him on my WC as an idiot)

      0
  3. jayzico
    • 14 Years
    9 months, 12 days ago

    Stick with Raya (2 x 7) or gamble on Griezmann (no Mbappe); KDB/Luk?

    0
    1. Chockky
      • 7 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      how weak the forwards have been in this tournament id be more inclined to stick with a 7, a goal for Luk would only give a 6 pointer chances are ( goal + apperance)

      0
      1. jayzico
        • 14 Years
        9 months, 12 days ago

        Great shout Chock. Will do exactly that then. Cheers

        0
    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      I would twist to Griezmann/KDB looking for 9+. Poland & Ukraine have both looked pretty poor defensively

      0
      1. Remi
        • 3 Years
        9 months, 12 days ago

        Griezmann won't play tonight

        +1
        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          9 months, 12 days ago

          Just seen that.

          Any other options today Jay?

          0
      2. Mirror Man
          9 months, 12 days ago

          Torres (9) is probably a keep but it's too boring for me. Maehle is the one I'm considering swapping to. Mega punt Conceicao after if it fails.

          +1
    3. PartyTime
      • 3 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      Italia giving 2006 vibes. How on earth have they managed to qualify.

      0
      1. I Member
        • 9 Years
        9 months, 12 days ago

        What? That Italy 2006 team was excellent.

        0
        1. x.jim.x
          • 10 Years
          9 months, 12 days ago

          "This bad team reminds me of World Cup winners"

          0
        2. PartyTime
          • 3 Years
          9 months, 12 days ago

          2006 team left it late on numerous occasions if I remember correctly.
          Zaccagni’s goal yesterday reminded me of Del Piero’s goal vs Germany.

          0
          1. I Member
            • 9 Years
            9 months, 12 days ago

            Ah fair enough. They did score some late goals in that tournament but that was a great team, this one is not.

            0
    4. PartyTime
      • 3 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      Let’s hope Griezmann feasts while Mbappe is on the bench.

      0
      1. Remi
        • 3 Years
        9 months, 12 days ago

        Unfortunately Griezmann will stay on the bench tonight

        0
        1. PartyTime
          • 3 Years
          9 months, 12 days ago

          Hello Deschamps… uh-oh.

          +1
    5. FPL launch coming soon
      The-Red-1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      FPL game updating, so are we expecting a launch imminently?

      0
      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 4 Years
        9 months, 12 days ago

        No, they'll tease some prices prior to the final update before launch.

        0
        1. Sheffield Wednesday
          • 4 Years
          9 months, 3 days ago

          Nine days later and now the new season's first update has completed it looks like we're just waiting for the wave of price teases from each club before the final update before launch - my uneducated guess is in the afternoon BST around 11/12 July if we get price teases on Monday or Tuesday.

          +1
      2. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 months, 12 days ago

        No. Last year it took them a week to update in preparation for the 2023/24 season (21-28 June), after which they gave us a few days to pre-register and then revealed some of the new prices from 3-5 July before the final update and launch later on 5th July.

        +1
      3. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 months, 3 days ago

        FPL completed its update in preparation for the 2024/25 season on Thursday evening, and we can now update our FPL personal profiles.

        The FPL Launch is probably now about a week away, but this is likely to be preceded by two or three days of price reveals and then by a short final update.

        +2
      4. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        8 months, 29 days ago

        FPL have now confirmed that price reveals are on the way and that all will be revealed soon.
        See https://www.premierleague.com/news/4051184

        0
      5. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        8 months, 28 days ago

        Since FPL haven't started revealing prices yet, I now think that the launch probably won't be till early next week.

        0
        1. Zimo
          • 6 Years
          8 months, 28 days ago

          They'll probably start announcing on Monday after the final.

          0
          1. RedLightning
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            8 months, 28 days ago

            The launch now appears likely to be after the Euros final, but they might possibly start revealing prices towards the end of this week.

            0
            1. Nuka Girl
              • 8 Years
              8 months, 28 days ago

              What's your source for this information? Do you have "the sight"?

              0
              1. RedLightning
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                8 months, 27 days ago

                No source, and I don't have any inside information about it.
                It's looking increasingly unlikely that the launch will be this week, since they haven't revealed any new prices yet.
                The price reveals could start on Monday as Zimo suggests, but another possibility is that they could start the price reveals later this week and then launch on Monday.

                0
      6. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        8 months, 27 days ago

        Last year the price reveals started on Monday 3rd July and the launch was on Wednesday 5th July following the third set of reveals earlier that day.
        Next Monday (15th July) would mean starting the price reveals 12 days later than last year.
        Gameweek 1 this year starts on Friday 16th August, compared with Friday 11th August last year, so that would give us 7 days less time between the first price reveals and Gameweek 1, presumably because they don't want the launch to clash with the Euros.
        I think there is a possibility that they might start revealing prices later this week and launch on Monday.
        Launches are not always on the same day of the week (Wednesday in 2023, Tuesday in 2022.and 2021, Saturday in 2020, Thursday in 2019 and so on).

        0
    6. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      Grimaldo (c) stick or twist to Kane/Mbappe?

      0
      1. jayzico
        • 14 Years
        9 months, 12 days ago

        Id stick Count.

        +1
      2. PartyTime
        • 3 Years
        8 months, 21 days ago

        Stick

        0
    7. x.jim.x
      • 10 Years
      9 months, 12 days ago

      Price predictions from the "experts" on FPL Pod:

      Haaland 13.5m
      Salah 12.5m
      Watkins 10m
      Palmer 10m
      Foden 10m
      KDB 10m
      Son 10m
      Havertz 9m
      Fernandes 9m
      Isak 8.5m
      Solanke 8m
      Jackson 8m
      Nunez 8m
      Gordon 8m
      Eze 7.5m
      Mateta 7.5m
      Hojlund 7m
      DCL 6m

      Some of these are wild imo.

      0
      1. Mirror Man
          9 months, 12 days ago

          They don't care about defenders and goalkeepers.

          +1
          1. x.jim.x
            • 10 Years
            9 months, 12 days ago

            Does anyone?

            0
            1. Mirror Man
                9 months, 12 days ago

                Rude

                0
                1. x.jim.x
                  • 10 Years
                  9 months, 12 days ago

                  Keepers are crap and fullbacks are non-existent thanks to Pep's 4 CB terrorism

                  0
          2. el polako
            • 7 Years
            9 months, 12 days ago

            Son 10m?
            If he stays at Spurs there should be 25% discount on him.

            0
            1. x.jim.x
              • 10 Years
              9 months, 12 days ago

              He did score over 200 points tbf - last time he did that, he got priced at 10m.

              0
          3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
            • 10 Years
            9 months, 12 days ago

            These content creators need to get laid.

            +4
          4. The Abyss
            • 11 Years
            8 months, 28 days ago

            Looks like they got four right out of those. Salah, Isaac, Hoijlund and DCL.

            0
        • The Iceman
          • 2 Years
          9 months, 12 days ago

          So as it stands both Griezmann and Jota aren't playing this week? That's an almighty waste of nearly 18m considering getting points from the forward spots has been so hard to come by...

          +1
          1. No Kane No Gain
            • 6 Years
            9 months, 12 days ago

            Jota precautionary I heard

            0
            1. St Pauli Walnuts
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              9 months, 12 days ago

              Oooh, got a link?

              0
          2. PartyTime
            • 3 Years
            9 months, 12 days ago

            Lmao. Watch Griezmann haul.

            0
            1. The Mentaculus
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              9 months, 12 days ago

              https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2024/antoine-griezmann-disappointed-and-frustrated-by-didier-deschamps-decision-to-drop-him/

              (Not a site I've heard of but they're translating from L'equipe so seems legit)

              0
              1. PartyTime
                • 3 Years
                9 months, 12 days ago

                Come on Poland!

                0
              2. Mother Farke
                • 1 Year
                9 months, 12 days ago

                Classic drama within a French squad at a major tournament.

                0
        • It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 11 Years
          9 months, 12 days ago

          Not sure what to do with Italy in R16. Tread lightly I assume as the points seem to be very spread out and Switzerland is quite good?

          +1
          1. Remi
            • 3 Years
            9 months, 12 days ago

            I'll go for Bastoni, he gave me 6pts last night even though they conceded a goal

            +1
          2. The Mentaculus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            9 months, 12 days ago

            Do you see them going a long way? I think Bastoni & Akanji are decent options for that game but that would be my maximum investment in either side

            0
          3. I Member
            • 9 Years
            9 months, 12 days ago

            I guess you used your WC in the group stage? I might double up on Italy defence but I still have my WC to clean things up if they go out.

            0
            1. Remi
              • 3 Years
              9 months, 12 days ago

              Do we know who will replace Calafiori?

              0
              1. I Member
                • 9 Years
                9 months, 12 days ago

                Buongiorno I think.

                +1
        • Remi
          • 3 Years
          9 months, 12 days ago

          Hello to you too

          +3
        • azz007
          • 6 Years
          9 months, 12 days ago

          If mbappe starts do we captain him. Or managed minutes?

          0
          1. The Mentaculus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            9 months, 12 days ago

            I will if he starts. Might come off if the job's done but it's not like a muscular injury where they'd have to be careful of overexertion so I don't think it's impossible he plays 90

            +1