Euro 2016 so far: The good, the bad and the Ledley

Euro 2016, with its field of 24 teams bigger than ever before and frankly poorer for it, is due now for the thinner air and hopefully keener competition of the knockouts. For the big teams, that means the time for pragmatism and management of energy and minutes, even outright disinterest, is passed and it’s time to step on the gas. For Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it’s meant farewell. And for the rest still standing, from darkhorse Croatia to tiny Iceland, it’s minnow or never.

Here are 10 questions, observations and idle musings to kick around before Saturday comes and spit gets real.

Will somebody in Bleu step up to support Dmitri Payet?

Payet and midfield partner Paul Pogba looked like a partnership ready to burst into full bloom coming into this tournament. But while Payet has been the most electrifying performer this side of Gareth Bale, Pogba’s been quiet and the hair-trigger French media has thus stepped in to supply the loudest noisemaking. If Les Bleus are to truly emulate their World Cup '98 countrymen they’ll have to do as they did and fully ignite for the knockouts, and Pogba will be central to that.

Is Croatia ready for this?

The team looks primed after a trio of group games in which they came within one late-game screw-up of going a perfect three-for-three, and during that 2-2 draw against the departed Czechs, some flare-throwing fandemonium from their supporters’ lunatic fringes -- “sports terrorists,” in the phrasing of coach Ante Cacic. Ivan Perisic’s late winner in their group finale turned the draw upside down and in their favour, but will the fans stand such prosperity?

Is Joe Ledley the cult hero of the tournament?

Wales has Gareth Bale mostly to thank for their run to the knockouts, but it’s hirsute midfielder Joe Ledley who’s the people’s choice. Not even Gabor Kiraly’s pantomime-in-pants measures up to Ledley’s, er, dancing -- given that he broke his leg last month and was touch and go to get to France at all, any quibbling with the man’s form seems beyond churlish.

Does it make any difference who Roy Hodgson wheels out?

The England manager made six changes before a dour 0-0 draw with Slovakia to finish the group, and among the unimpressed was the English FA. If the Three Lions run aground at the quarterfinal stage, it’s business as usual and Hodgson falls on his sword. But if the tinkering and rationing of minutes propels England further -- and this tournament’s wide open right now, with France the favourite but only a lukewam one -- he’s a genius. 

Can anyone stop Iceland?

Or at least, Iceland’s TV voice? ICYMI (or just want to listen again, because this never gets old):

Is this a tournament, or a Cristiano Ronaldo reality TV show?

The Iceland “small mentality” comment. The selfie on the field. The penalty miss against Austria. The microphone toss. The back-heel goal against Hungary. Hubris and humongous in equal measures, then, and with Kobe Bryant retired CR7 is now alone as the most polarizing superstar in all of sports.

When do the world champions show up?

Germany has been relatively unimpressive so far in terms of results. But they did appear brighter against Northern Ireland with a new system and Mario Gomez selected from the start as the focal point of the attack.

Robert Lewandowski, who are ya?

The most feared striker in Europe, and Lewandowski remains without a goal. If Poland are to progress, they'll need the Bayern man to rediscover his club form -- that could be ominous for Switzerland, just ahead.

So, Michael McGovern’s next assignment …

He might well be the most sought-after free agent after this tournament, a 31-year-old from Northern Ireland whose goalkeeping display against Germany was heroic. And up next for him is Bale, the tournament’s most lethal scorer so far. If ever there was a time to impress the likes of Bale’s Real Madrid with more vintage shot-stopping, this is it.

Will Europe's love affair with the Irish push them to the Promised Land?

There's nothing the Irish fans can't do. From feeling so bad about denting a car that they fixed it (and left money for the owner) to singing lullabies to sleepy children on trains, the behaviour - especially in light of the initial violent scenes before the tournament began - has been a refreshing subplot. They've already played a huge role in getting their side to the knockout stages (a minor miracle in itself) and a certain 2009 incident will mean they'll need no motivation against France on Sunday. How long can the tournament's love affair with the fans continue?