Just got back. A really enjoyable atmosphere with wife and child in tow. On the standard in general I had a few observations:
1. The level of technique on display is really good in the gaps between first touch and final ball. Some skilful players on display, well coached. I’d say League 1 as a standard, which is well ahead of schedule.
2. The game is noticeably slower and less physical. There were attacking situations that were allowed to continued that should have had the door slammed shut through brute force.
3. Not a hint of diving or even a sense of it. Every physical encounter was fought honestly.
4. Couple the slower pace with largely good technique you’d think first touch and final ball would be nearly perfect, but it isn’t, in fact it’s the opposite. Lots of poor passes, finishes and first touches. I think this is indicative of the professional aspect of the game being really young.
5. There seems to be a capitulation problem across the game which certainly fuels the high scorelines. You could see in real time, the Swiss almost give up when they went 2-1 down and gifted a couple more, it could have easily ended 6-1. I know the NI manager got in trouble for suggesting an emotional aspect to goals coming in batches. I definitely think it’s an issue the game needs to address (somehow). It does them a disservice to ignore it.
I definitely enjoyed it though.