The Daily Bee (June 19th, 2017): ConFed Cup and U21 Euros

• ConFed Cup

Football is back...well, kind of.

We won't have Bundesliga football for quite some time but at least there is the Confederations Cup for the fans among you that are desperate for some football. The tournament started on Saturday when the hosts Russia beat New Zealand (2:0) and continued on Sunday with Portugal vs Mexico and Cameroon vs Chile.

Portugal 2:2 Mexico

The European champions could not beat the Gold Cup winners as Mexico scored the equalizer in the 91st minute to secure a point. Raphael Guerreiro started the game at left back for Portugal and played the entire game, unfortunately it wasn't exactly his best performance. The BVB-player was decent on offense but had his fair share of problems on defense, he looked shaky at times and staring at around the 70 minute-mark he seemed extremely tired. Guerreiro needs to work on his defensive skills if he wants to unseat Schmelzer at LB next season.

Cameroon 0:2 Chile

Chile, who are considered the favorite of the ConFed Cup because Germany brought their B-team, won their opening match against Cameroon. The Copa America champions were the better team but they still had their hands full with the AFCON champs. Cameroon sat back and waited for counter attacks and they actually had a few good chances to score. In the end Chile's individual class overcame Cameroon's valiant effort when Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas scored late to secure the three points.

• U21 Euros

Now let's take a look at the more important international tournament this summer (sorry ConFed Cup). The U21 Euros are usually a very good indicator which European country will compete for titles in coming years. The past iterations of this tournament have yielded some of the best players that Europe had in the past decades, players like Pirlo, Nesta, Neuer, Özil, Totti, Lampard, Xavi and many more were discovered during this tournament.

This is probably why Dortmund has sent 7(!) scouts to the tournament, the most out of any European top club. Maybe they'll convince one of the next bright young stars to play for the black and yellows.

There have already been a slew of games, here the results:

Sweden 0:0 England

Poland 1:2 Slovakia

Portugal 2:0 Serbia

Spain 5:0 Macedonia

Denmark 0:2 Italy

Germany 2:0 Czech Republic

Both Dortmund players, Mahmoud Dahoud and Maximilian Philipp, played for Germany in their first game. Dahoud started in midfield and was one of Germany's best players in the first half. He dictated the tempo of the game and initiated most of Germany's offense. I think it's safe to say that a midfield combo Dahoud/Weigl will be pretty good next season. Dahoud got subbed off in the 66th minute when Germany already led 2:0.

Maximilian Philipp started the game on the bench but got subbed on in the 76th minute for Mitchell Weiser and played on the right wing for the rest of the game. He showed flashes of his talent but didn't get enough minutes to really impress.

Daily Buzz: Any of you watching the ConFed Cup or the U21 Euros?