The group stage is complete, let the knockout stage begin..
The last-16 of the 2020 European Championships gets underway this weekend with mouthwatering ties whichever way you look!
The last-16 of the 2020 European Championships gets underway this weekend with mouthwatering ties whichever way you look!
Ante-post favourites France retain their spot as tournament favourites after coming through unscathed whilst Italy are their nearest pursuers according to the bookmakers with Roberto Mancini’s side being cut into a general 6/1, having been available to back previously at 9/1.
The Azzurri won Group A without conceding a single goal and their reward is a last-16 tie against Group C runners-up Austria.
Franco Foda’s Austrian side were comfortable winners over North Macedonia & Ukraine but were no match for the Netherlands and it’s difficult to see them progressing any further. |
Speaking of the Dutch, Frank de Boer’s Flying Dutchmen take on the Czech Republic in Budapest on Sunday.
Gini Wijnaldum & co. were impressive in qualifying for the knockout phase, winning all 3 group matches scoring 8 times & conceding just twice. The former Liverpool midfielder has 3 goals to his name at EURO 2020, tied with Romelu Lukaku, Patrick Schick, Emil Forsberg & Robert Lewandowski in the race for the Golden Boot.
Gini Wijnaldum & co. were impressive in qualifying for the knockout phase, winning all 3 group matches scoring 8 times & conceding just twice. The former Liverpool midfielder has 3 goals to his name at EURO 2020, tied with Romelu Lukaku, Patrick Schick, Emil Forsberg & Robert Lewandowski in the race for the Golden Boot.
Also on Sunday, Belgium & Portugal go head-to-head in Seville.
The Red Devils are the current no. 1 ranked team in the World according to FIFA & Roberto Martinez's men made serene progress to this point with 3 straightforward victories against Russia, Denmark & Finland.
The Red Devils are the current no. 1 ranked team in the World according to FIFA & Roberto Martinez's men made serene progress to this point with 3 straightforward victories against Russia, Denmark & Finland.
Portugal, meanwhile, emerged as one of the best 3rd placed sides having finished 3rd in Group F which certainly lived up to its pre-tournament billing as the “Group of Death”.
A 3-0 win over surprise package Hungary followed by a hard earned point against France were enough for the defending champions to set up a first ever meeting with Belgium in a major tournament. |
Monday sees Croatia against Spain and France versus Switzerland.
The Spanish were firmly back on song when dismantling Slovakia 5-0 in their final group game and Luis Enrique’s side are an extremely skinny 2/7 to secure a passage to the quarter-finals at Croatia's expense.
Les Bleus meanwhile are an even shorter 2/9 to book their spot in the final-8.
The Spanish were firmly back on song when dismantling Slovakia 5-0 in their final group game and Luis Enrique’s side are an extremely skinny 2/7 to secure a passage to the quarter-finals at Croatia's expense.
Les Bleus meanwhile are an even shorter 2/9 to book their spot in the final-8.
Last but by no means least, on Tuesday, England & Germany renew rivalries in what promises to be a hotly contested affair at Wembley.
The Three Lions were solid if unspectacular in the group stages with Gareth Southgate’s cautious tactics ensuring England emerged undefeated from their 3 group ties, beating Croatia & Czech Republic in-between a goal-less draw with Scotland. |
Germany, on the other hand, blew extremely hot and cold in their 3 matches. Jogi Low will relinquish his role as Germany national manager after 15 years at the helm of Die Mannschaft and the experience manager required an 84th minute Leon Goretzka strike against Hungary to ensure his sides inclusion in the last-16.
The last time England & Germany met at a major tournament was back in 2010 when Frank Lampard scored the ‘goal that never was’ with the Three Lions ultimately humbled 4-1.
Germany seemingly lacks the necessary firepower to trouble England at the moment, however- and if there was a time to face Germany, it could just be this Summer.. |