And then there were 8 as the belated 2020 European Championships reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend.
The last-16 was certainly not lacking in drama & excitement with 22 goals scored across the 6 ties with leading contenders Holland, Portugal, France & Germany all departing.
The last-16 was certainly not lacking in drama & excitement with 22 goals scored across the 6 ties with leading contenders Holland, Portugal, France & Germany all departing.
Switzerland v Spain
Switzerland stunned World Champions on penalties to book their place in the quarter-finals. The Swiss produced a remarkable turnaround to come from 3-1 down with 10-minutes left to prevail 5-4 on penalties.
Spain, meanwhile, seem to be finding their rhythm after a slow start to the tournament. Luis Enrique’s men have scored no less than 10 goals in their last 2 outings.
Spain, meanwhile, seem to be finding their rhythm after a slow start to the tournament. Luis Enrique’s men have scored no less than 10 goals in their last 2 outings.
La Roja had to survive a scare in the last-16 when being taken to extra-time by Croatia but goals from Mikel Oyarzabal & the misfiring Alvaro Morata ensured the 3-time European champions progression.
Given the two sides most recent outings, it seems reasonable to expect a goal-filled encounter. |
Belgium v Italy
Friday night produces easily the most fascinating tie of the quarter-finals as no. 1 ranked side Belgium take on a Italy side who have been near enough foot perfect up until now.
Roberto Mancini’s side have won all 4 of their games so far, scoring 9 times with Sasa Kalajdzic’s goal for Austria in the last-16 the only blot on the Azzurri’s copy book.
Roberto Mancini’s side have won all 4 of their games so far, scoring 9 times with Sasa Kalajdzic’s goal for Austria in the last-16 the only blot on the Azzurri’s copy book.
Belgium boast a similarly impressive record this Summer also winning their 4 games and the Red Devils showed a determined resolve when repelling Portugal in the last-16.
Roberto Martinez is likely to be without star players Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard but the Belgians aren’t short of squad depth and look good value at odds-against to qualify for the semi-finals. |
Czech Republic v Denmark
On Saturday, tournament dark horses Czech Republic & Denmark lock horns in Baku in what is a repeat of the 2004 quarter-finals.
A Milan Baros brace helped the Czech’s to the semi-finals in ‘04 and in Patrik Schick Jaroslav Silhavy has a similar striker with an eye for goal. The Bayer Leverkusen forward has 4 goals in as many games at EURO 2020. |
Ukraine v England
Finally, on Saturday night. Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions leave the home comforts of Wembley to head to Rome where they’ll face Andriy Shevchenko’s Ukraine.
The Ukranian’s qualified as one of the top 3rd placed teams before Artem Dovbyk’s stoppage time header sealed their place in the quarter-finals at Sweden’s expense on Tuesday evening.
England matched Germany’s record from 2016 in keeping 4 successive clean sheets at a European Championship. |
The Germans ultimately exited at the semi-final stage 5-years ago and the nation will be expecting the semi-finals at the bare minimum.