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Euro quarter-finals to feature several powerhouses and two surprises

  • 10:06 PM

After the round of 16, in which current champion Italy said goodbye to the tournament, the quarter-finals of the European Championship are full of history and rivalry, with Turkey and Switzerland as surprises.

The eight teams that qualified have won ten European titles, a number that speaks for itself about the importance of these teams on the continent.

Germany vs Spain

The two teams with the most Euro titles (three each) and who left the best impression throughout the tournament face each other in Stuttgart this Friday at 1pm (Brasília time), in a game that for many is an “early final”.

With nine goals scored and only one conceded, ‘La Roja’ emerged in the competition as a strong candidate for the title, thanks to an attractive style of football that contrasted with the brilliance of youngsters Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the wings.

But Julian Nagelsmann’s Mannschaft will be the biggest challenge of Spain’s campaign so far. The powerful German side appear to have woken up at this home Euros, led by the experienced Toni Kroos, who will retire after the tournament.

France vs Portugal

Kylian Mbappé’s ‘Bleus’ and the Portuguese national team of idol Cristiano Ronaldo will also face each other on Friday, in Hamburg, at 4 pm, in a repeat of the final of the 2016 edition, won by the Portuguese.

The big favorite before the tournament began, France didn’t perform as expected, but despite that they reached the quarterfinals without much trouble along the way. The team’s star player and captain, Kylian Mbappé, will face his childhood idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 39 years old is still trying to add records and titles.

But Portugal suffered. Qualification for the quarter-finals only came on penalties against Slovenia, after a goalless draw in 120 minutes.

England vs Switzerland

Some England fans had already left the stadium when Jude Bellingham scored a bicycle kick to send the game against Slovakia into extra time, which ended with the Three Lions winning thanks to Harry Kane’s goal.

In the quarter-finals, the English team will face Switzerland, who deservedly eliminated Italy (2-0) and are proving to be one of the sensations of the tournament.

Gareth Southgate’s England are not convincing either the press, who are not sparing in their criticism of the coach, or the fans, who are unhappy with the unattractive football played by one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

On Saturday (6), in Düsseldorf, at 1 pm, Bellingham and co. will have to be extremely cautious against the Swiss, who in addition to having eliminated the traditional ‘Azzurra’ gave Germany a hard time in the group stage (1-1).

Netherlands x Turkey

The Olympic Stadium in Berlin, which will host the Euro final, will be buzzing on Saturday, starting at 4 pm, with the duel between the Netherlands and Turkey.

Striker Cody Gakpo, who has three goals in the tournament, has emerged as one of the most decisive players at this Euro, and has led the Dutch team to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2008.

In the edition 16 years ago, Turkey reached the semi-finals, a feat they are looking to repeat now, after having surprised Ralf Rangnick’s Austria (2-1).

In addition to the duel on the field between promising Arda Güller and defender Virgil van Dijk, and on the sidelines between the styles of Ronald Koeman and Vincenzo Montella, the game will bring together the two most passionate fans of this European Championship.


Source: Gazetaesportiva

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