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Today the playoff stage starts at the European Football Championship: over the next four days we will watch the fight for eight spots in the quarterfinals. Sport brings up all the pairs of the 1/8 finals of Euro 2024 and agrees with the opinion: the result in each match, at first glance, seems obvious.
Switzerland — Italy
- When: June 29/19:00 Moscow time;
- Where: «Olympiastadion», Berlin;
- Odds: 2.5 for the Italians and 3.5 for their opponents.
In the group stage, Italy showed no intention of defending the title. The reigning European champions had to recoup during the match with the Albanians, the Spaniards outright outplayed the Squadra Azzurra, and in the match with the Croats the Italians saved themselves only in the last seconds.
Switzerland will be a serious test for Luciano Spalletti's charges. Unlike their opponent, Murat Yakin’s team never lost in the group, and in the last round they were a couple of minutes away from defeating Germany. On paper, Italy look like slight favorites, but this pairing is one of the most intriguing in the Euro Round of 16.
br>Germany — Denmark
- When: June 29/22:00;
- Where: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund;
- < strong>Odds: 1.7 versus 6.1 in favor of the Euro hosts.
The German national team started the home Euro very cheerfully — with the defeat of the Scots. “Bundestim” scored the most in the tournament, Jamal Musiala shines in its composition, and Niklas Füllkrug became the main wild card of the group stage.
They will be able to Can the Danes do anything to oppose the “German machine”? The disciplined team of Kasper Hulmann will look for their chances on set pieces and through the main conductor of attacks Christian Eriksen, who is usually a top player for the national team. However, blocking the path of the tournament hosts to the quarterfinals seems to be an impossible task for the neighbors.
England vs. Slovakia
- When: June 30/19:00;
- Where: Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen;
- Odds: 1.5 and 10.5 — no chance for the Slovaks.
The main favorites of the Euro are a complete disappointment. The British are dull, unprincipled, completely toothless in attack. A lackluster victory over weak Serbia and two draws with the Danes and Slovenians, with only two goals scored, it is clear that Gareth Southgate and his boys are receiving streams of criticism from fans, the British press and local legends.
- When: June 30/22:00;
- Where: Rhein-Energie-Stadion, Cologne;
- Odds: 1.2 and 18 — bookmakers «disowned» the sensation.
Georgia was amazing. In a group with Portugal, Turkey and the Czech Republic, the Euro debutant played open, vibrant football and captivated fans around the world. A stunning victory over Ronaldo and company with a score of 2:0, the leadership qualities of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the courage of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili (made the most saves) and forward Georges Mikautadze (with three goals he is the top scorer of the championship at the moment) — now the “crusaders” are inspired and ready for a new assault.
But will such pressure with Spain be enough? A team that not only won all three matches in the “group of death” without noticing the resistance of Italy, Croatia and Albania, but also never conceded a single game. Bookmakers absolutely do not believe in such a plot (look at the odds again).
France — Belgium
- When: July 1/19:00;
- < br>Where: Merkur Spiel Arena, Düsseldorf;
- OddsFrance won just one game out of three in the group stage and at times had a similar effect to Southgate's England on fans. The main event in the tricolor camp was the injury of Kylian Mbappe, due to which he missed the match with the Netherlands, but the leader of the French attacks returned and already managed to score against the Poles.
Belgium became another top team that made it through the group poorly. A sudden defeat from the Slovaks, dull “zeros” against the Ukrainians… Moreover, Romelu Lukaku again cannot score. Although the bookmakers give preference to the French, this match risks becoming a struggle between two uncertainties.
Portugal — Slovenia
- When: July 1/22:00;
- < br>Where: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt am Main;
- Odds: 1.4 for Ronaldo and 9.6 for the Slovenian guys.
The Slovenians are in for a tough evening. Portugal dealt with the Czechs and Turks without any problems, and in the final match of the group stage, Roberto Martinez gave his team leaders a rest. The fresh and restored squad will clearly want to rehabilitate themselves in front of the fans for the sensational defeat from Georgia, and Ronaldo will strive for his first goal at this Euro.
The match risks turning out to be completely one-sided. Yes, Slovenia did not lose a single match in the group, the team’s goal is defended by top Oblak, defenders Erik Janza and Jean Karnicnik are in good shape… But the team may simply not have enough class to fight the Portuguese.
Romania — Netherlands
- When< /strong>: July 2/19:00;
- Where: Allianz Arena, Munich;
- Odds: 1.5 and 8.7, experts are confident in the success of the Netherlands.
It’s still hard to believe it, but the “cheapest” team in terms of the cost of players at the Euro made it to 1/8 finals. Moreover, taking first place in a quartet with Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine! The historical success of the Romanian national team, which Eduard Jordanescu's team will definitely not want to stop at.
Yes, the Netherlands are the clear favorite of the pair. However, the way the “orange” failed in the match with the Austrians in the third round of the group stage gives Romanian fans hope for the continuation of the football fairy tale.
Austria — Turkey
- When: July 2/22:00;
- Where: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig;
- Odds: The Austrians opened as favorites (2.0 and 5.0).
Perhaps the most faded poster of the 1/8 finals stage. However, the closest one… A fire may break out on the field — all the prerequisites are there.
The Austrians, like the Romanians, surprised us. They lost to the French only because of an own goal, and the Poles and the Netherlands were crushed, taking first place in a difficult quartet. We can’t help but pay attention to Austria’s performance: Ralf Rangnick’s players have six goals – only the Germans have more (8). The Turks showed the maximum in Group F. Two victories over the Georgians and Czechs were enough to qualify for the playoffs. But how helpless the Moon Stars looked in the confrontation with Portugal (0:3) is alarming.
Playoff calendar
- 1/8 finals—from June 29 to July 2.
- Quarterfinals—July 5 and 6.
- Semifinals—July 9 and 10.< /li>
The final of the tournament will take place on July 14 at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. In the decisive match of the previous Euro 2020, Italy and England met in London: the Squadra Azzurra won in a penalty shootout (1:1, on penalties — 3:2) and became the European champion for the first time since 1968.