The Round of Sixteen is such an unwieldy phrase, but following the naming conventions of countries like France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia in calling it the eighth-final doesn't feel any better. With that linguistical gripe out the way, let's look at who's left to play.
| June 29 | June 30 | July 1 | July 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5pm | Switzerland v Italy | England v Slovakia | France v Belgium | Romania v Netherlands |
| 8pm | Germany v Denmark | Spain v Georgia | Portugal v Slovenia | Austria v Türkiye |
For me there are three matches with high drama potential:
Switzerland v Italy doesn't scream drama, and the last time Switzerland beat Italy was 1993. But Italy have done little to impress so far and this could well be a close fought, if low scoring, game.
Germany v Denmark is a match up which has been remarkably even in the last 30 years or so. Meetings at major championships are one win a piece, and the multiple friendlies are similarly close.
France v Belgium brings together to teams who so far have failed to ignite their tournaments. Both have struggled to score goals. In a pre-tournament bracket I had France lifting the trophy. I'm not so sure now.
Austria v Türkiye has delicious historical shading around the corners of its narrative, but they aren't required to discuss the form team of the tournament playing one which seems always to be on the verge of breaking through to become a regular featured favorite, but never quites manage it.
Then there are four matches which should have clear favorites, and therefore provides potential for upsets:
England v Slovakia is a match England are expected to win, but such has been the drabness of their play so far it is thrown into doubt. Slovakia, who finished 3rd in their group, have scored 3 goals to England's 2 so far.
Spain v Georgia gets in this part of the list purely down to Georgia's defeat of Portugal and the desire for a repeat performance. In reality the only team to win all three group games should be plenty strong enough to win this game easily.
Portugal v Slovenia is a game which in the normal course of match-ups would raise little excitement, but Slovenia will have studied Georgia's success, and be plotting their own surprise. Thing is, Cristiano Ronaldo has to start scoring sometime to get the Golden Boot. This could be the game.
Romania v Netherlands should not really be in doubt. Romania have only beaten Netherlands once and they finished their groups with equivalent records of a wind, draw, and loss each.
Now on to my predicitons to win their matches:
Italy (on penalties)
Germany
England
Spain
Belgium (on penalties)
Portugal
Netherlands
Austria
So, I'm predicting no real upsets. But we know there'll be at least one. We'll find out over the next four days.
text by stuartcturnbull art by UEFA & altered by stuartcturnbull