The four best teams of the European football tournament are clear. Urheilu’s expert Antti Pohja brings up the crucial questions of the semi-finals.
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Only the top four are left.
The European football championships continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, when the semi-finals are played. The last quarter-finals were played on Saturday, when England beat Switzerland on penalties and the Netherlands came from a losing position to win against Turkey.
The semifinals will also feature Spain and France, who claimed their place in the top four on Friday.
Sports expert Antti Pohja go through the semi-final deciding questions.
Spain-France (Tuesday at 22:00)
Will Mbappé reach his best?
– Spain has shown in many matches that it can move the ball well and quickly even against a low block. The ball never gets tired, unlike the French defenders at some point. What happens after losing the ball becomes important. Overall, I believe that if anyone can shake the French defensive wall, it’s Spain. I myself make Spain a favorite just because Kylian Mbappé the mask has clearly taken away the desire to play. The best blade is gone, and the goal-scoring responsibility is more or less on his shoulders. His ballsy moments may be few and far between.
Will the fireworks from Spain’s cruise missiles continue?
– Current Spain no longer turns the game into ball control whenever there is a small risk of losing. If there is an opportunity to move forward, then we move forward. Spain often wants to come from the wings, because there are some very successful players there in the near future, but playing in the middle is an important step before playing on the wings, in order to create a real one-on-one situation there. Spain can make good use of them.
Is attacking France enough?
– Of course, there are things that work in France’s game, that’s why they are in the semi-finals. The defense is in good form and it is very difficult for them to score goals. However, the questions are related to scoring and efficiency. How few situations are there? It’s interesting to see.
Holland-England (Wednesday 22:00)
Is there any identity?
– Both England and Holland improved their playing in the quarterfinals. They were good enough. Not great, but found what was needed to drill their way to the semi-finals. Both have had some good episodes, but nothing solid. I wonder what characterizes these teams, and I can’t really say a plan, especially for England. Are we going to continue the tradition that didn’t work against Slovakia and Switzerland, that is to activate the defense cautiously, or will England willingly give up possession and retreat lower? England has defended from low quite effectively.
Can the star cream finally shine?
– Bukayo Saka was very involved in the game in the quarter-finals and the right wing worked relatively well. Phil Foden – Jude Bellingham -axis is a crown of sorrows when two great players eat the same pretzel bread. In the semifinals, we already saw a little glimmer of light, but as a whole, the game is still not very ready. Substitute players have given good displays, so if for example Harry Kane drifting against Holland without a result, England have a good chance of substitutions.
Can the Netherlands hold its own?
– Holland’s one problem is returning to defense. If Enganti can turn quickly and take advantage of Saka’s fitness or Bellingham’s strong running and passing, then the quality as individuals is at such a level that Holland may be in a hurry.
Tuesday 9.7. at 10 p.m. Spain–France
Wednesday 10.7. at 10 p.m. Holland-England
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