The Euro 2024 favourites are in the quarter-finals. Without trembling or with forceps, Germany, Spain, France, England and Portugal have validated their ticket to the European Top 8, as have Switzerland, who beat the reigning champion Italy, Turkey and the Netherlands. Focus on the quarter-finals on the programme, with a sumptuous half of the table.
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Before the start of this Euro 2024RFI had drawn up the list of five favorites for the title. There is no guarantee that the winner on July 14 will be one of them. But they are still there when it comes to the quarter-finals. The tournament’s Tom Thumb, Georgia, stopped in the last 16, as did Slovenia and Slovakia, who believed until the end, as well as Italy, the fallen champion who went out without glory.
The quarter-final draw is now known, and the first half gives rise to two very enticing matches between the big names. The other two are also not lacking in appeal.
To consultEuro 2024: find the calendar and results
Spain-Germany, a final before its time
The expected clash will indeed take place. Thanks to a perfect first round for Spain and a very successful one for Germany, the face-off between the two ogres was scheduled. In the round of 16, the Furia Roja had a moment of doubt before making Georgia fold (4-1) while the Nationalmannschaft took its time before winning against Denmark (2-0). This is how the Spanish and Germans will cross swords in Stuttgart.
It is difficult to pick a favourite between these two. Germany, at home, has found its colours and ambition after three disastrous last tournaments, and it can count on its experienced key players – Neuer, Kroos, Kimmich – as well as its young talents like Musiala and Wirtz. Opposite, Spain plays the most seductive game of the Euro, with its main artificers its elusive wingers Williams and Yamal, as well as a complete midfield where Rodri organises everything and Ruiz doubles up.
The Germans will no doubt be keen to erase their repeated failures against La Roja in major competitions. At the 2022 World Cup, in the first round, the two nations shared the points, but Germany missed out on qualifying for the round of 16. In the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup, Spain had the last word. And in the final of Euro 2008, it was again the Spanish who won. Has the time for revenge come for Die Mannschaft?
France-Portugal, how we meet again
It’s starting to become a Euro classic. For the fifth time, France and Portugal will face each other in the final phase of a European Nations Championship. So far, the advantage goes to Les Bleus, with two victories (semi-finals in 1984 and 2000). But Les Bleus have not forgotten their only defeat, that disappointment in Paris in the final of Euro 2016. During the last Euro 2021, the two teams faced each other in the first round, with a draw (2-2) as a result.
To honor this new meeting, the two teams had to fight. Still very sluggish in attack, The French selection took the upper hand over Belgium in the final minutes thanks to an own goal in the round of 16. For the Portuguese, it was even more difficult against Slovenia, beaten only on penalties. Incidentally, veteran Cristiano Ronaldo cracked in extra time: after missing a penalty, the captain could not hold back his tears. Fortunately, he did not tremble during the fateful session, where the real hero was goalkeeper Diogo Costawho took out the three Slovenian shots and signed ” probably the best match of (his) life “.
Two journeys that are not easy, but the Blues and the Seleçao did not steal their ticket to the quarter-finals. Assuming their status, France and Portugal have passed the pitfalls to write a new chapter in their shared history at the Euro. But this time, one of these teams will have to take the door just before the last four. It remains to be seen whether Didier Deschamps and his men will erase the affront of eight years ago, or whether CR7’s gang will once again bring down the vice-world champions.
Netherlands-Türkiye, the expected spectacular
The Batavians have two faces. After a first round that ended in a fizzle, ending with a defeat against Austria (2-3) and a qualification by a mouse hole, the Netherlands had greatly disappointed. However, the Oranje took the opposite tack in the round of 16 by thrashing Romania in style: 3-0 with a double from Donyell Malen and a goal from the unstoppable Cody Gakpo, a stranglehold on the match and a very solid defense. Not easy to follow, this Dutch selection, still rebuilding with Ronald Koeman and capable of very good performances. Their last quarter-final at the Euro dates back 16 years.
They will probably have to keep up the pace in the quarter-finals, as they will face a highly-charged Turkey. In the first round, the players led by Vincenzo Montella had already put on a show to climb to second place in Group F. And again in the round of 16 against Austria, they impressed by winning 2-1 thanks to a double from defender Merih Demiral, who is not familiar with this role of scorer. The team had a soul “, appreciated the coach, proud to have ” seen the heart of Turkey ” in this battle where his men left a lot of energy. With the support of their fans and the large Turkish community in Germany, the national team is not afraid of anything.
England-Switzerland, the miracle against the ambitious
England narrowly missed going home. A handful of seconds, in fact. Having been battered by Slovakia, the English team only owed its salvation to an acrobatic overhead kick from its youngster Jude Bellingham in the final seconds, before Harry Kane gave it victory in extra time (2-1 aet). Elimination would have been a terrible slap in the face for the Three Lions, European vice-champions three years ago, semi-finalists at the last World Cup and cited among the logical favourites for this Euro. The coin fell on the right side this time, but the axe came close.
The dynamic is very different on the Swiss side. The Nati continues to progress and is now more than holding its own against the big nations. In 2021, it scalped France, the world champion, and only fell on penalties in the quarter-finals against Spain. This year, it almost beat Germany in the first round (1-1) and has just eliminated Italy, the defending champion, at the end of a masterfully controlled round of 16. The Squadra Azzurra learned a lesson from Murat Yakin’s players, satisfied to have ” sent a strong message ” England knows what to expect.