EURO 2024 Quarterfinals: Who Will Rise and Who Will Fall?

The final eight are set – one among Spain, Germany, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, England, Turkey, and Switzerland will sit on the European throne on July 14.

We are in for some truly exciting quarterfinals, as there were practically no big surprises in the Round of 16, except for eliminating a lacklustre Italy and a rising Austria.

Here’s the situation and schedule for the remainder of Euro 2024.

In the undoubtedly tougher bracket, we are expecting two fierce derbies, while the other side of the draw (deceptively) looks calmer:

Spain vs. Germany

Undisputed highlight of the quarterfinals. Both superpowers have demonstrated impressive football so far, and many have rushed to declare this match as the “final before the final.” La Furia is the only team to have won all four of its matches so far, and in a commanding manner, scoring nine goals.

Youngsters Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal are enjoying themselves on the pitch, but the challenge will be more than serious this time.

Spain remained the only team with a perfect record after four matches.

The new twist is that they conceded their first goal behind Unai Simón, which was not scored by an opposing player but by Robin Le Normand, another own goal in this European Championship.

After this 0:1 goal against Georgia, “La Roja” did not change their tactics on the field and, with immense ball possession and diverse attacking actions, imposed their will for a final 4:1. Now. However, a much bigger test awaits them.

On their path to a possible 4th title after those in 1964 and the consecutive ones in 2008 and 2012, the winners of the upcoming match between Portugal and France await them in the semifinals.

The somewhat reservedly accepted coach Luis de la Fuente commands the “Red Fury” locker room, which is full of talent, but will his tactics prove successful?

Germany faces its first major challenge. Yes, some might say, wasn’t the 2-0 victory over Denmark in the Round of 16 a serious test? According to many, the “Danish Dynamite” was quite diluted in this tournament.

If they want to conquer the summit for the fourth time and surpass today’s opponents in this regard, the “Bundesteam” needs to be a bit more classy and smart in Stuttgart.

Julian Nagelsmann will enter a sharp tactical duel with a much more experienced coach, and his players on the field must prove that the “Mannschaft” is a team for the big clashes, and today is undoubtedly one of those.

Portugal vs. France

The second quarterfinal match is no less intriguing. At the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, the opponents are two more teams that have lifted this precious trophy—Portugal and France.

They will know who they might face on the 9th in Munich but must be 100% focused.

Portugal survived a match they could have won much earlier, but having missed many chances, they had to play extra time and penalties to eliminate the brave Slovenia in the Round of 16.

This happened mainly thanks to the heroics of Diogo Costa in goal, who saved all three penalties taken against him, and to Cristiano Ronaldo, who successfully converted the first penalty after missing in the 105th minute, a shot saved by Jan Oblak.

This led to an emotional breakdown for the great R7, but he gathered himself and proved to be a true captain for the “Navigators.”

Roberto Martinez must instill in his players that in the fewer expected chances in front of the French goal, they need to be far more effective than they were in the last two matches where they didn’t score from open play – 0:2 against Georgia and 0:0 against Slovenia.

France comes into this match with much more confidence, having defeated Belgium with a minimal 1:0 but showing almost total dominance over a strong opponent.

An experienced coach like Didier Deschamps is unlikely to underestimate his opponents despite their two weak recent performances, and his players must understand this.

The “Roosters” and their fans are still waiting for their masked leader, Kylian Mbappé, to score his first goal of Euro 2024.

Will this happen in this match and help them reach the semifinals? Many are optimistic.

England vs. Switzerland

At first glance, the two quarterfinals from the other bracket do not seem as charged as the other two.

But according to many, one of these four opponents will not only reach the final but have a real chance of surprisingly winning it.

Let’s first look at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf for the early match between England and Switzerland.

England, finalists from the last Euros, survived by a miracle against Slovakia in the Round of 16. They were only a minute away from following the dethroned champions Italy, who had been eliminated earlier by their current opponents.

Then, in the 95th minute, Jude Bellingham appeared on the scene and kept his team in the game with a magical overhead kick. Everyone knows such goals are also a product of sporting luck! Afterwards, the “Three Lions” broke the already morally and physically exhausted opponents in extra time, undeservedly, according to many.

Yes, there are many critics of Gareth Southgate and how he leads this otherwise talent-filled team, but if he overcomes this obstacle in the much easier bracket, it wouldn’t be surprising if they reach another final.

However, according to experts, for that to happen, they need to change their fearful and waiting style of play radically.

Whether they will be able to do it today is another question.

Now led by Murat Yakin, Switzerland shows that it can chase the successes achieved under Vladimir Petkovic and has already equalled its performance from Euro 2020.

But can they go even higher and achieve a record finish in the European Championship?

The style of play hasn’t changed, and the Swiss remain a very “tricky” and uncomfortable opponent for anyone, as the “Azzurri” found out, deservedly beaten 2:0 and dethroned.

There’s no need to change the tactics; the “Crusaders” simply need to try to eliminate the underperforming finalists from the last tournament from the underdog position to become the hit on the German pitches.

Quarterfinal 4: Netherlands vs. Turkey

A match is described as a ticking time bomb. The “Tulips” are performing excellently offensively at Euro 2024, creating many chances, and their 3:0 victory against Romania in the Round of 16 was a true football lesson.

Turkey, on the other hand, is riding a wave of inspiration after their victory over Austria, and the passionate support from the stands makes Vincenzo Montella’s boys dream of something truly big.

The Netherlands, without shining, passed the preliminary group, losing to Austria 2:3 in their last match, leaving them third.

Still, in Round 16, they met the surprising Group E winners, Romania and ended up in a much easier bracket!

There, “The Tulips,” led by Ronald Koeman, showed what they are capable of, convincingly outplaying the “Tricolors” with very solid play in all phases, and the 3:0 score was the least they deserved.

However, now, against a team that, as we’ve mentioned, is the second host of this Euro with huge support from the stands and a lot of confidence, can the “Oranges” unleash their immense potential again?

According to experts, their excellent attacking players need to be much more focused in front of goal today.

Turkey has skillfully used the fact that they have about 40,000 of their fans in the stands regardless of where the match is played and are the only ones to have survived in the top 8 from the many participating Balkan teams.

Of course, the players led by Vincenzo Montella, despite the sporting luck that covered them in all three won matches – 3:1 against Georgia and 2:1 against the Czech Republic in the group stage and the same 2:1 against Austria in the Round of 16 – have shown quite good things.

Will the enthusiasm of the “Crescent-Stars” be enough today against a team with huge attacking power?

We shall see!

Jul 5 – Spain vs Germany (Stuttgart, 18:00 CEST)
Jul 5 – Portugal vs France (Hamburg, 21:00 CEST)

Jul 6 – England vs Switzerland (Düsseldorf, 18:00 CEST)
Jul 6 – Netherlands vs Türkiye (Berlin, 21:00 CEST)