Euro 2024: Cream rising to the top for quarter finals

YESTERDAY’S quarterfinals came too late for this column’s deadline, so we are not sure if Portugal got over their Round of 16 penalty drama to get the better of a French side that have looked great for spells but have yet to score a goal from play.

Neither have we the full-time on the earlier kick-off, in the game most acknowledged would have been the dream final, between the brilliant attacking Spaniards against the dynamic and diligent hosts of .

The round of 16 matches went pretty much as expected with some notable scares and two ‘upsets’. With the exciting Austrian side stumbling to defeat against Turkey, a side they beat 6-1 a mere three months earlier. And champions Italy looking impotent against a very hungry looking Swiss side.

Flattened champions

Last week, I felt that Italy would have been wily enough to figure a way past the Swiss, despite the clear evidence that Switzerland had performed better in the group stages than their neighbour. The Italian heritage, and experience as the reigning champions made me think that they could find a way to better the Swiss when push came to shove.

But Italy’s complete lack of ambition saw them underperform at an epic level, especially in midfield where the absence of leadership saw them overwhelmed. Euro 2024, for the Italians, was basically the Gianluigi Donnarumma show where the shot-stopper’s ability between the sticks covered up a multitude of frailties within the rest of the squad.

Little did we know at the time but the trend for reigning champions had Italy fate pegged for failure, even before a ball was kicked in the tournament. Italy have become the third reigning Euro champion, in-a-row, to be knocked out in the round of 16.

2012 champions Spain fell at 16 in 2016. That tournament’s champions Portugal went out at 16 in England in 2021, and now the Wembley champions have gone out to Switzerland in 2024.

In time, we will see whoever wins in Berlin, in a week’s time, will suffer the same fate when the tournament rolls into Dublin in 2028.

Young Turks

Turkey’s energy and commitment to achieve success has been refreshing in this tournament but they also showed their steel in the win against an Austria that were throwing everything at them. Two powerful headed goals from Merih Demiral had a great redemption story for the fall guy in the side’s 6-1 defeat to Austria in March, to the hero that secured their place in the quarter final.

Turkish keeper Mert Gunok deserves a special note and his wonder stop of Christoph Baumgartner’s injury-time header that looked certain of going in, which would have secured extra time for the Austrians. But with the ball looking destined for the back of the net, Gunok somehow fingertipped it beyond the post.

The reward has them face the Dutch tonight at 8pm. This will no doubt be the toughest test for Turkey, as the Dutch have improved with each game in the tournament and looked amazing for spells in their game against Romania. However, Turkey are a better side than Romania and this will be close. And I have a feeling Turkey could spring one more surprise.

England’s, once again, dismal yet winning performance against a luckless Slovakia puts them up against Switzerland in the last eight this evening. One suspects that England will not be able to rely on a 91- and 106-minute goals to get by this energetic and well-drilled Swiss side. The English will have to show an ability and hunger not shown thus far in this tournament if they are to advance.

Unfortunate draw

It’s a shame that either or Spain will not be in the quarters as both sides have been by far the most impressive sides in the tournament. A German loss would be obviously crushing for the hosts and the tournament in general, but I hope Spain have advanced simply to get another chance to ire the talents of Spain’s wonderful young wingers, the 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and the venerable veteran (in comparison) Nico Williams, age 21, on the other side of the pitch. They have been a breath of fresh air such is their ambition, skill and the joy they get from playing the game at its very best.

would have been favourites again last night against the Portuguese. But their misfiring attack has been their problem with their only scores coming from a penalty and two own goals. Still, they still looked more impressive than a Portugal side that struggled against a brave but rather average Slovenia, and Portugal really only advanced on the back of the phenomenal triple penalty stops, in a row, by Diogo Costa.

Whatever awaits, this tournament has entertained, and Tuesday/Wednesday’s semi-finals will offer us some enticing encounters.