WE’RE down to eight teams and each one step closer to becoming European Champions.
To say that the tournament has been anything short of a spectacle is an understatement. There have been stunning goals, heart-breaking upsets and shocking events that brought the football world to a standstill while taking us on a emotional roller-coaster.
Match 1: Switzerland vs Spain
The last time Switzerland made their way into the quarter-finals of a major tournament was the 1954 World Cup, which they hosted.
The Swiss kicked out World Cup winners France on penalties in the previous round, after Vladimir Petkovic’s side came from 3-1 down to force the game into extra time before Kylian Mbappe's penalty was saved in the shootout.
Spain have scored 10 goals in the last two games, and although luck may have been a factor, the number is quite an achievement.
In their most recent meeting at the UEFA Nations League, Spain won at home 1-0 and drew 1-1 in Switzerland.
Granit Xhaka will not be available after receiving his second yellow in the win against France. Denis Zakaria is expected to replace him.
Luis Enrique’s side will most probably start with the team that beat Croatia, with Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres and Pablo Sarabia powering the side.
Players to watch:
Switzerland - Xherdan Shaqiri, Haris, Steferovic, Breel Embolo
Spain - Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres, Pablo Sarabia, Cesar Azpilicueta
The Vibes prediction: Switzerland 1-2 Spain
Switzerland will be coming into this fixture with confidence while Spain will have to put on quite a show to break them down.
Match 2: Belgium vs Italy
This match at the Allianz Arena is set to be a spectacular showdown.
The Belgians will be looking for redemption after the heart-breaking loss in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals. Now they are looking lethal.
Italy made this stage after defeating Austria 2-1. However, Roberto Mancini’s side did not particularly shine and conceded their first goal in 11 matches.
The Azzurri have an impressive record, the win against their neighbours Austria being their 31st in a row.
Roberto Martinez has confirmed that both Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne did not sustain serious injuries against Portugal. Medical scans showed that Hazard suffered a muscular issue and De Bruyne an ankle sprain.
Italy look to winning their fifth consecutive Euro fixture. However, if that were to happen, Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne will have to step up.
Players to watch:
Belgium - Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Thorgan Hazard
Italy - Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Domenico Berardi.
The Vibes prediction: Belgium 2-3 Italy
Tough game to call, both sides look formidable and hungry. Belgium come into the game with a list of injuries, although Lukaku’s ability to find the back of the net cannot be dismissed.
Match 3: Czech Republic vs Denmark
Surprise quarter-finalists Czech Republic and Denmark have not met since a friendly in 2016 that ended 1-1.
The Danish team is an inspirational story after overcoming the tragic episode of Christian Eriksen’s on-pitch collapse. The team bounced back and have sailed into the quarter-finals with consecutive four-goal victories in their last two matches.
The Czechs, on the other hand, found success against the Dutch Oranje when they took full advantage of Matthijs De Ligt’s red card to claim victory.
Jan Boris will be back for Czech Republic after his suspension, but his spot may be in danger following the top-class performance of Pavel Kaderabek against the Netherlands.
Kasper Hjulmand has been shaking things up for his Danish side, and so far, it has proven to be an effective strategy with his players playing at full flow.
Denmark should see the return of Yussuf Poulsen, who will join Mikkel Damsgaard up front.
Players to watch:
Czech Republic - Patrik Schick, Tomas Holes, Tomas Soucek
Denmark - Kasper Dolberg, Yussuf Poulsen, Martin Braithwaite
The Vibes prediction: Czech Republic 3-2 Denmark
Little separates both teams in what should be an entertaing encounter and both would be a worthy semi-finalist. However, we think the Czech side will nick it.
Match 4: Ukraine vs England
Being the first match away from Wembley for England, they head to Rome to take on Ukraine for a spot in the semi-final, a step closer to ‘bringing it home'.
After an emotional 2-0 win over Germany, England fans are once again dreaming that this time they will get it right.
Sterling and Kane’s contribution gave their side the win, but it did not come easy. Germany kept the pressure on them, and if England are to cruise past Ukraine, they cannot allow anything to slip under their watch.
Ukraine are not going to let their chance slip away that easily. They came through after a tiring match against Sweden to find their way into their first Euros quarter-final appearance.
Artem Besedin has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with suspected ligament damage in his left knee. The striker falling victim to the red-card challenge of Sweden defender Marcus Danielson.
Players to watch:
Ukraine - Andriy Yarmolenko, Roman Yaremchuk, Oleksandr Zinchecnko
England - Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Luke Shaw
The Vibes prediction: Ukraine 0-2 England
With fatigue being a significant factor, The Three Lions will look to capitalise on their tired opponents and keep them at arm’s length during the game.
Overall, the quarter-final encounters can go either way. If there is anything that this tournament has shown us, it is that nothing is cut and dry and there will be no end to surprises. - The Vibes. July 2, 2021
