Spain still, and always more, favorite. The Spanish benefited from a lenient round of 16 against very courageous Georgians. The latter really showed magnificent things throughout the tournament, but it was not enough against this Roja. The Spanish had to be patient to see their victory take shape but they did not really tremble, even trailing in the score. A 4-1 victory with the only small blunder being Robin Le Normand’s own goal. But in the next round, things risk getting tougher with an early final against the host country, Germany.
Germany had a very special eighth-final against their Danish neighbours. Disallowed goals, a penalty, a 25-minute break due to a hailstorm… We can’t say that we were bored. And in the end, it was the Germans who won. Deservedly but not yet flamboyantly. But the Mannschaft is definitely in the quarter-finals. And what a match!
There will be orange in the quarterfinal stands, the Netherlands also did the job against Romania. The Romanians were not at the level of the Oranjes and the Dutch did not tremble to validate their ticket for the next round. We did not know what to expect from Ronald Koeman’s men but they are making their way without making too much noise. In the quarter-finals, Turkey stands in their way: a tough clash in perspective.
Almost there
Portugal has done some good and some bad but is still there. Dominant against Slovenia, the Portuguese gave themselves a big scare. Forced to fight on penalties, Roberto Martinez’s men finally emerged thanks to their incredible goalkeeper Diogo Costa, author of three saves on the first three shots. A force on which they will be able to count later on. And it could be useful to them against France.
