Then came a fantastic Sunday highlighted by individual masterclasses which got the tournament knockout stages off the ground - 10 goals in 3 games will do that for you. There was a crescendo which well and truly erupted on Monday with something resembling an upset and what some would have you believe was the equivalent of a footballing miracle. If the Shaqiri goal was the high point on the pitch of the tournament thus far, surely nothing will surpass the imagery of the Icelandic players celebrating with their fans.
Euro 2016 Round of 16 Recap
- Switzerland - Poland
Poland looked better in the first half , Switzerland the rest of the way. A game illuminated by a bicycle kick from the edge of the penalty box (refer above), but ultimately settled by precise Polish spot kicks.
My Pick: Poland / Favourites: Poland / Winner: Poland
- Wales - Northern Ireland
The unlikeliest of matchups settled by an own goal cruelly but the right result. Never really got going as a contest and was always likely to be a bit dull.
My Pick: Wales / Favourites: Wales / Winner: Wales
- Croatia - Portugal
The most aesthetically pleasing team of the group stage, met the only team in the Round of 16 not to have won a game at the tournament. The game that promised much and delivered little. Croatia chose to bunker down and Portugal were happy to oblige a game that in all honesty was not great. Kudos to the Portuguese for the result, but neither team escaped with any positives otherwise.
My Pick: Croatia / Favourites: Croatia / Winner: Portugal
- France - Republic of Ireland
The Irish should leave with their heads held high, they gave the French a real scare for almost an hour before Griezmann took over. The French looked dominant in the last half hour, but have not shown their best just yet.
My Pick: France / Favourites: France / Winner: France
- Germany - Slovakia
The Germans were the first team to lay down a clear mark of intent. A gem from Boateng, a spectacular Draxler performance and an uncharacteristic German penalty miss. The Slovaks never stood a chance once the premier tournament team hit their stride.
My Pick: Germany / Favourites: Germany / Winner: Germany
- Hungary - Belgium
Kiraly made some fine saves and the Hungarians showed great endeavour, but the Belgian class told in a massive way. Hazard had the standout offensive performance of the tournament and was simply unstoppable on the run. Another major marker laid down for any would be title challengers.
My Pick: Belgium / Favourites: Belgium / Winner: Belgium
- Italy - Spain
The Italians provided a master class of a team performance, which surpassed even the heights achieved against Belgium, with an inspired goalkeeping performance keeping the score line down. Another tournament team who have seemingly hit their stride. The road does not get any easier, eliminate your nemesis and the two-time defending champions then be rewarded by a date with the world champions.
My Pick: Italy / Favourites: Spain / Winner: Italy
- England - Iceland
Hands up if you thought when England opened the scoring inside 5 minutes, anything other than a comfortable win for the English was on the cards. What happened thereafter will never be forgotten by any football fan who was lucky enough to witness it. Say what you will about an off colour English performance, the Icelandic fight was special and the scenes after truly special.
My Pick: Iceland / Favourites: England / Winner: Iceland
Best XI (Euro 2016 Round of 16)
- GK - David De Gea (Spain) - almost singlehandedly kept the score line respectable with some truly sensational saves.
- DEF - Birkir Saevarsson (Iceland) - controlled the right flank of the Icelandic defence and midfield, he played a big role neutralizing the English wide game.
- DEF - Ragnar Sigurdsson (Iceland) - the game changer with his almost instantaneous equalizer, but his defensive showing was impeccable including arguably the tackle of the tournament.
- DEF - Giorgio Chiellini (Italy) - someone from the BBC had to be here, between his goal and mastery of the dark arts in their game, impossible to dispute.
- DEF - Mattia De Sciglio (Italy) - a terrific performance as a hard working wingback, offering great defensive solidity with a dash of offensive spark.
- MID - Radja Nainggolan (Belgium) - provides the platform for the creative forces within a stacked Belgian team.
- MID - Eden Hazard (Belgium) - it will take quite a performance to supplant his Round of 16 efforts as the single best attacking performance of this tournament.
- MID - Julian Draxler (Germany) - his finest moment for die Mannschaft, he dazzled with tremendous footwork as well as showing terrific poise with his assist and goal.
- MID - Luka Modric (Croatia) - despite an ineffective Croatian performance, still bossed the midfield. Too often was playing defensive midfield instead of driving the team forward.
- MID - Toni Kroos (Germany) - the understated orchestrator of the fluid German midfield, he dictated the pace of the game for his team.
- FOR - Antoine Griezmann (France) - stepped up to turn the game and begin on the road to being a national hero perhaps?
Euro 2016 Quarterfinal Matchups
- Poland - Portugal
Neither Poland nor Portugal have played at their best thus far this tournament. Barring a Portuguese 3 goal performance against the Hungarians, these teams have combined for 5 goals in 660 minutes. Based on those numbers a low-scoring or dour game has to be on the cards, right?
Ever the optimist, I'd rather focus on the potential for an exciting game. Neither of these teams will be over-awed by the other. Neither defense is world class, but both are better than average. Neither team is lacking midfield creativity (should they choose to let loose) or destroyers, but perhaps most poignantly neither team is lacking a truly world class goal scorer. Ronaldo versus Lewandowski is a matchup which has seen superb performances by both in prior Champions League tilts.
Ever the optimist, I'd rather focus on the potential for an exciting game. Neither of these teams will be over-awed by the other. Neither defense is world class, but both are better than average. Neither team is lacking midfield creativity (should they choose to let loose) or destroyers, but perhaps most poignantly neither team is lacking a truly world class goal scorer. Ronaldo versus Lewandowski is a matchup which has seen superb performances by both in prior Champions League tilts.
Both of these nations know this match represents an exceptional opportunity to progress to a semi-final of a major tournament. For one country its for a larger than life superstar with a solid supporting cast, for the other its a group of talent no seen for generations. Opportunity beckons.
My Pick: Poland / Favourites: Portugal
- Wales - Belgium
The Welsh have done fantastically well to get this far, but the Belgians on this form would be extremely hard to back against. Bale aside, no other Welsh player would get into the Belgian starting XI. Excluding Ramsey as well none of the other Welsh players would probably even crack the Belgian 23 man squad. The gulf in talent is immense.
The Welsh should have no fear though, they played the Belgians in qualifying and their 1-0 win in Wales made it clear the Welsh meant business. The Belgians have grown into this tournament and have managed to find the balance between scoring freely and being defensively solid (8 goals for and 0 against in their last 3 games - all wins).
For the so-called Golden Generation of Belgian football, the time is now and it would be a monumental shock for the Welsh to advance beyond this stage - it would be the biggest upset of the tournament in my opinion given what is on stake. If Hazard remains on form, it will be a question of by how many.
The Welsh should have no fear though, they played the Belgians in qualifying and their 1-0 win in Wales made it clear the Welsh meant business. The Belgians have grown into this tournament and have managed to find the balance between scoring freely and being defensively solid (8 goals for and 0 against in their last 3 games - all wins).
For the so-called Golden Generation of Belgian football, the time is now and it would be a monumental shock for the Welsh to advance beyond this stage - it would be the biggest upset of the tournament in my opinion given what is on stake. If Hazard remains on form, it will be a question of by how many.
My Pick: Belgium / Favourites: Belgium
- Germany - Italy
A matchup worthy of the final, given these have been the two best sides at the tournament thus far - hopefully not a poisoned chalice given the Croatian fate. These are the two premier tournament teams in Europe - between them they have amassed 8 World Cup wins and 4 Euro wins, not to mention the numerous times they have ended as runners-up at major tournaments.
On paper, Germany has the better team and are deserving of their tag as favourites. They boast world class players in every position and have a number of players who have been played with the national team at numerous major tournaments whilst also boasting a healthy crop of young up-and-coming talent. The Italians came into the tournament with relatively low expectations, but Conte has galvanized a group of players to perform fantastically well as a team. They have already caused two upsets and will be looking to keep it going.
A fact that has been highlighted repeatedly is an intriguing one, in that Germany has never beaten Italy in a competitive match. The last two matchups were in the semi-final of World Cup 2006 in Germany (Italy 2-0 Germany) and in the semi-final of Euro 2012 (Italy 2-1 Germany). Could the Italian hoodoo continue? Or will the Germans finally conquer their Italian curse?
On paper, Germany has the better team and are deserving of their tag as favourites. They boast world class players in every position and have a number of players who have been played with the national team at numerous major tournaments whilst also boasting a healthy crop of young up-and-coming talent. The Italians came into the tournament with relatively low expectations, but Conte has galvanized a group of players to perform fantastically well as a team. They have already caused two upsets and will be looking to keep it going.
A fact that has been highlighted repeatedly is an intriguing one, in that Germany has never beaten Italy in a competitive match. The last two matchups were in the semi-final of World Cup 2006 in Germany (Italy 2-0 Germany) and in the semi-final of Euro 2012 (Italy 2-1 Germany). Could the Italian hoodoo continue? Or will the Germans finally conquer their Italian curse?
My Pick: Italy / Favourites: Germany
- France - Iceland
The monumental win of the Iceland squad against the English will live long in the memory, but it was no miracle - Iceland are a good team and have been for a number of years. Make no mistake this group of Icelandic players have earned the right to get to the big stage. This is their Golden Generation and they have already achieved more than anyone could have dreamed but they are not done. Even with their Golden Generation tag, none of their squad would make the French team, such has been the exceptional nature of their team play and ethic.
This French squad while stacked with talent have yet to play a great game at the tournament. They played a fantastic last half hour against the Irish and will look to continue with that momentum. This group of players know they are the better group of players and the likes of Griezmann and Pogba have gotten progressively better as the tournament has gone along. The suspensions of Rami and Kante, will mean Deschamps is forced into changes to his lineup.
Each team is on a fairytale run for a different reason, Iceland's is obvious but for the French players they have the opportunity to win a major tournament on home soil. They have an opportunity to earn legendary status and kickoff the biggest sporting party in their country in almost 20 years. The pressure will be squarely on the French and that may play into Iceland's wheel house, but I believe the French will prevail.
This French squad while stacked with talent have yet to play a great game at the tournament. They played a fantastic last half hour against the Irish and will look to continue with that momentum. This group of players know they are the better group of players and the likes of Griezmann and Pogba have gotten progressively better as the tournament has gone along. The suspensions of Rami and Kante, will mean Deschamps is forced into changes to his lineup.
Each team is on a fairytale run for a different reason, Iceland's is obvious but for the French players they have the opportunity to win a major tournament on home soil. They have an opportunity to earn legendary status and kickoff the biggest sporting party in their country in almost 20 years. The pressure will be squarely on the French and that may play into Iceland's wheel house, but I believe the French will prevail.
My Pick: France / Favourites: France
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