The 2024 Euros hosted by Germany has now gone through the group stages and the teams to play in the Round of 16 have been decided. The teams were decided by the top 2 in every group from A to F, and then four of the best-performing third-placed teams. Here are the fixtures:
Spain vs Georgia
Spain and Georgia face off in what is likely to be a tricky fixture, especially because it’s a one-legged tie. Georgia placed second in the third-placed teams table and therefore is punished with a clash against Group B winner, Spain. Willy Sagnol’s men aren’t favourites here, so there’s less pressure on them than there is on Luis De La Fuente’s Spain.
Germany vs Denmark
The tournament host Germany will take on Group C’s second-placed Denmark in the Round of 16. Denmark finished higher than expected in Group C, all things considered, but that matters little now as Kasper Hjulmand’s men have a chance to upset the tournament and dump out Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany.
Portugal vs Slovenia
Portugal won Group F and is rewarded with a seemingly easy fixture against Group C’s third-placed Slovenia. Portugal is one of the favourites for this tournament, in addition to England, France, and Germany. Roberto Martinez’s men did not finish the group stages strongly, but football fans would expect them to rise to the occasion against Matjaz Kek’s Slovenia.
France vs Belgium
Two big footballing nations would be clashing here, and many fans would remember that this matchup happened in the 2018 World Cup hosted by Russia, and France came out on top in that one. France is still the slight favourite in this one, but Belgium has been incredibly unlucky so far too. Didier Deschamps’ experience and star-studded team would make him confident in his ability to see off Domenico Tedesco’s men.
Romania vs Netherlands
These nations seemed to swap positions at the end of the group stage when you consider where each was expected to finish. One of the countries topped Group E while the other finished third in Group D, yet it was Romania that topped its group. Netherlands disappointed many fans, considering that Austria won its group despite France also being in that group. Romania, managed by Edward Iordanescu, will get a chance to dump out Ronald Koeman’s men.
Austria vs Turkey
Austria has been the fairy tale of the Euros so far, having topped its group despite sharing it with France and Netherlands. Turkey managed a respectable second place in Group F. Ralf Rangnick’s Austria will need to continue the good form in the Round of 16 against Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey so that the fairy tale is not shortlived.
England vs Slovakia
England was named by Erik ten Hag as a favourite for the Euros title, but Gareth Southgate’s men have been underwhelming so far despite keeping two clean sheets and avoiding defeat in the group stage. Slovakia, has the same number of wins as Southgate’s men coming into the Round of 16, so that will fill Francesco Calzona’s men with much-needed confidence.
Switzerland vs Italy
This is the only second-place vs second-place matchup in the Round of 16, with Murat Yakin’s Switzerland placing second in Group A and Luciano Spalletti’s Italy placing second in Group B. Though both nations finished second, Switzerland outperformed Italy, scoring more goals, losing fewer games, and subsequently, winning more points. This would be a very hotly-contested clash indeed.
