Euro 2024 is into the knockout levels! Our day by day information provide the newest reporting from across the match in addition to betting strains, what to look at for and greatest reads.
Examine in with ESPN all through the match as we deliver you the most recent from Germany all the way in which as much as the ultimate on July 14.
The lead: Spain having fun with the quiet life, however historical past is in opposition to them
DONAUESCHINGEN, Germany — Spain have discovered shelter from the noise forward of their Euro 2024 quarterfinal in opposition to hosts Germany in the course of the Black Forest within the south of the nation. As the one workforce to win all 4 video games on the match thus far, they’ve emerged among the many favourites to carry the trophy in Berlin on July 14, however the squad just isn’t permitting itself to be distracted by the furore.
As a substitute, they’re doing what has helped them attain this stage: biking right down to coaching, working laborious after which enjoyable by enjoying chess, darts, golf, video video games … and even the piano.
“The ambiance we’ve got down right here, the quiet, it couldn’t be higher for making ready for the sport,” ahead Mikel Oyarzabal mentioned this week.
Manchester Metropolis midfielder Rodri says it is the most effective bases he has skilled in a match. The 28-year-old has taken benefit of the golf course that borders the workforce’s luxurious lodge referred to as “Der Oschberghof,” which is 5 kilometres exterior the city of Donaueschingen and 90 minutes south of Stuttgart, the place Friday’s sport might be performed. Rodri has additionally picked up darts — as has Ferran Torres, who says he adopted it from former teammate Phil Foden when at Metropolis — and has been enjoying with Athletic Membership defender Dani Vivián.
Joselu joked Rodri can do what he desires so long as he’s contemporary when match days roll round. “He’s the perfect in his place on this planet,” the ex-Actual Madrid striker mentioned. “We have now to care for him. If he does not wish to practice for 4 days, so be it, so long as he’s contemporary when the video games come round.”
Others are discovering alternative ways to cross the time on the banks of the Danube, Europe’s second-longest river. Lamine Yamal, who realized he handed his highschool exams whereas in Germany, is among the gamers who enjoys EA Sports activities FC 24, together with Nico Williams; whereas Unai Simón and Martín Zubimendi lead the chess contingent — Zubimendi was as soon as a regional junior chess champion.
Defender Robin Le Normand, in the meantime, has proven off a expertise for taking part in the piano — whereas Pedri has additionally tickled the ivories.
Within the meantime, again in Spain there’s rising optimism that this workforce can go all the way in which in Germany.
“Now they are saying we’re favourites, however three or 4 weeks in the past, no one was saying it,” Oyarzabal added. “We all know we’re able to competing in opposition to anybody. We’re relaxed right here, working laborious and attempting to organize in addition to attainable for Friday.” — Sam Marsden
Sights and sounds round Euro 2024
England to maneuver to a again three?
BLANKENHAIN, Germany — England’s seek for enchancment of their efficiency stage at Euro 2024 has led supervisor Gareth Southgate to experiment with shifting to a again three in coaching forward of Saturday’s quarterfinal in opposition to Switzerland.
The Three Lions have adopted a 4-2-3-1 system of their 4 matches thus far, a form they’ve largely performed for a number of years except for the odd tweak to a 4-3-3 when Southgate felt needed. Nevertheless, England’s disjointed shows — they needed to wait till Jude Bellingham’s gorgeous Ninety fifth-minute overhead kick for his or her first shot heading in the right direction in opposition to Slovakia within the Spherical of 16 — have led Southgate to contemplate shaking issues up.
Centre-back Marc Guéhi has been England’s most constant participant at these finals however his suspension will drive a change in defence and Ezri Konsa is the probably alternative. There stay doubts whether or not left-back Luke Shaw can begin the sport in Dusseldorf given he has not performed for Manchester United or England since February attributable to a hamstring downside. However a three-man defence could give Southgate the sensation he has extra choices at wing-back given Bukayo Saka performed there years in the past for Arsenal (and England) whereas Eberechi Eze additionally crammed in there for a spell in opposition to Slovakia throughout the frantic extra-time interval.
England might play 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2, elevating the potential for two strikers — one among them being Harry Kane — enjoying collectively. Ivan Toney was requested on Wednesday whether or not England had educated with two up entrance and replied: “We extra think about the opposition we’re developing in opposition to so we extra do actions and repetitions on them. You will must ask the gaffer.”
It’s unclear whether or not Southgate will use a again three in opposition to Switzerland however any temptation might be supported by the success England beforehand had in that form, exceeding expectations by reaching the 2018 World Cup semifinals. It has grow to be extra sporadically employed as time has gone on below Southgate however England began with a again three within the Euro 2020 closing in opposition to Italy and one wing-back (Kieran Trippier) crossed for an additional (Shaw) to open the scoring after simply two minutes in a match they might ultimately lose on penalties. — James Olley
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Why a ban is ‘extremely unlikely’ for Jude Bellingham at Euro 2024
Gab Marcotti explains why UEFA’s investigation right into a gesture made by Jude Bellingham is unlikely to result in a match ban.
Romania clear up
Romania left their mark on Euro 2024 by ending prime of their group of their first look at a serious match since Euro 2016, and Edward Iordanescu’s workforce made certain that they did not depart something behind after being eradicated by Netherlands within the spherical of 16.
A 3-0 win for the Dutch in Munich introduced the curtain down on Romania’s match, however Iordanescu’s squad took a leaf out of Japan‘s strategy to dressing-room etiquette by leaving the locker room on the Allianz Area spotless earlier than heading to the airport.
That is how Romania left their dressing room on the Allianz Area in Munich following their defeat to the Netherlands. They even left a thanks letter 💛🇷🇴
Class act! 👏
(📸 echipanationala/IG pic.twitter.com/ZdEEni899q
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 3, 2024
And so they additionally wrote a letter of thanks for the expertise in Germany throughout Euro 2024.
“EURO 2024 was for every of us one of the vital necessary soccer experiences lived thus far and we’re glad that the stage on which it came about was the German one,” it learn. “Each match, each emotion, each expertise introduced us collectively and made us really feel the magic of soccer. We’re leaving Germany with the thought that we gave all the things for Romania and we’re grateful for all the things we skilled throughout the weeks spent right here. Thanks for making us really feel at dwelling! The Nationwide Soccer Staff of Romania!” — Mark Ogden
‘Main Tom’ is Germany’s twelfth man
Relying in your age and music style, you may not have heard the music “Main Tom” earlier than. However when you’ve watched Germany throughout Euro 2024, you definitely have.
It was a large hit in 1983 and was written by Peter Schilling, now aged 68. It was impressed by Stanley Kubrick’s 1969 film “2001, A Area Odyssey,” and by the David Bowie music “Area Oddity” which was additionally launched in 1969.
The brand new lease of life for “Main Tom” began when Adidas used it to unveil its new Nationalmannschaft shirt again in March. And now at Euro 2024, from gamers to supporters, everybody goes mad for it.
Germany left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt mentioned: “My mother and father instructed me that they danced on this music when it got here out on the time,” whereas teammate Thomas Müller admitted to the media the opposite day that he loves singing it.
Forty years later and “Main Tom” may be very a lot again within the highlight. It simply stays to be seen how lengthy Germany followers will be capable to sing it. — Julien Laurens
Would Portugal somewhat be enjoying Belgium?
Portugal face France in Hamburg on Friday for a spot within the semifinals, however a few of their gamers appeared to let it slip that they’d somewhat be enjoying Belgium.
The Portugal squad was strolling on the pitch at Deutsche Financial institution Park in Frankfurt forward of its round-of-16 tie with Slovenia whereas the early sport — France in opposition to Belgium — was being proven on the large screens above.
Among the gamers — together with João Félix, Vitinha and Diogo Jota — gathered within the centre-circle to look at the ultimate minutes and caught Jan Vertonghen‘s personal aim which despatched France by means of. Vitinha appeared significantly annoyed on the approach the aim was scored, with a deflection off Vertonghen taking the ball into the online.
Portugal have good reminiscences of going through France on the Euros, having crushed them within the 2016 closing, but it surely was clear from the gamers’ reactions that they assume Didier Deschamps’ workforce will show a harder take a look at within the quarterfinals. — Rob Dawson
Stat of the day
Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo has had 20 pictures thus far at Euro 2024 with out scoring a single aim. (His penalty within the shootout vs. Slovenia does not rely.) The match report was set by one other Portugal worldwide, as midfielder Deco had 24 in 2004. — ESPN
Match previews for Friday
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Will France wish to see Ronaldo begin for Portugal within the quarterfinals?
Frank Leboeuf explains how France will really feel abut going through Cristiano Ronaldo up entrance for Portugal of their quarterfinal conflict.
Spain vs. Germany (Stuttgart; 6 p.m. native / noon ET)
Odds (by way of ESPN BET): Spain +165, Draw +210, Germany +170
The tie of the spherical pits hosts Germany in opposition to the excellent workforce of the match thus far, Spain, the one workforce at Euro 2024 to have gained each sport.
However as spectacular as Spain have been, pushed on by the youthful brilliance of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, they go into the quarterfinals aiming to beat their so-called “Curse of the Host.” In 9 earlier video games in opposition to host nations at a serious match, Spain have by no means gained, together with defeats in opposition to France (Euro ’84), England (Euro ’96), and South Korea and Russia on the 2002 and 2018 World Cups, respectively.
Germany captain Ilkay Gündogan is anticipating a detailed one. “It can undoubtedly be a match of equals,” he mentioned. “The 2 sides are in all probability enjoying the perfect soccer within the match in the intervening time. It can come right down to who offers higher with not having the ball at instances and never panicking.” — Ogden
Portugal vs. France (Hamburg; 9 p.m. native / 3 p.m. ET)
Odds: Portugal +230, Draw +200, France +135
Forty years in the past, France beat Portugal 3-2 in further time of the Euro 1984 semifinal, due to legendary midfielder Michel Platini, and it was one of the vital iconic video games in French soccer historical past.
Friday’s sport between the 2 nations may not attain the identical stage of drama however it is going to be one other chapter within the nice rivalry between them. After 1984, we’ve got had 2000, 2006, 2016, and extra. So one other conflict in 2024 is thrilling … primarily as a result of Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo meet once more; the prince and the king, the apprentice and the grasp.
Didier Deschamps has constructed an amazing defensive unit, as we noticed in opposition to Belgium within the spherical of 16, however France haven’t but scored a aim in open play (two personal objectives and a penalty.) In the meantime, Roberto Martinez is not certain which Portugal facet will present up as they did not play or defend effectively in opposition to Slovenia however went by means of on penalties. It ought to make for an unpredictable sport. — Laurens
Betting tip (odds by way of ESPN BET)
What an excellent day of Euro 2024 quarterfinal motion it’ll be on Friday, so I believe we’ll go for a bit parlay over the 2 video games.
Spain have been so good so far and I believe they’ve sufficient expertise to get it finished in opposition to hosts Germany. In the meantime France have a little bit of a Actual Madrid vibe that will not be fairly, however you may by no means write them off, so they may get previous Portugal.
Each Spain and France to advance is +205. — Dan Thomas
One massive learn
If Turkey or Switzerland are on the lookout for added inspiration that they might do the seemingly inconceivable and win Euro 2024, they need not look far.
It has been 20 years since Greece turned up on the European Championship hoping to attain only one aim. As a substitute, in opposition to all odds and customary sense, they left Portugal as champions. It is nonetheless thought-about the best upset within the competitors’s historical past, and even when Turkey or Switzerland had been to win this version in Germany, it nonetheless would not come near what Greece achieved 20 years in the past.
Switzerland have reached at the least the spherical of 16 on the previous six main tournaments and knocked France out of the final Euros. Turkey completed third on the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008. For Greece, nonetheless, what they did got here utterly out of the blue.
– Dawson: Remembering Greece’s shock Euro 2004 triumph 20 years later
And at last …
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s exceptional longevity might be be borne out when he takes the sphere in opposition to France in Hamburg on Friday and matches up in opposition to Marcus Thuram — 18 years after enjoying his father, Lilian, in a World Cup semifinal at Germany 2006.
Ronaldo, 21 on the time, was enjoying in his first World Cup as Portugal misplaced 1-0 to France within the semifinal in Munich. On that event, Thuram Sr. was named Participant of the Match for Les Bleus.
Quick-forward to 2024 and Ronaldo, 39, continues to be central to Portugal’s prospects, however the Thuram shirt is now being worn by Internazionale ahead Marcus, who’s 26. — Ogden