Euro 2020/21 Soccer

[Crabtree]

First quarter final today

Switzerland XI: Sommer; Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Freuler, Zakaria, Zuber; Shaqiri; Embolo, Seferovic.

Spain XI: Simon; Azpilicueta, Torres, Laporte, Alba; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Torres, Morata, Sarabia.

Didn't realise Xhaka is suspended. That's a big blow. Torres and Alba return for Spain in place of Garcia and Gaya.

I'd be surprised if the Swiss can match their performance level from the French game, and they probably have to. Think Spain will have too much quality.

 

[Crabtree]

Belgium XI: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, T.Hazard; De Bruyne, Lukaku, Doku.

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne.

De Bruyne passed fit and Doku starts ahead of Carrasco. Chiesa comes in for Italy after his goal, while Verratti keeps his place.

 

[Crabtree]

Czech Republic XI: Vaclik; Coufal, Celustka, Kalas, Boril; Holes; Masopust, Soucek, Barak, Sevcik; Schick.

Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Christensen, Kjaer, Vestergaard; Stryger Larsen, Hojbjerg, Delaney, Maehle; Braithwaite, Damsgaard, Dolberg.

The battle of the dark horses. Will the sentimental favourite Denmark reach the last four, or will Schick and co. defy the odds again?

Thought Maehle was great against Wales and keen to see how he does up against Coufal. Schick can go level with Ronaldo in the Golden Boot race if he scores again. I will go for Denmark to edge it but I can see this one being close.

 

[Crabtree]

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Mount, Sancho, Kane, Sterling.

Ukraine: Bushchan, Zabarnyi, Kryvtsov, Matviyenko, Karavayev, Sydorchuk, Shaparenko, Zinchenko, Mykolenko, Yarmolenko, Yaremchuk

Grealish unlucky to miss out but his two best performances were off the bench. You'd wonder will Southgate just use him off the bench for the remainder of the tournament. Sancho is the best player in the squad in terms of the right side. Fancy England to win easy here. 2 or 3 nil.

 

[Tom]

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne.

Spain XI: Simon; Azpilicueta, Laporte, Garcia, Alba; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Olmo, F. Torres, Oyarzabal.

No great surprises in the Italy selection but big calls made in the Spain side. Morata and Moreno benched, so presumably Ferran Torres plays in the centre. Oyarzabal gets a start. Garcia is chosen ahead of Pau Torres at the back.

I'll go Italy to edge it but think it could be a long night.

 

[Crabtree]

DENMARK: Schmeichel, Christensen, Kjaer, Vestergaard, Larsen, Hojbjerg, Delaney, Maehle, Braithwaite, Damsgaard, Dolberg.

ENGLAND: Pickford, Walker, Shaw, Rice, Stones, Maguire, Kane, Sterling, Phillips, Mount, Saka

I think this will be a lot closer than some people expect. The Danes have some good players.

I fancy England by the odd goal - possibly after extra time.

 

[Crabtree]

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne

England XI: Pickford, Walker, Shaw, Rice, Stones, Maguire, Kane, Sterling, Trippier, Phillips, Mount

I figured Southgate would go 3 at the back. I think that midfield is going to be overrun by Italy though. Going to be very close game I think.

Hopefully, a good game!

 

[Boot Cleaner]

UEFA has announced their team of the tournament XI

Donnarumma
Walker
Bonucci
Maguire
Spinazzola
Jorginho
Pedri
Hojberg
Chiesa
Sterling
Lukaku

What do we think?