THE quarter finals of Euro 2020 begin tomorrow with some mouth-watering clashes.
There is no doubt that the best eight have made it to this stage.
The teams in the group of death that included France, Germany and Portugal have all been dumped.
In the Copa we will also see two matches. Honestly, this Copa tournament is far behind the European Championships.
Match 1
Spain vs Switzerland 02/07/21 12 noon
Krestovsky Stadium
Both of these teams were involved in the best matches of the tournament.
This is their first meeting at the European Championships.
They met only at world cups in 1966,1994 and 2010. The Spanish won the first two clashes but lost in 2010. That is the only time Spain have lost to Switzerland in 22 meetings. This will be a very high octane feature with two high-scoring squads.
Advantage Spain – but this tournament has sprung many surprises.
Match 2
Belgium vs Italy
02/07/21 3pm
Allianz Arena
This matchup is between the world’s number one team and the current best playing team in Europe. In the four previous encounters in all major championships, Italy have won three and drawn one.
Belgium have never beaten Italy in a major tournament but this is Belgium’s golden generation.
This is Italy’s fourth consecutive quarterfinals at the European Championships. Each one of those were decided by a penalty shootout- so expect some nerve rattling’s tomorrow.
Advantage Italy – but this is a very talented Belgian side. I suspect this one will not reach penalties tomorrow.
Copa America Quarter Finals
Match 1 Peru vs Paraguay
02/07/21 5pm
Estadio Olimpico
These teams have met 53 times before with Paraguay winning 23 and losing 16. There are 14 drawn games. History favours Paraguay. The last time they met in 2020 it ended in a two-two draw. Both teams are capable of having a good showing but the tournament form favours Peru.
Advantage Peru – but history favours Paraguay.
Match 2
Brazil vs Chile
02/07/21 8pm
Olympic Stadium
This will be a great match. Brazil are the tournament favourites and have played comfortably but have not really been tested.
Chile have the ability to upset Brazil. In the last 13 meeting between the sides Brazil won nine, lost two and drawn two. So clearly Brazil has the advantage over Chile.
Advantage Brazil – but Chile can create an upset, so look out for one.
So, let the games begin and beautiful football flow.
Mouth Watering Euro Quarter Finals Begin
By Gerald Lutchman
THE quarter finals of Euro 2020 begin tomorrow with some mouth-watering clashes.
There is no doubt that the best eight have made it to this stage.
The teams in the group of death that included France, Germany and Portugal have all been dumped.
In the Copa we will also see two matches. Honestly, this Copa tournament is far behind the European Championships.
Match 1
Spain vs Switzerland 02/07/21 12 noon
Krestovsky Stadium
Both of these teams were involved in the best matches of the tournament.
This is their first meeting at the European Championships.
They met only at world cups in 1966,1994 and 2010. The Spanish won the first two clashes but lost in 2010. That is the only time Spain have lost to Switzerland in 22 meetings. This will be a very high octane feature with two high-scoring squads.
Advantage Spain – but this tournament has sprung many surprises.
Match 2
Belgium vs Italy
02/07/21 3pm
Allianz Arena
This matchup is between the world’s number one team and the current best playing team in Europe. In the four previous encounters in all major championships, Italy have won three and drawn one.
Belgium have never beaten Italy in a major tournament but this is Belgium’s golden generation.
This is Italy’s fourth consecutive quarterfinals at the European Championships. Each one of those were decided by a penalty shootout- so expect some nerve rattling’s tomorrow.
Advantage Italy – but this is a very talented Belgian side. I suspect this one will not reach penalties tomorrow.
Copa America Quarter Finals
Match 1 Peru vs Paraguay
02/07/21 5pm
Estadio Olimpico
These teams have met 53 times before with Paraguay winning 23 and losing 16. There are 14 drawn games. History favours Paraguay. The last time they met in 2020 it ended in a two-two draw. Both teams are capable of having a good showing but the tournament form favours Peru.
Advantage Peru – but history favours Paraguay.
Match 2
Brazil vs Chile
02/07/21 8pm
Olympic Stadium
This will be a great match. Brazil are the tournament favourites and have played comfortably but have not really been tested.
Chile have the ability to upset Brazil. In the last 13 meeting between the sides Brazil won nine, lost two and drawn two. So clearly Brazil has the advantage over Chile.
Advantage Brazil – but Chile can create an upset, so look out for one.
So, let the games begin and beautiful football flow.