The tournament is finally entering its decisive phase. Can England do something and can Austria really benefit from it? The taz example.
Little Georgia really big: Can we also celebrate against Spain? Photo: David Inderlied/dpa
Switzerland – Italy, Saturday, 6:00 PM, Berlin:
If you look at the matches, you really can’t conclude that Italy are defending champions. The team, which is in transition, is quite unstable defensively, can’t get into the pots in midfield and has so far especially luck on his side. The tactically disciplined and smart Swiss could now rightly send the defending champions to their eternal hunting ground early. However, Switzerland in particular was vulnerable after high balls. Italian media now hope that the rescue operation against Croatia has caused some kind of wake-up shock. But alertness alone is probably not enough here. (Ascending)
England – Slovakia, Sunday, 6 p.m., Schalke:
The Slovakian fans are certainly looking forward to this duel, which they certainly deserve with a refreshing preliminary round. Otherwise it would be difficult to find fans of the advanced football game who think about this game with great anticipation. Still a boring game of the market value European champions from England you really don’t want to see it. When will Gareth Southgate finally unleash his gifted players? This question hangs in the air. Anyone who has followed the English matches will have wondered whether the coach had issued something like a tackling ban. The Slovaks’ stable defense, set up in Italian style by Italian coach Francesco Calzona, should not have any significant problems with the safe but harmless pass. So it could easily lead to a penalty shootout. Do the English want to take a chance? (arue)
Spain – Georgia, Sunday, 9 p.m., Cologne:
What a great game! Perhaps the best team in the group stage met the biggest surprise of the tournament. This polite guest at the European Championship from Georgia, who has made gaining experience his main goal, meets the team that, according to Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente, has the best footballers in the world. The height of the fall could hardly be greater. The Spaniards can win the game, Prestige less so. The newly acquired flexibility in your own game is put to the test here in a special way. That must be quite tempting for a fearsome favorite like Georgia, who, despite their defensive orientation, always have a strong movement towards the opponent’s goal. And it would also be a nice experience. (yoke)
France – Belgium, Monday, 6 p.m., Düsseldorf:
An own goal and a penalty helped France reach the round of 16 in second place behind Austria. It is not exactly euphoric. The debate in our own country about the almost limitless individual possibilities and the limited performance of the team is comparable to that in England. The Belgian team, which was often exaggeratedly praised for its attacking power, did not score more often. The greatest Belgian danger so far has come from offside. It is particularly noticeable that the home fans are dissatisfied with this. The mood here is therefore also bad. In terms of atmosphere, it is also a local duel. A team that offers so much comfort is in for a nice evening. (yoke)
Portugal – Slovenia, Monday, 9:00 p.m., Frankfurt:
No one can hide their limited options better than little Slovenia. What applied to many other sports in the past now also applies to football. They even appear in the stands of the German European Championship stadiums as the greats with an impressive entourage. After a successful defensive battle against England, there will hardly be any less defensive work to be seen in the first European Championship round of 16 against Portugal. The Portuguese have an abundance of great footballers. And at this European Championship they attack their opponents with short, fine passes, as the Spaniards used to do in excess. The second trial against Georgia was far less appropriate than many expected. (yoke)
Romania – Netherlands. Tuesday, 6 p.m., Munich:
Third place in this 24-team tournament system is considered a lottery that must be avoided at all costs. The Dutch are now not only lucky to still be there, but also, against all expectations, not to face a top player in Romania. With their lightning-fast attacking power, they have already prepared some spectacular scenes at this European Championship, but perfection is often lacking. Austria has shown how vulnerable their defence, which sometimes seems sleepy, is. And be careful! Romanian coach Edward Iordanescu is seriously offended. “We were thrown filth, but we showed that we have character. We always play with character.” He referred to the suspicion that Romania could find its way to the round of 16 with a non-aggression pact against Slovakia. (yoke)
Austria – Turkey, Tuesday, 9:00 p.m., Leipzig:
If you could only watch one round of 16, most people would probably choose this game. Ralf Rangnick’s Austrians represent attractive and determined football at this European Championship. They were declared the secret favorites before the tournament. After winning the group ahead of France and the Netherlands, they are among the real favorites to win the tournament. However, the title for the loudest support goes to the Turks. Wherever the match is played, the team around captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu can count on loud support. What does that say about the game? After all, Austria has no “support” from Hoffenheim and Turkey can certainly play football. In any case, spectacle seems guaranteed. In March the Turks lost 1:6 to Austria. Is there now talk of a great revenge? Curtain up! The best of the round of 16 goes last. (fh)