Euro:Pre-quarters line-up complete with France, Germany, Portugal

France, Germany and Portugal came out from the dreaded Group F to set final line-up of the last rounds of 16 in the European Championship. Earlier, Sweden and Spain also entered the knockout phase from Group E. Euro 2020 is now ready to enthrall the football lovers from across the globe.

France topped the table in Group of Death with five points after finishing its last group match with Portugal on equal level. Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo and French striker Karim Benzema netted a brace for their team and the match drew on 2-2. In another group clash, spirited Hungary hold the fancied Germany for a 2-2 draw. Germany and Portugal earned four points each but the Germans placed second with better goal difference. Portugal also squeezed through to the next round as one the best third placed team in the tournament.

Spain and Sweden from Group E comfortably sailed into the next stage of the tournament. Spain in its last group match thrashed Slovakia 5-0 which is their only win in the group and comes second on the table. Sweden tops the table with two wins. They beat Poland 3-2 in a see-saw battle.

The first knockout game of the tournament will be Wales vs Denmark on June 26. Then Netherlands will encounter Czech Republic on June 27. Italy will take on Austria the same day. Austria for the first time enters the knock out stage in major tournaments. Sweden and Ukraine will clash on June 30 to book quarter-final tickets.

In any case, main attraction of the pre-quarterfinals will be the two most exciting encounters, when World number one Belgium will clash with the defending champion Portugal on 28 June. For the Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo will not leave any stone unturned to retain the Euro title. And hope for Midas touch from him to defend the title under his inspired leadership. He is right now on top of the chart with five goals in his kitty in the tournament.

Another interesting encounter on 29 June will be England vs Germany. The Germans won Euro titles three times, the last one came in 1996 in England. While England never had its hand on the coveted European title. So far, they have won only one World Cup Championship in 1966 against Germany. But still they are considered as one of the toughest team to beat. Emotions of the Germans and Englishmen reaches high specially whenever these two arch rivals meet on the football ground. So worth watch to see two different classic styles of football.

Same day, World Cup holder France will take on Switzerland. A day earlier, former World cup Champion and three times Euro title holder Spain will encounter Croatia... the runners up of 2018 World Cup. Spain and Germany are the most successful teams in the history of European Championship, winning three times each whereas France has won this title two times. We now will meet again on 26 June to enjoy the next round of thrills. Till then bye-bye.