by Stranded »
03 Jul 2024 09:51
Mr Angry The save at the end instanty reminded me of Banks' save from Pele in the 1970 World Cup - it was that good!
Now we have the last 8, I thought I would rank them in terms of who has been the best to the least best, of the 8.
(In my opinion obvs!)
Spain/Germany = 1st - how a game between the 2 of them has ended up as a quarter-final is bizarre; easily the 2 teams playing the best football, and with a great mix of solid defence and scary attack. Can't be seperated IMHO.
Netherlands - 3rd - genuine contenders now.
Switzerland - 4th - playing excellent football as a team.
Turkey - 5th - just sheer exuberance and always on the front foot; will cause anyone problems
Portugal - 6th - would have been higher but struggled against a brave but limited Slovenia.
England - 7th - a single moment of genius fails to disguise how tepid this England side have been
France - 8th - 2 own goals and a penalty sums up a strangely lack lsutre and dull French team, who passes the ball across their back line as much as England does.
I always find this a strange view and you are not alone in thinking it but it isn't bizarre at all - it has been known since the draw was made that given the groups Spain and Germany were drawn in that if both won their groups and then their R16 game, they would meet in the quarters finals - it is the curse of tournament football where the how tournament has to be planned out months in advance that you may end up with 2 of the strongest teams meeting earlier that you would like.
Shame for Austria last night but I'm kind of glad they went out so that we don't have Netherlands v Austria in Berlin 10 days after they played each other in Berlin.
My early predictions - winners in
boldSpain v
Germany - tight game but Germany to get through thanks to home advantage giving them a slight edge - winner of this tie, wins the Tournament.
France v Portugal - France have been shocking but Portugal will struggle to get going again after Monday's battle
England v Switzerland - Think England will just edge it but this really could go either way and may go the distance
Netherlands v Türkiye - Turks massively road their luck last night but also a great defensive performance - Dutch will be full of confidence after yesterday
Germany v France
England v
NetherlandsGermany v Netherlands