Euro 2020 Crunch Time

 Euro 2020 has reached the part we all love . The emotion filled knockout stages that bring the very best out of players and staff who are driven by the passion to make their country proud. This is where memories are made , this is where legends are born . We cannot also forget to mention the penalty shootout. Some love the shootouts some hate it but what is guaranteed is drama.  We cannot wait for the knockout stage to begin.

A brief look at the group stages and what we can learn from them . The Netherlands were the highest scorers in the group stage scoring 8 goals . They were followed closely by Italy , Belgium and Portugal on 7 . The Dutch were in a more favourable group but we cannot discount some brilliant attacking displays from them especially from Memphis Depay. Cristiano Ronaldo tops the scoring charts on 5 goals with Lukaku , Wijnaldum , Patrick Schick and Emil Forsberg all on 3. 

While they were knocked out at the group stage Hungary and North Macedonia did themselves proud. The former put in resilient displays in the group of death and were unlucky not  to have won games against France and Germany having led for majority of the game in both matches . Worth signaling out for praise is Adam Szalai . The 33 year old notched up a goal and assist in the tournament but his industry upfront was praiseworthy. As was the whole Hungary team's performance . The group draw didn't favour them but they did themselves proud. 

Goran Pandev wrote himself in North Macedonia's history books by not only getting them to the tournament but also scoring their first goal at a major tournament too. Ultimately their inexperience proved too much but they did themselves proud .

Now onto the Knockout games 

ROUND OF 16 

Wales vs Denmark 

Denmark are just happy to be here after what was an unfortunate incident in their opening game. While they successfully overcame that hurdle now there is no room for mistakes, no second chances. Coach Kasper Hjulmand deserves massive credit for changing formation quickly enough following Eriksen's incident with Denmark returning to a back 3 . Mikkel Damsgaard who came in for Eriksen has fitted into the role quite well as shown by his Brilliant display vs Russia. With nothing to fear Denmark will cause plenty of problems to opposition evidenced by the dominant first half against Belgium.

Wales are dreaming again. With a 'nice' draw they could replicate their 2016 heroics by reaching the Semi finals again. It's familiar faces in Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen  leading the charge supported by the youth led by Dan James . They will Fancy their chances against Denmark but defensively they are not as solid as in 2016 as we saw against a second string Italian side. 

Verdict :  WALES 1:2 DENMARK

ITALY VS AUSTRIA 

Italy steamrolled through the group stage with meagre resistance. Haven't conceded a goal and have controlled all matches from start to finish. Only worry may be they peaked at the wrong time but Mancini's level head will be an asset going forward. Immobile will have to step up especially when the big boys come in.

Austria didn't start particularly well but have grown into the tournament. Alaba has been leading from the front getting a couple of assists in the process. However this Italian side should prove to be far superior than what Austria encountered in the group. 

Verdict : Italy 2-0 Austria 

Netherlands vs Czech Republic 

The Dutch will go into the round of 16 confident having topped their group and being the Tournament's top scoring team. The unpopular 3-5-2 that De Boer has persisted with has proved to be rather helpful. With Dumfries especially on the right the wingbacks are a real threat complemented by a hard-working midfield led by Wijnaldum. Depay as ever will be the main man .

Patrick Schick has been leading the charge for the Czech's . Having already  scored a contender for goal of the tournament against Scotland he is brimming with confidence . Premier league duo Vladimir Coufal and Thomas Soucek will add quality to the side with Coufal's delivery and Soucek's timely runs into the box , the Czech have enough firepower to cause Problems for the Dutch. 

Verdict : Netherlands 0: 1 Czech Republic

BELGIUM VS PORTUGAL 

It's the tie of the round. The top ranked side against Fifth . Belgium will rue their luck having done their part and topped the group only to be handed defending European champions Portugal. However based on Portugal's performances especially in defense , Lukaku and co will be licking their lips. Belgium too have their frailties in defense , having been stretched continuously by Denmark before Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench to lead a second half revival.

One thing Portugal have that no one else has is Cristiano Ronaldo. You can never rule him out and as he has shown he loves the big stages. 

This one could go either way , with Belgium's hopes pinned on Lukaku and De Bruyne while Portugal will hope Ronaldo produces the goods once again. 

Verdict : Belgium 3:2 Portugal 

CROATIA VS SPAIN 

It's been a mixed tournament for both teams . Croatia had to earn a hard-fought win against a stubborn Scotland while Spain surprisingly scored five goals against Slovakia sealing qualification. Croatia have looked fragile at the back and have struggled to replace Manzukic. Andre Kramariç has not yet been able to cement that forward position leaving the burden to the old guard in form of Ivan Perisic and Luka Modric. 

This could be a tough watch given both team's lack of prolific strikers plus their patient style of play . 

Verdict : Croatia 0:1 Spain 

FRANCE VS SWITZERLAND

France have certainly not been worth the hype surrounding them before the tournament. They have rarely been convincing but posses the quality to hurt you anytime. Of encouragement will be Karim Benzema's brace against Portugal . Fans will hope that this will Kickstart his tournament and France's. Paul Pogba put in two brilliant performances against Germany and Portugal but was substituted against Hungary , summing him up as player. 

Switzerland will count themselves lucky to have progressed. Bar the Turkey game, they have looked dull relying on Xherdan Shaqiri to come up with some magic . They will certainly have to be at their best against France. 

Verdict : FRANCE 2-0 SWITZERLAND 

ENGLAND VS GERMANY 

Old foes reunite in this encounter. Germany have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions already in the tournament from being outclassed by France to thrashing Portugal only to need an 84th minute equalizer to seal second place. Joachim Löw has come through the criticism and is leading his charges into the knockout stages quietly confident after a decent draw en route to the final. Germany however have their weaknesses defensively as was highlighted by Adam Szalai's goal where he exploited the space between the centre backs to plant a powerful header past Manuel Neuer. However their pacy and fluid forwards can cause any team problems. 

The English media and some sections of the fans could make you believe that they have had a terrible tournament. They've campaigned to have their favourite players in the team putting enormous pressure on Gareth Southgate . He has however maintained his cautious approach with two defensive midfielders anchoring his midfield. Sterling has been coming up with the goods which is good timing considering Kane's unusual struggles upfront. 

From a tactical point of view England are well set up for this kind of fixture. The pace of Sterling and Foden /Sancho upfront will definitely cause Problems for this fragile German backline . Germany on the other hand will depend on their excellent midfielders on the ball to come up with some magic . In Gosens and Kimmich they have two outstanding wingbacks with frightening delivery if given the chance. England will have to be at their best defensively . 

History says Germany always beat England so there may be that lingering doubt among the English players and supporters. However this English side is set up to be effective not entertaining hence why we think they can upset the Germans.

Verdict : GERMANY 1:2 ENGLAND 

SWEDEN VS UKRAINE

Both sides will Fancy themselves to win this one. Sweden came out on top of their group through some hard defending and dangerous counter attacks led by young talent Alexander Isak. Ukraine will lean on the experience of  Andriy Yarmolenko to lead their charge . The exciting Roman Yaremchuk will also be pivotal if Ukraine are to make it through. 

It could be a tight game decided on firm margins but Ukraine's attack just edges Sweden for me. 

Verdict : UKRAINE 1:0 SWEDEN