We are down to the last eight, and thanks to Jude Bellingham’s injury-time heroics, we are happy to say that England is still in with a shot! John Newsome previews all the quarter-final matches with his unique and insightful commentary. Can England progress to the Semi-finals? Read on to find out!
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at the time of publication.
Friday 5th July
SPAIN v GERMANY
17:00 in England
MHPArena, Stuttgart
This fixture could quite easily have been the Final, with these Footballing Juggernauts coming face to face in Stuttgart for a place in the Semi-Final.
Spain do look like the best team that are in the last-8, with the hosts coming a close second, however, although England have laboured somewhat in the 4 games so far, all are still unbeaten in the competition.
Out of the 8 teams that are left, only Spain have a 100% Win Record.
Germany, France, England and Switzerland remain unbeaten, with the Netherlands, Portugal and Turkey all suffering a defeat.
Germany progressed following a victory over Denmark by a 2-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Spain at 8/5, the draw at 11/5 and 9/5 for Germany to reach the Semi-Final.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Rodri Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Spain Win 3-1- Get 20/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
FRANCE v PORTUGAL
20:00
Volksparkstadion, Hamburg
France finally prevailed against Belgium with a deflected shot late on in proceedings by Randal Kolo Muani giving the French a victory over the Belgians by a 1-0 score.
That was France’s 3rd goal of the tournament, with Kylian Mbappe being the only Frenchman credited with a goal, following his penalty against Poland.
The other 2 have been Own Goals.
France were the better team and were the more positive of the two with Belgium seemingly holding on for a penalty shootout.
That now sets up another mouthwatering fixture against Portugal.
Whilst Portugal have progressed to the Quarter-Final, the fixture against Slovenia was a strange affair.
The Slovenians battled so much for 90 odd minutes to take the tie to Extra-Time and although conceded a penalty, the Star Goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s kick, which saw Cristiano reduced to (Crocodile) Tears.
Nice touch Ronnie!
It was then a penalty shootout and despite battling for over 2-hours, Slovenia were rubbish at spot-kicks, missing all 3 that were taken, with Portugal, including Cristiano gaining redemption for the earlier miss, converting all 3 of theirs to set up a Quarter-Final against the French.
Kylian v Cristiano.
Antoine v Bruno.
Betfred offer France at 7/5, the draw at 2/1 and 23/10 for Portugal to reach the Semi-Final.
Betfred offer 7/2 that Kylian Mbappe Scores First.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
France Win 1-0- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Saturday 6th July
ENGLAND v SWITZERLAND
17:00 in England
Merkur Spiel Arena, Düsseldorf
England turn up in Düsseldorf after somehow (somehow) getting a victory over Slovakia on Sunday.
When it did appear that the Three Lions were on their way home, ‘Hey Jude Bellingham’ scored, what the FIFA’24 brigade class as a ‘Worldie’ with seconds remaining that took the game into Extra Time where Harry Kane headed what ultimately turned out to be the winner.
If most people are now thinking that Gareth Southgate will make wholesale changes for this fixture against Switzerland, then John Newsome wants to disappoint as Gareth will only change one player, with Ezri Konza coming in for Marc Guehi as the Crystal Palace Defender picked up a Yellow Card, his second of the tournament, which means an automatic 1 game ban.
Mr Southgate is a very stubborn man and won’t bow to critics who say that ‘so and so needs to start’ or ‘he needs dropping!’
It just won’t happen and the Three Lions faithful should expect the same starting 10 plus Ezri against Switzerland on Saturday.
With the slight possibility of another change at Left-Back if Kieran Tripper is confirmed as injured.
Regarding the Yellow Card situation, if one remembers Italia ’90 when an emotional Paul Gascoigne was in tears after picking up a Yellow against West Germany in the Semi-Final knowing that he would miss the Final if England progressed.
That won’t happen in this tournament as any Yellow Card picked up before the Semi-Final will be cleared, meaning all players will start the last-4 without the thought of potentially missing the Final.
The only way that would happen is if the player picked up a Red Card.
England’s Yellow Card bunch are-
Marc Guehi- who is now suspended for the Quarter-Final.
Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher and Kieran Trippier, whose cards will be wiped off after the said Quarters, would miss the Semi-Final if any received another Yellow against Switzerland.
Switzerland were the first team to confirm their spot in the Quarter-Final, gaining an easy victory over Italy by a 2-0 scoreline.
More on the Swiss further in the Preview.
Betfred offer England at 6/5, the draw at 2/1 and 11/4 for Switzerland to reach the Semi-Final.
Betfred offer 7/2 that Harry Kane Scores First.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
England Win 2-1- Get 17/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
NETHERLANDS v TURKEY
20:00 in England
Olympiastadion Berlin
The Netherlands were simply too good for Romania, gaining a victory by a 3-0 score to progress to the Quarter-Final and face Turkey on Saturday.
It was the best performance up to now from Ronald Koeman’s Men who will have their sight set on a Semi-Final, possibly against Gareth’s Three Lions.
Turkey scored after 57 seconds in the game against Austria then added a 2nd after the half-time break to take a 2-0 lead.
Austria did pull a goal back but the Turks held on for a famous victory to set up this tie against the Netherlands in Berlin on Saturday.
Betfred offer the Netherlands at Odds On 4/7, the draw at 16/5 and 9/2 for Turkey to reach the Semi-Final.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Coady Gakpo Scores First.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Netherlands Win 2-1- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
That would offer up the possibility of the following Semi-Final lineup.
These are only a projected thought and can change.
Tuesday 9th July
SEMI-FINAL 1
SPAIN v FRANCE
Allianz Arena, Munich
20.00 in England
It is a toss-up between Spain and Germany but John Newsome thinks that Spain will just edge it, however, being the hosts, Germany may just get a few ‘decisions’ go their way but as said it is a close call.
Wednesday 10th July
SEMI-FINAL 2
ENGLAND v NETHERLANDS
Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
20.00 in England
Again, it is really a toss of a coin as to who will get to the Final but one can only give an opinion and hope that England prevail.
Sunday 14th July
EURO’24 FINAL
SPAIN v ENGLAND
Olympiastadion, Berlin
20.00 in England
WINNERS- ENGLAND
Obviously, everyone will have an opinion as to whether England can go all the way but for the time being, the Three Lions are still unbeaten and whilst not playing convincingly, have progressed to the Quarter-Final and will now face Switzerland who easily swept aside the current Champions Italy.
First things first, the display against Slovakia doesn’t need Sherlock Holmes to come in and investigate what happened.
It was horrendous, however, England (somehow) gained a victory when it looked like the Plane Home was being filled with Aviation Fuel.
John Newsome is a passionate England fan, which, no one can deny, however, the Barnsley Lad did have his beliefs tested for most of the 90-odd minutes against Slovakia on Sunday.
As what always happens when England play, there are the usual Text Messages between the extensive contacts from all over the World that John has on his phone (7, with 3 of those no longer with us!)
For the majority of the game, the negativity towards Gareth was somewhat understandable, however, for whatever reason that the England faithful can’t comprehend, Gareth’s decisions worked.
The Manager sent on Ivan Toney with 4 minutes of added time on the clock and just 2 of the 6 remaining but somehow, whether divine intervention or just tactical nouse, Ivan blocked a Slovakia player to allow Jude Bellingham to score an unbelievable overhead kick to equalise and take the game to Extra-Time.
Within seconds of the 30-Added Extra, Harry Kane scored what ultimately was the winner and England progressed to the Quarter-Finals.
It’s fair to say that Gareth Southgate and his Merry Men have fallen into the favourable side of the draw, avoiding any of Spain, Germany, France and Portugal until at least the Final.
England are a match for any of Turkey, the Netherlands and Switzerland so there’s no reason that the Three Lions can’t make the Final.
Especially now that it does appear there are ‘Outside Forces’ at play.
Once that occurs, it’s then down to what happens on the night, (as in the Slovakia game) which could offer up a bit of luck here and there that could eventually see England as victors.
After the game against Slovakia, it’s difficult to argue with Gareth Southgate, maybe the lad had a premonition of how the tournament will pan out.
At the moment, Gareth’s choices, however, bizarre they appear to be, are working.
Believe in GS!
The first shock of the last-16 came in the opening game, when the current European Champions, Italy were out pressed, outplayed and outclassed by their very near neighbours, one could say ‘Noisy Neighbours’ when the Alpenhorns are in full flow, Switzerland, who were magnificent and tore the Italians to pieces, gaining a victory by a 2-0 scoreline.
Heidi’s Heroes were simply too good for Spalletti’s Spaghetti’s who will now face the Three Lions in the Quarter-Finals.
The thing about that is Switzerland’s pressing style of football will suit England who have struggled to penetrate a back-11 or, as is now the horrendous new phrase, a ‘Low Block!’
That Quarter-Final takes place at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf on Saturday the 6th of July at 17.00 hours (in England).
A New Dawn in England will start on Friday the 5th of July, which has nothing to do with what is happening in Germany.
There will be a New Prime Minister who will more than likely be Sir Keir Starmer after his Labour Party win the General Election.
One doesn’t want to become political but Keir will be the first Labour Prime Minister of England, since 2010.
What the future then holds for our Glorious Country is anyone’s guess but for the time being, England are still in the Euro’s.
It is funny how the majority of the competition, up to now, has been relatively VAR Controversy Free or VARCF if one wants to travel down that Cul-De-Sac.
However, the game between Germany and Denmark, produced two inept VAR decisions, like London Buses, that came along, in quick succession.
Denmark had a goal ruled out because a Danes toe was deemed a Millimetre offside.
The ball went straight up the other end where Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen was adjudged to have handled the ball and the VAR (who were English!) deemed the offence warranted a penalty.
What is Joachim supposed to do?
Chop his arm off?
The decision to award a penalty has been rightly criticised.
Prior to that, the longest VAR decision waited for, was by the English Officials, in the game between France and the Netherlands where a France goal was eventually ruled out.
Is this a coincidence or are the English Officials just not in sync with the other countries when it comes to the dreaded VAR?
Germany eventually gained a victory over Denmark by a 2-0 score, as predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
In the second fixture on Sunday between Spain and Georgia, Spain were hit by an immediate setback when Robin Le Normand turned past his own Goalkeeper to concede an OG after 15 minutes, which left the Mighty Georgia in front.
To be fair to the Spanish, that was just an annoyance, which sparked the favourites into life, with Roadie Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo all scoring to give Spain a victory over Georgia by a 4-1 scoreline.
Added to that, there was heavy rain in Cologne.
A rainy night for Georgia!
Spain now face Germany in the Quarter-Finals that will take place at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart on Friday the 5th of July, with one of the Euro Heavyweights progressing to the Semis and the other being eliminated.
Portugal face France on the same night with that particular Quarter-Final kicking off at 20.00 hours at the Volksparkstadion Hamburg.
It’s fair to say that any 2 from 4 of the main protagonists will be on their way home.
On England’s side of the draw, England and Switzerland face off against each other in Düsseldorf at 17.00 hours, whilst Turkey take on the Netherlands at the Olympiastadion Berlin at 20.00 hours on Saturday the 6th.
The Netherlands got the better of Romania with the Liverpool Striker Coady Gakpo scoring the opener, then assisting Donyell Malen to add a 2nd goal before Donyell added his 2nd and the 3rd for the Netherlands, giving the Oranje a victory by a 3-0 scoreline.
The Scottish are still an unhappy set of people, regarding England’s continuation in the tournament.
Maybe it’s because it has been confirmed,
‘No Scotland, Still A Party’
To be fair, the Scottish do have some sort of participation in the Euro’s, with Denzel ‘Dumfries’ in the Netherlands team to face Turkey.
‘Denzel my son!’
‘No, I don’t want to buy anything, No I don’t want to sell anything and No, I don’t want you to make me a Millionaire.’
To Hull and Back, from Amsterdam and Beyond.
It was then left to Turkey to make up the Quarter-Final lineup, with the Turks gaining a victory over Austria by a 2-1 score.
It’s hoped that this EveryTip/John Newsome Preview of Euro’24 hasn’t disappointed with that being it for the Summer but one will be back at the beginning of August for the start of the Premier League, in the meantime, enjoy the Quarter-Final, Semi and Final and hope the team that one is supporting, puts in a decent performance and the Trophy ‘goes home’ to the country that deserves it most.
When I find you waiting hours, oh
You’re there to save my life for our obvious goal.
We’ve got a headstart for happiness, so for our part, guess we must be blessed, for this feeling to be so strong.
Tell me, is that so wrong?
The space between us for days has been so far.
I’ve spent a lonely week now I want to be where you are.
We’ve got a headstart for happiness, so for our part, guess we must be kissed, by this force I feel inside.
Now I’m not gonna hide
All the roads that lead to struggles, bring you back to where you need.
Some reassurance in your own depth, only you can see but let others feel.
Peace in my mind, I’m so happy to find, as I get on my trek with a headstart back to you.
When I find you waiting hours, oh!
It’s my heart, not my head that takes control and you’ve got to lead where your heart says go and in hope that it turns out so and that’s all that you can hope for, can you expect much more?
Naive and wise with no sense of time, as I set my clock with a heartbeat, tick-tock.
Violent and mild, common sense says I’m wild, with this mixed up fury, crazy beauty.
It’s healthy to find all these feelings inside, as I get on my trek with a headstart back to you.
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