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On the bill: Czech Republic – Denmark and Ukraine – England
After sending the Dutch Oranje home in the previous round, the Czechs would have nothing against doing the same to one of the other tournament organizers. In Baku (Azerbaijan), the teammates of striker Patrik Schick face Denmark for a place in the last four of the European competition. In a duel of outsiders that not many people expected at this level, the two teams want to surf in their good form.
The meeting of the semi-finals of one Euro would not be a novelty for them, Denmark having won the title in 1992 against all odds, when the Narodni Tym had climbed to the final in 1996. Impressive since their qualification in extremis , following the shock of Christian Eriksen’s heart attack in the first match, the Danes exude an impressive collective serenity. But the Czech Republic does not intend to stop surprising in the competition.
Czech Republic – Denmark, Saturday July 3 at 6 p.m. at the Olympic Stadium in Baku, on BeIN Sports 1 and to follow live on Lemonde.fr
How far will the Ukraine of “Sheva” continue its adventure to the Euro? Entering the competition by feeding the chronicle off the field, the Zbirna took the best of the other nation playing in yellow and blue, Sweden, during the knockout stages. Best player in the history of the country, the now coach Andrei Shevchenko has hardly known moments of glory in the national jersey. Also the former Golden Ball in 2004 extends his experience from the sidelines, and qualified Ukraine for the first quarter-finals in its history.
Against its players, the very solid England, which has yet to concede any goal in the competition. For their first match away from their home at Wembley, the Three Lions land in Rome, strong in their certainties. After eliminating Germany in the round of 16, the teammates of captain Harry Kane, who unlocked his counter against the Mannschaft, dream of the last four, again at home.
Ukraine – England, Saturday July 3 at 9 p.m. at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on TF1 and BeIN Sports 1 and to follow live on Lemonde.fr
Euro star: Jack Grealish
Absent in England’s first match against Croatia and often used as a luxury joker by Gareth Southgate, Jack Grealish changed the face of the Round of 16 against Germany. Entering the hour mark when the score was 0-0, he was on the penultimate pass of the opener, a few minutes before offering Harry Kane the second goal.
Claimed holder by many English fans disappointed with his poor playing time, the one who is very close to signing up for Manchester City is aware of the situation of his coach, who must deal with an impressive offensive armada. “I just have to go train the best I can every day and try to impress the manager as much as possible because at the end of the day there is only one person who can trust you”, he told reporters. Gareth Southgate should renew it against Ukraine, Sunday at 9 p.m., for a place in the last four of the Euro.
Italy-Belgium (2-1). Against Belgium, the Nazionale drew its victory in the first period. Served by Marco Verratti, Nicolo Barella opened the scoring with a shot from the right (31e), then imitated by Lorenzo Insigne, author of a delicious shot wrapped from the entrance to the area (44e). The immediate reduction in Romelu Lukaku’s score from the penalty spot (45e +2) successfully revived the Red Devils. But Roberto Martínez’s men did not target a single one of their five strikes in the second half. The Italians, who chain a 32e back-to-back unbeaten match, will challenge Spain on Tuesday 6 July at 9 p.m. at Wembley Stadium, London.
Switzerland-Spain (1-1 ap, 1-3 on penalties). Spain scored the first goal of these quarter-finals on one of their first actions, thanks to a deflected strike into its own goal by the unfortunate Zakaria (8e). In the second period, the Nati woke up. Following a disagreement between Laporte and Pau Torres, Xherdan Shaqiri cheated on Unai Simon (68e). Reduced to ten with the expulsion of Freuler, Switzerland managed to preserve the draw until a penalty shoot-out thanks to a great Yann Sommer. A session that smiled on the Spaniards, despite a failed first shot from Busquets. Oyarzabal succeeded, sending La Roja to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile… Toni Kroos announces his international retirement
“I have played 106 times for Germany. There will be no new time ”, writes on his Instagram account the 31-year-old player, world champion in 2014. “I had already made the decision to quit after this competition. It has been clear to me for a long time that I will not be available for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar ”, adds the player to 25 professional trophies, including four Champions Leagues (2013 with Bayern, 2016 to 2018 with Real). Author of 17 goals for the national team, he was one of the pillars of the German golden generation of the 2010s. An inglorious farewell after the German elimination in the round of 16 against England.
“Unai has a huge pair”
Unai Simon had already made up for his mistake against Croatia, making some decisive saves in the same game. In the quarter-finals against Switzerland, the young goalkeeper of Athletic Bilbao this time saved two shots on goal. Which was well worth the polite praise from teammate Koke.
Lorenzo Insigne did justice to this section. Last night he scored Italy’s second goal with a superb curling shot. A delight.
[⚽️ VIDÉO BUT] 🏆 #BELITA 😍😍😍😍 OHHHH THE WONDER OF LORENZO INSIGNIA! 💥 A lonely rush followed by a sub rolled up… https://t.co/vA6xInapdf
Special mention to Ciro Immobile, who did not see the first goal of his teammate Barella. He was too busy writhing in pain.
It’s a Christmas miracle. 😑 https://t.co/jonI4Urev2
A corner of the sky (almost) blue: Ripoll (finally) keeps his list for the Olympics
Sylvain Ripoll, coach of the France Under-21 team, had a hard time making his list for the Tokyo Olympics. As this competition is outside the FIFA calendars, clubs are not required to release their footballers.
After a delay granted by FIFA, the Bleuets coach ticked 22 players to go to Japan, with invitations from Florian Thauvin, André-Pierre Gignac and Teji Savanier.
National coach Sylvain Ripoll has updated the list of twenty-one players who will compete in the Tok Olympics… https://t.co/9muubiWqR6
Covidometer: Merkel expresses her concern
“I really wonder if that isn’t a bit too much. ” It is with these words that Angela Merkel expressed her concern on Friday about the 60,000 spectators allowed to attend the semi-finals and the Euro final at Wembley, London, where the Covid-contaminations 19 due to the Delta variant are blazing. The German Chancellor said to herself “Very concerned” following a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at his country residence in Checkers. “In Germany, we decided that fewer spectators could attend the matches at the Munich stadium, but of course the British government makes its own decisions”, added Mme Merkel.
Our selection of articles on Euro 2021
