England alone dances to the guests’ ball

England, deprived of their supporters who have so far made it to Wembley, challenge Ukraine in the quarter-finals of the Euros (9:00 p.m.) in Rome on Saturday.

Ukraine spoilers dreams of continuing to play. Like the Czech Republic and Denmark, which will be protested first in Baku (6:00 PM).

The ‘Three Lions’, first in Group D and knockout in the round of 16 of their pets, Germany, whom they had not beaten in a knockout match for 55 years and the 1966 World Cup final, now make favorites in this half of the table’s top names. deserted from

His Ukrainian rival and the Czech both qualified as the best third in their group, while the Dane finished second on course, but with only 3 points. Before the tournament none of the three teams was favored by the bookmakers.

airtight

Their prospects have increased since then, but what about the Englishmen, who will also have the advantage of being relegated to Wembley in terms of qualification for the semi-finals or final? Without being solid, flamboyant, Gareth Southgate’s men can rely on an airtight defense (0 goals in 4 games), which is often the basic ingredient to winning the title.

Their captain Harry Kane, criticized by some for his lack of leadership, also eventually opened his goal counter against Germany and his attacking partner Raheem Sterling scored the other three English goals in the tournament.

But for the first time in the Euros, England will play away from home and without its supporters, the English Federation has given up 2,500 of its venues for the meeting, while Italian authorities have canceled tickets sold to residents of the Kingdom. The rebound of the covid pandemic on the island.

Danish enthusiasm

The Ukrainians have nothing to lose, facing the semi-finalists of the 2018 World Cup in their quest for the first European title. They first passed the first round of Euros with only one win and then had to wait until the last minute of extra time to dominate Sweden in the Round of 16 (2–1 AP).

Former Ballon d’Or Andrey Shevchenko has taught his team to be patient and not to doubt anything. Two features that also bodes well for two opponents from the day’s first quarter: Czech Republic’s Patrick Schick, who stunned the Netherlands in the round of 16, and Denmark, who beat Wales 4–0.

The small Nordic country, which is believed to have lost its best player, Christian Eriksson, narrowly survived a cardiac arrest, then achieved an unprecedented qualification after two losses in the first two games, is bathed in vigor.

In the footsteps of Panenka?

Flags on windows and storefronts, red and white jerseys out of stock, Copenhagen dreams of seeing the Schmeichel son gang repeat the adventures of father and ‘Danish dynamite’ who won the Euro 1992 after turning Yugoslavia into short notice , which was hit by international sanctions.

Czech, they hope to imitate the band of Holy Antonin Panenka in 1976 under the colors of Czechoslovakia. Since the split with Slovakia, ‘Narodak’ has been unlucky, hunting the first gold goal in history in the Euro 1996 final against Germany, before falling in the semi-finals in 2004 against another unlikely future winner, Greece. What if it was his turn to create a surprise this year?

/ATS

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