The draw for the Quarter finals:
Sweden v France
Poland v Germany
England v Czech Republic
Holland v Spain
So as it has worked out each of our 6 teams left, are to meet each other in the quarter finals to fight it out to be the best team in Europe and interestingly Poland and Germany are drawn together in a tie that will allow the commentators room to add in comparisons from the war, with many raised eyebrows, England look to have an easy draw against the Czech’s.
So the first game to kick off is two of the favourite of the competition Sweden and France, lining up with strong sides, Ben Arfa regains his place but has moved into midfield and Gourffran returns to the line-up, injuries have meant that the three players lost against Turkey are not able to return, but Toulalan makes it to the bench. Sweden make no changes to their side that has seen them through the group.
The first real action of the game came in the shape of an Sweden goal on the 16th minute. Farnerud joining the many great strikes that this competition has produced, striking from 25 yards to put France on the back foot. France tried to come back quickly Gouffran from the kick off running forward to put the ball in Ben Arfa’s path whose shot was saved by Isaksson. Gouffran again with pin point passing put Obertan, but yet again Isaksson was able to get a glove to the ball to keep France out as they began to pile on the pressure. Before half time Benzema bore down on goal and struck his shot wide, ending a frustrating first half with a fantastic shot by Ben Arfa from outside the box, the fingers tips from Andreas were good enough to allow Sweden to stay infront for the second half. The final 45 didn’t really produce anything spectacular Sweden having the best chance to double their lead when Ibrahimovic was free on goal, Frey did brilliantly to keep the ball out. Sad to see France leave the competition they were my favourites to win the competition and they really should have won this game, but on the day Isaksson was the difference.
Sweden 1-0 France
England lined up their side with a very narrow looking side, Rooney playing as a lone striker, Danny Rose playing behind him. England started the brighter against Czech Republic and Danny Rose gave Rooney the first chance of the game but he blazed it over the bar. It was Fenin who scored the first goal of the game, heading a Kalouda cross behind Ben Foster. Minutes later Gerrard should have equalised but Cech came out best in a one-on-one with the goal, not as easy as it seemed as Gerrard had a defender breathing down his neck. But England continued to pile on the pressure until they got a breakthrough, Carrick losing his marker and finding himself with space in the middle of the box as a Richards thrown in came for him, he struck it home for the equaliser.
England began the second half as they finished off the first, piling on the pressure and for the first time in the game were able to put themselves in front. Richards throw-ins causing problems, this time Gerrard was the target free in the box, but selflessly he cut it across to Danny Rose to apply the finish. At 2-1 with the clock ticking down each side was nervous, going into the final 15. So nervous that Jenas was caught with the ball and disposed easily by Polak who put the ball into the path of Fenin for his second of the game. Minutes later Rooney became a hero, picking up a Gerrards pass inside the box and firing it toward Cech to find the back of the net gave England win in a tough game that could have gone either way.
England 3-2 Czech Republic
In our final clash it was Paul Jewell’s Holland taking on Bernd Schuster’s Spain who now had to be favourites for the competition with France being kicked out. Holland would hope that their attacking advantage would see them through, Huntelaar currently at the top of the goal scoring charts. But the first goal came from Torres, who was at the end of a brilliant move from Iniesta and Villa down the middle of the park, the threw ball seen him into the box and to open the scoring. Then Robben should have done better when he found himself up on goal with two defender in front of him. Villa doubled Spain’s lead picking up on Torres’ rebounded shot and putting it behind Stekelenburg who was helpless to stop the shot and before the half was done Sergio Ramos made things safe for Spain, scoring from a corner. Holland continued the game having chance after chance but in true Holland style non of them real cutting edge chances which cost them the game.
Holland 0-3 Spain
Other result Germany 4-2 Poland to kick out the hosts.