Christian Montegan 
An England fan watches on at a live site. Photo: Flickr - Roo Pitt (CC BY 2.0)
In a tournament that started out with 24 teams pursuing a dream, only eight remain to find out who will become the next champions of Europe.
Four massive quarter-final ties across the weekend have all the makings of classics in their own right, and Round Ball Australia is here to preview each of them.
Spain vs Germany
What a way to kick off the quarter-finals with what should probably be the final itself.
Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany has grown into the tournament with confidence on home soil, dealing with the weight of pressure by delivering in the key moments by the likes of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
The three-time European champions are still relatively suspect defensively and could open themselves up against Spain if La Roja continues to dictate possession and find their passing range in wide areas.
A 4-1 hammering of minnows Georgia proved that this Spanish side has detached themselves from the ‘boring’ tag of recent sides – with a tonne of match control but minimal efficiency.
German fullbacks Joshua Kimmich and either David Raum or Maximilian Mittelstädt will have their hands full against the trickery flair and pace of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal – potentially where this match will be won and lost.
Spain do not possess the most convincing backline, but that is not a concern when you have majority of the ball.
Prediction: Spain 1-0 Germany
Portugal vs France
When will everyone come to accept the reality that for all the talent in the world that the French are blessed with, Didier Deschamps is about results as oppose to style?
It has become a common theme under Deschamps throughout his 12-year tenure where it has created heated conversations regarding the fine line between doing what is best to win and pleasing the fans with entertaining football.
Three goals in four games have been scored by Les Bleus at Euro 2024, the only major problem being that not one of them has been scored in open play – helped by two own goals and a Kylian Mbappé penalty.
Though the only man who does not view it as a concern is Deschamps, confident that his tactical decisions will succeed as it has done on countless occasions.
The fiasco surrounding 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo after letting his emotions get the better of him against Slovenia has somewhat covered the cracks over an underwhelming performance from the 2016 champions.
Does Ronaldo start after coming off 120 minutes of intense football?
Coach Roberto Martinez has a handful of viable options such as Rafael Leão, Joao Felix, and Diogo Jota. However, Martinez demonstrated during his time at Belgium at the recent World Cup that he is reluctant to stamp his authority on the big-name stars.
Could that lead to Portugal’s downfall?
This is an extremely tight affair to call, although if France discover their mojo in the final third and begin to finish off the chances they are creating, only one team will come out on top.
Prediction: Portugal 1-2 France (after extra-time)
England vs Switzerland
Can the Three Lions begin to play attractive football to prevent fans from covering their eyes and constantly holding their breath?
Crazier things have happened in the sport, but it could be a stretch.
It took 95 minutes for England to record their first shot on target against Slovakia in the round of 16, helped by a moment of pure brilliance from star talisman Jude Bellingham with a sensational overhead goal out of nothing.
Gareth Southgate must consider himself the luckiest man alive, as the tabloids were ready to target the 53-year-old with pitchforks and knives. Some of his decisions were perplexing, playing Bukayo Saka at left-back and refusing to make any substitutions at half-time.
They will have to improve massively against a Swiss outfit who continue to punch above their weight at major tournaments, slaying the defending champions Italy.
Despite the Italians being far from their best, Switzerland’s well-built structure and organisation has a clear identity – and it is a scary sight when the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Noah Okafor are starting on the bench.
England’s defence has not been the main issue this tournament, but the suspension of Marc Guéhi, who has performed tremendously this past fortnight at centre-back, could hamper their chances.
Prediction: England 1-1 Switzerland (Switzerland win on penalties)
Netherlands vs Türkiye
The most complete performance from the round of 16 ties arguably belonged to the Dutch, finally finding a sense of cohesion and direction under Ronald Koeman.
A romping 3-0 victory over Romania helped by a Donyell Malen brace off the bench will pose a welcomed selection headache to start in the quarter-final.
One of the noticeable exclusions for the majority of the campaign has been fullback Jeremie Frimpong, not deemed reliable enough in Koeman’s 4-2-3-1 system where there has been a clear defensive emphasis.
If Holland were the most convincing nation of the knockouts, then Türkiye was certainly the surprise package as they took down Ralf Rangnick’s Austria without their star man – Hakan Çalhanoglu.
Many wrote off the side after an abysmal display against Portugal in the group stage, yet a heroic showing from defender Merih Demiral has now set them up for the opportunity to equal their best-ever Euro result of the semi-finals they achieved in 2008.
Italian tactician Vincenzo Montella has completely transformed Türkiye after a rough patch pre-tournament, including a heavy 6-1 defeat to Austria in a friendly. Not only do they possess an array of talent, but they also share a warrior-like mentality as if their lives depend on it.
Expect another upset to prevail.
Prediction: Netherlands 1-3 Türkiye