Christian Montegan 
An England fan watches on at a live site. Photo: Flickr - Roo Pitt (CC BY 2.0)
In the months leading up to the tournament, the ‘group of death’ containing Spain, Italy, Croatia, and Albania had everyone drooling – understandably so with three of the top 10 nations in the world rankings locked in battle.
As anticipation escalates for the commencement of knockout football, a ‘half of death’ has been formed on the top half of the bracket featuring Spain, France, Portugal, Belgium, and hosts Germany.
Meanwhile, the unlikeliest of underdog fairytales is well and truly on the cards on the bottom half of the draw as Italy, the Netherlands, and England are the three standout ‘powerhouses’ if history is anything to go by (not that history has been too kind to the latter).
Italy vs Switzerland
The Italians and the Swiss will enter this contest on contrasting forms with a feasible chance of an upset looming large.
Besides a positive first-half performance against Albania, the reigning European champions look toothless in the final third as Luciano Spalletti is still grappling with his tactics and style of football.
A 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia bailed them out – now learning that a defeat would have meant elimination for the Azzurri. Will it prove to be a much-needed wake-up call?
On the other hand, Switzerland was two minutes away from pure delight with top spot in their grasp against Germany, only to concede late in heartbreaking fashion.
Murat Yakin’s men have been immensely solid at the back and implement a clear structure led by captain Granit Xhaka in midfield accompanied by pieces of gold around him from Yann Sommer and Manuel Akanji at the back to Bree Emboli up front.
Italy’s number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been immense thus far in the group stages, and having a goalkeeper in a rich vein of form can often be the difference in the knockout rounds.
There are a few lingering question marks, as either Gianluca Mancini or Alessandro Buongiorno will replace the suspended Riccardo Calafiori in either a three or four-man backline. If Spalletti opts for a 3-5-2, will star man Federico Chiesa be benched in consecutive games?
These two were paired in the same qualification group for the 2022 World Cup, dishing up two draws where Switzerland finished top of the table.
Expect another tightly contested affair this time around.
Prediction: Italy 2-1 Switzerland after extra-time
Germany vs Denmark
Denmark, responsible for one of the most memorable tournament triumphs at Euro 1992, couldn’t pull off another miracle, could they?
The Scandinavians defeated Germany 2-0 in the European final 32 years ago, and this round-of-16 clash could entail a similar ending.
The Germans have turned their fortunes around over the past 12 months under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann to produce an added zest of attacking football that is pleasing to the eye, spearheaded by the mercurial Jamal Musical and Florian Wirtz.
However, they still have their flaws. The three-time European champions need to be tested defensively against a world-class opponent to paint a full picture, and the debate continues regarding Kai Havertz preferred in the number nine role over Niclas Füllkrug who has two goals in two games off the bench.
Could stubbornness also become an underlying issue? Nagelsmann was reluctant to rotate his starting 11 in the final match against Switzerland despite securing qualification, a decision that could prove costly toward the latter stages as the legs begin to waver.
They will face a Danish outfit who were not overly convincing in their group with England, Slovenia, and Serbia. Nonetheless, they hold the attacking weapons of Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Højlund to pose Germany threats on the counter attack.
Midfielder Morten Hjulmand is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, expected to be replaced by the experienced Thomas Delaney to partner Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Denmark is more than capable of causing an upset, but it is difficult to see Germany’s journey in front of the home faithful coming to a halt so early after finding a new lease of life.
Prediction: Germany 2-0 Denmark
England vs Slovakia
From being projected to play the Netherlands in the round of 16 to a date with Slovakia, it’s fair to say that Gareth Southgate has been blessed with the rub of the green when it comes to favourable draws in the past four major tournaments he has been at the helm.
Group C was far from convincing. In fact, the football England displayed was dire enough to erupt a storm amongst the media and fans – targeting the manager for his lack of ideas and ‘boring’ football.
Standing in their way is Slovakia who not many gave a stern chance of progression in a group featuring Belgium and Ukraine.
Could this contest spring another shock for England at this stage of the competition where they bowed out to Iceland eight years ago? It is not out of the realms of possibility given the Three Lions’ lacklustre performances, but where will the goals from Slovakia come from?
They registered seven shots on target in their three group stage fixtures, drawing to the conclusion that a lack of creativity will hurt them as they drop numbers deep and rely on the defensive heroics of Paris Saint-Germain’s Milan Škriniar.
Harry Kane has not looked 100 percent fit over the past fortnight and Phil Foden looks a complete shadow of himself from his brilliant campaign with Manchester City.
However, with endless attacking talent, you have to assume that the squad can only string more cohesive displays from here on out – or else, it will be the end of Southgate’s tenure.
Prediction: England 2-0 Slovakia
Spain vs Georgia
Competing in their first major tournament with no firm expectations as the lowest-ranked nation, Georgia has cemented itself as the darlings of Euro 2024 to qualify for the knockout stages.
The tournament’s top goal scorer, Georges Mikautadze, has been an integral part with his three goal contributions, along with star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – a lethal weapon that the team must constantly utilise if they are to have any chance against one of the world’s best.
That nation is Spain, three-time winners of this event who have arguably played the best football over the past two weeks, confirming their status as a serious contender.
Expect La Roja to dictate possession with the incredible midfield trio of Rodri, Pedri, and Fabián Ruiz, tasked with distributing the ball in wide areas to get Nico Williams and Yamine Lamal in one-on-one situations.
Because of this, Georgia will be expected to sit deeper and wait for their opportunities to hit on the break. But the minnows have played a frantic style of football where structure has not necessarily been at the forefront, so those risks will need to be deployed at the right moments.
Spain escaped the ‘group of death’ unscathed as the only country to maintain a perfect record with three clean sheets intact – also taking advantage of the luxury to rest key players in their final game against Albania.
Nacho Fernandez and Ayoze Perez are doubtful due to injury, while Willy Sagnol’s Georgia will set up in the usual 3-5-2 formation.
Anything other than a convincing win will come as an almighty surprise.
Prediction: Spain 4-0 Georgia
France vs Belgium
Undoubtedly the match of the round, two heavyweights of European football await to collide in an interesting dynamic whereby both nations are experiencing worrying concerns.
Despite an expected goals (xG) tally of 5.56 throughout the group phase, France is yet to score a goal from open play – helped by an own goal and a penalty to see them over the line.
N’Golo Kante has done what he does best and dominated the midfield through his physical ability, but the lack of touch in the final third ultimately cost them top spot in Group behind Austria – something they must rectify against the Belgians.
Coach Didier Deschamps could be at two minds about whether to keep Kylian Mbappé centrally or shift him out wide, where either Marcus Thuram or 37-year-old Olivier Giroud will be wrestling to start.
Belgium is experiencing the same issue, unable to score against Slovakia and Ukraine as Romelu Lukaku scored three disallowed goals which should not excuse the predictable performances thus far.
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has silenced his critics by claiming the official Man of the Match award in his previous two appearances, but that did not stop the fans from booing the team at full-time after the stalemate with the Ukrainians.
The French are the most complete side on paper, yet it feels as though Belgium are due a big showing as the ‘golden generation’ may still have an ounce of petrol left in the tank.
Prediction: France 0-1 Belgium
Portugal vs Slovenia
Similar to England’s situation against Slovakia, a substantial amount of digging is required to come up with a valid reason as to how Slovenia will attempt to trouble Portugal’s backline.
Highly touted number nine Benjamin Šeško has failed to live up to the hype thus far in this tournament having failed to convince with his hold-up play and ability to enter dangerous areas.
Going a goal behind against Czechia in the opening game was perhaps a blessing in disguise for Portugal who are still yet to get out of second gear, while little should be read into the 2-0 defeat to Georgia considering the changes to the starting 11 due to already having secured qualification before the final group stage match.
Manager Roberto Martinez, who was unable to gel Belgium’s talented crop together at the 2022 World Cup, has recently been criticised for starting a 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in the final group game with nothing to play for.
The Portuguese have enough attacking talent to the point João Félix was benched for the first two games, but it may boil down to Martinez’s tactics and decision-making as they progress deeper.
This should be a straightforward victory for the Euro 2016 champions.
Prediction: Portugal 3-1 Slovenia
Romania vs Netherlands
If Georgia’s run is considered a fairytale, then Romania’s journey isn’t far off.
A sensational 3-0 hammering of Ukraine to kick off their tournament was the most unexpected result of matchday 1, with Romania executing a perfect game plan on the counter attack backed with intensity and a compact structure – enough to finish in first place ahead of Belgium.
Marius Marin remains the key player in the pivot role in front of the backline, as the 4-1-4-1 setup sends a clear message that they can transition from a low block to committing numbers forward – a strategy that could work against a Dutch outfit that have been caught with a high line on more than once.
Coach Ronald Koeman knows how to spring a surprise as is the norm with Dutch tacticians, with the biggest shock being the exclusion of Jeremie Frimpong after a sensational season at Bayer Leverkusen.
Jerdy Schouten and Joey Veerman are still yet to convince in a midfield that has been carried by AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders for the majority, but you would assume that spaces will open up for the likes of Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo to pounce.
This will not be a walk in the park. However, the Oranje should benefit from a favourable draw.
Prediction: Romania 1-2 Netherlands
Austria vs Türkiye
This contest is likely to be portrayed as a fizzler with two nations going toe-to-toe, having amassed very little pedigree throughout their respective histories, but do not be shocked if it rivals France vs Belgium as the match to watch.
Former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has stamped his blueprint on Austria in a heartbeat, instilling a high press intensity up the pitch to suffocate the opposition and draw errors to capitalise, resulting in the hectic 3-2 win against the Netherlands.
Arguably the most impressive team so far at Euro 2024, what makes Austria’s form all the more remarkable is the absence of David Alaba for the tournament, sidelined with a knee injury.
On the other side of the token, Türkiye are a team renowned for being capable of producing a massive upset or capitulating as they did against the Portuguese last week. There is no in between – which is scary but also exciting for the neutrals.
Number 10 and set piece specialist Hakan Çalhanoglu is the focal point of the attack, but the 30-year-old is suspended due to picking up his second booking of the tournament against Czechia. Experienced centre-back Samet Akaydin will also miss the clash for the same reason.
Young prospects Kenan Yıldız and Arda Güler have the required skill and pace to cause Austria’s defence all sorts of havoc, assumed they stick to playing a high line.
This has goals written all over it, and we could be primed for one of the most epic European Championship games of all time.
Prediction: Austria 4-3 Türkiye