EURO 2024
The hosts and the holders are both in action today, Saturday 29 June 2024, as the Euro 2024 knockout stages begin in Germany.
Attempting to become only the second team ever to retain the European title, Italy kick off the last 16 with a clash against Switzerland in Berlin. Later in the day, the Germans go up against Denmark in Dortmund, as Julian Nagelsmann’s team continue their bid to be the first sole host nation to win the Euros since France in 1984.
Having very nearly topped their section ahead of Germany, Group A runners-up Switzerland have now reached the knockout stages at six consecutive major tournaments. In the final round of group-stage games, Dan Assane Ndoye’s first-half goal for the Swiss looked like being enough to beat the Germans and knock them into second, only for Niclas Füllkrug to level for Die Mannschaft in stoppage time.
Italy, on the other hand, benefited from a last-gasp strike in their final Group B game. Trailing 1-0 to Croatia with 98 minutes on the clock, Mattia Zaccagni’s dramatic leveller rescued the point the Azzurri needed to snatch second place and qualify automatically for the last 16.
Italy and Switzerland have met four times at major tournaments, but never in the knockout stages. They’ve won two each so far; most recently, Italy defeated the Swiss 3-0 at Euro 2020.
Round of 16 fixtures ✅
Eight ties across four nights 🍿@bookingcom | #EUROfixtures pic.twitter.com/H3KujpXc9S
After snatching Group A top spot at the death, Germany now face the Group C runners-up, as the three-time European champions look to end a near-decade-long wait for a win in the knockout stages of a major tournament. Since beating Slovakia 3-0 in the last 16 of Euro 2016, the Germans have exited two World Cups in the group stage and were eliminated by England in the opening knockout round at Euro 2020.
Denmark, who were semi-finalists at the covid-delayed tournament three years ago, have reached the knockouts at back-to-back European Championships for the first time in their history. This is despite the fact that Kasper Hjulmand’s side failed to win a game in Group C: three draws were enough to earn them second spot.
Like Switzerland and Italy, Germany and Denmark have won two games each in four previous major-tournament clashes. Their only previous knockout-stage meeting was the final of Euro ‘92, when the Danes clinched their first and only continental crown with a surprise 2-0 win.
Switzerland vs Italy: Fox Sports 1, TUDN USA, Univisión
Germany vs Denmark: Fox Network, ViX
You can also stream every Euro 2024 game on fuboTV, which offers new users a free introductory trial.
Enjoy the action on fubo.
The bookmakers are backing Italy are to beat Switzerland, though by no means overwhelmingly so. According to betting information collected by Oddschecker, a win for the Italians is priced at +155, while a Swiss victory is valued at +220. The soccer stats specialists Opta also slightly favour the Italians, giving Luciano Spalletti’s side a 53.54% chance of winning today, with Switzerland’s prospects of progression to the quarter-finals estimated at 46.46%.
In today’s second last-16 match-up, Germany are the bookies’ clear favourites to reach the next round. They’re rated at -160 to knock Denmark out, with the Scandinavians’ odds of eliminating the Germans back at +450. Opta are also confident Germany will come out on top, giving the hosts a 68.84% chance of victory. Denmark are less than half as likely to win in Dortmund, Opta say, with only a 31.16% chance of success.
The winners of Switzerland vs Italy will face England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals, in Düsseldorf on Saturday 6 July. Germany or Denmark, meanwhile, will advance to a last-eight match-up with either Spain or Georgia, in Stuttgart on Friday 5 July.
About the author
William Allen
British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak.
EURO 2024
EUROS 2024
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