My EURO 2012 quarterfinal predictions

Will this finally be Ronaldo and Portugal’s time? (Ronaldo7.net)

It’s time for my EURO 2012 quarterfinal predictions. After looking at my pre-tournament predictions, I don’t know what to think after the group stage. Going 3 for 8 picking teams to advance to the quarterfinals is simply awful.

Time to make amends!

Portugal v. Czech Republic

This is a matchup between a Group of Death survivor against a Group of Life survivor. I think death has the advantage here.

Portugal was the second best team in their immensely difficult group while the Czechs won their much weaker group. Portugal is getting stronger as the tournament is progressing while the Czechs have been labeled as one of the weaker teams in the tournament and their captain is injured. However, the Czechs have also made significant progress in this tournament after their 4-1 loss in their opener.

The team which the Czechs faced in this tournament which is most like the Portuguese is Russia. The Czechs were thoroughly destroyed by Russia, this could be an ominous sign for the Czechs.

Ronaldo finally scored which could be a start of good things to come for Portugal. Portugal will dominate the proceedings in this match.

If Portugal puts away their chances they will advance. I believe that they will and will advance to their third semifinal in their last four EURO appearances.

Portugal 2 Czech Republic 0

Match Odds

Portugal 4/5, Czech Republic 4/1, Draw 5/2

Germany vs. Greece

This is a matchup between the weakest team left in the tournament, Greece, against a pre-tournament favorite, Germany.

The Group of Life survivor, Greece, is fortunate to be in the knockout stage. However, they escaped with a victory against Russia so all power to them.

The winner of the Group of Death, Germany, won all of their group stage matches but haven’t reached their top stride yet.

The Germans are by far the better side here and will dominate proceedings throughout this match. I see the Greeks having 10 people behind the ball for long periods of time in this match.

This match will come down to whether the Germans will be able to put away their chances. The Germans will of course put away enough of their chances, they are German which synonymous in football with ruthless and efficient.

Germany 3 Greece 1

Match Odds

Germany 4/11, Greece 9/1, Draw 15/4

Spain vs. France

This is the first heavyweight fight of the knockout stage with the defending EURO and World Cup champions facing off against the last side to knock them out of a major international tournament (2006 World Cup).

France looked to be the favorite in Group D until they collapsed in the second half against Sweden in their final match. Spain definitely hasn’t played their best up to this point in the tournament, but still finished at the top of a pretty difficult group which included Italy and Croatia.

If France isn’t at their best, Spain will win simple as that. France’s back four looked shaky in their first true test against Sweden plus Philippe Mexes will be missing out due to picking up his second yellow card against Sweden.

Spain in this match, as always, will dominate possession. If Spain is able to finish their chances, they will go through. However, they are missing their best finisher in David Villa and Fernando Torres is not in the best form at the moment, so it isn’t a given that Spain will go through

Karim Benzema needs to play like a number 9 in this match and stay up front. If he continuously drops into the midfield, something he does regularly, France will struggle to keep possession against the Spain.

France will perform better against Spain than they did against Sweden, but it won’t be enough. Spain as they’ve done the past two major tournaments will do enough to reach their third consecutive major semifinal.

Spain 1 France 0

Match Odds

Spain 17/20, France 15/4, Draw 12/5

England vs. Italy

This is the most intriguing of all the quarterfinals for me. The English performed admirably without Wayne Rooney in their first two matches, but then were disappointing in their 1-0 win against Ukraine. The Italians performed very well in their opening two matches against Spain and Croatia and finished with a very Italian performance in their final match to progress to the knockout stages.

Both teams are quite capable of scoring a goal and sitting on a 1-0 lead. This is why the first goal, if there is one, is key in this match. Whoever scores first in this match will advance.

I really don’t know which way to go here, I see these sides as being evenly matched. Since I  have to pick though, I think Italy deserve the nod due to their past successes.

Italy 2 England 1 (a.e.t)

Match Odds

Italy 17/10, England 15/8, Draw 21/10

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