Euro 2020 - Semi-Finals

3 more matches to go and then we can go back to sleep properly again. Lets' take a look at the quarter-finals and we will see how each victor performed to get into the semi-finals. The teams that appeared first as in like the home team are all out of the competition. So for the semi-finals, it will be the reverse that is the teams that appear first will be in the final. On the other hand, it could well be a Spain v Denmark final. Anything goes but first let us forget just the results but more importantly to examine and dissect the remaining teams. Every team has their strengths and weaknesses. 

It is now anyone's game and any team's tournament to win. Win two more games and you are in the history books of champions forever. Surely with four teams left, all of them came through on more than merit. The semi-lists' quarter-final performances: 

Switzerland v Spain - Firstly you have to give credit to the Swiss for making life so difficult for Spain. As expected the Spaniards had 72% of possession, 28 shots with 24 chances created but did not score a goal and needed a Zakaria own goal in the 8th minute for them to hang on to and when Shaqiri equalized in the 68th minute, it became a long night. The Swiss - so good with their penalty against France was anything but so you could say Spain got a wee bit lucky there. This did not mean Spain were no good as they are still very good but their huge possession which amounted to nothing is a cause for concern. All the huff and puff but could not blow the house down. 

Belgium v Italy - That was a thrilling match. End to end stuffs. Ciro Immobile's play-acting was disgraceful but other than that they were all good and good everywhere and they have been a joy to watch. They took the risk and the game to Belgium and won with two fine goals. The Italians had 54% of the ball, 14 shots and created 16 chances! All this against the number one FIFA ranked team. Nicolo Barella was the Player-of-the-Match. Insigne was again very good, so too Veratti and Jorginho. The backline of Spinazolla, Di Lorenzo, old men Chiellini and Bonucci stood firm like a fort against the Belgian onslaught and even goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma made a couple of crucial saves to keep them in the game. The ultra defensive Italy who are master of the dark arts that we have grown accustomed to are no longer the same. Their overall tenacity ensured that Belgium's Golden Generation will now only be the Olden Generation.

Czech Republic v Denmark - The Czech Republic was somewhat slack to have conceded such an early goal by the 5th minute and again just before half-time. After they got a goal back from Patrick Schick, the Danes defended stoutly as the Czechs had the ball for 55% possession, had 16 shots against Denmark's 11, created 14 chances to the Danes' 13 and Denmark held out to win. Schmeichel made 4 saves, their back three and in particular their midfielders were the key especially in Jaokim Maehle and Thomas Delaney. 

Ukraine v England - When the game ended, Ukraine's manager Andriy Shevchenko who was once a top striker himself went to King-of-the-Match Harry Kane and embraced him. One great striker who recognized the talent of another great one. Harry Kane got a brace when he should have had a hattrick had his fantastic weaker left foot volley from 20m found the net but instead saved by Bushchan. those who has written him off are busy swallowing their words now. Since I started writing on the EPL many years ago, I have named Harry Kane as "Hurricane". German referee Felix Brych seemed to have called off the match a bit early just after 90 minutes when I thought 2 minutes were to be added as if to put Ukraine out of misery. England had the game wrapped so early that they could change 5 players as early as the 65th minute. In came Calvert-Lewin so Kane could rest, Rashford for Sterling, Trippier for Shaw, Bellingham for Philips and Henderson for Rice and Henderson even got a goal. His first in more than 60 caps. Luke Shaw chose the new home ground of Jose Mourinho in Rome to show him his magic and won him over.

Telling you this allows you to see how these players could play different systems, positions, formation be it a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3. It was not about the 4-0 rout but the manner they went about to get it. England were patient, always in control and were at some point cruising. In every match they have played so far, it was the same. They have finally know who to play tournament football. It was a classy master class performance where Ukraine hardly had a chance. 

Semi-Finals:

Italy v Spain - Italy's displays so far have been dazzling. They are so un-Italian. Italian teams do not play with such attacking abundance and they were without fear. They look like they could take on anyone and win with a 32-match unbeaten run now. Roma's left back Spinazolla who has been impressive will miss out through injury. Italy have a strong back line and a very good goalie, 3 fine midfielders and a dangerous attack especially Chiesa and Insigne. 

The Swedes and then the Swiss stopped Spain from scoring. Can Sarabia, Morata and Torres penetrate the Italian defence? With Spinazolla out, it looks like Emerson would replace him. Will he then become their weakest link for Spain to target? Spain's midfield will be a match with the talented 18 year-old Pedri, veteran Busquets and the experienced Koke.

Although, things may be won or lost in midfiled, it is in attack where Italy are more dangerous. They have been scoring winning goals. Spain struggled 3 times in this tournament to get a winner within regulation time. If Sarabia is out then I would put Dani Olmo on the right to face Emerson. Olmo created two goals coming in as a sub and tormented Croatia. It will ultimately depends on whether Spain could finish the chances they create.

In conclusion, I expect goals at both ends. In real terms, Spain could pass the ball to death and hold out for extra-time which may lead to penalty kicks. Having watched how Italy have been playing, I am more concerned for Spain. They should not allow Italy to take the lead. I'll have to pick Italy to win for their place in the final. 2-1.

England v Denmark - Bloody hell, England are playing proper tournament K. O. football. They have become the first team in the history of the Euros to have kept 5 clean sheets in their first 5 matches. Harry Kane became the first to score twice for England at the Euro and also in two consecutive games and even missed his hattrick when his fantastic volley was saved by Ukrainian keeper Bushchan. Denmark are more formidable than Ukraine but England are playing very well and are confident. It will be a tough match for England and they have to play really well to win. 

Jordan Pickford has never let his country down and has been excellent. Kyle Walker is above average but his recovery pace is needed. John Stones has been cool and classy and Harry Maguire a fine leader bringing the ball out from the back and so good in set pieces. Luke Shaw is in a class of his own with his full range of defending, attacking and set piece skills. 

Declan Rice and Kavin Philips meanwhile are the unsung heroes with their work in protecting England's backline. Only the US President, Kim Jung-un and the Pope have better protection. Raheem Sterling has been England's key man with his goals, assist and runs. Even Mason Mount got an assist. Jadon Sancho who finally got to pay was eye-catching. He simply weaved his way past defenders at times a few of them. Manchester United have a very exciting 73 million pound talent on their books. Sancho is the kind of player that will get fans off their seats. He is full of pace and trickery and will terrify opponents. It remains to be seen if he will start. 

After firing blanks is his first 3 games, Harry Kane now has 3 in his last two games against tougher competition. He is only 2 goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrick Schick. He trails only Gary Lineker by just a goal for the all-time goals by an England player in tournaments and he has 9. It is now for Kane to show the world what he is made of. England are playing very well and have 5 clean sheets after 5 games, a new Euro history and record. Jordan Pickford has not have much to do yet his concentration level has been stupendous when called upon to save. Even Peter Schmeichel who son Kaspar is playing for Denmark acknowledged that. He is already a top goalie in this competition. They have a solid defence, a midfield and forward line that transitions very well defending or attacking and they have the goals in them. They have a deep bench with rich attacking talents that can be called upon and they are playing at Wembley. No team at the Euros or World Cup has ever reached six games without conceding a goal and a win here to be their first ever final at the Euros or a major international competition and no better place than at Wembley. It will be interesting to know if Saka or Sancho is preferred on the right but Saka has more defensive qualities. Sterling and Kane will be key for England to win and be the stars of this Euro. In fact Sterling who already has 66 caps and only just 26 cloud even be the Player of the tournament if he leads England to glory.

Denmark's spirit and team work has been extraordinary buoyed by emotions of Eriksen's scare and recovery. They have two players who knew the English game and players very well in Andreas Christensen from Chelsea and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Spurs who trained with Kane everyday. They are a team that is difficult to breakdown and are without more than a care as probably they have not been expected to come this far. They have scored in every match except the Finland game. They have also conceded in every match save for Wales but this will be their toughest match though they have won one and drew one in the Nations League previously. There is something special about Denmark but they do looked tired in the second half against the Czechs. 

Overall, England have the edge albeit a slight one and that is down to the quality of their bench. Denmark will make it a very tough one. Probably a 1-0 or 2-1 win for England but if the English defence were to make a world record then 2-0.