Kashmir Digits

With four teams in quarter finals, four more battle it out for two spots in the last eight of Euro 2020.

Here is what to look forward to tonight.

Croatia v Spain

TIMING:

The game kicks off at 9:30 pm IST, Monday, June 28.

HOW TO WATCH:

The game will be telecasted live on Sony Network channels, Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 3 and streamed on Jio Tv.

Croatia

Croatia showed glimpses of the fighting spirit and quality that got them to the World Cup final in Russia two years ago, after losing the opening game at Euro 2020. They followed it up with a battling draw against Czech Republic and then beat Scotland to ensure qualification. In the knockout games they may have just the quality to see them through with the likes of Modric and Kovacic holding the key in the midfield. Croatia can easily repeat their heroics from three years ago, if they hit the form they are capable of.

Players to watch:

Luka Modric, Matteo Kovacic and Ante Rebic.

Recent Euro Form:

L, D, W.

Spain

Spain a slow start to the Euros, one you wouldn’t traditionally associate with the former European Champions. After two disappointing draws against Sweden and Poland, they thrashed Slovakia 5-nil to reach last 16. They will now be hoping to go further as they certainly have the personnel at their disposal. Whether that translates into success in this tournament remains to be seen. Croatia will offer a stiff challenge and for Spain to harbour any hopes success at Euors, this could be a defining game.

Players to watch:

Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata and Eric Garcia.

Recent Euro Form:

D, D, W.

Both Croatia and Spain know they have done just enough in their last group games to go through, but just enough won’t cut it as the tournament reaches its latter stages. Spain have history on their side but Croatia are a proud footballing nation and they won’t be giving away anything. The way Spain have started the tournament traditionally means they will get stronger as the tournament progresses. Although Croatia will have a say about that.

France v Switzerland

TIMING:

The game kicks off at 12:30 am IST, Tuesday, June 29.

HOW TO WATCH:

The game will be telecasted live on Sony Network channels, Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 3 and streamed on Jio Tv.

France

World Champions France will be strong favourites heading into their last 16 tie against Switzerland. Though they the ‘Group of Death’, their last two matches were draws, something they would want to avoid this time. France will be hoping Greizmann and Mbappe can start firing as Euro begins its climax. The expectation is high among the French fans as they hope this side can complete the double of World Cup and Euros, which their predecessors did by winning the 1998 World Cup and then the 2000 Euros. The belief, the quality and motivation means its hard to look beyond France in this tie.

Players to watch:

Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante

Recent Euro Form:

W, D, D.

Switzerland

Switzerland as always have sneaked through everyone’s radar and reached last 16. An emphatic 3-1 win over Turkey did the job for them. But make no mistake, this Swiss side is quite capable of playing football the right way. If they go toe-to-toe with France it could hurt them, but they are capable of dishing it out on their own as well. The likes of Breel Embolo and Xherdan Shaqiri are a goal scoring threat from both in and outside the box. But it is their defence that would need to hold strong, as they have already conceded three in a game against Italy. Given France’s attack there is little room for error.

Players to watch:

Breel Embolo, Xherdan Shaqiri and Steven Zuber.

Recent Euro Form:

D, L, W.

It will be a massive upset if France are beaten by Switzerland in the last 16 tie. Having said that, Euros is a tournament known for such drama. The quality the World Champions possess is irresistible and it will take a monumental effort for any side to overcome them, let alone a side with only one win in last three games. France already sense they can make more history with the players they have got. For Switzerland they will have to make history in more than one ways having never reached the quarter finals of Euros and their last win against France coming in 1992.