June 26 – Two of Europe’s traditional giants meet in what is undoubtedly the tie of the last 16 knock-out round. The winners of the Spain vs Italy clash of the giants will set up another titanic match-up against world champions Germany. In the final tie of the round perennial tournament under-performers England face Iceland, probably the biggest over-performers of the competition from the smallest nation in it.
Spain vs Italy
This is the clash of the Titans neither of them wanted at this stage of the competition. They are familiar foes having met six times previously at the finals of the Euros and it is their fourth encounter since 2008.
Italy’s last competitive win against Spain was a 2-1 victory in the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup. Since then, Spain have lost just one of 11 clashes between the two (including friendlies) and another defeat would see the Azzurri lose consecutive games at the European Championship finals for the first time having been defeated by Ireland in their final group game in France.
Italy could name 10 of the 11 starters who began the win against Belgium in their opening fixture while Spain have named the same starting line-up in all three games so far.
Despite history appearing to favour the Spanish, Cesc Fabregas predicted a tough encounter when the sides meet at the Stade de France at perhaps the most mouth-watering tie of the entire competition, with one them destined to fly home prematurely. “Italy will push us from the very first minute,” Fabregas said. “They demand the maximum from their opponents by the way they play.”
England-Iceland
On paper, this should be the night when Iceland’s fairytale story ends but they remain unbeaten and intend to keep it that way. England, like others before them, will face a blue wall but could get punished if they over-commit. Just ask Austria.
England manager Roy Hodgson is expected to restore captain Wayne Rooney, and the Tottenham quartet of Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Kyle Walker. Iceland have not had luxury of being able to rotate and seven of them are on a yellow card.
In their favour is the fact that England have only won six knockout games at either the World Cup or Euros since 1966 but what a chance this is to reach the quarterfinals and play France.
Failure to do just that will almost certainly end the tenure of manager Hodgson who was heavily criticised after making six changes for the match with Slovakia. He is certainly not taking Iceland lightly and sent five scouts to the game against Austria.
England’s players were delighted when Arnor Ingvi Traustason snatched a stoppage-time winner to clinch victory that night as it meant England would not have to face Portugal in the last 16. But Iceland joint coach Lars Lagerback says his side, all of whom are obsessed by English football, will play with no fear.
“I’ve played England six times and I have never lost,” he said referring to his time as Sweden coach.
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