European Championships - Quarter Final - Part 1

The Quarter Final line-ups are set. Four intriguing fixtures, each for a different await us over the next four days. In this post, I preview the first two quarter final matches. As such, this will be a short post.

Match Previews

Poland vs Portugal

Two teams who haven’t played their best football en-route to this stage. Portugal are heavily dependent on their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to get them past tough situations. Kudos to the man for stepping up when it mattered, with 2 goals against Hungary and then with the attempt the rebound from which was turned in by Quaresma against Croatia. However, the rest of the team hasn’t stepped up to be counted. They’ve been poor, not winning any game in 90 minutes. Poland, too haven’t flourished but they did get 7 points in their group, and are one of four teams to be unbeaten in the tournament so far, along with Germany, France and Iceland(!!). They were second best against Switzerland but held their nerve in the shootout to edge the tie. They need their own talisman, Lewandowski to find his scoring feet in this game. I sense another Portugal narrow victory, but for the sake of justice, I hope Poland get through.

Players to Watch: Jakub Blaszczykowski (Poland), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

My Prediction: Poland 0-1 Portugal

Wales vs Belgium

Two teams who were in the same qualifying group for the Euros. Wales got the better of Belgium on both occasions but this is a very different circumstance. Having said that, the Welsh have been the epitome of teamwork and team spirit throughout this tournament while Belgium have been more about individual brilliance getting them through. The last match against Hungary was a much more assured display by the Belgians. I expect this game to be an end-to-end affair as neither team is one to sit back and defend. Wales will be looking to stop the influence of de Bruyne and Hazard, the two creative influences in the Belgian attack. Keeping both of them quiet would be a hard task. Belgium, for their part would need to put a lid on the supply out wide to Bale, while keeping a close eye on Ramsey’s runs beyond the defense. This match might go the distance as two closely matched teams go head to head, with all possibility of cancelling each other out.

Players to Watch: Gareth Bale (Wales), Kevin de Bruyne (Belgium)

My Prediction: Wales 1-1 Belgium, Wales to qualify for Semi Final

I probably won’t be watching the game later tonight but won’t miss tomorrow night’s game for the world. Hoping for a cracking match! I’ll be back in a couple of days’ time with reviews of these two matches and previews of the other two quarter finals. Till then, enjoy the football..