A quick preview of Euro 2020 Knockouts: Semifinals

The Euros is nearing its dramatic end. There are only four nations left standing; Italy, Spain, England, and Denmark. This tournament has produced so many goals and great stories. The knockout rounds so far showed that any team that makes it to a one-off match can pull off the unthinkable. Here’s a quick preview of the Euro 2020 Knockouts: Semifinals.

Mandatory Credit: Moritz Muller/Imago/Icon Sportswire

Euro 2020 Knockouts: Semifinals

In the quarterfinals, there were a handful of European giants and underdogs. As the field was cut in half yet again, three giants prevailed and one underdog remains. Italy and Spain were victorious and will play each other for the chance to get to the final. England won handily, and so did the underdog of all underdogs Denmark. It set up a great final four, here’s a look at the nations in the semis.

Italy vs Spain | Tuesday, July 6 @ 3:00 pm EST | ESPN
England vs Denmark | Wednesday, July 7 @ 3:00 pm EST | ESPN

These matches are set to be some of the best in this already amazing tournament. To see how they got through the quarterfinals, check out our in-depth look at each quarterfinal match.

An in-depth look at every Euro 2020 Quarterfinals match

Now it’s time to take a snapshot of each final four teams to see how they could advance to the final to play for the glory of being champions of Europe.

European giants Italy and Spain square off

The Italians have looked like the best team since the opening match of Euro 2020. They were perfect in the group stage play. They scored seven goals and conceded none on their way to claiming the top spot in Group A. In the round of 16 Austria gave them a run for their money; taking them to extra time before Italy found a winner. In the quarterfinals, they faced the number one ranked team in the World, Belgium. A tidy 2-1 win helped them on their way to the semifinals where they’ll meet Spain. Italy has been so so good through all facets of their game. It would be unlikely that they will allow Spain the opportunity to dictate play, but if they do it will make this match a lot closer for the Azzuri.

Spain has been labeled as a sleeping European giant. I think now it’s safe to say that they have awoken at Euro 2020. They come into the semifinals after never losing a match in the group stage, finishing second in Group E on five points from one win and two draws. They took Croatia to extra time to win in the Round of 16 to find a winner and played a spirited contest with Switzerland that took a penalty shootout to secure victory for the Spanish. Now they face what many are saying is the best team in the tournament, Italy. Will Spain’s possession-based style be enough to thwart a dominant Italian side?

This match is must-see TV. Not only will it dictate who moves on to the final, but who could find themselves in a similar possession at next year’s Men’s World Cup.

Catch the action on Tuesday, July 6 @ 3:00 pm EST.

Strong England looks to knock off Underdogs Denmark

England came into Euro 2020 with good odds to win the whole thing. However, their play early on did not back that up. While they were perfect through the group stage, winning Group D, they failed to impress many. They scored only two goals in the group stage, while their defense scrambled to keep them in or ahead in matches. As they moved on to the Round of 16 things opened up a bit more with their 2-0 win over rivals Germany. Then in the quarterfinals, the English hype train fully left the station with their 4-0 shellacking of Ukraine. Can this English side keep this trend going against underdogs Denmark? Is Football really coming home?

Denmark had a horrific start to Euro 2020. They saw their leader Christian Eriksen suffer cardiac arrest on the field in their first group stage match, postponing proceedings. Luckily he is alive and okay, thanks to help from his teammates and medical staff. They lost their first two matches and needed a miracle to make it out of Group B. On the final matchday, they won 4-1 over Russia and made it to the knockouts. They then beat down Wales 4-0 in the Round of 16, and outlasted the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals to make it to the last four. Can they continue this run against their stiffest competition yet, or will the Cinderella run end one game shy of the final?

All neutral fans will be rooting for Denmark in this match. England is a fun team, that has opened things up, which makes some writers of this website happy and thinking that Football is coming home. We’ll have to wait and see if it is or if they will fall just short as they did in 2018.

Check out this must-see match on Wednesday, July 7 @ 3:00 pm EST.

Who has the chance to be champions of Europe?

These matches are set to be some of the best we could have seen in this already captivating tournament. While Euro 2020 had to be postponed a year, it seems as if the suspense in the build-up has paid off through amazingly thrilling matches. The semifinals should be on par if not better than the rest. Here are the matchups once again for the Euro 2020 Knockouts: Semifinals.

Italy vs Spain | Tuesday, July 6 @ 3:00 pm EST | ESPN
England vs Denmark | Wednesday, July 7 @ 3:00 pm EST | ESPN

Don’t miss the action, and also remember to come back to Philly Sports Network for an in-depth recap article on all that goes down in these semifinal matches!