Euro 2024: Round of 16 - How did the draw turn out?
by Joseph King | by Joseph King
With the group stages of the 2024 European Championship now in the books, it’s safe to say there were quite a few surprises! From teams that weren’t expected to progress very far punching well above their weight, to some higher-reputation teams that did not show the level expected of them.
So far we've seen a rather evenly-matched Euros, with the goal count gradually decreasing after a frantic opening few matches (average 2.25 goals per match). Be sure to check out our Euro 2024 predictions page where you can find the best information to prepare your sports bets for the coming matches. Here are the pairings for the round of 16.
Switzerland vs Italy: a rematch for the Azzurri
A duel between nations that know each other very well. In fact, on the side of the Italians, they will not have forgotten that it was this rival that denied them the possibility of playing in the World Cup 2022 after finishing above them in the qualifying table. The Azzurri would then go on to the playoff, where they lost despite being heavy favorites to North Macedonia.
On the one hand, the Red Crosses solidified a good first round, with five points out of a possible nine after beating Hungary and drawing against Scotland and Germany. In fact, the Swiss were just minutes away from beating the favoured host nation and sealing the top spot, but a late goal by Niclas Füllkrug changed the course of history.
Luciano Spaletti's side got off to a turbulent start. An opening win against Albania positioned them well for the second matchday, a scenario in which their performance was questioned in the defeat against Spain, where they hardly had a shot on goal. They finally made it through to the round of 16 with a wonderful curling effort by Mattia Zaccagni deep into stoppage time against Croatia, securing the 1-1 draw.
Important information
- Broadcaster: BBC One
- Time (BST): 17:00, 29 June 2024
- Venue: Olympiastadion (Berlin, Germany)
- Live match: Switzerland vs Italy live
Germany vs Denmark: first big test for the home team
The Germans will face an experienced Danish side with plenty of players from Europe's top teams. However, the hosts will be confident as they were one of the best performing teams in the group stage. They won their first two matches by a combined score of 7-1 against Scotland and Hungary before salvaging a late draw against Switzerland to hold on to first-place in the group. Now, they will want to lift the trophy again after 28 years and in the official farewell of Toni Kroos.
Denmark, on the other hand, failed to convince during this period of the tournament. While they held England to a 1-1 stalemate, they were unable to beat Serbia and Slovenia. Three draws, two goals scored and two conceded is their record so far. With those numbers, they could have been eliminated had they been in another group.
Important information
- Broadcaster: ITV1
- Time (BST): 20:00, 29 June 2024
- Venue: Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund, Germany)
- Live match: Germany vs Denmark live
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England vs Slovakia: a favourable draw for the Brits
The current oddsmakers' favourites to lift the cup will start the decisive phase against a solid Slovakian side. The Three Lions certainly left doubts about their performance in the group stage as they haven't lived up to their pre-tournament expectations. However, they didn't face too much resistance securing top spot in the group with one win and two draws. Gareth Southgate and his side have also benefited from being on the easier side of the draw. They will not meet Germany, France, Portugal, Spain or Belgium until a possible matchup in the Final.
The country located in Central Europe caused one of the biggest surprises so far at the start of the tournament by beating Belgium. Then, a defeat against Ukraine and a crucial draw against Romania on the final matchday saw Slovakia advance to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.
Important information
- Broacaster: ITV1
- Time (BST): 17:00, 30 June 2024
- Venue: Veltins Arena (Gelsenkirchen, Germany)
- Live match: England vs Slovakia live
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Spain vs Georgia: a playoff clash
La Furia Roja continue their run facing off against an opponent they already overcame in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. They are one of the favorites to win the tournament after an excellent group stage. Luis de la Fuente’s side was the only nation to win all three of their matches, with the added bonus of being the only team yet to concede a goal. Spain have certainly stood out as arguably the most impressive team so far.
On the other side will be a team that never ceases to make history. In their first-ever participation in a European Championship, the team led by Kvicha Kvaratskhelia caused a shock upset of Portugal on the final matchday to come in as the second best third-place side. They also have in their ranks Georges Mikautadze, the tournament's top scorer with three goals.
Important information
- Broacaster: ITV1
- Time (BST): 20:00, 30 June 2024
- Venue: RheinEnergieStadion (Cologne, Germany)
- Live match: Spain vs Georgia live
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France vs Belgium: the must-see match of the round
One of the most eagerly awaited clashes in the round of 16. Two teams that were criticized in the first stage after failing to live up to expectations. In fact, both finished in second place.
On the one hand, France barely managed to win 1-0 against Austria on the first matchday thanks to an own goal by their opponents. Then, a goalless draw against the tough Netherlands and a disappointing draw against Poland robbed them of the top spot in the group.
Belgium, in turn, got off on the wrong foot after their stunning defeat against Slovakia. They were able to recover against Romania by taking all three points and punched their ticket to the round of 16 with a goalless draw against Ukraine. However, a win would have meant finishing in first place and receiving the much more favourable side of the draw.
Important information
- Broacaster: ITV1
- Time (BST): 17:00, 1 July 2024
- Venue: Esprit Arena (Düsseldorf, Germany)
- Live match: France vs Belgium live
Portugal vs Slovenia
The Lusitanians will be looking to take advantage of their supremely talented generation of players and leadership from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo to continue making history. The victories against the Czech Republic and Turkey allowed Roberto Martinez's team to rotate the starters in the last matchday, as first place was assured.
On the other side will be Slovenia, the team that squeezed into the fourth and final place among the best third teams. So far they have been solid and have not lost a single match. With three draws in three matches, they will be an opponent not to be underestimated.
Important information
- Broacaster: BBC One
- Time (BST): 20:00, 1 July 2024
- Venue: Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt, Germany)
- Live match: Portugal vs Slovenia
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Romania vs The Netherlands
It’s a historic opportunity for the Tricolorii, who advanced from the group stage at the Euros for just the second time in their history. They will be looking to match their best ever finish, where in the 2000 edition they reached the quarterfinals. On this occasion, they shocked everyone by finishing first in a group shared with Ukraine, Belgium and Slovakia.
On the other side will be the Dutch, who were drawn in a difficult group with Austria and France. With four points, the team led by Ronald Koeman finished as the best of the third-placed teams. A favourable draw has the Oranje dreaming of repeating their 1988 run which saw them crowned European champions.
Important information
- Broacaster: BBC One
- Time (BST): 17:00, 2 July 2024
- Venue: Allianz Arena (Munich, Germay)
- Live match: Romania vs The Netherlands live
Austria vs Turkey
The final match of this round will be between the Austrians and the Turks, who have not met officially since 2011.
Das Team recovered from the setback of losing to France, with victories over Poland and the Netherlands seeing them top the group and with the chance to play on the much more open side of the draw.
The Ottomans, in turn, picked up six out of nine points after beating Georgia and the Czech Republic and are dreaming of going far in this European Championship. Their best participation was in the 2008 edition, where they were defeated in the semifinals by Germany. These have been two of the more entertaining teams of the Euros so far and look likely to produce a back-and-forth match.
Important information
- Broacaster: ITV1
- Time (BST): 20:00, 2 July 2024
- Venue: Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)
- Live match: Austria vs Turkey live
