The first Quarter Final stood between the Czech Republic and Portugal. The Czech's started best and kept Ronaldo out of the match in the first ten minutes. Portugal began to get more and more possesion, but a couple of yellow cards were what we saw from the Portuguese in the first half.

After the break, Portugal took over the match. Early in the second half Ronaldo sent a free kick on the post and shortly after Almeida scored but was offside. The Czech's could thank Petr Cech for still being a part of the match, as he made one incredible save after the other. However, with ten minutes left when Ronaldo headed Portugal in front after a beautiful cross. The Czech's never came back in the match, and Portugal can celebrate a spot in the Semi Finals.

Germany was favorites before the match, and they proved why. Right from the first whistle, the Germans took possesion and had their first big chance after two minutes. A minute after, Klose scored, but was found offside. While Germany had most of the chances, Greece could only defend and hope for some counter attacks. However, they were never close on coming in front in the first half. Instead, Germany scored the first goal after thirty-eight minutes: Lahm recieved the ball just outside the box and smashed the ball into the far corner.

The second half started as the first. Germany was in possesion, but after ten minutes, Greece suddenly equalized. Salpingidis sent a cross into the box where Samaras came first and scored to 1-1. This startet a German offensive. First Khedira first timed the ball into the net. Three minutes later Klose headed the Germans further in front, before Marco Reus scored to 4-1. In the last minutes of the match, Greece could save some honour when they were awarded a penalty. Here, Dimitris Salpingidis reduced to 4-2, which was also the final result. 

Donetsk was ready for the match between two of Europes best football nations. France started defensive and kept Spain away from chances in the first quarter of the match. However, after twenty minutes Jordi Alba sent a cross into the box where Xabi Alonso scored a brilliant goal. France did not seem to be able to answer back, and a free kick from Yohan Cabaye was the only real chance.

After the break, France was more attacking than they were in the first half. First Debuchy headed over the goal and later Menez missed a chance. However, the French was not able to equalize. Instead, Xabi Alonso scored his second goal in his match number 100. Pedro was pushed down in the box and awarded a penalty, which Alonso scored on. The final result is, therefore, 2-0 to Spain.

England and Italy delivered quite a drama in the last quarter final. After just four minutes, De Rossi sent a shot towards the English goal. Unfortunately for Italian midfielder he hit the post. England answered right back, and within the first fifteen minutes, they were close on scoring twice. The match kept a high flow with Italy in most possession of the ball. However, the first half ended in a draw.

Italy started the second half with high pressure on the English goal. Even so, they were not able to score the needed goal. Both England and Italy had their share of chances, but after ninety minutes, the score was still 0-0. That meant extra time for the two teams. The two legs of extra time were equal but still with Italy as the dominating team. Once again, Italy hit the post when Diamanti sent a cross into the box but hit the wood work instead of a player. After 115 minutes, Italy finally scored, but unluckily it was cancelled for offside. After the extra time, the match was still without goals.

Barlotelli started the penalty shootout with a goal, followed by a goal from Gerrard. The second shooter for Italy was Montolivio who totally missed the target, while Rooney smashed England in front. Pirlo scored with a tricky shot before Young sent the ball on the crossbar, making the score equal 2-2. Antonio Nocerino was safe from the spot and scored to 3-2 for Italy.  Ashley Cole was the next kicker for England. The defender’s shot was saved by Buffon, and when Diamanti scored on the next kick, England was sent out of the EURO 2012.

It's time to place your bets for the weekend! Great Dane Football Blog here gives you four suggestions to what you can bet on this weekend.

 

The former Norwegian giant Rosenborg has not won a match within the last four rounds of the Tippeligaen. Their opponents for this match, Strømgodset, has won their last three matches. Even so, Rosenborg BK are favorites for this one, and comparing the squads they are the best. However, Strømgodset are on a streak and currently positioned as number two in the league. I believe that the team from Drammen can win this one.

 

Wayne Rooney is back for England and will be hungry for goals, as he was banned for the first two matches. He can turn out to be decisive for England is this match, but Italy is not going to give him an inch of space. We can expect a hard played match between these two teams and a few free kicks. This might also be what we will see most of in this match, which could end in a draw after 90 minutes.

With the EURO entering the final round of the group stages, this week features exciting matches!

Croatia - Spain

EURO 2012 Group C

Arena Gdansk, Gdansk

18-06-2012 at 19.45

Head-to-head (last 2 matches):

Croatia: 0 victories / 1 goal

  Draws: 1

  Spain: 1 victory / 2 goals

Croatia and Spain will with a 2-2 draw qualify for the Quarter finals, while Italy will be out of the EURO 2012. This scenario has Italy seen before, when Denmark and Sweden played a draw in EURO 2004 and sent the Italians out. Spain has lived up to the expectations, while Croatia has surprised and is currently positioned as runner up for the win. This match is not going to be a draw, as both teams will deliver goals. Croatia has a Mario Mandžukić up front, who so far has scored three goals and is the top scorer in the group. However, Spain has a whole team of goal scorers. We can expect some high class football in this match. I will especially keep an eye on Mandžukić, as he can be the decisive player in this match!

England - Ukraine

EURO 2012 Graoup D

Donbass Arena, Donetsk

19-06-2012 at 19.45

Head-to-head (last 4 matches):

 England: 3 victories / 7 goals

   Draws: 0

Ukraine: 1 victory / 2 goals

Ukraine can with a victory against England end as number two in Group D and qualify for the Quarter finals. However, England is a hard opponent, but they have not played their best EURO. This match can turn out to be exciting, with a Ukraine who will have to attack throughout the match. Wayne Rooney will be back for England, and it will in interesting to see if he will have an impact on the team. Keep an eye on the veteran Andriy Shevchenko. The striker is probably playing his last EURO and will try and take Ukraine as far as possible.

Czech Republic - Portugal

EURO 2012 Quarter finals

National Stadium, Warsaw

21-06-2012 at 19.45

Head-to-head (last meeting):

Germany - Greece

EURO 2012 Quarter finals

Arena Gdansk, Gdansk

22-06-2012 at 19.45

Head-to-head (last 2 matches):