The “Squadra Azzurra” opposed to the “Furia Roja”, the “Three Lions” against the “Danish Dynamite”, such is the program of the semi-finals of Euro 2021, July 6 and 7 at Wembley. Italy and Spain are in search of redemption, while England dreams of a consecration at home. But the Danes have an unwavering faith. Presentation.
Three former winners and one aspirant. The cast of the last square of this Euro 2021 brings together these four teams. There is Spain, the most successful nation – tied with Germany – with three finals won (1964, 2008 and 2012). Italy, European champion in 1968, is also. Denmark, the “surprise” winner in 1992, is also present. And finally, we find England, which has never done better than a semi-final in 1996.
Italy and Spain open the ball on Tuesday, July 6, at Wembley (kick off at 9 p.m. KST, 7 p.m. UT). Then it will be the turn of England and Denmark on Wednesday 7 July, still at Wembley (kick off at 9 p.m. Paris time, 7 p.m. UT).
Revenge Italy
Is this the Euro of redemption for the “Nazionale”? Three years ago, the Italians, quadruple world champions, missed the qualification for the World Cup in Russia. A real trauma for the Transalpines: missing a World Cup, this affront was unprecedented since 1958. Today, with Roberto Mancini at the helm, the “Squadra Azzurra” has regained its splendor.
Unlike the old selections, there are no stars in this team, except perhaps the goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, devilishly effective phenomenon in his cage (987 minutes of invincibility alone between October 2020 and June 2021). But there is a lot of consistency, experience and cohesion. The Chiellini-Bonucci hinge stands guard, Jorginho and Locatelli regulate the game in the middle, Spinazzola (unfortunately forfeit for the rest of the Euro) and Di Lorenzo liven up the colors, and the whole collective makes the difference in attack (four players to two goals, two days to one goal).
With in addition the record series of 32 consecutive games without defeat of the coach Roberto Mancini, Italy is in confidence. When the technician said a few weeks ago that he ” dreamed of a final at Wembley He was not convincing. The elimination in the quarterfinals of Belgium (2-1), a favorite, made his dream much more real and serious.
Spain back in pain
A few years ago, the “Roja” was without rival. In 2008, his talents finally matched and won the Euro. Two years later, Spain ruled the world. And in 2012, the selection of Vicente Del Bosque offered themselves a second consecutive Euro by showing all their power, with a final in the form of humiliation for Italy, scattered 4-0. It was the advent of the Spanish Empire before its fall.
Released in the first round of the 2014 World Cup, the “Seleccion” then fell in the round of 16 of Euro 2016 (against Italy, so like) and in the round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup. This last competition turned into a crisis nerves, between the unexpected ousting of coach Julen Lopetegui and interim Fernando Hierro. Luis Enrique has since been appointed and has brought order to the house.
Spain was still sluggish in this Euro 2021. Complicated beginnings (draws against Sweden and Poland), an offensive festival (5-0 against Slovakia), then two very difficult matches: the Iberians have gone through forceps in the eighth against Croatia (5-3 after extra time) and in the quarter against Switzerland (1-1, 3 shots on goal to 1). The Spanish press is dubious, the supporters too. But despite the hiccups, La Roja is well in the last four.
At home, England has no right to miss
« Football is coming home », Sing the supporters of the England team, as every time the selection shines … which is not common. The first round of the English was half-fig-half-grape, but Gareth Southgate’s men sublime in the knockout stage. Germany, executioner of the “Three Lions” at Euro 1996, bit the dust in the round of 16. Then, in the quarter-finals, for the only English match away from London and Wembley (in Italy and Rome, in this case), Ukraine was methodically trampled (4-0).
The good news is piling up. Jordan Pickford is still invincible (no goal conceded in this Euro), Raheem Sterling is in sparkling form, not to mention the strength of Harry Maguire and the address of Luke Shaw, author of three assists. But what about Captain Harry Kane’s comeback? Mute in the first round, the Tottenham striker was the target of criticism. His goal against the Nationalmannschaft and his double against Ukraine set the record straight.
With the support of their supporters and the advantage of playing at home, England are aiming for the final victory, they who have been chasing a title since that World Cup won in 1966. Half a century later, the gang at Southgate finally wants to pass the semifinals in a European Championship, and then go for the coronation.
The faith of Denmark
For Denmark, this Euro 2021 started as a nightmare, with Christian Eriksen’s heart failure and two defeats against Finland and Belgium. And then, the Red and Whites ignited to snatch a ticket for the knockout stages. Since then, the selection, encouraged from a distance by convalescent Eriksen, has been irresistible. Wales, semi-finalist in 2016? Swept 4-0 in the round of 16. The Czech Republic, falling for the Netherlands? Tamed 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
Between self-sacrifice, defensive strength and offensive power, Denmark thwarted the forecasts and climbed into the last four. And as a bonus, there is this status of public darling. The spirit of Eriksen accompanies these Danes driven by a tenfold desire to succeed. ” Christian Eriksen is still part of the team. (…) I send him my congratulations, he is a big part of this result “Said coach Kasper Hjulmand after qualifying for the semi-finals.
Against England, the “Danish Dynamite” will once again take on the costume of outsider. The English would do well to be wary of it. Mid-October 2020, in the Nations League, Denmark had beaten the “Three Lions” at Wembley thanks to a single goal signed … Eriksen. The attacking midfielder will not be physically present on Wednesday. But he will still be with the Danish group, ready for battle.
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