Euro 2016 Bracket: Title Odds, Schedule After Friday's Quarterfinals Result
The first semi-final at the 2016 UEFA European Championship is set, as Wales booked their spot in the last four against Portugal with a brilliant 3-1 win over Belgium on Friday night in Lille.
After falling behind early on a stunning Radja Nainggolan strike, they fought back through Ashley Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes. Portugal were made to work hard for their semi-final berth on Thursday, coming out on top in a penalty shootout against Poland after 120 attritional minutes.
There are two more fascinating matches to savour over the weekend, as Germany face Italy and host nation France take on an Iceland side that’s endeared itself to the football world. Here are the odds to lift the title following Wales’ win, the schedule for the remaining matches and a closer look at how the teams involved have fared.
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| Quarter-Finals | ||
| Germany vs. Italy | Saturday, July 2 | 8 p.m. |
| France vs. Iceland | Sunday, July 3 | 8 p.m. |
| Semi-Finals | ||
| Portugal vs. Wales | Wednesday, July 6 | 8 p.m. |
| TBC | Thursday, July 7 | 8 p.m. |
| Final | ||
| TBC | Sunday, July 7 | 8 p.m. |
| France | 5-2 |
| Germany | 11-4 |
| Portugal | 3-1 |
| Italy | 11-2 |
| Wales | 9-1 |
| Iceland | 40-1 |
Odds courtesy of Oddschecker and accurate as of 10:30 p.m. (BST), July 1
Glory Edges Closer for Wales
Wales may still be outsiders for this title, but the manner of their performance against Belgium will have made all the remaining teams sit up and take notice.
Chris Coleman's men showed immense spirit to fight back into the game. There were times when they rode their luck against an illustrious Red Devils team, but they were organised, tenacious and, when chances did fall their way, clinical.
There is quality within the ranks aside from talisman Gareth Bale too. Kanu's goal, following a superb slick turn in the box, was one of the best pieces of play seen in the tournament so far. Match of the Day broke down the brilliant spin and strike:
They’ll face a Portugal side that continue to grind out results. Fernando Santos’ team have yet to win a game inside of 90 minutes, emerging victorious in a shootout against Poland in their quarter.
At the moment, they’re struggling for an attacking balance. Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t been at his sharpest this tournament, missing a lot of chances, while the lack of a natural centre-forward means there’s no focal point in the final third. However, there’s been a cohesion about them in the knockout stages.
Real Madrid man Pepe, so often maligned due to his histrionics, has been central to that. WhoScored.com summed up just how vital he has been in France:
Both of these teams will feel as though there’s a tremendous chance to make it into the final. Wales have grown into this tournament and have massive momentum at their backs. Portugal still have a lot of room for improvement and that’ll be encouraging to their supporters as they look ahead to the semis.
Intriguing Quarter-Finals to Come
The marquee quarter-final will see world champions Germany take on an Italy team that’s impressed plenty at this tournament.
Despite their four FIFA World Cup wins and three European titles, Germany have never got the better of Italy in a major competition. They’re the favourites going into this one, especially after turning over Slovakia in spectacular fashion in the previous round; the balanced and professional nature of their performance was encouraging.
As noted by Bleacher Report UK, Germany manager Joachim Low is not too fussed by the team’s record against the Azzurri:
Italy have so far been galvanised by the leadership of their manager Antonio Conte, and their dominant showing against reigning champions Spain will not have gone unnoticed by the world champions. They’ll be without midfield lynchpin Daniele de Rossi, though, which is a significant blow.
Sunday’s last eight game will see host nation France try to tame underdogs Iceland, who have done brilliantly to make it this far.
The hosts will pose a much greater threat than England did, after the Three Lions were beaten by Iceland in shock circumstances in the last 16.
While France haven’t started any of their games particularly well, the amount of game changes in the squad has helped drag then this far; Antoine Griezmann was the man who stepped up against the Republic of Ireland in the first knockout match. As noted by FourFourTwo’s Jonathan Fadugba, it’s been quite a rise for the Atletico Madrid man:
Iceland will be aggressive, organised and a huge threat from set pieces. Their performance against England will prevent anyone in this France setup from underestimating them. However, the quality the home side have at their disposal will surely overwhelm the Nordic outfit in the end.
