Euro 2016 Schedule: Live Stream, TV Coverage and Odds for Semi-Final Fixtures
The serious stuff is about to begin at the 2016 UEFA European Championship, as just four teams remain in the hunt for glory.
On Wednesday, the competition’s big surprise package, Wales, will face a Portugal outfit that has shown plenty of resolve so far. The standout clash comes on Thursday, though, as host nation France are set to take on world champions Germany. For the winners, a spot in Sunday’s final awaits.
The drama of semi-finals is unmatched, and at a tournament that’s seen plenty of surprises so far, expect more from what will be two fascinating games. Here is a look at how the bookmakers are seeing things and all the key viewing details for the last-four ties.
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| Wednesday, July 6 | Portugal (16-13) | Draw (21-10) | Wales (16-5) |
| Thursday, July 7 | Germany (2-1) | Draw (39-19) | France (24-13) |
Odds according to Oddschecker and accurate as of 11:30 a.m. (BST) on July 4.
Matches can be streamed via BBC iPlayer (UK), ITV Hub (UK) and Watch ESPN (U.S.).
Portugal vs. Wales
Wales’ stirring win over Belgium in their quarter-final on Friday was one of the standout performances from any side so far in France. Portugal will not be able to take them lightly when these two meet in the first semi.
Manager Chris Coleman has harnessed a superb spirit within the Wales camp. Led brilliantly by captain Ashley Williams and talisman Gareth Bale, they’re a group that is cohesive, determined and underrated in possession. Wales are a difficult team to get the better of and clearly have the confidence to continue this tremendous run.
One major blow for Wales will be the absence of midfield man Aaron Ramsey, who is suspended for the game. Squawka Football summed up just how impressive he has been at Euro 2016:
Portugal will seek to seize on any hesitancy his absence might create. The centre of midfield is an area the Selecao have been impressive in, with William Carvalho, Joao Mario and Renato Sanches doing a stellar job at the competition so far.
The two key men for Fernando Santos’ side will be Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo. The former has been a tower of strength at the base of the side, leading by example and doing so, in the main, without the accompanying histrionics.
But most eyes will be on Ronaldo. While Bale has lifted the levels of the Wales players, his Real Madrid team-mate has struggled to have a similar effect on Portugal, squandering many of the chances that have been created for him.
Still, expect Ronaldo to stand up on the big stage and for a Ramsey-less Wales to have their dreams of glory dashed.
Germany vs. France
It’s the semi-final so many anticipated when the knockout stages were set and a match that’s extremely difficult to call.
Germany came through their clash with Italy on Saturday, getting over the line via a penalty shootout. France were a lot more emphatic, brushing aside Iceland 5-2 in front of a bouncing home crowd on Sunday; Didier Deschamps’ men seem to be getting better and better as the tournament rumbles on.
In Antoine Griezmann, the hosts have the tournament’s top scorer to call upon. But as the competition’s official Twitter feed noted, there is some serious firepower in the France squad:
Germany are savvy opposition, though. They were stifled by the Azzurri in the previous clash, as any side would be against such a formidable defensive setup. But Joachim Low’s men have cultivated a winning mentality on the back of their FIFA World Cup triumph in 2014 and somehow found a way through again.
What may yet count against the world champions are the injuries and suspensions they’ll have to cope with for this semi-final. Outlet 101 Great Goals pondered the possible XI Germany could field given the potential absentees:
These problems, coupled with the manner of their respective quarter-finals, should be enough to see France through this one.
Expect a raucous home crowd to be right behind Les Bleus, who still look fresh and sharp in their football. Germany are bristling with winners and will most likely dominate possession on the night. However, the Italy game was a punishing one—physically and mentally—and that’ll give the hosts the slender edge needed to make it into Sunday’s final.
