EURO 2024 | Round of 16 Preview

Going into the Round of 16 the following astonishing stats will ensure the 2024 Euro Championships are one for the ages.

1. Georgia’s Georges Mikautdze [was $501] is leading the Golden Boot,

2. France became the first nation in World Cup and European Championship history to progress past the group stage without scoring a goal in open play

3. One group had all four nations finish on exactly the same points only for first and last to be separated by goal difference

4. Rank outsiders Austria and Romania topped their groups

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

We all know a Euro can throw up something, but this is next level.

While all of this has occurred over the past two weeks, its time to look forward as the Round Of 16 starts on Sunday morning (AEST) with more surprises in store no doubt.

A Tale Of Two Sides

The Round Of 16 draw has worked out superbly well for some – and an uphill battle for others.

England have firmed as favourites – but only because of their draw.

The unpredictable results of the group stages have culminated in the Three Lions potentially facing Italy and The Netherlands – the only top ten nations on their side of the draw. Struggling for goals and cohesion, England have done enough so far and may not need to do much more until they face stiffer competition. So punters slicing their price down to $4.50 is based on the friendly road ahead – not what they have produced so far.

The Italians ($17) will hope to spoil England’s party if they meet in the Quarters (penalties again?) with Nicolo Barella having a wonderful tournament in the middle along with inspirational captain Donnarumma – while the Dutch ($13) should make their first semi-final in 20 years on the back of their strength in going forward with Depay and Gakpo.

But Austria? Second in the tournament for – goals; tackles and balls recovered. They have demonstrated so far they are willing to work hard, win the ball and go forward. Let’s not rule them out at $19.

The other side of the draw is the toughest – France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Germany are all on the one side having to navigate a path against some of the world’s best ranked nations.

Spain ($5.50) have been the team of the tournament. First time they have won all three group games since 2008 (which they won). Nico Williams is looking like the Young Player Of The Tournament and that’s now 23/25 games won in all major tournaments excluding penalties. Three clean sheets. They face Georgia next and after opening at $9 to win the tournament – that price now crunched by punters to nearly half of that. You can understand why.

France are up against it now after finishing second. A road that contains Belgium, Portugal and Spain/Germany. Two goals in the tournament (an own goal and a Mbappe penalty) along with three unconvincing performances has seen them ease in the market to $6.50

Germany ($6.50) and Portugal ($7.50) are steady in the market after starting strong in their groups before disappointing results in their last group games. Belgium ($34) like we have said for a decade could do something, but seem unlikely with the same route as France – and Lukaku having more shots on target than any other player (7) with no goals to show for it.

What to expect

We could assume the favourites all win in the Round Of 16 setting up a mouth watering Quarter Finals stage – but this is Euro 2024 – nothing has gone to script.

With extra time and penalty shootouts coming into the equation, history is against England with the worst record of any of the teams left (1/5 in their last shootouts). Spain are not much better (1/4 in their last shootouts).

With England out and the Italians hoping to go back to back (only happened once in 16 European Championships) – could this be the run of The Netherlands or Austria?

On the other side, with Spain and France under pressure, does this open the front door for Germany to be the first team in 40 years to win at home? Or does Portugal sneak in the back door and take that title they wanted back in 2004?

Still think Spain will be thereabouts with some luck. Still think England will not win.

The rest is left to the expected unpredictably of Euro 2024.