As the dust settles on a dramatic set of Round of 16 fixtures, this year’s Euro 2024 Championship reaches the business end of proceedings, with the quarter finals stage set to commence on Friday.
Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique – whose respective nations both find themselves in the last eight – evaluate the tournament so far and have their say on this week’s matchups.
Jamie O’Hara’s Euro 2024 review so far
I think best team so far has been Spain, they’ve looked the real deal. They’ve got some world class talent; Lamine Yamal has been brilliant and you don’t want to come up against them. That side of the draw is brutal, all the big boys are all on one side.
England have got lucky with their side of the draw, they’ve been poor. I don’t feel bad for Gareth Southgate at all, he’s getting paid a load of money to manage an England team that he can’t get the best out of. You’ve got Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Phil Foden in there – how can the players feel sorry for him? He’s had 18 months to get it right and he still doesn’t know what he’s doing, I can’t feel sorry for him, I could manage that side!
Jose Enrique’s Euro 2024 review so far
Before the tournament, I didn’t expect Spain to be so good. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are two top players who have surprised a lot of people. They have brought something different to this Spain side, they are so quick and direct. Rodri has also been brilliant, but Williams and Yamal have been the standouts for me so far.
What’s really surprised me is the level of some of the top teams so far in this Euros and how poor they have been. France and England’s level has surprised me for how good their squads are, but I am aware that they can improve massively at any point. That’s knockout football after all – it doesn’t matter how badly you play as long as you win.
Spain v Germany – Friday 17:00
Jamie
This is the standout fixture of the quarter finals for me, and an incredibly tough one to predict. Spain have been the best team in the tournament so far, but this is a step up in opposition for them.
Germany have also looked good, but they’ve been playing the likes of Scotland and Hungary, so are yet to really be challenged by a top side. I think Spain will nick it here.
Prediction: Spain 2-1 Germany (17/2)
Jose
Spain must keep the ball and play as they have. I expect Germany to try and hit them on the break using their wingers and take advantage of the spaces they may leave by being higher up the pitch.
Spain needs to be patient, and use Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. These kids can open spaces like no one else can, and create that space for players to arrive, like Rodri did the other night.
I think the game will be decided on the wings, I would hate to be a full back playing in this game! I am feeling positive about Spain and think they will progress.
Prediction: Spain 3-1 Germany (20/1)
France v Portugal – Friday 20:00
Jamie
This is a massive game – France vs Portugal, Kylian Mbappe vs Cristiano Ronaldo. Neither of them have really turned up yet, Portugal looked poor the other day but came through it, while France have been a bit like England – not looking good but getting the job done.
I’ll edge it to France, they have the better team and I think they have enough about them.
Prediction: France 2-1 Portugal (17/2)
Jose
Portugal are a difficult team to play. Ronaldo is Ronaldo – I know he missed the penalty the other day but he is as hungry as ever to win another trophy for a national team, but France’s squad is world class.
I can’t see past France here. They have the most talented squad in Europe for me, but they have been showing this yet. I know Ronaldo is always a threat, but it is France’s to lose and they know how to win games.
Prediction: France 2-0 Portugal (17/2)
England v Switzerland – Saturday 17:00
Jamie
This is a very tough game to call. Switzerland are a very organised side, I can see both sides cancelling each other out and it’ll come down to a moment of brilliance.
England have looked massively under par so far but at the end of the day they have one of the best squads in the world and should get the job done.
Prediction: England 1-0 Switzerland (5/1)
Jose
Switzerland have been doing so well and better than England in my opinion, but England have been getting the job done. This really depends on how England perform – if they perform the way we know they can with the players that they have, then they will win the game. But if they can’t raise that level, Switzerland will punish them.
It’s a very tough game for England, but I think they will eventually show the level they are capable of and sneak a result.
Prediction: England 1-0 Switzerland (5/1)
Netherlands v Turkey – Saturday 20:00
Jamie
This will be a great game. Turkey have nothing to lose and will be brave, as we’ve seen throughout the tournament so far. That result against Austria was outstanding and would have had other nations taking notice.
Netherlands did very well to top their group with France and they look like they’re clicking into gear with that 3-0 win against Romania. I can see them being too strong and organised for Turkey here.
Prediction: Netherlands 2-1 Turkey (13/2)
Jose
This is Netherlands’ game to lose. They raised their level in the last game against Romania and played more how we expect of them, and a repeat of that should see them winning this.
Turkey are on a run and who knows, they are always capable of pulling something out of the bag. It would be a miracle for them to win the tournament though and this should be a comfortable game for the Dutch.
Prediction: Netherlands 3-0 Turkey (10/1)