All eight teams advancing to the quarterfinal stage of the European Championship have been determined, shaping a memorable knockout phase across Europe.
On July 5, the fixture list sees Spain clashing with Germany, while Portugal meets France in a pair of high-stakes clashes that will test tactical depth and resilience.
July 6 brings England against Switzerland and the Netherlands facing Türkiye, each pairing carrying a mix of traditional rivalries and fresh ambitions as teams contend for a spot in the final in Berlin.
The semi-finals are scheduled for July 9 and 10, with the final slated for July 14 in Berlin. It is notable that England, Switzerland and Türkiye have yet to claim a European Championship title, a fact cited by analysts when discussing title ambitions and historical context for this tournament.
Unlike some other major tournaments, there is no third-place match at the European Championship, a decision that keeps the spotlight sharply on the golden path toward glory and the narrative of the two finalists.
Italy enters as the defending champions, having prevailed in Euro 2020. However, the squad exited Euro 2024 in the Round of 16 after a defeat to Switzerland, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the European stage and the ongoing evolution of national teams.
In spring 2022, the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), following guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), moved to suspend all Russian clubs and the Russian national team from participation in events under their governance. This decision affected Russia’s campaigns, causing missed opportunities in the qualification play-offs for both the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship in Germany, a shift that reshaped the competitive landscape for the tournament cycle.
Historically, Türkiye has broken records in European play-offs, adding to the drama of the knockout rounds and underlining the evolving dynamics of the continent’s qualifying campaigns.