Spain vs Italy - a real classic in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday. A clash of giants, but one in which not everything is at stake.
Spain and Italy have met for the fifth consecutive European Championship finals since 2008 - but not in the knockout phase this time. In 2008 (in the quarter-finals) and 2012 (in the final), Spain prevailed and became European champions. The last two times, however, Italy won, also with the title as the final result in 2021.
This time, Spain are once again the favorites, mainly thanks to their impressive offense. "Individually, they are better," says Davide Frattesi, Italy's top scorer in the European Championship qualifiers. "Yamal is destined to become a great, and Rodri is currently the best midfielder in the world." There is therefore only one recipe for the Azzurri: "We have to bring the Italian spirit, the ability to suffer, to the table. We can only survive as a collective."
After the successful start of the two favored teams in Group B, Spain with a 3:0 win against Croatia and Italy with a 2:1 win against Albania, both are likely to make it through to the round of 16.
England were unconvincing in their opener with a 1-0 win against Serbia, but can already secure a place in the round of 16 with a win against Denmark (18:00/Frankfurt). The position of left-back remains a concern, as Luke Shaw is still injured. Like Italy and Spain, England and Denmark also met in the semi-finals of the last European Championship. England won at Wembley thanks to a controversial penalty in extra time.
In the second match of Group B, Serbia will face Slovenia (3.00 p.m./Munich). In the prestigious duel, Slovenia will be looking for their first win at the European Championship finals after their 1:1 draw against Denmark. The closest the Slovenians came to a win was against the former Yugoslavia in 2000. Despite being a man up, they squandered a 3-0 lead in the final half hour.
