Semi-finals of the 2024 European Football Championship: Which teams will qualify for the final?
The semifinals of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship will take place today and tomorrow. In the matches Spain against France and Netherlands against England, four football giants will clash and fight for a place in the decisive final. We summarize the chances of all teams along with sports betting odds.
Spain against France: The best offense meets the weakest
In the first semifinal of this year's UEFA European Football Championship, Spain and France will face off today, July 9. The match will kick off at 21:00 CET in the Allianz Arena in Munich. Spain and France are two teams that couldn't be more different.
The Spanish team has impressed so far with their offensive prowess. Coach Luis de la Fuente, 63, has led his team to score 11 goals in the tournament so far. Dani Olmo, 26, is the top scorer for Spain, known to German football fans from his current club RB Leipzig.
Spain's defense has also presented itself in the best light so far. The team has conceded only one goal from an opposing player and has won all their games. However, de la Fuente will have to do without some players against France.
Midfielder Pedri, 21, injured himself in the game against Germany and will miss the rest of the tournament. Robin Le Normand, 27, and Daniel Carvajal, 32, are both suspended for the semifinal. Le Normand received his second yellow card in the quarterfinal, while Carvajal was sent off with a red card for a foul on Jamal Musiala, 21.
While Spain has impressed with their offensive strength, France seems to have major problems with finishing. Coach Didier Deschamps, 55, team has not scored a single goal from open play in the entire tournament. In the quarterfinal against Portugal, they advanced to the semifinal with a 0:0 draw and a penalty shootout victory.
Historical statistics favor Spain: In 36 international matches against France, Spain has won 16, France has won 13, and there have been 7 draws. Bookmakers also favor Spain:
- Spain to win: 2.70
- Draw: 2.85
- France to win: 3.10
Which duels will decide the match?
Even before the match, exciting duels are shaping up. France's offense features numerous star players who entertain millions with their club performances. Despite their finishing problems, France's offense should not be underestimated.
The duel between Marco Cucurella, 25, and Kylian Mbappé, 25, on the left wing is expected to be pivotal. Cucurella has played an excellent tournament, while Mbappé has fallen short of expectations.
However, France's defense faces an even greater challenge. Throughout the tournament, the entire Spanish team has shown its goal-scoring prowess. In addition to Dani Olmo, players like Fabián Ruiz, 28, Ferran Torres, 24, Álvaro Morata, 31, and others have scored goals. France has only conceded one goal in the entire tournament.
Netherlands against England: A clash of equals?
The match between Netherlands and England will take place tomorrow, July 10, at 21:00 CET in the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. The Netherlands and England are two teams that have caused a lot of excitement in recent days.
The Netherlands faced off against Turkey in the quarter-finals of the EM. After a weak first half, the team led by coach Ronald Koeman, 61, was trailing at halftime. However, they fought their way back in the second half and managed to turn the game around to a final score of 2:1. The Dutch defense showed some instability at times, and the offense missed many chances.
The group stage was disappointing for the Dutch, as they finished only in third place in their group. However, the impression was that the team improved with each game. Against England, Koeman can field his strongest team: No players are suspended or injured.
Unlike the Dutch, the English are currently under heavy criticism, especially at home. The team led by coach Gareth Southgate, 53, is falling short of expectations despite reaching the semi-finals. Fans and experts criticize the lackluster play of the English team [Link in English] and their strongly defensive style of play.
Both the round of 16 and the quarter-finals of the English went into extra time. Against Switzerland, the English team had to prove themselves in a penalty shootout, which they won.
In the match against the Netherlands, no players are suspended or injured.
The English squad is the most valuable at the UEFA Euro 2024 with 1.5 billion euros. The bookmakers see the English ahead in the game against the Netherlands:
- Win for Netherlands: 3.10
- Draw: 2.85
- Win for England: 2.65
Which duels will be decisive?
For the Dutch, the offense has been particularly convincing so far in the tournament. Cody Gakpo, 25, has scored three goals so far and leads the list of top scorers alongside Georges Mikautadze, 23, Jamal Musiala and Ivan Schranz, 30. However, the teams of these players have already been eliminated, so Gakpo still has a chance to become the top scorer of UEFA Euro 2024.
However, the English defense will have to do more than just keep Gakpo in check: Donyell Malen, 25, has also scored two goals and could pose a threat to English keeper Jordan Pickford, 30.
For Malen, the game is also a home game: The striker has been playing for Borussia Dortmund since 2021 and is expected to be particularly motivated in the Signal Iduna Park. With Virgil van Dijk, 33, the Dutch also have a dangerous header in their ranks. The English defense faces major challenges.
The Dutch also face great challenges: With Jude Bellingham, 21, and Harry Kane, 30, the English have two strong offensive players in their team. Both have already scored two goals. Bellingham impresses with his speed, while Harry Kane is strong in the air and shows excellent positioning.
After the shaky defensive performance against Turkey, it remains to be seen whether the Dutch can keep Kane and Bellingham in check.
In the first semifinal match of the UEFA European Football Championship, the duel between Spain's Dani Olmo and France's defense could be key, given Olmo's impressive form and France's struggles with finishing.
In the match between Netherlands and England, the battle between Dutch striker Cody Gakpo and English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford could be decisive, considering Gakpo's goal-scoring form and Pickford's importance to England's defense.
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