Famous Ukrainian coach Volodymyr Sharan shared his expectations about today's two quarterfinal matches of Euro-2024, which will feature Spain - Germany and Portugal - France.
Vladimir Sharan- Let's start with Spain vs. Germany, which, according to many soccer fans, could be a real highlight of the tournament. What do you expect from this game?
- Personally, I sympathize with both teams. And not in vain everyone says that it will be a small final. After all, if we talk about the game, the national teams of Spain and Germany are two teams that demonstrate modern soccer. Both in the game in attack, and in the game in defense, the use of pressing - that is, in all the requirements of modern soccer.
Even before the start of the European championship, a friend of mine asked me: who will be the champion? And although I have not seen the Spanish national team in action for a long time, without thinking answered that the winner of the European Championship will be it. Later, during the tournament, I was convinced that Spain, as well as Germany - the strongest teams. Both have the right to play in the final.
- How do you think the game between them will turn out?
- It's hard to say. If you characterize the Spanish national team, they are young, aggressive and well prepared physically. Now they play different soccer than before. Yes, there is ball control, but also a lot of forward play. It is all done aggressively and using good pressing. The Spaniards know how to close down, which they demonstrated in several matches. When leading in the score, they "closed" and then made great runs on the counterattack, trying to develop their advantage.
As for Germany, first of all, we should take into account that it is the host of the tournament. The German team has always been distinguished by its discipline and organization. It is somewhat different from the Spaniards, who are faster in everything - in particular, the flanks. Germany also plays great defense, there are no questions here. And in attack, too.
I can't say that the Germans are the favorites. This is a case when the chances of the opponents are considered as 50/50. Whoever makes fewer mistakes will win. In my opinion, the main time will end in a draw. And then... I may be wrong, but I will still express my opinion: I expect a penalty shootout.
- What are your expectations from the second pair - Portugal vs France?
- The French have a lot of criticism of their game. Earlier, one of my colleagues, a former footballer, said that France was weak. But I contradicted him: "No," I said. - You'll see how it will be."
The French team played correctly, first of all, strategically - that is, not for the fans, but to achieve a result. So they passed the group stage. In the 1/8 finals match against the Belgians, the French tried to play first, but the opponent gave up the initiative. That's why we saw such a game.
It is clear that no one likes such monotonous soccer, when there are a lot of plays and little forward play. And it's difficult to open a rich defense - the kind that the Belgian team had and that the French overcame by ricochets.
As for Portugal, it in two consecutive matches - first in the final game in the group with Georgia, and then in the 1/8 finals with Slovenia in regular time does not score. It seems that something is missing for the Portuguese. There were a lot of flank passes to Ronaldo, he could have scored, but... In the previous game with the same Slovenes, Portugal had no hundred percent chances. The Portuguese are technical and have speed. However, despite the fact that France does not show a bright game, it is France that I consider the favorite of today's meeting. In my opinion, the French will win.
Vyacheslav Kulchitsky
