By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Hosts Germany and holders Italy will test some principles of the Darwian theory on Saturday when they get to the brutal phase of the Euro 2024.
The last 16 starts in earnest this weekend after some dramatic group stage results that ultimately saw just Spain as the only one of the big guns that managed to earn maximum 9 points to advance to the knockout stage.
Italy, who laboured to reach the last 16 and finished with 4 points behind Spain in Group B, face their northern neighbours Switzerland in Saturday’s first kickoff at 18h00.
The Azzurri head into the game enjoying an 11-match unbeaten run against Switzerland in a phase Italy has won five games.
Switzerland’s last victory over Italy was in 1993 when they defeated the Azzurri 1-0 in a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
In Saturday’s last fixture, Germany’s post-Qatar World Cup revival will be tested when they meet northern neighbours Denmark in a Schleswig derby.
Denmark interestingly head into the game seeking their first win of the competition after posting three draws in Group C to finish on 3 points, two behind an unconvincing England.
Awaiting Denmark is German prodigy Jamal Musiala who has so far scored two goals on Mannschaft’s early part of their cruise down redemption road.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, England face Slovakia at 18h00 while flawless Spain tackle stubborn Georgia at 21h00.
29/06/2024
18h00: Italy – Switzerland
21h00: Germany – Denmark
30/06/2024
18h00: England – Slovakia
21h00:Spain – Georgia
