Paris (AFP)

England, deprived of its supporters who have so far carried it to Wembley, challenges Ukraine on Saturday in Rome (9 p.m.), which dreams of continuing to play the spoilsports, like the Czech Republic and Denmark, opposing earlier in Baku (6:00 p.m.), in the quarter-finals of the Euro.

The "Three Lions", first in group D and knockouts in the round of 16 of their bête noire, Germany, whom they had not beaten in a knockout match for 55 years and the final of the World Cup-1966, are now favorites in this half of the table deserted by the favorites.

Both their Ukrainian opponent as well as the Czechs and Danes qualified for the title of best third in their group and none of the three teams were favored by the bookmakers before the tournament.

Their odds have since risen, but what about that of the English, who will also have the advantage of receiving again at Wembley, in case of qualification for the semi-finals, or even the final?

Solid, without being flamboyant, Gareth Southgate's men can rely on an airtight defense (0 goals in 4 matches), often the basic ingredient to conquer titles.

Their captain Harry Kane, criticized by some for his lack of leadership, also finally opened his goal counter against Germany and his attacking partner, Raheem Sterling, scored the other three English goals in the tournament.

But for the first time in the Euro, England will play far from home and without its supporters, since the English Federation has given up its 2,500 seats for this meeting and the Italian authorities have canceled tickets recently sold to residents of the United Kingdom, due to the rebound of the Covid epidemic on the island.

- Danish euphoria -

Faced with the semi-finalists of the 2018 World Cup, in search of a first European title, the Ukrainians have nothing to lose.

They crossed for the first time the first round of a Euro with only one victory and then had to wait until the last minute of extra time to dominate Sweden in the round of 16 (2-1 ap).

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Former Ballon d'Or Andriy Shevchenko has taught his team to be patient and not to doubt anything.

Two characteristics that also stick well to the two opponents of the first quarter of the day: the Czech Republic of Patrik Schik, who surprised the Netherlands in the round of 16, and Denmark, which outclassed Wales (4-0) .

The small Nordic country, which believed to lose live its best player Christian Eriksen, narrowly saved from cardiac arrest, then won an unprecedented qualification after two defeats in the first two matches, is bathed in euphoria.

Flags on windows and storefronts, red and white jerseys out of stock, Copenhagen dreams of seeing the Schmeichel son gang repeat the feat of the father and the "Danish Dynamite" who had won the Euro in 1992, after to have replaced Yugoslavia at short notice, which was subject to international sanctions.

The Czechs, they hope to imitate the band to Antonin Panenka sacred in 1976 under the colors of Czechoslovakia.

Since the partition with Slovakia, the "Narodak" have been unlucky, victim of the first golden goal in history in the Euro-1996 final against Germany, before falling in the semifinals in 2004 against another unexpected future winner, Greece.

What if it was his turn this year to create a surprise?

Played Friday:

Switzerland - Spain

Belgium - Italy

Saturday:

(6:00 p.m.) Czech Republic - Denmark, in Baku

(9:00 p.m.) Ukraine - England, in Rome

Semi-finals on Tuesday July 6 and Wednesday July 7, in London (9 p.m.)

Final Sunday July 11 in London (9 p.m.)

© 2021 AFP