The Czech Republic, back at the forefront of Europe, plays its quarter-final on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Baku against Denmark, a surprise guest at this stage of Euro 2020. Not necessarily expected, these two nations will try to invite themselves in the last square of the competition for the first time in more than 20 years.
Czech Republic or Denmark: one of these two nations will be invited to the last four of Euro 2020 to everyone's surprise.
Despite their respective third and second place in the group stage, the two selections delivered solid performances in the round of 16 of the competition to assert their status as outsiders.
It only remains to confirm the good hopes placed in them at the Olympic Stadium in Baku, Saturday (6 p.m.), on the occasion of their confrontation in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Two teams pushed towards the offensive which should offer us a good show in Azerbaijan.
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The player: Patrik Schick, the Czech hero
If there is one player who has been talked about at the Euro, it is the Czech striker Patrik Schick. Among the competition's top scorers with four goals, the number 10 from the Czech Republic wowed the football world with his midfield lob against Scotland (2-0 victory). A real stroke of genius that launched the tournament for the center-forward Bayer Leverkusen and his selection.
It was also he who sealed the clear victory of his country in the round of 16 against the Netherlands (2-0).
Elusive, in the good shots, Patrik Schick is a formidable finisher who takes advantage of a Czech collective game in place since the start of the Euro.
The counter phases of his selection have often been beneficial to him to illustrate.
He will also seek to take the leadership in the scorers standings.
>> VIDEO - Euro: Czech Patrik Schick's incredible 45-meter lob
The ghost: Denmark, from anxiety to rebirth
How nice to find Denmark at this stage of the competition!
Under the influence of the heart attack of its best player, Christian Eriksen during his first match, the Danish selection recovered perfectly thereafter by developing an attractive and effective game.
Evidenced by his last two victories at Euro 2020, each time thanks to four goals scored (4-1 against Russia, 4-0 against Wales).
Back from nowhere, last in his group B without any points on the clock, the team of coach Kasper Hjulmand is a miracle that nothing seems to stop.
His Nice striker Kasper Dolberg, scorer of two goals, can lead Denmark into the last four of the competition.
A stadium unmatched since his victory at Euro 1992.
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The question: which of these outsiders is the best armed?
Of these two outsider nations, few analysts would have foreseen such a course. The Czech Republic and Denmark have more opportunity than ever to play in a European Championship semi-final, more than 20 years after their last appearance at this stage of the competition. So which one will be the favorite on Saturday in Baku? If Denmark was more efficient in attack (9 goals in four matches), the Czech Republic was rather illustrated defensively by conceding only two goals against three for the Danes. However, there was a small advantage in Denmark, which has been fueled at full speed since its qualification for the knockout stages. The Czechs will build on their controlled match against one of the tournament's former favorites, the Netherlands.
For both nations, the horizon of a semi-final of one Euro will not be new. Denmark won the title against all odds in 1992, and the Czech Republic advanced to the final in 1996, especially after beating France on penalties. It remains to be seen which of these two outsiders will write another beautiful page in its history in this Euro 2020.