European Championships 2024 semi-final

Spain v France

Kickoff: 7.00am Wednesday, 10 July (NZT)

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Netherlands v England

Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

Kickoff: 7.00am Thursday, 11 July (NZT)

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

European football’s biggest men’s national team competition is into the climactic stages, with the final four in battle this week for a place in the final and a chance to be crowned champions of Europe.

Current favourites Spain take on France in the first semi-final with England and the Netherlands facing off the following day to see who will advance to the final in Berlin on Monday, 15 July (NZT).

So, what do you need to know ahead of the fixtures?

Spain v France

Team news

Spain have emerged as the pundits’ favourite throughout the tournament and only added to those credentials after overcoming the host nation Germany in the quarterfinals.

While other nations, including the other three semi-finalists, have flattered to deceive Spain look every bit the contenders, winning all five of their outings in Germany.

However, they will be without two regular defensive options, with Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand both suspended while Pedri is out with a knee injury, although Dani Olmo is a more than capable replacement.

France meanwhile can welcome back Adrien Rabiot from suspension and will be hoping Kylian Mbappe can finally find some form having been impacted by a broken nose suffered in the Group Stages.

Squads

Spain

Goalkeepers: David Raya (Arsenal), Alejandro Remiro (Real Sociedad), Unai Simón (Athletic Club)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen), Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Nacho (Real Madrid), Daniel Vivian (Athletic Club)

Midfielders: Álex Baena (Villarreal), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Fabián Ruiz (Paris), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)

Forwards: Joselu (Real Madrid), Fermín López (Barcelona), Álvaro Morata (Atlético de Madrid), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Ayoze Pérez (Betis), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Spain’s forward #10 Daniel Olmo celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final football match between Spain and Germany.
Photo: Tobias Schwarz/AFP

France

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Theo Hernández (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Inter), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern München)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid), N’Golo Kanté (Al-Nassr), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris)

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Paris), Kingsley Coman (Bayern München), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (Paris), Kylian Mbappé (Paris), Marcus Thuram (Inter)

Kylian Mbappe.
Photo: MATTHIEU MIRVILLE/AFP

Most recent meetings

10 October 2021 Spain 1-2 France

28 March 2017 France 0-2 Spain

04 September 2014 France 1-0 Spain

Prediction

French coach Didier Deschamps has bristled at accusations of his side being paint-dry boring during this tournament but that playing style is predicated by an impressive defensive unit and goalkeeper, with Mike Maignan still yet to concede from open play.

Spain, however, possess a plethora of attacking talent with young wide-men Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams offering an electric threat.

This game may be decided by whether France’s industry or Spain’s guile comes out on top in the middle of the park. Given they had enough to conquer Belgium and then Portugal, don’t bet against the French doping it again.

France 1-1 Spain – France win on penalties

Netherlands v England

Team news

The Dutch are at a full complement with no injuries or suspensions to speak of, just decisions over who should start in attack.

England are the same but have two key players back in the fold. Marc Guehi, who has been the team’s star performer, returns from a suspension while Luke Shaw is now available to start, potentially in place of the right-footed Kieran Trippier at left-back.

Big questions are being asked in the English press over whether they play with three or four at the back with the form of star striker and captain Harry Kane also a concern.

Squads

England

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern München), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

England’s Bukayo Saka (r) celebrates his goal.
Photo: ARNE DEDERT/AFP

Netherlands

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)

Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern München), Stefan de Vrij (Inter), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Ian Maatsen (Dortmund), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Joey Veerman (PSV), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq)

Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atlético de Madrid), Jeremie Frimpong (Leverkusen), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Dortmund), Xavi Simons (Leipzig), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim), Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna)

Netherlands’ players celebrate their team’s first goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final football match between the Netherlands and Turkey.
Photo: RONNY HARTMANN/AFP

Most recent meetings

06 June 2019 England 1-3 Netherlands

23 Mar 2018 Netherlands 0-1 England

29 Mar 2016 England 1-2 Netherlands

Prediction

These two teams are in the unique position of having reached the final four having played nowhere near their best football.

Despite this, they have found a way to reach the semi-finals ahead of more lauded outfits such as Austria, Switzerland and Portugal.

On paper, it is a largely even game but if England’s attacking talents, including last season’s star performers in Spain (Jude Bellingham), England (Phil Foden) and Germany (Harry Kane) click, they should have more firepower than their Dutch opponents.

Netherlands 1-2 England