Switzerland is chasing a historic semifinal and victory against England in Düsseldorf.
Turkey will have to do without eighth-final hero Merih Demiral against the Netherlands in Berlin after a suspension due to the "wolf gesture".
Here's the most important thing you need to know ahead of tonight's European Championship quarterfinals.
What: England-Switzerland, quarterfinal.
When: Saturday, July 6, 18.00.
Where: Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf.
TV/Radio: SVT 2/SVT Play/P4 Radiosporten.
+ England's lucky draw
England is the top team in the European Championship that has had the most luck when it comes to the draw of the knockout stage tree. On the other side are pure football giants: Spain, Germany, Portugal, and France – while England has Switzerland in the quarterfinal, and in a potential semifinal, the winner between the Netherlands and Turkey awaits.
The English national team has been heavily criticized during the European Championship for its performances, and the question is whether England has any use for its lucky draw. Already in the eighth final, the team was badly off against a Slovakia that was on its way to a major upset. Not until extra time did Jude Bellingham equalize to 1–1 with a bicycle kick before Harry Kane nodded in the deciding goal in extra time.
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+ Bellingham fined – but gets to play
England's offensive midfielder Jude Bellingham made an obscene gesture after his equalizing goal last time and has been fined by the European Football Association (Uefa) with a fine equivalent to around 340,000 kronor as a disciplinary penalty. The 21-year-old gets to play the quarterfinal, but will be suspended for one match after the European Championship.
All we can focus on is hopefully scoring earlier this time, said central defender John Stones before the penalty was issued, according to AFP.
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+ Switzerland's quarterfinal curse
On one hand, a national team that has advanced from the group stage in six straight international championships since 2014. On the other hand, a team that has never gone further than the quarterfinals in the European Championship or World Championship.
Against England, Switzerland can write football history by reaching a first, historic semifinal. The Alpine nation has never managed to do so in its 18 played knockout stages, 6 European Championships, and 12 World Championships. In five of the championships (European Championship 2021, 2024, and World Championship 1934, 1938, 1954), the team has reached the quarterfinals.
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What: Netherlands-Turkey, quarterfinal.
When: Saturday, July 6, 21.00.
Where: Olympiastadion, Berlin.
TV/Radio: TV4/TV4 Play/P4 Radiosporten.
+ Match hero suspended after "wolf gesture"
Turkey's eighth-final hero Merih Demiral is suspended for the quarterfinal. After his second goal in Tuesday's match against Austria, the 26-year-old central defender made the "wolf gesture" with his hands, a high-nationalist symbol that can be linked to the organization Grey Wolves.
The political gesture resulted in a two-match suspension from Uefa. This means that Demiral is also suspended for a potential semifinal against Switzerland or England.
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+ Championship specialist Gakpo
Cody Gakpo shares the lead in the European Championship's top scorer list with three goals, along with three other players. The 25-year-old Liverpool player has shown himself to be a championship goal scorer of rank in recent years, despite playing time being scarce in the club team this season.
He's playing at a fantastic level in this championship and is maybe our best player. I hope the rest can come up to the same level, says national team coach Ronald Koeman, according to The Guardian.
In the World Championship in Qatar over a year and a half ago, Gakpo also scored three goals, when the Netherlands was eliminated by eventual champions Argentina.
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+ Calhanoglu back
Hakan Calhanoglu received two yellow cards in the European Championship group stage and was suspended when Turkey knocked out Austria 2–1 in the eighth final.
Against the Netherlands, the 30-year-old team captain and midfielder is again available for play and is likely to go straight into national team coach Vincenzo Montella's starting eleven.
