Hello and welcome to Day 12! Today we’ll see the left side of the draw of the last 16 and four will wave goodbye today. Here’s a reminder of that all important knockout draw:

What you would say is that things are coming up Germany. Winning the group of death has left them in a very strong position. There’s only really Denmark I can see stopping them, but first the Danes have to face Sweden in a Scandi-derby. It probably has a more fearsome name than that but here we are.

Denmark vs Sweden

Dave Mathieson sailed through Group B despite all the injuries. He’s nursed them all back to health now including Michael Laudrup. It’s a strong team.

Michael also has a full strength side except for the stricken Pontus Kamark. Bjorklund is back from injury to replace him.

If all the knockout games are like this, we’re in for a real treat. Denmark are magnificent for 45 minutes, storming into a two goal lead thanks to Brian Laudrup and Molnar. They’re in complete control but Jesper Blomqvist skips through on the stroke of half time to reduce the arrears. What do they say about a goal just before half time? I’m pretty sure they don’t say you’ll come out for the second half like a dog on heat but Kennet Andersson does just that, scoring twice as Schmeichel’s indifferent tournament continues. Molnar equalises, taking his tally to the tournament for 6. Andersson completes his hat-trick only for Bisgaard to equalise two minutes later. That’s 4-4 and both managers take stock to try and calm things down. Denmark look more likely to get a winner but it goes to penalties.

Sweden have the advantage of going first and both strikers net confidently, with Brian Laudrup doing the same for Denmark. Then Bengt Andersson takes over. The Tenerife man saves from Laudrup whilst Blomqvist scores and form-man Molnar blazes over the bar. Podcast guest Niclas Alexandersson keeps a cool head to send Sweden to the last 8. Who would have thought?

Kennet the obvious hero but Denmark will feel hard done to.

…Very hard done to. Neither keeper will look back on the 90 minutes particularly fondly but when it came to penalties, Bengty held his nerve.

Good luck following that, Wales & Romania.

Wales vs Romania

Whilst we expected Romania to be here, I wasn’t necessarily expecting Wales to be filling the slot for “Group A winner.” But if you win in Italy, magical things can happen. Vinny Jones however is injured so Rob Page moves to DM and Mike Meaker is the left wing back. Gareth Taylor keeps his place ahead of Nathan Blake.

Liam had a right old ding dong to get to this stage but he is able to call on first choice centre half Prodan again, though striker Craioveanu is out.

Romania get off to the dream start when Dumitrescu scores after just three minutes. Wales though slowly grow into the game and 10 minutes into the second half the unlikely figure of Mike Meaker equalises. Both sides have plenty of chances to win it but neither can find the all important goal so it’s penalties. Who will blink first? Well the answer is nobody until Raducioiu is asked to re-take his penalty. We know how that ends. Andy Dibble springs to palm it away and Wales are in the last 8!

It’s the Romania goalkeeper who takes home man of the match.

For making…4 saves. I would have thought Dibble would get the award but it’s academic.

Is that a shock? I think it probably is but losing on penalties is always tough.

Speaking of penalties, it’s Germany vs Turkey.

Germany vs Turkey

I think Turkey would be over the moon to get this to penalties. Klinsmann has recovered to replace Bierhoff and you’d have to say that improves the team. It was already pretty good. Andrew will fancy his chances with this side:

Nathan’s Turkey side managed to sneak in as a third place qualifier thanks to the heroics of Gulunoglu and Sukur. Those two lead the line again here in a 4-3-1-2.

Well, it started badly for Turkey and went down hill from there. Kohler and Effenberg have Andrew 2-0 up and just before half time Basturk gets a second yellow. Uh oh. Recep gets his marching orders 13 minutes into the second half and the task is gargantuan. Three goals in five minutes make it 5-0 and whilst Nathan hides behind the sofa. How many will it be? Well, it’s only five. Mercy from the Germans.

An easy day out for Germany in the end and the stats are about as one sided as you’d expect.

Final game for today then and it’s Czech Republic against Poland.

Czech Republic vs Poland

Nick Rowe has Vladimir Smicer back in his ranks after injury. With home advantage, I think he’s probably favourite here.

Ash and his Poland side pulled it out of the bag to win in Sweden to save themselves having to worry about the third place roulette. Ash loves a tinker so he’s starting with a 4-4-2 here.

What a great game this turned out to be. Majak gives Poland the lead against the run of play but Suchoparek heads in from a corner. Nowak and Kuka exchange goals before half time and it’s all square at the break. A cagier second half sees both sides exchange chances but Nick looks to have struck the vital blow when Kuka skips through one on one and rounds the goalkeeper to make it 3-2. Ash goes for broke and throws on Baluszynski and four up front and would you believe it, he scores within minutes of his arrival. 3-3 and we’re heading for penalties until Majak Johnson pulls a Homer and scores the winner. I don’t believe it!

Poland probably didn’t deserve it but they scored at great times and Ash’s gambles paid off. Fair play for that.

Let’s take a look at the draw after today’s games:

Things look even better for Germany now though they will have to face Poland away in the last 8. Sweden will have home advantage against Wales.

We’ll be back tomorrow with the remaining four games, including a battle of Britain. The tournament that just keeps on giving!