Good day to you. We’ve got 8 last 16 ties for you, split across today and tomorrow. Today we’re dealing with these 4 at the top of the draw:

They’re all pretty interesting ties with plenty competitiveness in each. Can each back up their group stage form?

It’s a big game to start us off.

Holland vs England

The Dutch are of course lead by Tom Rostance, who found success by making Marc Overmars run a bit. Let’s see if he can keep the Dutch on side.

Tony stumbled a little bit in the groups but still recovered sufficiently to top the group. He does like a tinker and despite being a squad number nightmare, he’s settled on Merson doing an Overmars. It might work.

There’s a disaster early doors when Gary Neville sees red for a deliberate handball in the box. Tony holds his nerve and Seaman saves the Kluivert penalty. After half an hour Tony’s seen enough and introduces Sol Campbell for Merson and a switch to wingbacks. Overmars breaks the deadlock on the stroke of half time and surely that’ll be that. Ferdinand and Gazza are brought on at half time and incredibly, Gazza races clear to equalise just after an hour. It’s a relatively cat and mouse affair for the final minutes so we head to penalties.

Shearer gets England off to a perfect start and Bergkamp is denied by Seaman. Amazingly, England net all five penalties including skipper Tony Adams, foxtrotting up to the ball and smashing it home. England win on penalties – do not adjust your sets. Gary Neville is spared burning effigies by the less understanding fans.

The Dutch all played quite well, controlled I’d call it.

But there weren’t many chances created really, England defended well. Credit to Tony for stifling a good side with 10 men for 78 minutes.

Who will England face in the last 8?

Italy vs Romania

PES_DNA’s Italy were awesome in the groups and will expect more of the same here.

Nath managed to guide Romania through thanks largely to Florin Raducioiu. Lopsided wingbacks is again the name of the game.

What an incredible game this turned out to be. Italy raced into a 2 goal lead thanks to Del Piero and Chiesa but Maldini turns into Gary Neville four minutes later and sees red. Hagi converts the penalty and that man Florin levels it up. Adrian Ilie puts the Romanians in front and the turnaround is complete. Italy are in real trouble but Gav doesn’t panic and instead brings on Negri for Chiesa. Di Matteo equalises and looks to have won it 3 minutes from time. Unbelievably though, Romania come again and do do do, Florin Raducioiu equalises. The Romanians conga into the centre circle for penalties, where they watch Italy convert 5 perfect penalties whilst Moldovan’s wayward effort consigns them to defeat.

What a game.

Di Matteo takes man of the match for his double which ultimately paved the way for the penalty heroics.

So that’s England vs Italy in the last 8.

Germany vs Croatia

Mark Carruthers’ Germany team have done well in this 5-3-2 of sorts.

Likewise Deano’s all out attack efforts saw him just about get through a tricky group.

The Croats are brilliant here. Suker gives Croatia the lead but despite numerous chances, they can’t extend it. Bobic pops up with an equaliser and it’s penalties again, the Germany special. After 8 successful kicks, Jarni misses and Effenberg just has to score…OVER. Spehar then nets and Bierhoff is denied by Ladic. Croatia spring a surprise!

They deserved it on the balance of play.

Obviously Kohler gets man of the match

Three shootouts out of three so far…

Norway vs Wales

Ross’ Norway team lost only to Brazil in the groups. They will be heavy favourites here in El Blogico

Philip leads Wales with their mixed bag of a team.

A fairly even first half sees Oyvind Leonhardsen open the scoring but there isn’t much between the sides. Philip throws on Dean Saunders looking for an equaliser but unsurprisingly it doesn’t work and Solskjaer nets a second to finish the tie. Bjorn is sent off in injury time for being too nice of a man.

Norway just about edged it

All that matters is of course the goals. Another centre back takes man of the match.

Here’s how this side of the draw looks after today’s action. Croatia vs Norway is the hipsters quarter final choice whereas England vs Italy is more of a traditional affair.

Join us tomorrow where we’ll play out the other side of the draw to get our other four quarter finalists. Here’s what there is to look forward to: