Spain has qualified for the round of 16 of the Euro Cup as first in Group B after winning its three games against Croatia, Italy and Albania and not conceding a goal. And he will face the first life or death duel next Sunday the 30th at 9:00 p.m. (La1 and RTVE Play). The date, time and place are clear, but who will be La Roja’s rival in that first elimination match is not. The opponent of the Spanish team will come from one of the third places in Groups A, D, E and F. The national team will therefore have to wait for the group stage to conclude this Wednesday. Before the start of the day this Tuesday, when there are eight games still pending, there could be up to 11 different rivals.
The uncertainty arises from the qualifying system for the round of 16 established by UEFA for this European Championship in Germany. The results of the group stage provide 12 direct places for the round of 16. The two best in each group (Spain or Germany are already among them) advance to the round of 16 of the competition. However, to complete the 16 best, the four best third parties from among the six groups that exist are also included.
Despite the unknowns that still remain to be resolved, some prior coordinates can be established when looking for Spain’s rival in the round of 16. According to a probability index established by EL PAÍS, Slovakia and Ukraine, with 32%, are the most likely rivals according to the newspaper’s data team’s prediction model. They are followed by Romania (15%) and Belgium (8%), all from group E. With fewer options there are teams from other groups, such as Turkey, Austria or Georgia.
Taking into account a certain sporting logic in the development of groups E and F, Slovakia in Group E and the Czech Republic or Turkey in F would be the rivals with the best chance of facing Spain. But that is only following a logic that sometimes does not occur. For example, there would be a chance that Belgium, a powerhouse, will be Spain’s opponent in the round of 16 if it does not defeat Ukraine in its final group match. If Belgium falls to third place and the combination occurs, De la Fuente’s men would face a tougher duel in the round of 16 of the competition. The Belgian team has more estimable potential with players like De Bruyne, Lukaku or Doku.
There are also other options that would cause Spain to face the third in Groups A or D. The third in Group D (Netherlands, France or Austria) would only have a 13% chance of facing Spain, while the third in Group A, which is Hungary, would have a 20% chance of being the opponent of the Spanish team. There are many options, therefore, in terms of the rivals that Spain may have in the next phase.
In short, Spain will always face a third party and, if it manages to advance to the quarterfinals, the most likely thing (in football the predictions are almost always broken) is that it will have to face a duel against Germany (in Stuttgart, on Friday July 5th). If they pass this duel with the hosts of the tournament, a very tough test, the Spanish team would play the semifinal of the Euro Cup in Munich, on Tuesday, July 9 at 9:00 p.m., probably against Portugal. The final will be held at the Berlin Olympic Stadium on Sunday, July 14 at 9:00 p.m. But this, without a doubt, is already a lot of running.
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