EURO 2024: Fantastic left side of the bracket... and then, there's the one on the right

Now, the time has come for the real thing.

After the exciting group stage and two days without a single game on Thursday and Friday menu, the European Championship returns to action on Saturday with the opening games of the Round of 16.

All the favourites are still there, but there's a massive difference between them in terms of the quality of the football they've displayed since the start of the tournament.

And interestingly enough, most of them are located in the left half of the draw.

Let's have a look...

Spain, Germany, Portugal and France - they're all there, which means that only one of those teams would possibly reach the EURO 2024 final. The first two sides could even meet as early as in the 1/4 final, in case the hosts defeat Denmark and Spain top the charming underdogs Georgia.

The same applies to Portugal and France, with Les Bleus having a serious challenge even in the 1/8 finals against underachievers Belgium. Slovenia shouldn't be an unbeatable rival for Cristiano Ronaldo and his boys in the last 16 round, but all those giants mentioned above remain a serious hurdle for Roberto Martinez's slot on the road to the trophy.

And what about the other, right side of the draw?

Well, England and Italy are basically the only national teams with a pedigree on that side of the bracket. However, their performances were almost below par in the groups. Now, faced with Switzerland (Italy), and Slovakia (England), they'd better make amends for disappointing displays so far.

If they both triumph in the 1/8 finals, Gli Azzurri and the Three Lions will face off in the following round, in the replay of that EURO 2020 showdown.

We intentionally saved 'the best for last' as that part of the draw seems ludicrously modest, to say the least. Austria are about to confront Turkey, while Romania and the Netherlands will decide the other quarter-finalist. One of those four teams will make it into the semi-final!

Fair enough? Probably not, but let's enjoy the real thing.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - 1/8 FINALS

Saturday

19.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.00) Italy (2.55)

22.00: (1.65) Germany (4.00) Denmark (6.10)

Sunday

19.00: (1.45) England (4.50) Slovakia (9.50)

22.00: (1.25) Spain (6.50) Georgia (15.0)

Monday

19.00: (1.95) France (3.40) Belgium (4.70)

22.00: (1.43) Portugal (4.75) Slovenia (9.10)

Tuesday

19.00: (8.25) Romania (4.30) Netherlands (1.50)

22.00: (1.95) Austria (3.50) Turkey (4.50)

***odds are subject to change***