David Marshall's Euro Diary Day 16 - Thunderstruck! (Patreon)

We are back with a big bang and literal electricity in the air. We have reached the Last 16 stage of the tournament where the potential winners start to make their move and the remainder of the wee diddies get sent home. Speaking of which, let’s talk about the holders.

Italy and Switzerland got the knockout phase of the tournament underway and what was delivered was a rather one-sided match. Based on what we have seen from each team so far it would be hard to call Switzerland the underdogs going into this one. Historical significance and the fact that Italy are the holders meant that it was still viewed that way but a match where an “upset” was always on the cards.

Switzerland dominated from the start and were only kept at bay by the fantastic Gianluigi Donnarumma, the only Italian who can leave this tournament with pass marks. Switzerland would eventually get the breakthrough shortly before halftime. Remo Freuler picked up a pass from Ruben Vargas and then fired the ball into the bottom corner.

Switzerland were good value for the lead and then doubled it quickly after the restart. Vargas turned from provider to scorer as he sent a fantastic curled shot from distance past Donnarumma and flying into the top corner.

From here, Italy looked a spent force and had accepted their defeat. They did hit the woodwork twice when Fabian Schar nearly put the ball into his own net and Gianluca Scamacca hit the post from an opportunity that he was probably offside anyway.

A dreadful defence of their title from the Italians as they never got going at all in this tournament. Outclassed against Spain, fine at best against Albania and extremely lucky against Croatia. They fittingly went out with a whimper and not a bang.

As for Switzerland, they continue to impress and deservedly march on to face either Slovakia or England. I don’t think they will have any fears in facing either of those two.

The evening match saw Germany take on Denmark, a match that was probably much easier to call than the previous game. Germany got off to a blistering, blitzkriegesque start as they more than lived up to the favourites tag.

Kasper Schmeichel was kept busy in the opening exchanges and it looked like Nico Schlotterbeck had his side in front but the goal was ruled out by the referee for obstruction. It seemed harsh at first but the wonderful Christina Unkel explained why it was ruled out and that was good enough for me. Even our own Super Ally relented his position when told better by the fabulous Christina.

Then the heavens opened! Torrential rain, thunder and fork lightning lit up the Dortmund sky and referee Michael Oliver took the teams off the pitch in the 36th minute. The game was suspended for roughly 25 minutes as the fans danced about in the rain pouring through the stadium's roof. Personally, I would have tried to stay dry and get inside for a beer, but there’s a reason we won the war after all.

The game restarted as we played the last 10 minutes of the first half. The Danes managed to get to the break without any damage but it was the Germans who were clearly on top. The game then turned at the start of the second period thanks to two VAR calls in quick succession.

Denmark thought they had the lead when Joachim Andersen had the ball in the net but the Danes’ joy was fleeting. Thomas Delaney was determined by VAR to be offside by a toe and the goal was ruled out.

There was more misery to come and Delaney was at the centre of it again. The midfielder’s fingers brushed the ball from the close range in the box and Oliver went to the monitor for a look and decided that a penalty was warranted. A very harsh call, but I think by the letter of the law, a correct one. You do have to feel for the referee here, I don’t think that SHOULD be a penalty but it is by the current law. The problem here is the law, not the officiating.

Kai Havertz took the penalty to put Germany in front and how is that run-up ok? Goalkeepers have really been done dirty by the latest interference of penalty kicks and what's deemed legal and illegal. Goalies have to stay rooted to their line and will come under massive scrutiny and revision if they even think of moving an inch forward. But takers? You can start your run up, stop, make a cup of tea, check the Sunday papers, phone your wife to make sure she hasn’t got anyone over while you're out at work, finish off your dinner, and start your run up again before eventually striking the ball. IFAB, have a look at that please!

The game was put beyond Denmark 20 minutes from time when Jamal Musiala provided the cool finish that alluded so many of his teammates. Credit to Denmark who made something of a game of it in the second half and missed a few chances themselves. But Germany were well on top throughout and could have been three up before the Danes got a meaningful touch of the ball.

Up next for Germany will be either Spain or Georgia but, let’s be realistic here, it will probably be Georgia. Where Germany’s tournament will come to an end at the almighty Georgian hand!