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Preview: Quarter-final - Spain vs. France

Preview: Quarter-final - Spain vs. France
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Sports Mole previews holders Spain's Euro 2012 quarter-final with France in Donetsk on Saturday.

It's a clash of the European heavyweights on Saturday night as holders Spain take on France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

The Spaniards finished top of Group C to reach the last eight, while a defeat against Sweden in their final group game condemned France to second place in Group D.

Amazingly, La Roja have never beaten France in a major tournament, but they will certainly be looking to put that right in Donetsk this weekend.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque recently revealed that he was unsure whether to start with Cesc Fabregas or Fernando Torres in attack, but elsewhere he is likely to stick with the same side that saw them pick up seven points in the group stages.

Meanwhile, Laurent Blanc is without Philippe Mexes after the defender picked up a second yellow against the Swedes so Laurent Koscielny is expected to deputise.

Samir Nasri and Franck Ribery have both been reported as possible injury doubts, but should be fit in time for the match at the Donbass Arena.

Current form:

Spain: WWWDWW
France: WWWDWL

Possible lineups:

Spain: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Alonso; Iniesta, Xavi, Silva; Torres

France: Lloris; Debuchy, Koscielny, Rami, Clichy; Cabaye, M'Vila; Menez, Nasri, Ribery; Benzema

Sports Mole says: 2-1

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Euro 2024 fixtures header
Tuesday, July 9
 
8pm
Semi-Finals
Spain
vs.
France
Wednesday, July 10
 
8pm
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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