With the group stage completed, all eyes will be on the eight teams left competing in this weekend’s four Euro 2012 quarterfinal matches. <\/p>\n
One of those being a highly-anticipated match between a pair of former and current soccer superpowers France and Spain, on Saturday in Donetsck.<\/p>\n
When:\tSaturday, June 23, 2012 at 2:45 PM EST While some teams like Spain steamrolled their way through the group stage, sides like France took a less glorified route.<\/p>\n Emerging from the group stage on a prayer and a meager four points, the French tied with Greece for the fewest points out of the teams that are still alive and heading into this weekend’s final tournament stages. <\/p>\n After a 1-1 draw with the English, Les Bleus followed up with an expected but commanding 2-0 win over the Ukraine, only to cap off group play by being outplayed and shutout by Sweden 2-0.<\/p>\n Talk about a letdown. <\/p>\n The French will need to turn things around quickly if they want to advance to the semifinals. [ad-3678122]<\/p>\n Easier said than do however, as the one thing standing between them and advancing is a red-hot Spanish side, which sprang from the group stage and into the knockout rounds with seven points. <\/p>\n They finished tops in Group C, whipping the snot out of Ireland and Croatia, before settling for a 1-1 draw with the Group C runners up, Italy.<\/p>\n Therefore, it only seems fitting that the Spaniards are also the highest scoring team in the 2012 Euro cup with six goals for. <\/p>\n However, it’s not just offense that they bring to the party, they possess a stifling defense, holding their past two opponents scoreless and allowing only one goal against in all of group play.<\/p>\n So with such a formidable opponent, how can France even think about advancing?<\/p>\n Simple. They need to come on strong and get ahead early. If they do that, they could settle into a defensive posture much like the one they used to slow down England and the Ukraine. <\/p>\n
\nWhere:\tDonbass Arena, Donetsk
\nTV:\tESPN
\nLine:\tSpain (-130), France (+400), Draw (+250)<\/strong><\/p>\n