The news, several days late, is that Zaccagni's goal in the 98th minute against Croatia literally took us off the plane. Yes, because with Georgia's victory over Portugal, Italy would not have been among the four best third-placed teams and would have sensationally exited the European Championships in the first round.

The other news is that the big teams are on the other side of the table, where we find Spain, France, Germany, Portugal and Belgium. On our side there are England and Holland, not exactly champagne football that both teams played in the group stage. Of course, based on what the Azzurri have shown so far, this good Switzerland admired in the group is enough to take us out. But who knows, maybe the last-minute qualification awakened Spalletti's men. And then you know, in these competitions from the direct elimination onwards another tournament begins.

Below is the round of 16 draw. If the Azzurri progress to the next round, they could face England in the quarter-finals, in a remake of the final three years ago. Still in the quarterfinals, tasty Spain-Germany and France-Portugal matches are possible.

Round of 16

Spain-Georgia (Sunday 30 June at 9pm)

Germany-Denmark (Saturday 29 June at 9pm)

Portugal-Slovenia (Monday 1 July at 9pm)

France-Belgium (Monday 1 July at 6pm)

Romania-Holland (Tuesday 2 July at 6pm)

Austria-Türkiye (Tuesday 2 July at 9pm)

England-Slovakia (Sunday 30 June at 6pm)

Italy-Switzerland (Saturday 29 June at 6pm)

(Unioneonline/L)

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