The view from Europe: Who will reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals in France?

Updated 30/06/2016 at 06:36 GMT

Our writers from across the continent offer their opinions on the Euro 2016 quarter-finals with Wales left flying the flag for the UK at the tournament.

Euro 2016 trophy

Image credit: AFP

Desmond Kane - UK

Poland v Portugal - Marseille, Thursday, 8pm

Difficult one to call. Could come down to who catches fire between Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo. Neither man has sparkled at these finals, but better late than never when a semi-final spot is on the table.

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Poland have shown their quality in emerging from a tough qualifying section involving Germany, Ireland, Scotland and Georgia to reach France before holding the world champions Germany in their second group stage match, but Portugal managed to usurp a highly-fancied Croatia side in the last 16 and are finding momentum at the right time. Something suggests the Portuguese will eke out a win to reach the last four.

Prediction: Portugal win

Wales v Belgium - Lille, Friday, 8pm

And then there was one. Wales, the remaining UK representative at these finals, are not ready to do a Brexit from these European finals, but Belgium will start as warm favourites to give them the bullet having flogged Hungary in the last 16. Wales enjoyed a win and draw against Marc Wilmots’ side in qualifying, but it would be a serious surprise if they do not advance here.

Gareth Bale and his daughter Alba celebrate with the Wales fans

Image credit: Reuters

Prediction: Belgium win

Germany v Italy - Bordeaux, Saturday, 8pm

Two tournament teams come together in a repeat of the semi-final at Euro 2012 four years ago. Italy won that one 2-1, but Germany have become world champions in the intervening period. Joachim Low’s side look like they are improving. Like only Germans do at these events. Not only are they favourites to win this match, this impressive Germany side should really progress to add the European championship to their World Cup.

Prediction: Germany win

France v Iceland - Paris, Stade de France, Sunday 8pm

France showed considerable mettle to complete a rousing recovery against Ireland in the last 16. There was bravery and a willingness to handle the pressure after trailing 1-0 in Lyon. Antoine Griezmann is looking sharp, and feeling extremely happy with his performance levels. Iceland will not collapse, but it is difficult to envisage them unseating the host nation in Paris. France surely can’t be as impoverished as England with the tournament reaching the business end. Surely a win for Les Bleus.

Prediction: France win

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Mikhail Biryukov - Russia

Poland v Portugal - Thursday, 8pm

Portugal seem to be poor in attack while Poland look solid in defence. You shouldn’t expect a spectacular game here. Cristiano Ronaldo’s team will go forward just because they are a bit more experienced in major tournaments.

Prediction: Portugal win

Wales v Belgium - Friday, 8pm

Sensational Hungary were exhausted and you shouldn’t overrate last Belgium’s 4-0 victory in the last 16. The Red devils have problems dealing with such well-organised teams in defence (against Ireland and Sweden) and Gareth Bale can easily punish them with his counter-attacks. Gareth Gareth on fire, Toby Alderweireld terrified!

Prediction: Wales win

Germany v Italy - Saturday, 8pm

We should have seen both of these teams on 10th July in Paris in the final, and it’s very sad to lose one of them at the quarter-final stage. Germany made hard work of the first match at these finals, and are becoming stronger.. Joachim Loew has more stars and more opportunities to change the game. So sorry for Italy.

Germany's Mario Gomez celebrates with team mates after scoring their second goal

Image credit: Reuters

Prediction: Germany win

France v Iceland, Sunday 8pm

Let the fairytale go on. After victory over England, Iceland's lionhearts don’t feel any pressure, unlike France at the home tournament. Also we trust in a magic 12-year cycle at the finals: First Denmark in 1992, Greece in 2004 and now it’s Iceland’s turn in 2016.

Prediction: Iceland win

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Piotr Kwiatkowski - Poland

Poland v Portugal - Thursday, 8pm

Poland is dreaming of victory against Portugal, who are favourites, and have huge experience at this stage. They have Cristiano Ronaldo. On paper they are the better team, but we have our dream and commitment, a will, work ethic, luck and faith. We forgot about something here. This is the first Polish team in more than 30 years that is capable of making a comeback when they are behind. They have quality to do that.

Poland's players celebrate their team's win in the Euro 2016 round of sixteen football match between Switzerland and Poland.

Image credit: AFP

If you watch the first half against Germany in Frankfurt last year. Or the qualifying matches with Scotland, Ireland and Georgia, you see a team that allows us to dream. For ages, such hopes were forbidden for the milions of Polish fans.

Prediction: Poland win

Wales v Belgium - Friday, 8pm

Belgium. They have a nire balanced team. They are great attacking at speed, are strong at set pieces and good in defence. Game after game they are improving, and their confidence has grown.

Prediction: Belgium win

Germany v Italy - Saturday, 8pm

This one's a little bit difficult, but we will go for Germany. Spain was a team that lacked fitness in losing to Italy in the last 16. They could not find the level of fitness or form you require. Italy rested key players before the game against Spain.

They were healthy and fresh. The age average is almost 31 years. I think that the Germans will be able to run more, to press more and move the ball quicker. Finally, Germany has a mental eagerness to defeat Italy because of previous failures, including the Euro 2012 semi-final loss in Warsaw four years ago.

Prediction: Germany win

France v Iceland, Sunday 8pm

France. The great and beautiful story of a small nation reaching such giddy heights will end here providing France aren't paralysed by the pressure of the situation.

Iceland's midfielder Aron Gunnarsson and team mates celebrate.

Image credit: AFP

Nerves will grow minute by minute in the second half unless they score early on. France has to score two goals to play calmly. The longer this match goes without a goal, the better chance Iceland have of causing a huge upset against the host nation.

Prediction: France win

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Matias Peiroten - Germany

Poland v Portugal - Thursday, 8pm

Despite Robert Lewandowski, Poland are showing some great offensive skills. Jakub Blaszczykowski and Arkadiusz Milik are enjoying a fine tournament and during the match against Germany, Poland's team also showed their defensive strength. On the other hand, Portugal's tactics are overly dependent on Cristiano Ronaldo, who hasn’t been able to make a great impact during these finals.

Prediction: Poland win

Wales v Belgium - Friday, 8pm

Belgium continue to improve with every game. Especially their attacking play that keeps getting better. If they manage to stop Gareth Bale, they should not have any problems in advancing to the semi-finals.

Prediction: Belgium win

Germany v Italy - Saturday, 8pm

Germany will do better against Italy than Spain. Julien Draxler and Mesut Özil will look for one-on-one situations against Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, and will cause many problems for the Italian defence. Germany are determined to beat Italy and get revenge for the loss in 2012.

Prediction: Germany win

France v Iceland, Sunday 8pm

France have been warned after Iceland's surprise win against England. They won’t underestimate Iceland's qualities. Even though, it’s going to be a tough match for France. But they will advance to the semi-finals because Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet are in such a great shape.

Antoine Griezmann's goals edged France past the Republic in Lyon.

Image credit: PA Sport

Prediction: France win

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Vincent Bregevin - France

Poland v Portugal - Thursday, 8pm

Despite a lack of efficiency up front, Portugal remain a better team overall, having more depth on the bench and better individualities such as CR7. Poland won on penalties against Switzerland, but still showed quality in open play. I expect a close game, but a Portugal win at the end.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo applauds fans after the game against Croatia at Euro 2016

Image credit: Reuters

Prediction: Portugal win

Wales v Belgium - Friday, 8pm

Belgium are really improving, and Eden Hazard too. He can be the difference, but most important is how the team improves. Wales seem too limited to reach the semi-finalss despite having great tournament.

Prediction: Wales win

Germany v Italy - Saturday, 8pm

Germany’s style of play suits Italy quite well, and Italy often win against Germany in big tournaments. Like in the 2012 semi-finals. Things would be quite complicated if Italy had to do without Daniele De Rossi. Germany were close to their top form against Slovakia. But I still see Antonio Conte’s men kick the world champions out of the Euros.

Antonio Conte - Italy - Euro 2016

Image credit: AFP

Prediction: Italy win

France v Iceland, Sunday 8pm

I actually think it would have been “easier” to play England. Iceland are lifted by euphoria and, from a style of play point of view, France will find them hard to beat. But I just can’t imagine France going out of the Euros against Iceland in quarter finals. Not with Didier Deschamps as manager.

Prediction: France win

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Fabio Disingrini - Italy

Poland v Portugal - Thursday, 8pm

We think that Poland v Portugal will be the most balanced quarter-fina. Only a big gap between Ronaldo's performance and that of Lewandowski will be make an influential difference.

Prediction: Portugal win

Wales v Belgium - Friday, 8pm

In theory, Belgium, but we marvel at how well Wales are performing at the finals? And isn’t maybe Gareth Bale the best player of on the pitch? Essentially, we think it's another quarter-final more balanced that planned.

Prediction: Belgium win

Germany v Italy - Saturday, 8pm

The rallying cry for both of them is, Germany are probably stronger while Italy will play another final after the Parisian triumph over Spain. Probably without De Rossi, Antonio Candreva and Thiago Motta in midfield.

Prediction: Italy win

France v Iceland, Sunday 8pm

It’s obvious to think that France will win easily, but perhaps we should learn not underestimate the magical journey of Iceland.

Prediction: France win

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Cristian Maxedo - Spain

Poland v Portugal - Thursday, 8pm

Portugal have the best player in the world (after Lionel Messi) and have demonstrated a better performance level than Poland. In addition, Robert Lewandowski seems to have disappeared during this tournament.

Prediction: Portugal win

Wales v Belgium - Friday, 8pm

Even with a very good Gareth Bale, Belgium are the team who have played the best football in this tournamen. Eden Hazard is in peak condition, and is one of the stars of these finals.

Belgium's Eden Hazard celebrates after scoring their third goal

Image credit: Reuters

Prediction; Belgium win

Germany v Italy - Saturday, 8pm

Germany are the strongest team in the tournament. They have the winning condition, they won the last World Cup and have a very good squad, but Italy will have their chances to win.

Prediction: Germany win

France v Iceland, Sunday 8pm

We support Iceland, but may be their dream is going to finish against the power of Griezmann and Payet in Paris. We will be behond Iceland, but reality favours the home side.

Prediction: France win