Euro 2016 Round of 16 Schedule: ESP vs ITA, CRO vs POR in Big Battles

The Euro 2016 group stage came to an end on Wednesday with all the tournament favourites, somehow or the other, making it through to the Round of 16. However, some big teams didn't have it all their way, which has set up some mouthwatering clashes in the knockout stage.

The biggest draw of the last 16 has to be between defending champions Spain and former Euro winners Italy, a match that will be a repeat of the 2012 finals. Italy suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss in Kyiv to give Spain their second consecutive Euro title.

Both Italy (ITA) and Spain (ESP) started the tournament like rampaging bulls, notching impressive victories in their first two matches. Shockingly, however, both slumped to defeats in their final group match.

Italy suffered a 1-0 defeat to Republic of Ireland while Spain fell 2-1 to Croatia. Italy, however, still managed to finish top of Group E but Spain's defeat meant that they finished second behind Croatia.

Ronaldo's Portugal Face Upbeat Croatia

The second big draw from the Round of 16 will involve arguably the biggest star in this year's competition -- Cristiano Ronaldo. Croatia (CRO) take on 2004 finalists Portugal (POR) in another last 16 humdinger.

Portugal surprisingly finished the group stage without a single win but still managed to reach the knockouts as one of the best third-placed teams.

Croatia, meanwhile, surprised one and all winning two of their matches (one against Spain) and drawing one. They topped Group D with seven points and have in their team players such as Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric -- something Portugal will be wary of.

Croatia, though, will be sweating over the return to form of Ronaldo. The Real Madrid star, who failed to score in the first two matches, scored a brace in the 3-3 draw against Hungary.

Portugal had defeated Croatia 3-0 in Euro 1996 group stage but both teams have had monumental changes to their team since the match and surely that result will have no bearing when the two clash on Saturday night.

England Play Surprise Package Iceland

England, meanwhile, must be counting their lucky stars having avoided all the big teams. They face Iceland and will go into the match as overwhelming favourites.

But Iceland after impressing in their win over Austria in the group stage have shown that they won't be rollovers. Iceland finished second in a group containing Hungary, Portugal and Austria and England will know that their opponents cannot be taken lightly.

England, themselves, have had a very indifferent Euro 2016. They started with a drab 1-1 draw with Russia but sprung to life in their 2-1 win over Wales. But in their final group match against Slovakia an under-par performance saw them being held to a goalless draw.

Hosts France will also consider themselves favourites when they take on Republic of Ireland. While France topped Group A with two wins and a draw, Republic of Ireland took the backdoor entry into the last 16 by being one of the four best third-placed teams.

Ranked second in the world, Belgium, who finished second in Group E, will face Group F toppers Hungary.

Meanwhile, Group B toppers Wales will face Northern Ireland in a battle of the neighbours in the second match of the Round of 16.

Round of 16 Schedule
Match 1: Switzerland v Poland - Saturday 25 June, 18:30 (IST) (Saint-Etienne)
Match 2: Wales v Northern Ireland - Saturday 25 June, 21:30 (IST) (Paris)
Match 3: Croatia v Portugal - Sunday 26 June, 00:30 (IST) (Lens)
Match 4: France v Republic of Ireland - Sunday 26 June, 18:30 (IST) (Lyon)
Match 5: Germany v Slovakia - Sunday 26 June, 21:30 (IST) (Lille)
Match 6: Hungary v Belgium - Monday 27 June, 00:30 (IST) (Toulouse)
Match 7: Italy v Spain - Monday 27 June, 21:30 (IST) (Saint-Denis)
Match 8: England v Iceland - Tuesday 28 June, 00:30 (IST) (Nice)