TOP HEADLINES
· UEFA has launched an investigation into "potential discriminatory incidents" during Germany's 2-2 draw with Hungary following a row over a new Hungarian LGBT law. The governing body has not revealed what incidents but German newspaper Bild reported that a section of Hungary supporters directed homophobic chants at opposition fans.
· The Czechia team spent Thursday working on target practice thanks to a day trip to a rifle range. "We wanted to change the atmosphere for a few hours," said general manager Libor Sionko, who was keen to point out that the squad observed COVID-19 protocols while away from their training camp.
· Finland fans returning from St Petersburg in Russia have been urged to get an immediate COVID-19 test after almost 100 supporters caught the virus, according to the national health authority.
· International pop star Ed Sheeran treated the England team to a private performance after being invited to a barbecue at the team's St George's Park base. Captain Jordan Henderson described it as a "surreal" experience that the whole team thoroughly enjoyed.
· Three Denmark fans have been infected with the Delta variant of COVID-19, according to Danish health authorities, after attending the Belgium match in Copenhagen. Close contacts of the three supporters have been informed and 4,000 people who attended the match are being urged to get tests.
· Germany's teenage sensation Jamal Musiala is relishing the opportunity to play England in the last 16 next week after describing it as his "second home." Muisala began his career at Chelsea and his dual citizenship meant he could have opted to play for England.
Ed Sheeran was given special permission to enter England's COVID-19-secure bubble. /Dave J Hogan/Getty images.
SATURDAY'S FIXTURES
Wales vs Denmark, Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam: 16:00 GMT
Italy vs Austria, Wembley, London: 19:00 GMT
MATCH PREVIEWS
Wales vs Denmark
Wales manager Robert Page has answered critics of Gareth Bale's failure to score recently, pointing out there "is more to his game than scoring goals." Bale was on target in Wales's last meeting with Denmark in November 2018, but the Real Madrid player has now gone 14 games without scoring for his country. He has, however, registered seven assists in that time.
A report in UK newspaper The Times says Kieffer Moore could have played for China before making his Wales debut. Moore qualified through his great-grandfather, who came from Guangdong and in 2019, Chinese Super League team Beijing Guoan offered him a move to make him a "naturalized player for the national team."
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand believes too much focus is placed on his starting XI instead of the players who finish the match. "We have been so strong in the second half in many matches. We have been so strong in the last 20 minutes of every match. And it's just as important who is on the field when the match ends as who starts."
Ukrainian football fans hung a banner outside the Swedish embassy in Kiev saying 'Thank you Sweden for 1/8' after Sweden's win over Poland helped Ukraine reach the round of 16 (eighth-final). Sergei SUPINSKY/AFP
Italy vs Austria
Italy's Marco Verratti could force his way into the starting line-up on Saturday night after coming through the final group game against Wales unscathed. Verratti, known as the "Little owl," had been out for six weeks with a knee injury replaced in-form Manuel Locatelli and was given the captain's armband in the second half of the win over Wales in Rome.
There was good news for Austria fans on Friday morning as "the medical department gave Martin Hinteregger and Florian Grillitsch the green light to play," coach Frank Foda told a news conference. Both players had been suffering from mild abductor problems but had been training with the squad ahead of the team's first knockout match.