Final Four ready for semi-final showdown

IT took all of three weeks, but after a tepid start, the Euro 2016 football tournament in France finally kicked into high gear over the weekend.

The quarter-final clashes were all enthralling and exhilarating in their own way. Unlike the snoozefest in the group stages, we were treated to a total of 15 goals - many of them exemplary - in just four matches.

There was drama aplenty as two of the games - Portugal against Poland, and Germany against Italy - ended only after a nerve-jangling penalty shootout. The fans also saw the fairytale journey of one underdog continue (Wales), while they bade a fond farewell to another (Iceland).