And then there were eight. Just eight.
The quarter-finals of Euro 2016 feature plenty of names we are used to but a couple that are gatecrashing with their first-ever appearance at the knockout stages, let alone as far as this.
Of course there are some big names missing too.
Spain got stunned by Italy , England by someone smaller and Croatia – who everyone had started to think might win the whole damn thing – are already back in Zagreb.
So what now?
Well we march on, ranking the eight teams by how likely they are to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy in just under two weeks.
The power rankings are done in order of perceived likelihood of winning Euro 2016. Quality of playing resources and coaching are taken into account as well as difficulty of group, draw and their qualifying record.
In brackets is the team’s positional change with respect to the last power rankings.
Eliminated teams (in order of rubbishness):
24. Ukraine
23. Russia
22. Czech Republic
21. Sweden
20. Austria
19. Romania
18. Turkey
17. Albania
16. Northern Ireland
15. Slovakia
14. Hungary
13. England
12. Ireland
11. Switzerland
10. Croatia
9. Spain
8) Iceland (up 6)
While it’s impossible not be enamoured by the Iceland story, they’re yet to beat anyone good at Euro 2016 yet.
We said in the last power rankings that they had nothing to fear against England, and so it proved, but France in Paris will be a different proposition altogether.
For a start, they’re half-decent.
But whatever happens from here on in, Iceland are the story of the tournament.
7) Portugal (-)
They knocked out Croatia in one of the dullest games of football known to man, but it was nonetheless impressive to shackle Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic so effectively to keep Ante Cacic’s men at bay.
There are still question marks, amid the roulette wheel of full-back selection, Rui Patricio’s inconsistency and the age of their central defenders.
But with Cristiano Ronaldo in their team they’ll always have a chance.
6) Poland (-)
They easily could have dropped below Portugal based on the last 75 minutes of their win over Switzerland.
But the dominant first-half display and the fact that they’ll be well-rested now is likely to help them.
Poland defend well and look a solid team. Robert Lewandowski sacrifices his own goalscoring to act as his side’s principal playmaker and it helps the Poles get the ball wide to their tricky wingers more quickly.
The result is exactly what Portugal struggle against, so this match-up in Marseille should be fascinating.
5) Wales (up 1)
Belgium is a tough tie for the Welsh and represents their most difficult game yet.
But, having played them in qualifying, Wales should already be more than prepared for what Marc Wilmots’ side has to offer, and the Belgians have struggled for consistency throughout the tournament.
Gareth Bale, as always, will be the key.
4) Italy (up 7)
Antonio Conte’s side have been the yo-yo men of our power rankings, but inevitably the destruction of Spain merits a big rise for the Azzurri.
Vicente Del Bosque’s men had shown signs that they weren’t necessarily the Spain of year’s past, but that shouldn’t take away from the way Italy so brilliantly executed Conte’s plan.
Italy vs Germany could have been the final of this competition and there would have been few complaints, but even if they win this Italy must beat France or Iceland next up.
While they have been sensational when things have gone right, this tough draw means that they can’t afford one blip – that’s one performance like the Sweden one, or vs Ireland.
That’s very difficult to do. And it’s why they’re not higher in this list.
3) Belgium (up 2)
It’s a quirk of the draw but also a Marc (geddit?) of their improvement since the opener that Belgium could be ranked above Italy here despite being pummelled by the Azzurri in their opening game.
They still play in fits and starts, which usually indicates a team of talented players who aren’t being put into a framework where they can play to their potential. In other words, they’re not being coached very well.
Winning a tournament in spite of your coach is not impossible, well-known teams have done it before, but when they get to the final they’ll be playing a team of equal playing talent with a better coach.
Which means it’s hard to rank them any higher.
2) Germany (up 1)
Germany looked to have found their flow in beating Slovakia but it remains what it was – beating Slovakia.
Poland are the best side that Joachim Löw’s men have faced and, in truth, they were outplayed but if that’s their only bad game then they’re in with a great chance of winning Euro 2016.
In Joshua Kimmich and Julian Draxler they appear to have found some answers on the bench that are now impressing from the start.
And if they get past Italy then they’ll likely hop to number 1.
1) France (-)
Les Bleus are keen not to make the mistake that England made of underestimating Iceland.
However, a suspension could force France into making the change they would actually need to really take the game to the islanders.
We’ve all seen how well they can defend when playing deep and you need numbers going forward to break them down, but they also must be strung across the park and should stretch Iceland.
With N’Golo Kante out, they’re likely to throw Moussa Sissoko or Kingsley Coman in on the right and move Antoine Griezmann to a more dangerous central role.
This should be enough to get by Iceland, but a tough semi-final awaits them.
