With the club football season now in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts to the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament, where the best international teams in Europe will vie for glory. Scheduled for June and July, this highly anticipated event promises to deliver thrilling matches, showcasing the world’s top-class players in action.
The stakes are high, with the winner earning the coveted title of European champions and a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup. UEFA Euro 2024 promises to deliver intense group stages, with thrilling clashes set to unfold.
Group A
Germany vs Scotland
Germany, the host nation, kicks off the Euro 2024 tournament against Scotland. Led by young coach Julian Nagelsmann, Germany aims to rectify past mistakes and make a strong start. They have already shown promise by beating France and the Netherlands in friendly matches this year.
Scotland, meanwhile, finished second in their qualifying group behind Spain and has won only one of their last four matches. However, they have a history of surprising teams, having beaten Spain 2-0 in qualifying.
The two teams have met before, with Germany winning both times. Their last meeting was in a Euro 2016 qualifier, where Germany won 3-2 with goals from Thomas Muller and Ilkay Gundogan.
This match promises to be an exciting opener for the tournament, with both teams eager to make a good start. Will Germany’s home advantage and recent form give them the edge, or will Scotland pull off an upset?
Group B
Spain vs Croatia
One of the most highly anticipated matches in the ‘Group of Death’ takes place on June 15 in Berlin, as Spain and Croatia clash in a thrilling opening tie. The reigning European champions, Italy, and dark horses Albania are also part of this formidable group. This mouthwatering encounter pits the 2008 and 2012 European champions, Spain, against the 2018 World Cup finalists, Croatia, in a rematch of their intense 2023 UEFA Nations League final, which Spain won on penalties.
This will be the fourth consecutive European Championship where Spain and Croatia face each other. Their previous encounters have been nothing short of spectacular, with Spain edging a 5-3 thriller in the Euro 2020 last 16 and securing a 1-0 win in the group stages in 2012. However, Croatia triumphed 2-1 in the group stages in 2016, with Ivan Perisic scoring a dramatic late winner. This upcoming match promises to be just as electrifying, with both teams vying for supremacy in the ‘Group of Death’
Spain vs Italy
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This fixture between Spain and Italy on June 20 at the Veltins-Arena is undoubtedly the standout fixture of the group stage at this summer’s European Championships. As the winners of three of the last four tournaments, Spain poses a significant threat to Italy’s bid to defend their continental title. Under the guidance of Luciano Spalletti, Italy has transformed failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, finishing second in their qualifying group behind England.
The history between these two football powerhouses is rich and storied, with Spain emerging victorious in their most recent encounter in the 2022 Nations League semi-finals. However, Italy prevailed on penalties in the same stage of Euro 2020. Notably, the Azzurri’s seasoned defenders, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, were part of the backline that conceded four goals to Spain in the Euro 2012 final, a match that ended in a resounding victory for Vicente del Bosque’s Spain. This upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the continent’s most successful teams
Croatia vs Italy
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The final match of Group B promises to be a thrilling encounter between Croatia and Italy on June 24 at the Red Bull Arena. Italy will seek to end a staggering 82-year winless streak against Croatia, having failed to secure a victory in their eight previous meetings. The Azzurri’s sole triumph came in their inaugural, 1942 friendly encounter.
Since then, Croatia has held the upper hand, winning a 2002 World Cup group stage match and earning three consecutive 1-1 draws, including a Euro 2012 encounter. The teams last faced off in Euro 2016 qualifying, with Antonio Candreva scoring in both matches for Italy. This upcoming match presents an opportunity for Italy to break their drought against their Chequered foes and add a new chapter to their storied history.
Group C
Denmark vs England
On June 20, Denmark and England will rekindle their rivalry at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, exactly three years after their thrilling Euro 2020 semi-final encounter. The Danes will be seeking redemption following their heartbreaking 2-1 extra-time defeat at Wembley, and both teams will be confident having topped their qualifying groups.
This Group C showdown marks the first time the two nations have met in the European Championship group stages since 1992 when they played out a goalless draw. Interestingly, that tournament saw Denmark make history by winning the entire competition. Will history repeat itself? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – this match promises to be an electrifying encounter between two formidable teams
Group D
Netherlands vs France
On June 21, the Netherlands and France will reignite their rivalry in Group D, having already faced off in the Euro 2024 qualifying group. France demonstrated their superiority with a 4-0 thrashing and a 2-1 victory in their qualifying matches, showcasing their status as favorites in this head-to-head. Les Bleus have been dominant in their recent encounters, winning seven of their last eight matches against the Dutch in all competitions.
However, the Netherlands can draw inspiration from their past successes in the Euro 2000 and Euro 2008 group stages, where they emerged victorious against France. This upcoming clash in Leipzig promises to be a pivotal battle that will likely determine the top spot in Group D, with both teams eager to assert their dominance and make a statement in the tournament
