Euro 2024 Fixture Highlights
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The best international football teams in Europe are in Germany for the 17th edition of the European Championships. Like all major tournaments, the opening group games will be crucial for those teams looking to qualify for the knockout phase. When we scan the list of Euro 2024 fixtures and dates, there will be specific matches that will likely decide the outcome of the section. Showdowns between the strongest nations offer the most highly-anticipated clashes, and here are five mouthwatering ties to look forward to.
Poland vs The Netherlands: June 16th
France are the hot favourites to win Group D, which means that the final automatic qualifying place is likely to come down to a straight shootout between Poland and the Netherlands. The teams meet in Hamburg on June 16th, and if either side wins, qualification should be guaranteed.
It’s the opening game in this section, and these matches can often be cagey affairs with neither side wanting to lose. The Dutch play an attractive brand of football, while Poland should be stronger in defence, so it will be fascinating to see how this tie develops.
Spain vs Italy: June 20th
For many neutral fans, the clash between Spain and Italy in Group B is the tie of the opening rounds. The Schalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen is the venue for two giants of world football, both of whom have strong records in this tournament.
Spain won the Euros most recently in 2012, while Italy arrive as the defending champions. Incredibly, this is the fifth time in a row that the teams have met in the European Championships. With a strong Croatian side also in this section, neither country dare lose this game.
Denmark vs England: June 21st
The last time these sides met in this tournament, England emerged as winners in the semi final round of Euro 2020. The Danes are out for revenge in a match that has huge importance in Group C.
Both Slovenia and Serbia will be hopeful of causing an upset, so this is another tie where three points will likely secure progression to the knockouts. It should also be an entertaining game in Frankfurt between two attacking sides with plenty of firepower.
Romania vs Belgium: June 22nd
Both Belgium and Romania should be confident of progressing from a group that also includes Slovakia and Ukraine. Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku set a new record in Euros qualifying with 14 goals, and this should be an open and attacking game.
It’s the highlight of Group E, but Romania vs Belgium is also a step into the unknown. The sides have only met competitively on two previous occasions, which resulted in a win each during qualifying for the 1994 World Cup.
Georgia vs Portugal: June 26th
Group F looks to be the most open of all sections, with Georgia, Portugal, Turkey and the Czech Republic all hopeful of qualifying. Depending on previous results in the group, we could see one of two different scenarios in this final fixture.
Portugal may already have progressed, but if they need the points, attention will focus on one of the greatest players of all time. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo will need to be at his brilliant best, and if his team are eliminated, we could be seeing the last of CR7 on the international stage.
- Euro 2024