WRITTEN BY: ALEX MREMA
Europe awaits for 24 of its best nations to kick off her headline football tournament on the 14th of June. This edition of the tournament promises to showcase some spectacular football filled with style, flair and a uniqueness that is only found in Europe. Surprises, thrillers and fierceness is promised throughout the Euros- not to forget the wonderful and warm German hosts who are promised to provide the vibes in and around the country.On that note, I present my second article on the best games Germany has to offer throughout the group stages!
GROUP D GAME: POLAND VS NETHERLANDS DATE: 16th June 2024 TIME: 14:00 BST
Poland look to prove themselves on the European stage again after a shocking Euro 2020 that saw them finish last in their group with one point and six goals conceded. Coach Michal Probierz will look to the strength of his young and powerful midfield featuring Brighton’s Jakub Moder and Roma’s Nicola Zalewski while the experienced head of Piotr Zielenski is expected to be the headlight to this midfield’s vision. Robert Lewandowski and Wojciech Szczeny are expected to play with an extra chip on their shoulder as this is likely to be their last international tournament for Poland. However, this Dutch side is one lethal side on their day. They can make teams suffer both offensively and defensively plus they can control the midfield appropriately if the backs are not against the walls. Plus the Netherlands put on an impressive run in the 2022 World Cup only to crash out in devastating fashion. Under Ronald Koeman, they have put on some very impressive performances but the only hiccups have come in games against that are “better” than them (in terms of player quality) where they perform poorly. With Netherlands being wishy-washy, can they do enough to beat Poland? We’ll see!
GAME: NETHERLANDS VS FRANCE DATE: 21st June 2024 TIME: 20:00 BST
France are certainly THE side to fear in this tournament. They have everything and they ooze in class with all that they have from the keepers all the way down to the manager. This French side has the potential to win every game in this tournament. Undoubtedly, the return of the engine that is N’golo Kante is vital to this French squad as they look to make their midfield a well-oiled machine with the never-expiring and youthful trio of Rabiot, Tchuoameni and Camavinga partnering working with the experienced Kante. The only problem, is how Deschamps will intergrate Kante in the French in a manner that is smooth and equally provides an immediate click. This is what the Dutch will look to pounce on. Regardless of the result of their first game against Poland, this game is what will make or break their tournament as a loss will be possibly detrimental to their progress while a win will probably make progression ever so likely. Can Koeman’s squad pounce on Les Bleus gamble?
GAME: NETHERLANDS VS AUSTRIA DATE: 25th June 2024 TIME: 17:00 BST
Austria are a side that are able to do their bits. Ralf Ragnick has enforced a hustling and fighting spirit that makes his squad work to the very end-which credits why they have qualified as one of the 24 nations certain to rock Europe this summer. They play progressive,fun,attacking football and are a side that are fearless. The experienced figures of Marko Arnautovic,Michael Gregoristch and Konrad Laimer are key to the leadership of Das Team this summer as the status on main figurehead David Alaba remains unclear as he is out with an injury. Holland’s approach to this game will be interesting. Particularly on how they will view the aerial battle between van Dijk and Gregoristch and how direct Arnautovic is towards the rest of the defence. Les Oranjes also have the capabilites to throw a tactical masterclass that can throw Ragnick and his men overboard. Let’s not forget that this is the final group game, so alll can be to play for...tactics may be thrown out the window and it might just be a full on dog fight between the two nations- what we need!
GROUP E GAME: UKRAINE VS BELGIUM DATE: 26th June 2024 TIME: 17:00
Group E is probably the weakest one in the tournament (alongside Group C).But, that does not take away from some of the talent displayed in the group. As expected to be showcased when the fiery Red Devils of Belgium face off against The Blues and Yellows of Ukraine. This will be Belgium’s first tournament without the legendary Eden Hazard in their camp, however this squad has seen the rise of some extremely talented players namely, Amadou Onana, Charles de Ketelaere and Jeremy Doku that all -coincidently- reside from the English Premier League. Head coach Domenico Tedesco has managed to fit in a blend of youth and experience as Belgium says goodbye to their “first phase” golden generation players and welcome new generation players to renovate the aging squad.On the other side of the dugout, coach Sergiy Rebrov has brought a squad that is extremely pacey,physical,daring and fearless. These aspects are best described in players such as Matviyenko,Zincheko, Mykola Shaparenko,Mudryk,Yaremchuk plus La Liga top scorer and Round of 16 hero in Euro 2020- Artem Dobvyk. This Ukraine squad can bring the heat at any point in the game, even against the run of play- they did not play their best football in Euro 2020 but somehow ended as quarter-finalists, just let it sink in when they start playing their best football...
GROUP F GAME: PORTUGAL VS CZECH REPUBLIC DATE: 18th June 2024 TIME: 20:00 BST
Portugal are a squad that is star-studded throughout and are led by the man, the myth, the
legend that is Cristiano Ronaldo who has the same drive to win as when he first landed in this
tournament 2004. He is the all-time Euros top scorer and you should expect more goals from
within the next four weeks of football. The somewhat fear-factor that strikes opponents is that
this is a Portugal squad that can snatch goals from anywhere, even when Ronaldo has a silent
game, they can get results from Goncalo Ramos, Bernado Silva, Rafael Leao, Bruno
Fernandes... and the list goes on! Truly scary what Seleção das Quinas has in store. But the
Lokomotiva has something to say and boy on their day can they make a statement, this squad’s
physicality, progressive football and never-say-die attitude is what has gotten them results
throughout their journey to the tournament. Players such as Schick,Hlozek,Soucek and Antonin
Barak are vital for the Czech Republic and when they are called upon, they deliver- just ask the
Dutch.
GAME: CZECH REPUBLIC VS TURKEY DATE: 26th June 2024 TIME: 20:00 BST
Turkey have underperformed in recent tournaments- with group stage exists in Euro 2016 as well as Euro 2020. They do appear to be a better organized squad nowdays and do not settle for less when it comes to working for a positive result. The Crescent Stars are a joyful side that carry an immense amount of pride for the badge on their jerseys and wear their hearts on their sleeves for every game, this passion can be a huge motivating factor as to how far they progress through the tournament. The talent that the Czech Republic possesses however, can kill off the Turkish party. They are side that comes in to take results like the way a bully eould steal candy from a baby, they just simply play their football and move on quietly but equally deadly. Can they be the party poopers against Turkey in their final group game?
