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From June 14 to July 14 across ten host cities, some of the biggest stars on the planet will wear the colours of their countries and fight for national pride.
Soccernet.football’s Imhons Erons takes a look at the five potentially entertaining games on matchday one of Euro 2024.
1. Germany vs Scotland
Few matches are more tense than the opening games of international tournaments, where the hosts will look to start on a bright note while their opponents will aim at causing an upset.
So many of such storylines can play out when Germany take on Scotland at the Fußball Arena München.
With Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane, and Florian Wirtz in their fold, the Germans will start as big favourites against the Scots.
However, Scotland arrived full of confidence after beating Gibraltar and playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Finland last week.
Both teams have scored in the last four games between Germany and Scotland while five goals were scored during the last meeting in 2015. Expect some fireworks in Munich.
2. Hungary vs Switzerland
The first game to be played at the Cologne Stadium in Köln is the mouthwatering clash between Hungary and their distant cousins Switzerland.
There is never a dull moment when these two nations face off on a football field with 15 goals scored in only their last three meetings.
Hungary have not beaten the Swiss since a 2-0 triumph in 1998 but the Magyarok are in the mood after winning four of their last five games – including a 3-0 thrashing of Israel last week.
But they are likely to meet their match in Switzerland, who parade AC Milan’s Noah Okafor and Bayer Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka among many other talented stars.
3. Spain vs Croatia
On Saturday, June 15, it will be Spain’s turn to test the might of hard-hitting Croatia.
Croatia have continued to punch above their weight in major tournaments, with the Vatreni defying their small size to reach the finals of the 2018 World Cup and the 2023 Nations League Finals.
Interestingly, the Croats have never gone beyond the quarterfinals of the Euros and will want to go at least one better this time.
That objective starts with the opener against no other than three-time European champions and 2010 World Cup winner, Spain.
This clash at the Olympiastadion Berlin is a replay of the final of the 2023 Nations League which Spain won on penalties after final scores stayed goalless. Will it be revenge time for Croatia or will Spain exert their dominance?
4. Serbia vs England
Inconsistent England have their work cut out against Serbia in their opening match at Euro 2024 slated for the Arena Auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen.
England are one of the favourites to win this tournament, with the Three Lions arriving with one of the strongest squads around topped up by Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka.
Despite their huge reservoir of talent every year, England have never won the Euros but they came closest in the last edition where they reached the final only to be undone by a stubborn Italy team.
Gareth Southgate’s men landed in Germany after falling to a 1-0 defeat to Iceland, claiming just one win in their last five games. That is not championship-winning form and it would have given Serbia a lot of confidence ahead of their meeting.
The Serbians showed their mettle when beating Sweden 3-0 last week and they will look to claim their first-ever win over England on Sunday.
5. Austria vs France
France were unlucky to lose on penalties at the 2022 FIFA World Cup final to Argentina after coming really close to winning the time during extra time.
The 2018 World Cup winners will descend on Euro 2024 with some of the best footballers in the world in Antoine Griezmann and that man Kylian Mbappé.
Having won the World Cup and the UEFA Nations League, the Euros is the only major title left for Mbappe to win for France and he seems poised to help Les Bleus lift a title they last won in 2000.
The first hurdle France have to scale is Austria, who remain proud of their third-place finish at the 1954 World Cup.
The Austrians have grown into a tough, difficult-to-beat unit and have tasted defeat only once in the last two years.
Ralf Rangnick’s Boys have won all but one of their last seven games, with a 2-0 triumph over Germany and a 6-1 victory against Turkey being two of the highlights during that incredible run.
France have won two while Austria have won one of the last four games between these two nations and another goal-filled match awaits inside the Düsseldorf Arena this Monday.
