Finalizing announcements for the 2024 tournament begins this Thursday; Germany, as host country, is already guaranteed and does not participate in this phase
The 17th edition of euro cup will be held between 14 June and 14 July 2024, but will start defining its representatives from this Thursday, with eight matches in the first round of the Playoffs – there will be eight more on Friday and seven more on Saturday. with the landlady Germany out of contention to be the host country and with the Russia banned from uefa due to the attacks on Ukraine, 53 teams start looking for 20 direct jobs. Three more will exit the playoffs with 12 teams. The first day of disputes already has the re-edition of the 2020 final, between Italy and England, this time with the Italian command and with the team of Gareth Southgate wanting to end a 62-year winning streak in the home of commanders of Robert Mancini.
There are seven groups with five representatives and three with six. All play against all in two-legged duels and the top two in each group advance directly. The first stage will last until November 2023, while the playoff stage will take place in 2024, with the 10 third-placed and teams from the League of Nations distributed in three groups of four, with the best of each guaranteed.
It will be the opening of the new selection season after Argentina’s consecration at the World Cup in Qatar in December. And the fan will immediately face reigning champion Italy, absent from the last two Cups, trying to recover against England, who they beat on penalties, on 11 July 2021, by 3 to 2 after 1 to 1 in normal weather at Wembley Stadium.
At various times, the sides meet in Group C at Estadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, where Roberto Mancini hopes the good vibes of Napoli’s irresistible campaign this season can wash over his men against the busy English. As Italy seeks to be reborn in Europe, visitors will have a 62-year taboo of gaming in Italy to break.
There were seven games in the period, with five Italian victories and two draws. The last English party in Italy was a 3-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in 1961. The English again won a friendly with the Italian command in 1997, 2-0, but the match was played in Nantes, France.
In their last five games Italy have won one and drawn the other four and Southgate see their side ready to close so quickly. “It’s the kind of challenge we have to face and the kind of game we have to start winning. We’ve done it for a while, but we have to try and do it more consistently. That said, we haven’t won here since 1961, so it’s also another piece of history that we are trying to change,” he stressed.
Should his spell in Italy be broken, Southgate would secure his 50th victory in charge of England in 82 caps. And he believes it is possible. “This team has broken down many of these barriers in the past, they know the level required and they have the ability to do it.”
On the other hand, the excited Mancini praised England before predicting a great result for his team. “It is one of the best teams in the world, it has a roster of extraordinary players. It will be a very complicated match, but we will try to do our best. It will not be easy for both of us, “he predicted, without hiding his confidence in returning to the top after absence from the World Cup.
“We went from a great emotion like winning the European Championship to a great disappointment like not qualifying for the World Cup. It was a great disappointment, we didn’t deserve it. Now let’s start again, we want to qualify for 2024, win the League of Nations and then play the Euro in the best way as a defending champion” said the coach. “It will be a new story and we want to start qualifying well.”
Italians and Brits would have to make a particular fight for the top of the key. Favorites, they shouldn’t suffer with their other group opponents, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta. But Southgate preaches total respect for past problems. “We’ve already experienced matches that they took us for granted. While some groups seemed comfortable, there were many nights where that wasn’t the case in previous rounds.”
CRISTIANO RONALDO WITH MORAL
The expectation is also great with Portugal. Roberto MartÃnez took over from Fernando Santos and hopes to repeat the good work done in Belgium. The technician was keen to demonstrate that he had Cristiano Ronaldo, summoned and placed as team leader by the Spanish commander.
“I am very happy to have Cristiano Ronaldo by my side as we face challenges and difficulties,” said the coach, in the preview of the match against Liechtenstein. “A new cycle with Cristiano Ronaldo makes us better,” he admitted, not sparing the cast of praise. “Everyone is in the group to reckon, we have two games in a short time and it’s not the time to start or not, it’s the time to get involved and get better,” he said. “The Portuguese footballer’s individual level is impressive and there is a desire to grow. From then on, it’s about developing the highest level we can reach.”
After revealing that he has thought about leaving the selection, Cristiano Ronaldo shows enthusiasm to help his country and the new coach. “I am well prepared and motivated. With a lot of work, I hope to write a brilliant story here. I am very confident that things will go well and this new generation will earn a lot.”
Portugal are favorites in Group J, in which they will face Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Liechtenstein.
GROUPS
- A: Spain, Norway, Scotland, Cyprus and Georgia
- b: France, the Netherlands, Greece, Ireland and Gibraltar
- w: Italy, North Macedonia, Ukraine, England and Malta
- d: Turkey, Croatia, Armenia, Latvia and Wales
- AND: Poland, Czech Republic, Moldova, Albania and Faroe Islands
- f: Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Estonia and Azerbaijan
- g: Hungary, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Serbia
- h: Slovenia, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Kazakhstan, San Marino and Finland
- I: Switzerland, Romania, Belarus, Israel, Andorra and Kosovo
- j: Portugal, Slovakia, Iceland, Luxembourg, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Liechtenstein
Check out the first round matches:
Thursday
- 12:00 pm – Kazakhstan vs Slovenia
- 4.45pm – Slovakia vs Luxembourg
- 4.45pm – Italy vs England
- 4.45pm – Denmark vs Finland
- 4.45pm – Portugal vs Liechtenstein
- 4.45pm – San Marino v Northern Ireland
- 4.45pm – North Macedonia vs. Malta
- 4.45pm – Bosnia Herzegovina vs Iceland
Friday
- 2pm – Bulgaria-Montenegro
- 4.45pm – Gibraltar against Greece
- 4.45pm – Moldova vs Faroe Islands
- 4.45pm – Serbia vs Lithuania
- 4.45pm – Austria against Azerbaijan
- 4.45pm – Sweden vs Belgium
- 4.45pm – Czech Republic vs Poland
- 4.45pm – France vs Holland
Saturday
- 11 in the morning – Scotland v Cyprus
- 2pm – Israel vs Kosovo
- 2pm – Armenia vs Turkey
- 2pm – Belarus against Switzerland
- 4.45pm – Spain vs Norway
- 4.45pm – Croatia v Wales
- 4.45pm – Andorra against Romania
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
