The 2024 European Championship kicks off with an exciting Group E clash between Belgium and Slovakia. As both teams take to the field in Frankfurt on June 17, 2024, at 6 p.m., all eyes are on Belgium, a prominent title contender with high aspirations. Led by coach Domenico Tedesco, Belgium aims to make a strong statement right from their first match. Slovakia, meanwhile, hopes to confirm its recent impressive form after securing decisive friendly wins against Wales and San Marino.
Belgium has a rich history in the European Championships, having participated six times and achieved its best result by reaching the final in 1980. Slovakia, although less frequent in their appearances with five participations, holds the distinction of winning the title in 1976 as part of the former Czechoslovakia. In their most recent encounter in the 2020 European Championship, Slovakia was eliminated in the preliminary round.
Under the guidance of Italian coach Francesco Calzona, who also manages Italian first division club SSC Napoli, Slovakia approaches the match with a tactical strategy focusing on high pressing, designed to counter Belgium’s notorious counterattacking. Slovakia's captain, Milan Skriniar, has particularly warned his teammates about Belgium’s star striker Romelu Lukaku, highlighting his own experience playing with Lukaku at Inter Milan.
Adding to the anticipation is the return of Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne to Frankfurt. His last notable incident in the city was in 2015, where a clash with a ball boy led to a fine that was eventually covered by his then-club, Wolfsburg. De Bruyne's presence on the field is expected to bolster Belgium’s midfield strength significantly.
The match follows Romania’s victory over Ukraine with a 3-0 scoreline earlier in the day, setting the stage for an even more thrilling Group E battle. The live updates and team compositions promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats as the tournament progresses, with Belgium eager to lead in the group rankings and Slovakia determined to make a mark.
- Belgium's recent form under Tedesco includes three wins and two draws in their last five games, highlighting their strong competitive streak.
- Slovakia's coach Francesco Calzona's dual role managing both the national team and SSC Napoli is a unique scenario in the history of Italian football.
- The 2024 European Championship sees numerous exciting matches lined up across different groups, with notable performances expected from teams like Germany, Spain, and England, each looking to dominate their respective groups.
