UEFA Euro 2024: Five round-robin matches to get hyped for

Euro 2024, the 17th edition of UEFA's European Championships, will commence on June 14 in stadiums across Germany. Italy, the defending champions, will headline the dreaded Group B alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania. Group A will feature hosts Germany, Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland; Group C will include odds-on favorites England, Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia; and Group D will include Poland, France, Netherlands and Austria. Group E will feature Belgium, Ukraine, Slovakia and Romania, and Group F will include Portugal, Turkey, Czechia and Euro debutants Georgia.

As is tradition, the top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16, and four of the six third-placed teams will also qualify for the knockout stages (based on wins/points). 

While the festivities kick off with Germany versus Scotland on June 14, here are five fascinating matches to circle on your calendar in the round-robin stages.  

June 15:
Group B: Spain vs. Croatia
Spain has won four of its last seven ties against Croatia and is seeking its record fourth Euro title. Obviously, it starts the favorite on paper. But is there a more motivated team entering the event than the Vatreni? Since its Euro debut in 1996, Croatia has reached the knockouts phase four out of six times but has never advanced past the quarters. Don't sleep on the Croatians, riding on the spectacular play of Josko Gvardiol, making a deep run just two years after they finished third in the FIFA World Cup. They owe it to their fearless leader, Luka Modric, who is expected to bow out after the event. 

June 17:
France vs. Austria
If not for the injury to their best player, David Alaba, Austria would be the biggest dark horse to win Euro 2024. That's how formidable the Austrians have become under the leadership of Ralf Rangnick, who turned down a high-profile job at Bayern Munich to remain Austria's coach earlier this year. The Austrians suffered just one loss in their eight qualifying games, and Rangnick's counter-pressing tactical style could throw a wrench in France's possession-based style relying on its duo of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe in the forefront. France should win this, but all signs point to a riveting game.

June 20:
Denmark vs. England
It likely took the Danish many sleepless nights to get over their 2-1 extra-time loss to England in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium. Here is their opportunity to exact revenge. Both squads steamrolled opponents in the qualifying stages, with The Three Lions — the betting favorites to win their first-ever Euro title — going undefeated in their group. While England is younger, more athletic and battle-tested, Demark is likely hungrier, knowing well that its veteran star trio of Kasper Schmeichel, Simon Kjaer and Christian Eriksen is nearing the end. The Danes need rising Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund to have his coming out party and put his stamp on an aging team.

June 20:
Spain vs. Italy
For the fifth consecutive Euro event, these heavyweights will renew their rivalry. It feels like forever since Italy beat Spain by penalties to clinch a final berth in 2021. Both squads have undergone drastic changes, with Spain preparing to usher in the era of Lamine Yamal while riding on the growth of Rodri and Pedri. Despite being the defending champions, the Azzurri took a rocky path to Euro 2024 after narrowly avoiding the qualifying play-offs courtesy of a hard-fought draw against Ukraine. Many pundits love Italiy's chances to repeat under new coach Luciano Spalletti.

June 21:
Netherlands vs. France
After being dealt one of the biggest upsets in Euro history by Switzerland in the Round of 16 of Euro 2020, France regained their rhythm by defeating The Oranje twice in the qualifying stages. As such, there are few surprises here — the teams know each other well — but Didier Deschamps' squad likely has the psychological edge. Mbappe wasn't on the team when France finished runners-up in 2016. He's hungry for the Euro title and the Dutch are in his way. Holland has not made it past the Euro quarters since 2004, but it has a lot of firepower in Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons and Virgil van Dijk to feel very optimistic this time. This contest promises to be a barnburner.