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7 Euro 2020 group games that can’t be missed
With squads confirmed for Euro 2020, excitement for the tournament is reaching fever pitch. Turkey vs. Italy kicks things off in Rome on July 11th and exactly one month later the champions will be crowned at London’s Wembley Stadium. Here are the Euro 2020 group games that look unmissable over the course of the next few weeks.
7 Euro 2020 group games that can’t be missed
Austria vs. North Macedonia (June 13, Bucharest)
Day three of Euro 2020 sees debutants North Macedonia make their bow and it is not out of the question that they could sneak through an open-looking Group C, which also features the Netherlands.
Goran Pandev – the captain who turns 38 next month – is one of the few familiar faces in the North Macedonia squad. This is another chance for their players to make names for themselves after recording a shock 2-1 victory away to Germany in a World Cup qualifier back in March.
France vs. Germany (June 15, Munich)
It could take a little while for Euro 2020 to warm up, with not too much to get excited about over the first couple of days of group games.
But the first meeting of heavyweights in the ultra-competitive Group F should get Euro 2020 properly up and running as favourites France take on Germany.
Joachim Low’s team have home advantage with the game being played in Munich. However, France’s shock recall of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema from several years in international exile gives Les Bleus even more firepower and a rich seam of talent runs through their squad.
Germany bombed at the last World Cup but bringing back Thomas Muller indicates the outgoing Low is determined to go out on a high. Hansi Flick of Bayern Munich is set to replace him.
England vs. Scotland (June 18, London)
This should be one of the top games of the Euro 2020 group stage, with Scotland making a long-awaited return to a major tournament by facing their old rivals at Wembley.
Naturally, memories will turn to their clash at Euro 96. David Seaman’s penalty save, Paul Gascoigne’s sensational solo goal and the mercurial midfielder’s equally famous dentist chair celebration.
Few are expecting Steve Clarke’s side to go far but this will be a stern test of England’s mettle if they are to succeed at what is almost a home tournament with the semis and final at Wembley.
Portugal vs. Germany (June 19, Munich)
Group F is certainly the strongest of the six sections of the expanded Euros this summer, with Portugal dangerous opponents in what could be Cristiano Ronaldo’s penultimate major tournament.
Defending champions and winners of the inaugural Nations League, Fernando Santos’ side should surely be among the favourites but they are almost kicking off as dark horses instead.
How they fare against favourites France will be a sign of whether they are contenders again.
Finland vs. Belgium (June 21, St Petersburg)
Along with North Macedonia, Finland are the other side making their Euros debut this summer. They are among the rank outsiders for the trophy but star striker Teemu Pukki of Norwich City has hit 30 international goals, with 10 of those strikes coming in qualifying for Euro 2020.
Belgium – the top team in FIFA’s world rankings going into the tournament – might well have secured their place in the next round by the last group games. If that happens, it could allow Finland to surprisingly sneak into the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed sides.
Sweden vs. Poland (June 23, St Petersburg)
Spain should top Group E but it looks wide open behind them, with Slovakia the fourth side.
There should be something riding on the outcome of this clash in Russia, with the Poland captain Robert Lewandowski potentially a sneaky outsider pick for the Golden Boot after a record-breaking season in the Bundesliga for champions Bayern Munich.
Poland were quarter-finalists at Euro 2016 and will be targeting a similar result with a strong showing the the group games, while Sweden have not been further than the group stage since 2004.
Portugal vs. France (June 23, Budapest)
The ‘Group of Death’ ends the first phase of Euro 2020 with a bang. It is possible Group F is resolved by the final matchday but revenge will be on the menu for France in this repeat of the final five years ago, which Didier Deschamps’ side lost on home soil to Eder’s extra-time goal.
It would be a big shock if either of these sides headed home early, especially as the group stage only eliminates eight teams. Stars like Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann will be on show, making this one of the Euro 2020 group games that you cannot miss.
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