Sports
Euro 2024: What you need to know
Euro 2024 is set to begin in Germany on 14 June with the host nation Germany playing Scotland in Munich. The final will be played on 14 July in Berlin.
All 51 matches will be played across 10 stadiums, marking Germany’s organisation of another international football event after the 2006 World Cup.
All matches will be shown on TVNZ+ and times below are NZ time.
Italy are the defending champions, having beaten England in the final of Euro 2020 in London, when the tournament was postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Below you can find details, insights, and the schedule for every team during the group stage.
GROUP A
Germany
Three-times European champions and the Euro 2024 hosts, [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/519403/germany-eye-title-as-fans-get-ready-for-euro-2024-party
Germany are among the favourites] under Julian Nagelsmann, who was appointed coach in September.
Die Mannschaft will rely on players like 21-year-old Bundesliga champion Florian Wirtz alongside Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala and Barcelona midfielder and captain Ilkay Gundogan.
Hungary
Hungary secured a spot at Euro 2024 without losing a game in qualifying, topping their group with a game to spare after a dramatic draw against Bulgaria.
Captain Dominik Szoboszlai and striker Barnabas Varga, the team’s top scorers during the qualifiers, will be key if Hungary are to reach the round of 16 which they failed to achieve in 2020.
Scotland
Scotland finished second in their qualifying group to reach their second European Championship in a row.
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, who scored seven goals in eight qualifiers, will be a key player as Scotland bid to advance to the knockout stage for the first time.
Switzerland
The road to Euro 2024 was tricky for Switzerland who finished second in their group after recording five draws, four wins and one loss, sparking debate about the future of manager Murat Yakin.
Switzerland will rely on seasoned veterans like Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer and captain Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen to reach the knockout stages.
Schedule
Germany v Scotland June 15 at 0700 in Munich
Hungary v Switzerland June 16 at 0100 in Cologne
Germany v Hungary June 20 at 0400 in Stuttgart
Scotland v Switzerland June 20 at 0700 in Cologne
Germany v Switzerland June 24 at 0700 in Frankfurt am Main
Scotland v Hungary June 24 at 0700 in Stuttgart
Spain’s forward Lamine Yamal runs with the ball Photo: AFP
GROUP B
Spain
Spain are seeking their third European title after back-to-back wins in 2008 and 2012 and a semi-final loss to Italy in the last tournament.
The team, coached by Luis de la Fuente since the 2022 World Cup, will feature 16-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and experienced players like Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata.
Croatia
Croatia will aim to advance beyond the European Championship quarter-finals for the first time, blending youthful talent with seasoned leaders like Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Tottenham Hotspur’s Ivan Perisic.
The team, who reached the World Cup final in 2018 and the semis four years later, will have Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol at the heart of their defence. Zlatko Dalic has coached the team since 2017.
Italy
Italy are the reigning champions, but much has changed since their success in 2021. In August, Luciano Spalletti, who had led Napoli to the Serie A title, became the new manager after Roberto Mancini unexpectedly resigned after five years at the helm.
The team secured a spot at Euro 2024 by finishing second in their qualifying group. Their squad has been bolstered by promising young talents after many veterans left following Euro 2020. Italy also won the European Championship in 1968.
Albania
After making their debut in 2016, Albania are set to compete in their second-ever European championship after they won their qualifying group, ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland, thanks to a seven-game unbeaten streak.
Albania, who appointed Brazilian manager Sylvinho in January 2023, have nine players from Italy’s Serie A and will count on young talents such as Inter Milan midfielder Kristjan Asllani and Chelsea striker Armando Broja.
Schedule
Spain v Croatia June 16 at 0400 in Berlin
Italy v Albania June 16 at 0700 in Dortmund
Croatia v Albania June 20 at 0100 in Hamburg
Spain v Italy June 21 at 0700 in Gelsenkirchen
Albania v Spain June 25 at 0700 in Duesseldorf
Croatia v Italy June 25 at 0700 in Leipzig
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur Photo: PHOTOSPORT
GROUP C
Slovenia
It will be Slovenia’s first major tournament in 14 years following the 2010 World Cup and their second appearance in the competition after their debut at Euro 2000.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, top scorer in qualifying with five goals, is in the squad along with 31-year-old Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak and former Atalanta attacking midfielder Josip Ilicic.
Denmark
The 1992 European champions were semi-finalists at Euro 2020 where Christian Eriksen collapsed due to a heart attack during their opener against Finland.
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund scored seven goals in qualifying, while Eriksen provides creativity in midfield.
Serbia
This is the first time Serbia have qualified for the European Championship as an independent nation, having last competed as Yugoslavia at Euro 2000 and finished runners-up in 1960 and 1968.
Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is the team’s top talent, along with Saudi Arabia-based Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and 35-year-old captain Dusan Tadic who is now with Fenerbahçe.
England
The Three Lions, runners-up in the last edition, are one of the favourites to lift a trophy that England have never won before as they also chase their first major title in 58 years.
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane will lead the way for coach Gareth Southgate’s side.
Schedule
Slovenia v Denmark June 17 at 0400 in Stuttgart
Serbia v England June 17 at 0700 in Gelsenkirchen
Slovenia v Serbia June 20 at 0100 in Munich
Denmark v England June 20 at 0400 in Frankfurt am Main
England v Slovenia June 25 at 0700 in Cologne
Denmark v Serbia June 25 at 0700 in Munich
Kylian Mbappe (France) celebrates after scoring. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
GROUP D
Netherlands
The Netherlands are preparing for their 11th European Championship and are the team with the most third-place finishes in the tournament.
The 1988 European champions will hope for more goals from Atletico Madrid striker Memphis Depay, who is five goals shy of Robin van Persie’s all-time scoring record for the team.
France
Twice European champions France are among the favourites to hoist the trophy, having reached the final at three of their last four international tournaments.
Real Madrid’s new recruit Kylian Mbappe will lead the team while midfielder N’Golo Kante made a surprise return to the squad after making his last appearance in 2022.
Poland
Poland, who have not missed a European championship since making their debut in 2008, will look to get through the group stage for a second time after reaching the quarter-finals in 2016.
The team has injury concerns over strikers Robert Lewandowski and Karol Swiderski following their last friendly against Turkey, while Arkadiusz Milik suffered an injury in another warm-up match against Ukraine that ruled the Juventus striker out of the tournament.
Austria
Austria have played only 10 games at European Championships, having featured in three previous editions of the tournament, reaching the last 16 once at Euro 2020.
Despite an injury to Real Madrid’s David Alaba, the squad still has some talent in its ranks including Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer, Inter Milan’s Marko Arnautovic and Borussia Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer.
Schedule
Poland v Netherlands June 17 at 0100 in Hamburg
Austria v France June 18 at 0700 in Duesseldorf
Poland v Austria June 22 at 0400 in Berlin
Netherlands v France June 22 at 0700 in Leipzig
Netherlands v Austria June 26 at 0400 in Berlin
France v Poland June 26 at 0400 in Dortmund
Belgian footballer Kevin De Bruyne playing for Manchester City. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
GROUP E
Belgium
Belgium will participate in their seventh European Championship, and are looking to redeem themselves after failing to get past the group stage at the 2022 World Cup.
Under manager Domenico Tedesco, the Red Devils are expected to be strong contenders, after qualifying top of their group, with six wins and two draws in eight matches.
Slovakia
Slovakia will play at their third consecutive European Championship and hope to reach the knockout stages after failing to do so at the last tournament.
Napoli’s Stanislav Lobotka will lead from midfield, while Paris St Germain defender Milan Skriniar will marshal the defence in front of Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Romania
Romania, who will play in their sixth European Championship, were a surprise package in the qualifiers, remaining unbeaten and topping their group, above Switzerland.
Led by Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin and Deportivo Alaves’s Ianis Hagi, the Tricolorii were held to goalless draws against Bulgaria and Liechtenstein in their final two friendlies before the tournament.
Ukraine
Making their first appearance in a major tournament since Russia’s invasion started in February 2022, Ukraine will participate at their fourth straight Euros.
With talents such as Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk and Arsenal fullback Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ukraine are well-equipped to reach the knockout stages.
Schedule
Romania v Ukraine June 18 at 0100 in Munich
Belgium v Slovakia June 18 at 0400 in Frankfurt am Main
Slovakia v Ukraine June 22 at 0100 in Duesseldorf
Belgium v Romania June 23 at 0700 in Cologne
Slovakia v Romania June 27 at 0400 in Frankfurt am Main
Ukraine v Belgium June 27 at 0400 in Stuttgart
Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team’s goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
GROUP F
Turkey
Turkey, who are taking part in their sixth Euros, last reached the semi-finals in 2008, when they lost 3-2 to Germany in a thriller.
Inter Milan star Hakan Calhanoglu and Real Madrid’s young talent Arda Guler are set to lead the Crescent Stars into their third consecutive Euros.
Georgia
Georgia will participate in their first major finals as an independent nation, after they secured their spot in the tournament by defeating Luxembourg and then Greece in the playoffs.
The team is spearheaded by Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Metz forward Georges Mikautadze and are underdogs to reach the knockout stage.
Portugal
Five times Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo will shoulder Portugal’s hopes at Euro 2024, with manager Roberto Martinez hoping to guide them to a second European title after their triumph in 2016.
Portugal will play at their eighth consecutive Euros after securing qualification with a 100 percent winning record in their group.
Czech Republic
Under the guidance of coach Ivan Hasek, the Czech Republic will hope to find some form after an uninspiring qualifying campaign in which they finished second in their group behind Albania.
Champions in 1976 as Czechoslovakia, they enter Euro 2024 with some seasoned players in their ranks such as West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek and a revitalised Patrik Schick, who was joint top scorer with five goals at Euro 2020.
Schedule
Turkey v Georgia June 19 at 0400 in Dortmund
Portugal v Czech Republic June 19 at 0700 in Leipzig
Georgia v Czech Republic June 23 at 0100 in Hamburg
Turkey v Portugal June 23 at 0400 in Dortmund
Czech Republic v Turkey June 27 at 0700 in Hamburg
Georgia v Portugal June 27 at 0700 in Gelsenkirchen
Round of 16 matches June 30, July 1, 2, 3
Quarter-finals July 6 and 7
Semi-finals July 10 and 11.
Final July 15
-RNZ/Reuters
Tongan powerhouse forward Addin Fonua-Blake scored the winner as the Tonga 13 pipped Toa Samoa 20-18 in their final pool match at the Rugby League World Cup in Sydney on Sunday night.
His try saw Tonga regain their lead in the tough, physical battle after Samoa had led 18-14 seven minutes from the end.
The big forward managed to break the Samoans’ defensive line with ball in hand, and was in the clear to score what would be the winner in the game.
The Tongans managed to survive the late Samoan fight-back in the last four minutes of the game, with winger Sualauvi Fa’alogo stepping on the sideline as he dived to score a late try that was cancelled; and fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow passing the ball forward after a mid-air catch close to the Tongan line.
The result meant both Pacific Island teams are into the semifinals next weekend, with Tonga topping the combined Pool B and C, set to face New Zealand, while Samoa meets Australia.
That also marks the first time both teams have made the final four at a world cup, with Samoa getting into the semis in two consecutive world meets, having made the final in 2022.
And in another history-making moment, the two men’s team will join their women counterparts Fetū Samoa and the Fiji Bulikula in the semifinals, making it four Pacific island teams playing off for the finals across the men and women’s competition.
Fonua-Blake’s fellow co-captain Jason Taumalolo thanked divine intervention and paid tribute to the fans post-match.
“First and foremost I would like to thank the man above for bringing everyone here not just as a celebration of Samoa and Tonga but the game of rugby league,” Taumalolo said.
“From the Tongan point of view, to see the red flags, Samoan flags, this is probably the best game I have been a part of and truly blessed.
“We knew tonight was gonna be a physical game and it was going to be a tough one from the start.”
He said Tonga was a bit slow off the mark, and Samoa “being the electrifying team they have been in the last two games” came out and put points on the board and made it a contest to the last minute.
“Big shout to the Samoan boys for tonight and it was a very tough game. Thank you to all the MMT fans tonight and thank you so much to the Toa Samoa fans for making tonight special.”
Taumalolo said they will reset and move on to New Zealand next weekend.
“Obviously the Kiwis and Australia are the benchmark,” he said.
“Tonight was a tough one and we have a short turnaround, the boys will get some recovery; celebrate tonight with our families and all our countrymen that came out here to support us.”
Samoan co-captain Junior Paulo congratulated Tonga and thanked the fans also for their support.
“First of all I thank all of our fans on both sides. Toa Samoans am sorry we didn’t get the job done, but at the end of the day this is what it’s all about, making both nations’ people proud,” he said.
“It was one of the games where you were looking forward to [it] before the tournament started and at the end of the day big credit to the Tongan boys for turning up tonight.
“We knew it was going to be a tough one but all blessings to both nations.”
Samoa scored four tries to Tonga’s three but the difference was Tonga’s Isaiya Katoa, who kicked all conversions and a penalty to seal the deal.
Samoan kickers Harris Channel-Tavita and Ronald Volkman only managed to successfully convert one try each.
Physical battle
The first half of 40 minutes turned out as everyone expected, a torrid and physical battle, which featured big hits across the field.
Tonga laid the challenge with their Sipi Tau, before Toa Samoa responded with the Sivi Tau in front of the packed-out 29,400-plus crowd at the CommBank Stadium, Sydney.
Amongst the fans was All Black captain Ardie Savea, who is originally from Samoa.
Isaiya Katoa kicked off the battle and Tonga came close twice in the first 17 minutes.
Former New Zealand Kiwi Dallin Watene-Zelezniak stepped on the sideline as he planted the ball across the line in the right corner, before his wing partner Jojo Fifita lost the ball over the line in the left corner.
Two minutes later dummy half Salesi Foketi knocked on over the line as Tonga went on attack again.
But their consistent pressure gave them the opening try in the 27th minute when centre Robert Toia got an offload from Haumole Olakau’atu and stepped inside Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Sualauvi Faalogo to run around behind the posts. Katoa kicked the conversion as the men in red led 6-0.
In the 35th minute Katoa kicked a penalty from inside the 20-metre zone and pushed Tonga to an 8-0 lead.
However, Samoa got one try back in the 38th minute when veteran winger Brian To’o got the loose ball near the Tongan line and dived over, to reduce the scoreline as Tonga led 8-4 at halftime.
Both sides showed brutal power and physicality upfront, with thunderous hits and tackles, raising cheers from fans.
Tonga had co-captains Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo leading them upfront with Foketi, Olakau’atu, Siua Wong, Tyson Frizell, Stefano Utoikamanu, Taniela Paseka, Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima supporting them.
Toa Samoa were led by Junior Paulo, with Benaiah Ioelu, Connelly Lemuelu, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Manuleleua and Spencer Leniu ably supporting the territorial gains through the middle of the field.
RNZ/ Karoline Tuckey
Close second half
Tonga started the second spell where they had left off at the end of the first, as To’ia was tackled short near the line after their first set of six.
To’ia, who turned down the offer from the Kangaroos to play for them, got to the loose ball after Watene-Zelezniak had caught the high ball from a Katoa bomb near the corner, and tapped it back into the field.
The men from the ‘Friendly Islands’ got the first points in the second 40 in the 47th minute through Jojo Fifita. That came from a scrum near the Samoan 10-metre line, with Katoa combining with veteran Tuimoala Lolohea, who sent a cut-out pass to Fifita, for the winger to run in and score. Katoa’s conversion saw them extend their lead to 14-4.
Samoa got their second try, via To’o again for his second, in the 52nd minute, following a Luai bomb which Critchon collected mid-air and passed it on to Tavita, whose overhead back pass found the unmarked To’o out wide, to stroll in and score.
That try inspired the Samoans into action again with Tabuai-Fidow scoring from a Fa’alogo pass, following another high bomb from Luai that caught the Tongan defence napping – that try reducing the scoreline to 14-12 in favour of Tonga.
But Samoa claimed the lead in the 68th minute after replacement Ronald Volkman rolled over Tongan tacklers on the line to plant the ball, with his conversion giving Samoa an 18-14 lead.
Fonua-Blake got Tonga back in the lead, with Katoa adding the extra two points, with seven minutes remaining.
Samoa attacked twice more, with Fa’alogo stepping on the sideline before scoring in the corner and Tabuai-Fidow passing the ball forward from an aerial catch, but Tonga held on to win the clash.
Mulitalo’s semifinal ban
Meanwhile, Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo will miss the semifinal clash against Tonga after being hit with a grade 2 careless high tackle charge.
Mulitalo was sent off in the 52nd minute of Saturday’s clash against Fiji after a high tackle on Ronald Philitoga.
The Fijian winger left the field and was ruled out of the rest of the match.
Should Mulitalo enter an early guilty plea he will miss New Zealand’s semi-final but if he fights the charge and is found guilty at the judiciary he will be banned for two games.
Rugby League World Cup media said a two-game ban would rule Mulitalo out of the World Cup final should the Kiwis make it through.
Fiji halfback Brandon Wakeham has also been charged, getting a grade 2 striking offence after he threw a punch at Mulitalo after the high shot on Philitoga.
Wakeham’s tournament is already over as Fiji won’t play in the semis, but he is facing a one-game ban should he plead guilty.
rnz
Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large
New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals
Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs
-
Latest News2 months ago‘Chilling’: Business groups speak out against National’s supermarket break-up plan
-
Latest News2 months agoCars bearing Chinese police markings stir unease in Auckland
-
Fiji News2 months agoPlans to have new Constitution by Dec 24th 2026
-
Latest News2 months agoFive Karangahape Road venues lose their liquor licences after police intervention
-
NZ News2 months agoCop who stole $68,000 can now be named as champion Muay Thai fighter Haimona Tamati-Te Paki
-
Politics2 months agoMBIE confirms botched biometric projects costs blown out to $50.7 million
-
NZ News2 months agoNearly 1000 stalking warnings, 140 charges since law came into effect
-
NZ News2 months agoKaikohe man jailed nine years for rape, bat attack and family violence