Denmark and Slovenia kick off their Euro 2024 campaigns in Stuttgart. England’s Group C rivals will hope to bank early points in the battle to advance to the knock-out stages with games against the Three Lions to come next week.
Talisman Christian Eriksen suffered a heart attack in their Euro 2020 opener against Finland but would make a successful return to the game several months later and Kasper Hjulmand believes the Manchester United midfielder can inspire his team in Germany.
“He has something you can’t train yourself to do, he has a fantastic ability to see the game and find a rhythm,” Hjulmand told broadcaster DR. “I have often said, paradoxically, that he is our heart, he is the pulse of our team.”
Follow all the the build-up to Denmark v Slovenia including the latest updates, following the early kick-off between Poland and Netherlands:
Euro 2024: Slovenia v Denmark
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Slovenia face Denmark in opening game of Group C, with kick-off at 5pm
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England’s Group C opponents in action before Three Lions take on Serbia later
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Denmark finished level with Slovenia in qualification but won Group H due to their superior H2H record
Slovenia – Denmark
Euro 2024: Poland vs Netherlands LIVE
13:30 , Karl Matchett
Dutch fans are certainly enjoying themselves ahead of the start of their Euros campaign!
Euro 2024: Poland vs Netherlands LIVE
13:14 , Karl Matchett
Around 45 minutes to kick-off in Hamburg.
As a reminder, following this Group D match it’s straight onto Group C, with England in action tonight, before Group C’s other fixture sees Austria and France do battle tomorrow at 8pm, following the Group E games. Hope that’s clear…!
Poland vs Netherlands confirmed lineups
13:03 , Karl Matchett
The teams are in!
Poland: Szczesny, Bednarek, Salamon, Kiwior, Frankowski, Zielinksi, Romanchuk, Zalewski, S Szymanski, Buksa, Urbanski
Netherlands: Verbruggen, Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake, Schouten, Veerman, Simons, Reijnders, Gakpo, Depay
Luka Modric, the problem with ageing, and the worst day for Croatia’s best generation
13:00 , Jamie Braidwood
It only took Luka Modric 18 years. In 2006, the summer before Lamine Yamal was born, he was an unused substitute against Brazil at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. He didn’t quite get on the pitch then – blame manager Zlatko Kranjcar for that one – but a remarkable longevity took him back to Berlin, into historic company. For the Croatia captain, playing in a ninth major tournament meant he joined only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lothar Matthaus among Europeans. A few months before his 39th birthday, he became the oldest ever player at European Championships; though perhaps only for a few days, until Ronaldo and Pepe go past him.
A day of record-breakers, however, became an advertisement for youth, rather than experience. Lamine Yamal, the youngest footballer ever at this level, some 22 years Modric’s junior, delivered a star turn. Croatia lost 3-0 to Spain. It wasn’t quite as dramatic a case of a glorious career ending at the Olympiastadion as Zinedine Zidane’s, later in the 2006 World Cup, but it was a day to prompt questions. Are Croatia, finally, too old? Will time eventually catch up with the timeless Modric, boyish as his physique remains, baggy as the shorts are?
Luka Modric and the problem with ageing
Poland vs Netherlands confirmed line-ups
13:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Poland XI: Szczesny, Bednarek, Salamon, Kiwior, Frankowski, Zielinski, Romanchuk, Zalewski, Sebastian Szymanski, Buksa, Urbanski.
Netherlands XI: Verbruggen, Dumfries, de Vrij, van Dijk, Ake, Schouten, Veerman, Simons, Reijnders, Gakpo, Depay
Robert Lewandowski is named on the bench for Poland, but isn’t expected to feature.
Lamine Yamal dazzles as face of new Spain to validate clever swap at Euro 2024
12:45 , Jamie Braidwood
A new Spain, in more ways than one. As Lamine Yamal, who was not even a year old when they won Euro 2008, became first the youngest footballer to play in a European Championships and then, before half-time, the youngest to set up a goal in one, Luis de la Fuente’s side made a break with the past.
With less possession and more potency, Spain looked a team trying to cast off the influence of their champion sides. They had 47 percent of the ball but scored three goals. After going out of successive World Cups in knockout games where they attempted over 1,000 passes each, but seemed to show precious little interest in scoring, this was Spain, but not as we knew them.
By Richard Jolly at the Olympiastadion
Lamine Yamal dazzles as face of new Spain to validate overdue change
Hamburg police shoot man near Euro 2024 fan park ‘threatening officers with pickaxe’
12:43 , Karl Matchett
Police cordon off area near fanpark following shooting of person threatening them with axe and “incendiary device”.
German newspaper Bild reported that the incident took place at 12:30pm local time, with the man attacking a police officer using a gold-tinted hammer.
The lingering England questions that Euro 2024 opener against Serbia will answer
12:30 , Jamie Braidwood
On Friday night, as Germany were setting a pace for their tournament by thrashing Scotland, Gareth Southgate gathered the England squad for a meeting. The theme of this was more reflective, almost a final mission statement before it all begins. Southgate spoke about the tournaments they’ve already been through and the lessons that his staff and senior players have taken. That’s more important than usual, given that 12 of the 26 have never even been in this situation before. Southgate did also point to how some elements from the past that have served England well can now be discarded.
That doesn’t really apply to opening games, though. England actually have a fine record in such matches under Southgate, that has actually improved with each tournament. In 2018, there was the late 3-1 win over Tunisia. In Euro 2020, there was a professional – and vengeful – victory over Croatia. In 2022, there was the 6-2 evisceration of Iran. England were almost the Germany of that tournament.
By Miguel Delaney in Gelsenkirchen
The lingering England questions that Euros opener against Serbia will answer
Slovenia vs Denmark team news and predicted line-ups
12:20 , Jamie Braidwood
Team news
Slovenia have injury questions over Sandi Lovric and Benjamin Verbic, who might both contend to start in midfield if fit. Miha Blazic and Peter Stojanovic are also doubts.
Simon Kjaer has retained the captaincy for Euro 2024 but the veteran centre-half is unlikely to feature in every game, with Denmark well stocked at the back. Victor Nelsson was originally named in the squad but will miss the tournament through injury.
Predicted line-ups
Slovenia XI: Oblak; Karnicnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Janza; Horvat, Elsnik, Gnezda Cerin, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko.
Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard; Kristiansen, Hjulmand, Eriksen, Hojbjerg, Bah; Hojlund, Wind.
Police confirm person with ‘incendiary device’ shot near fanzone hours before Euro 2024 match
12:17 , Karl Matchett
Breaking news:
German police have confirmed that one person has been shot and taken for medical treatment, after they threatened officers with an axe and an “incendiary device” in Hamburg, just two hours before the start of a Euro 2024 fixture in the city.
“At StPauli there is currently a major police operation,” read a statement on social media from Hamburg police. “According to initial findings, a person threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. The police then used their firearms. The attacker was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.”
More details here:
Police confirm person with ‘incendiary device’ shot near fanzone before Euros match
Is Slovenia v Denmark on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euro 2024 match
12:15 , Jamie Braidwood
When is Slovenia vs Denmark?
Slovenia vs Denmark is due to kick off at 5pm BST on Sunday 16 June at MHPArena in Stuttgart.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 4.10pm BST. A live stream will be available via ITVX.
Reports of police closing Reeperbahn close to fan zone in Hamburg
11:54 , Karl Matchett
There are reports that riot police have moved in and detained or otherwise stopped a person with an axe at the Reeperbahn in Hamburg, where today’s opening match between Netherlands and Poland is taking place.
More to follow shortly.
Police have closed the Reeperbahn in Hamburg, not far from the fan zone, where there are thousands of Dutch fans. Four loud bangs and then hundreds of riot police moved in. pic.twitter.com/Kx4YA0TjyG
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) June 16, 2024
Another Netherlands rebuild has gone wrong – can Cody Gakpo save them at Euro 2024?
Friday 14 June 2024 16:57 , Jack Rathborn
As recently as 18 months ago, Netherlands were within a couple of penalty kicks of the World Cup semi-finals. It didn’t quite happen, the Battle of Lusail ending in shootout defeat for them against Argentina after an epic late comeback in 90 minutes, but the Dutch looked back.
Or back on the right path, at least, after missing the 2018 tournament and Euro 2016 altogether. In between those failures and their oh-so-close moment in Qatar, Euro 2020 wasn’t much better: a last-16 exit to Czech Republic was tame in the extreme.
The winter World Cup, then, was their comeback moment, the stage-setter for future Dutch improvements and a team which would grow together, progress in time-honoured national team fashion, become challengers once more. Euro 2024 was to be the tournament where they approached a peak.
Another Netherlands rebuild has gone wrong – can Gakpo save them at Euro 2024?
Poland vs Netherlands: Latest build-up
11:38 , Jamie Braidwood
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, who has been dealing with his own injury issues before the game,
“Each individual player has his qualities, and it may change our approach somewhat. We know Lewandowski and his strengths,” Koeman said.
“I still expect them to play with two strikers and we have been analysing all their strikers. We know their attackers and what they can bring
“It is always important to start well in the first game and win and if you can do it in the way you set out to do, then that’s even better. It’s very important that we get a good result.”
Poland vs Netherlands: Latest build-up
11:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Poland head coach Michal Probierz on the absence of Lewandowski:
“There’s nothing to hide, we will miss him. But other players will have to do what they can to get a result. I hope he will have other opportunities to play.”
Slovenia and Denmark open Group C ahead of England clash
11:23 , Jamie Braidwood
Slovenia and Denmark will be looking to start Euro 2024 strongly as the two sides meet in Stuttgart.
The pair contest Group C with Serbia and England, who get their campaigns underway later on Sunday.
These two are familiar foes having progressed together from qualifying Group H, finishing level on 22 points and edging out Finland and Kazakhstan.
It is 14 years since Slovenia last appeared at a major tournament, but they showed their threat with a win over Portugal in March and may just fancy their chances against a side they know well.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Poland vs Netherlands: Latest build-up
11:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Robert Lewandowski will be on the bench as Poland take on the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 opener in Hamburg, with his team-mates insisting they can still beat the Dutch without their injured talisman,
“It is a great pity Robert Lewandowski cannot help us in this match,” said midfielder and replacement captain Piotr Zielinski.
“He is a world-class player and we will miss him. But whether it is me or the team mates, we will add something extra to achieve the goal, which is to win.”
Poland vs Netherlands team news and predicted line-ups
11:12 , Jamie Braidwood
Team news
Poland are without Robert Lewandowski due to a thigh problem, while Matty Cash and Arkadiusz Milik were ruled out of the tournament due to their own injury issues.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, suffered a double midfield blow ahead of the tournament as both Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners were forced out of their squad. Ian Maatsen and Joshua Zirkzee have been called up as injury replacements.
Predicted line-ups
Poland XI: Szczesny; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Moder, Slisz, Zalewski; Zielinski, Urbanski; Buksa.
Netherlands XI: Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Reijnders, Schouten, Veerman; Simons, Depay, Gakpo.
Is Poland v Netherlands on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euro 2024 match today
11:06 , Jamie Braidwood
When is Poland vs Netherlands?
The Group D fixture is due to kick off at 2pm BST on Sunday 16 June at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One, with coverage on the channel from 1.35pm BST. A live stream will be available via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Good morning!
11:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Poland and the Netherlands kick off their Euro 2024 campaigns with a Group D meeting in Hamburg.
The pair are in alongside France and Austria in a difficult group and will thus be keen to avoid an early slip-up.
Both teams arrive at this tournament in good form: Ronald Koeman’s Dutch side put four goals past Iceland and Canada in their two warm-up games, while Poland beat Turkey and Ukraine.
But manager Michal Probierz will be without talisman Robert Lewandowski for the tournament opener with the veteran striker nursing a thigh problem.
Follow all the latest build-up and team news ahead of the Group D clash.
Read the full article here
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