The 17th edition of UEFA European Championship (Euro) 2024 rolls into yet another breath-taking rivalry between France and Belgium as well as Portugal and Slovenia tonight. They will swivel into the knockout phase battling for the highest continental throne on offer held in Germany with its sheer grand backdrop of best cities.
Monday | July 1, 2024
Tonight, France goes face-to-face will Belgium in the Euro 2024 round of 16 at the majestic Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany, at 18h00.
Both countries emerged from their group in 2nd positions. However, France did not lose any of the group matches. They accumulated five (5) points from a win and two draws. Even though, the French have an upper hand against Belgium, their group draws have open them up for weaknesses. They struggle to covert the number of opportunities they get in front of goal.
The elimination phase is a totally different kettle of fish. In lieu of no second chances, an end-t-end fight between these proud nations is in the offing.
The winner of this epic clash will battle against Portugal or Slovenia in the quarterfinals at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Friday, July 5, 2024.
Portugal is a monumental adventure for Slovenia
The city Frankfurt has the privilege to rollout the red carpet for the Portuguese and Slovenians game at Deutsche Bank Park tonight at 21h00.
Slovenia comes to into this round-of-16 fixture as the underdogs against the Portuguese powerhouse. Another downside side they also progressed as the best third-place best finisher. On a positive note, they emerged out from Group C unscathed. They did not suffer a loss. However, neither did they win. So, their 3-point gather was a result of back-to-back draws; but good enough to land them a place in the knockout stage.
On the other hand, Portugal are team embellished with stars and supremely talented players. And there is a good blend of the young with profound potential and the old with immense international football mileage in their legs. The 41-year-old Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira (known as Pepe) and 39-year-old Christiano Ronaldo need no introduction. But there is fresh blood in the form of Francisco Conceição (21) and Gonçalo Ramos (21) to eke-out from these incredibly decorated and experienced players. On paper, Slovenia should be petrified by the arsenal of football weaponry in the Portugal stable.
Small wonder Portugal finished top of Group F with six (6) points ahead of the pack. Even so, they lost their last match to Georgia in a dramatic 2-0 fashion. That is as far as their blemish in this Euro 2024 competition goes. But they are the firm favourites in today’s encounter.
Competition football hold many surprises. The Slovenia-Portugal duel will be quite fascinating given the gap in talent, skills and exposure at elite level between them.
Surely Slovenia will lend a page from the Georgians slam-dunk and device tactics that could potentially topple Portugal from its towering horse with mighty gallops. It is given that the Portuguese have learn a lesson from that defeat and will seek to amend that tonight.
But for the Slovenians, the Portugal duel will be an absolute adventure any footballing nation would not mind at this height of the Europeans greatest trophy hunt. Therefore, they will indulge and relish it as much as they can and will handle the rest on their minute strides.
The victor between these two nations will meet either France or Belgium this Friday.
Tomorrow
Tuesday, July 2 EURO 2024
Romania vs Netherlands at Allianz Arena (Munich) – 18h00
Austria vs Türkiye at Red Bull arena Leipzig (Leipzig) – 21h00