Football

Italy's defense of their European Championship title got off to a thrilling start on Saturday as they overcame a lightning-fast goal from Albania to secure a 2-1 victory in front of a partisan crowd in Dortmund.Despite conceding the fastest goal in the competition's history just 23 seconds into the match, Italy responded with remarkable resilience. Alessandro Bastoni equalized for the Azzurri in the 11th minute, and Nicolo Barella put them ahead just four minutes later.From that point forward, Luciano Spalletti's team looked much more assured, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. However, they failed to capitalize on their dominance, allowing Albania to remain in the game.The Albanian fans, who made up the vast majority of the crowd, were in disbelief when Nedim Bajrami stunned Italy with an early strike. But Italy's response was swift and decisive, with Bastoni and Barella finding the back of the net in quick succession.Davide Frattesi hit the post for Italy before the interval, while Gianluca Scamacca and Federico Chiesa also came close to extending their lead. However, Albania remained resolute in defense, preventing Italy from adding to their tally.In the second half, Italy sat back and allowed Albania to push forward in search of an equalizer. But the Albanian attack lacked the necessary quality to break down the Italian defense. Substitute Rey Manaj came closest in the 90th minute, but his effort was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.Italy's victory puts them in a strong position to advance to the knockout phase of Euro 2024 from Group B, where they will face fellow heavyweights Spain next Thursday. Despite the early setback, Italy showed their resilience and determination to defend their title.

Albania's Nedim Bajrami etched his name into the annals of European Championship history by scoring the fastest goal ever in the tournament's history. Just 23 seconds into Albania's opening match against Italy on Saturday, Bajrami pounced on a poor throw-in from Italy's Federico Dimarco and unleashed a thunderous shot into the net from inside the box.Bajrami's lightning-fast strike shattered the previous Euros record for the quickest goal, which had stood for 18 years. In 2004, Russia's Dmitri Kirichenko had found the back of the net after 67 seconds against Greece.The goal was a testament to Bajrami's quick thinking and clinical finishing. The Sassuolo forward was alert to the opportunity and wasted no time in capitalizing on Italy's defensive lapse.However, Italy responded swiftly to Bajrami's early strike. Alessandro Bastoni equalized for the reigning champions in the 11th minute, and Nicolo Barella put Italy ahead just five minutes later.Despite the setback, Albania continued to push forward and create chances. They came close to equalizing on several occasions, but Italy's defense held firm.The match ultimately ended in a 2-1 victory for Italy, but Bajrami's historic goal will be remembered for years to come. It was a moment of brilliance that showcased his talent and the growing strength of Albanian football.

England, a perennial favorite in international football, embarks on its quest for a maiden European Championship title on Sunday when it faces Serbia in Group C. The Three Lions, who reached the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020, are eager to end their long wait for a major trophy.Gareth Southgate's team boasts a formidable record in the European Championship, having lost only one of its last 18 games excluding penalty shootouts. However, concerns linger over potential fan violence, with the match deemed "high risk" by police. Beer sales at the stadium will be limited to low-alcohol options.England's hopes rest heavily on the shoulders of Jude Bellingham, who has enjoyed a stellar debut season at Real Madrid. The 19-year-old midfielder has already won the Spanish title and Champions League, showcasing his immense talent.Serbia, on the other hand, will be led by striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has been in prolific form for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. The 28-year-old scored 28 goals in all competitions last season, finishing behind only Cristiano Ronaldo in the league's scoring charts.Southgate's future as England manager could hinge on the team's performance at the Euros. His contract expires after the tournament, and failure to win a trophy could spell the end of his reign.The fitness of John Stones remains a concern for England, especially given the absence of defensive stalwart Harry Maguire due to injury. Stones missed training earlier in the week due to illness but returned on Thursday. Southgate may consider playing Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold as a holding midfielder alongside Declan Rice.Serbia has reported no injury concerns ahead of the match.England's squad includes several experienced players, with Harry Kane, John Stones, and Kyle Walker making their fifth major tournament appearances for the Three Lions. Serbia, meanwhile, has scored 15 goals in qualifying for the Euros, with five of them coming from headers.Kane, England's all-time leading scorer with 63 goals, is still searching for his first trophy at club or international level. Mitrovic, on the other hand, has scored 28 goals in all competitions for Al-Hilal, behind only Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.Eleven members of Southgate's squad, including Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, are making their major tournament debuts.The match between England and Serbia is expected to draw a large crowd, with 80,000 liters of beer available to fans in Gelsenkirchen.

Switzerland made a resounding start to their Euro 2024 campaign, securing a convincing 3-1 victory over Hungary in Cologne on June 15. Murat Yakin's side showcased their attacking prowess, scoring three goals in the first half to set the tone for the match.Kwadwo Duah, making only his second international appearance, opened the scoring for Switzerland in the 12th minute. The London-born forward capitalized on a perfectly weighted pass from Michel Aebischer to slot the ball past Hungary's goalkeeper, Peter Gulacsi.Aebischer, a Bologna midfielder, doubled Switzerland's lead just before halftime with a stunning long-range strike. The 25-year-old curled the ball into the far corner from 25 yards out, leaving Gulacsi with no chance.Hungary managed to pull one back in the second half through Barnabas Varga, who headed home a cross from Dominik Szoboszlai in the 66th minute. However, Switzerland's lead was restored in stoppage time when Breel Embolo chipped the ball over Gulacsi to seal the victory.The win was a welcome boost for Switzerland, who had endured a disappointing Euro 2020 campaign. They were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Spain on penalties after beating France in the round of 16.Switzerland's victory was also a testament to the team's resilience, as they had been plagued by reports of a rift between Yakin and his players over tactics. However, the team captain, Granit Xhaka, insisted that the air had been cleared before the tournament, and the players were fully behind their manager.Switzerland will face Scotland in their second Group A match on Wednesday, while Hungary will take on hosts Germany on the same day.

Spain and Croatia, two European football powerhouses, will face off in a highly anticipated Group B encounter at the Euro 2024 in Berlin on Saturday.Spain, under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, will be looking to make a strong start to their campaign with a victory over Croatia. De la Fuente has praised the talents of young wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, who have impressed with their performances for Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao respectively.Croatia, on the other hand, will be aiming to continue their impressive run at major tournaments. Despite being considered underdogs, the team led by Luka Modric has consistently exceeded expectations. Modric, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, remains a key figure for Croatia and will be looking to inspire his team to another memorable performance.The match will be played at the Olympiastadion Berlin, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 am IST. The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Spain will be hoping to build on their recent success, having won the 2021 UEFA Nations League. Croatia, meanwhile, will be aiming to replicate their heroics from the 2018 World Cup, where they reached the final.Both teams have a wealth of experience and quality, and the match promises to be a thrilling encounter. Spain will be looking to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game, while Croatia will likely adopt a more counter-attacking approach.The outcome of the match could have a significant impact on the standings in Group B, which also includes Scotland and the Czech Republic. A victory for Spain would put them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages, while a win for Croatia would give them a major boost in their quest to reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Hungary and Switzerland will clash in a pivotal Group A encounter at Euro 2024 on Saturday, June 15. Hungary, under the guidance of coach Marco Rossi, has emerged as a force to be reckoned with, thanks to the dynamic presence of Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai. Rossi has urged his team to embrace the pressure and prove their worth on the Euro stage.Switzerland, led by captain Granit Xhaka, is also brimming with confidence after a stellar season with Bayer Leverkusen. Xhaka, who helped Leverkusen secure the Bundesliga title and reach the Europa League final, is eager to lead his country to success at Euro 2024.The match will be played at the Cologne Stadium and will kick off at 6:30 pm IST. It will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Hungary will be looking to build on their impressive performance at Euro 2020, where they reached the Round of 16. Szoboszlai, who scored the winning goal against Germany in the group stage, will be the key player for Hungary.Switzerland, on the other hand, will be aiming to make a deep run in the tournament. Xhaka, along with other experienced players like Xherdan Shaqiri and Yann Sommer, will be crucial to their success.The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams. Hungary will be eager to prove their credentials as an emerging force, while Switzerland will be determined to make a statement in their Euro opener.

Germany's emphatic 5-1 victory over Scotland in their Euro 2024 opener has ignited optimism among the hosts, but coach Julian Nagelsmann remains grounded, emphasizing that it was merely a "first step" in their quest for a record-breaking fourth European title.Nagelsmann acknowledged the team's awareness that the victory was just the beginning of their tournament journey. "The team is conscious that this was a first step," he said. "But it was very good and very important and was something that we can build on."Germany's dominance was evident from the outset, with Florian Wirtz opening the scoring within 10 minutes. Jamal Musiala, who was named man-of-the-match, doubled the lead shortly after. Kai Havertz converted a penalty to give Germany a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime, after Scotland's Ryan Porteous was sent off for a reckless challenge on Ilkay Gundogan.Niclas Fuellkrug and Emre Can added further goals in the second half, completing Germany's comprehensive victory. Nagelsmann expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance, particularly their reaction to conceding a late goal while 4-0 up."We didn't let in any chances from open play," he said. "It was a very good sign for the team to be so pissed off that we conceded that goal. That shows the hunger that they had today."Havertz, who set up Musiala's goal and scored from the spot, echoed Nagelsmann's sentiments, emphasizing that the victory was a statement of intent. "I think that when you win 5-1, it's a message," he said. "But it's just the beginning. We saw the quality we have in the team, how good the players are. We're going to come up against other difficult opponents."With four goals in his last seven Germany appearances, Havertz has emerged as a key figure for the hosts. He acknowledged the support of the home crowd, saying, "We felt this energy in the stadium from the first minute. The whole country is behind us, we saw it at the training center. We're aware of it."As Germany prepares for their next match, Nagelsmann remains focused on the task ahead. "We have to stay humble," he said. "We have to work hard and we have to improve. We have to be ready for the next game."

The Netherlands is gearing up for the upcoming Euro 2024 soccer tournament with an explosion of orange fervor. In The Hague, the Marktweg street has transformed into a vibrant spectacle, adorned with 64 kilometers of orange bunting and tarps. This tradition dates back to Euro 1988, when the Netherlands won its only major soccer tournament.Danny van Dijk, a driving force behind the decorations, explains that the display has grown in scale and grandeur over the years. Local businesses now contribute to the cost, and a dedicated team of volunteers works tirelessly to create an immersive orange experience.The decorations have become a symbol of community spirit. Neighbors gather to chat, children play, and the atmosphere is one of camaraderie and anticipation. The decorations also draw visitors from afar, who come to witness the spectacle and soak up the festive atmosphere.Macho Vink, a truck driver and volunteer, says the decorations are a way to bring positivity and excitement to the neighborhood. "It's time for a big party," he says. "Get some positivity back."The decorations will remain in place for two months leading up to Euro 2024, which kicks off on June 14 in Germany. The Netherlands team, led by captain Virgil van Dijk, will be hoping to add to their Euro triumph of 36 years ago.As the tournament approaches, the Marktweg street will be a hub of activity. Neighbors will gather to watch matches, cheer on their team, and celebrate the spirit of soccer. And when the tournament ends, the decorations will come down, but the memories and the sense of community they have fostered will remain.

Hosts Germany embark on their Euro 2024 journey on Friday, aiming to reclaim their continental glory after a string of disappointing tournaments. The three-time champions will kick off their campaign against Scotland in Munich, hoping to ignite the passion of their home crowd and set the tone for a successful tournament.Under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann, Germany has gradually regained optimism after a dismal run of form. Despite a disappointing 2022 World Cup, the team has shown signs of improvement, with Nagelsmann instilling a renewed sense of belief.Germany boasts a wealth of talent, including veteran playmaker Toni Kroos and rising stars Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. Manuel Neuer remains the undisputed goalkeeper, while Antonio Rudiger provides solidity in defense. Captain Ilkay Gundogan, who has experienced the highs and lows of Germany's recent tournaments, emphasizes the importance of a strong start.Scotland, making their second major tournament appearance since 1998, will be buoyed by an estimated 150,000 traveling fans. The Scots, led by captain Andy Robertson, are determined to make history and qualify for the knockout stages for the first time.Despite facing a formidable German side, Scotland has a realistic chance of progressing from Group A, which also includes Hungary and Switzerland. Manager Steve Clarke has set a target of four points, which would likely secure a place in the last 16.The opening match promises to be a spectacle, with both teams eager to make a statement. Germany will be favored to win, but Scotland has the potential to cause an upset and set the tone for a thrilling tournament.