Football

Belgium's golden generation may be fading, but the Red Devils remain a formidable force in international football. Led by Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, Belgium will be looking to make a deep run in this summer's European Championship.After a disappointing World Cup campaign in Qatar, Belgium has undergone a significant overhaul. Eden Hazard has retired, and coach Roberto Martinez has been replaced by Domenico Tedesco. Tedesco has brought in a number of fresh faces, while also relying on a core of experienced players.Belgium cruised through Group F qualifying, with Lukaku scoring a record-breaking 14 goals. Under Tedesco, Belgium is unbeaten in 13 matches, but few of those fixtures have come against Europe's top teams.The Red Devils will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is still recovering from a knee injury. Matz Sels is likely to deputise for Courtois, while Wout Faes and Jan Vertonghen are expected to form a solid partnership in central defence.Axel Witsel has been coaxed out of international retirement, but Toby Alderweireld is gone from the team. Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, and Orel Mangala are among the midfield options for Belgium.De Bruyne will be the key man for Belgium in attack. The Manchester City playmaker is one of the best players in the world, and he will be looking to lead Belgium to their first major trophy. With Hazard and Dries Mertens no longer involved, the likes of Lois Openda, Charles De Ketelaere, and Jeremy Doku must shoulder more of the responsibility in attack.Belgium is a team with a lot of potential, but they will need to prove themselves against Europe's best teams. The European Championship will be a good test for Tedesco's new-look side.

James Maddison's hopes of representing England at Euro 2024 have been dashed after he was reportedly omitted from Gareth Southgate's final 26-man squad. The Tottenham attacking midfielder had been part of Southgate's 33-man training group but has failed to make the cut for the tournament in Germany, according to British media outlets BBC and Sky Sports.Maddison's exclusion comes as a surprise given his impressive start to the Premier League season with Spurs. However, his form has dipped in recent months, and he faces stiff competition for places in England's star-studded attacking lineup.The 27-year-old has won seven caps for his country but has struggled to establish himself as a regular in Southgate's plans. With England boasting a wealth of attacking options, Maddison has found it difficult to break into the starting XI.Maddison's omission from the squad is a blow to his personal ambitions and to Tottenham, who were hoping to see their player represent England at a major tournament. However, Southgate's decision is ultimately based on his assessment of the players who give England the best chance of success at Euro 2024.England face Iceland in their final pre-tournament friendly at Wembley on Friday before Southgate announces his final 26-man selection on Saturday. The Three Lions are among the favorites for the tournament and will be hoping to make a deep run in Germany.

England, the Three Lions, are poised to make a bold statement at Euro 2024 as they set their sights on capturing their first major trophy since 1966. Led by manager Gareth Southgate, England will face Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia in Group C, aiming to navigate the group stage and advance deep into the tournament.Despite recent near misses, including a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, England remains a formidable force. Boasting a squad brimming with world-class talent, including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden, they are considered one of the favorites alongside France and hosts Germany.Southgate, who is entering what could be his final tournament in charge, is embracing the expectations and believes England has the potential to triumph in Berlin on July 14. "Everybody is waiting for that headline ('We can win the Euros')," he said. "There is no doubt what's possible, they have gone close already."England's journey begins on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen against Serbia, who finished second in their qualifying group behind Hungary. Four days later, they will face Denmark in Frankfurt, a team that pushed them to the brink in a dramatic Euro 2020 semi-final. The group stage concludes on June 25 in Cologne against Slovenia, a team participating in a major tournament for the first time since 2010.Finishing top of Group C would be crucial for England's aspirations, as it would grant them a more favorable last-16 tie against a third-placed team from another group. However, a second-place finish could potentially set up a daunting clash against Germany.Denmark, with their impressive squad led by Christian Eriksen, will pose a significant challenge for England. Slovenia, despite being the underdogs, will be determined to make an impact in their first European Championship appearance in 24 years.Serbia, with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and AC Milan forward Luka Jovic in their ranks, will also be a threat. England's success will hinge on their ability to maintain focus, execute their game plan, and overcome the pressure that comes with being one of the tournament favorites.

Italy's Euro 2024 preparations hit a snag as they were held to a goalless draw by Turkey in a lackluster friendly in Bologna. The Azzurri, who triumphed at the last Euros three years ago, struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resolute Turkish defense.The match was marred by an injury to Turkey's Ozan Kabak, who was stretchered off shortly before halftime with a knee injury that could potentially rule him out of the tournament. The Hoffenheim midfielder fell awkwardly in a challenge with Mateo Retegui and writhed in agony on the sidelines.Italy's best chance of the first half came in stoppage time when Baris Yilmaz sent a free header over the bar. Bryan Cristante also hit the post from a corner in the dying seconds of the half.The introduction of Andrea Cambiaso and Mattia Zaccagni after the break livened up Italy's attack, but they still lacked inspiration in the final third. Retegui miscued a bicycle kick from Pellegrini's cross just before the hour mark.Despite being the better team, Italy failed to find a breakthrough, leaving the 25,000 fans at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara disappointed.Turkey, managed by former Italy striker Vincenzo Montella, will play Poland in Warsaw on Monday in their final pre-Euro friendly. They take on Georgia in their first Group F match in Dortmund on June 18 before facing Portugal and the Czech Republic.Italy, meanwhile, have one more friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Empoli on Sunday before traveling to Germany for Euro 2024. They begin their campaign on June 15 against Albania in Group B, where they have also been drawn with Spain and Croatia.

Germany, the host nation of Euro 2024, is experiencing a resurgence of hope as the tournament opener against Scotland approaches. After a string of disappointing performances, including two consecutive World Cup group stage exits and a loss to England in the Euros in 2021, Germany endured a dismal 2023 with only three wins in 11 games. Many predicted an embarrassing early exit for the three-time Euros champions on home soil.However, the past four months have witnessed a remarkable turnaround. Despite a goalless draw against Ukraine in Nuremberg, Germany displayed a dominant second-half performance and created numerous chances. Coach Julian Nagelsmann emphasized the team's desire to win, even though the result was not ideal.Nagelsmann has made bold selections, including debutant striker Maximilian Beier and youngsters Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, who have shown promise as a dangerous attacking combination. Other players, such as Chris Fuehrich and Maximilian Mittelstaedt, have also impressed, indicating that Nagelsmann has assembled a strong squad.The improvement on the pitch and the growing optimism off it have boosted Germany's confidence as they aim for a fourth Euros trophy, which would equal Spain's record. They face Greece in their final friendly on Friday before facing tougher tests in the group stages against Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland.Nagelsmann's tenure began with just one win in his first four games, but he has since shaken up the squad and brought back Toni Kroos. Rather than relying solely on big names, he has selected players based on form, including several from Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart.Germany's convincing performances against France and the Netherlands in March have raised expectations. Nagelsmann believes the Ukraine match was "perfect" preparation for the group stage, while veteran Thomas Mueller remains confident despite the goalless draw.The German public has embraced the national team ahead of the tournament. The DFB's innovative approach to squad announcements has reached a wider audience, and fans have flocked to watch the team train. Nagelsmann acknowledges the "great support" and believes it will carry the team through the tournament.

Switzerland cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Estonia in their penultimate warm-up match before the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany. The match, played in front of a home crowd of 14,473 at the Swissporarena in Lucerne, marked Switzerland's first home game since November after a series of away fixtures.Steven Zuber opened the scoring for Switzerland in the 20th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty box. It was the AEK Athens winger's first goal for the national team since 2021. Burnley forward Zeki Amdouni doubled the lead in the 47th minute, finishing off a pass from Ruben Vargas.Defender Nico Elvedi extended Switzerland's advantage in the 63rd minute, capitalizing on Estonia's failure to clear a Xherdan Shaqiri free kick. Shaqiri, winning his 122nd cap, sealed the victory with a penalty in the 69th minute, despite his initial attempt being saved by Estonia goalkeeper Matvei Igonen.Switzerland coach Murat Yakin, who will announce his squad for the Euro 2024 tournament on Friday, was joined by Swiss Olympic giant slalom ski champion Marco Odermatt for the national anthems. The victory serves as a confidence booster for Switzerland as they prepare for their final warm-up match against Austria on Saturday at the Kybunpark in St Gallen.Austria, who are in Euro 2024 Group D alongside Poland, France, and the Netherlands, will provide a stern test for Switzerland. In the European Championship, Switzerland will face Hungary on June 15, Scotland on June 19, and hosts Germany on June 23 in Group A. Switzerland's best-ever performance in the tournament was reaching the quarter-finals in 2020.

Euro 2024, set to commence in Germany on June 14, promises to be a captivating spectacle, with France and England emerging as the frontrunners among a formidable field of contenders. The tournament will unfold across 10 magnificent stadiums in Germany, a nation renowned for its football passion.Unlike the previous Euros, which were dispersed across the continent and marred by pandemic restrictions, this edition will offer a unified experience for fans. The setting will evoke memories of the unforgettable 2006 World Cup, which Germany hosted and where they re-established themselves as a footballing powerhouse.Despite concerns about security and transportation, the hope is that Euro 2024 will be remembered for its sporting brilliance. Italy, the reigning champions, will be eager to defend their title, while Germany, despite recent setbacks, remains a formidable force with a talented squad.France, ranked as Europe's top team, boasts an exceptional roster led by Kylian Mbappe. They are determined to capture their first European Championship since 2000. England, too, harbors high hopes, carrying the weight of never having won the Euros. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are key players who could propel them to glory.Other contenders include Portugal, led by the ageless Cristiano Ronaldo, and Belgium and the Netherlands. However, the tournament will also feature underdogs like Ukraine, Albania, and Georgia, adding diversity and intrigue to the competition.With a month of thrilling football ahead, Euro 2024 promises to be a captivating spectacle that will showcase the best of European football.

Cole Palmer's penalty and Trent Alexander-Arnold's stunning volley propelled England to a 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in a Euro 2024 warm-up match at St James' Park.Palmer, making his first start for the Three Lions, showcased his clinical finishing with a spot-kick in the second half. The Chelsea forward has been in impressive form for his club this season, and his goal against Bosnia underlined his credentials for a place in Gareth Southgate's Euro squad.Alexander-Arnold, deployed in midfield by Southgate, was another standout performer for England. The Liverpool star scored a superb goal with a volley from Jack Grealish's cross, capping a lively display.Harry Kane, returning from injury, came off the bench to score England's third goal in the final seconds. The Tottenham Hotspur striker's goal put a flattering gloss on an inconsistent performance from an understrength England side.Southgate praised the performances of Palmer, Alexander-Arnold, and Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, who all bolstered their chances of making the Euro squad. However, Ollie Watkins, Conor Gallagher, and Jarrod Bowen may rue missing their opportunity to impress.Despite the victory, Southgate acknowledged that England still have questions to answer before the Euros. The team's passing was ponderous and their movement sluggish in the first half, but they improved in the second half.Southgate must now cut seven players from his provisional 33-man squad by Friday's deadline. England's final warm-up match before the Euros is against Iceland at Wembley on Thursday.

Euro 2024: Germany to Host the 17th Edition of the UEFA European ChampionshipGermany will host the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship, also known as Euro 2024, from June 14 to July 14. The tournament will feature 24 teams, including Georgia, which will make its European championship debut.This will be the third time that the European championship will be held on German territory, and the second time in reunified Germany. West Germany hosted the tournament in 1988, and four matches of the multi-national Euro 2020 were played in Munich.The tournament will return to its usual four-year cycle after the 2020 edition was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Italy are the defending champions, having won the 2020 tournament against England on penalties in the final.The venues for Euro 2024 are:* Olymplastadion Berlin* Fubbal Arena Munchen* Westfalenstadion* Stuttgard Arena* Arena AutSchalke* Frankfurt Arena* Volksparkstadion* Dusseldorf Arena* Cologne Stadium* Leipzig StadiumThe 24 participating teams are grouped into six groups:* Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland* Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania* Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England* Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France* Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine* Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech RepublicThe full schedule (time in IST) is as follows: