Defending Champions Italy will face a difficult battle in defending their Euro crown after being drawn in Group B alongside Spain, Croatia, and Albania for the 2024 edition in Germany.
Italy overcame Spain on penalties in the quarterfinals on their way to winning Euro 2020, but lost 4-0 to Spain in the final in 2012. Croatia reached the World Cup semifinals in 2014.
“Yes, it could have been better,” Italy manager Luciano Spalletti said after the draw in Hamburg on Saturday.
“Being in fourth place makes you realise that you have teams ahead of you, but nothing should take our attention away from the fact that we are Italy.”
“A tough group, Albania demonstrated that they know how to stay on the pitch.” Croatia is powerful and experienced. Spain? Anyone who enjoys the taste of competition and challenge should participate in this sport.” Spalletti added.
Spain’s first match is against Croatia, followed by a match against Italy.
“If not the toughest group, it’s one of the toughest,” Spain boss Luis de la Fuente stated.
“Italy are European champions, Croatia are always in the later stages, and even when they are not at their best, they are two historic teams.” And don’t forget Albania, who is top of their group.”
Meanwhile, Germany will play Scotland in the opening match of Euro 2024 in Munich.
The three-time champion Germans will kick off the one-month competition on June 14 in Munich, with the final on July 14 in Berlin’s Olympic stadium.
In Group A, Germany will face Hungary, which went undefeated in qualifying, and Switzerland.
“It’s not a death squad, but it’s a very strong squad, and we’re looking forward to it,” Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann said.
France and the Netherlands will face again after qualifying in the same group, having been drawn in Group D alongside Austria and the winners of Playoff A.
England, the Euro 2020 runners-up, is in Group C with Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia. England, who required extra time to defeat Denmark in the 2020 semi-finals, will open the tournament against Serbia.
“You look at Serbia with a centre forward like Aleksander Mitrovic and then you have to be careful not to assume anything when you see these draws, that’s for certain,” Gareth Southgate, the manager of England, stated.
“You can look at it on paper, but the games aren’t played on paper.” There are some teams in Pots 3 and 4, but all of the teams we face are more than capable.”
Belgium is in Group E with Romania, Slovakia, and the winner of Playoff B, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, or Iceland.
Portugal is in Group F, together with Turkey, the Czech Republic, and the winner of Playoff C, one of Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan, or Luxembourg, who placed third in Portugal’s qualifying group.
The top two finishers in each of the six Euro 2024 groups, as well as the four best third-place finishers, advance to the round of 16.
Italy overcame Spain on penalties in the quarterfinals on their way to winning Euro 2020, but lost 4-0 to Spain in the final in 2012. Croatia reached the World Cup semifinals in 2014.
“Yes, it could have been better,” Italy manager Luciano Spalletti said after the draw in Hamburg on Saturday.
“Being in fourth place makes you realise that you have teams ahead of you, but nothing should take our attention away from the fact that we are Italy.”
“A tough group, Albania demonstrated that they know how to stay on the pitch.” Croatia is powerful and experienced. Spain? Anyone who enjoys the taste of competition and challenge should participate in this sport.” Spalletti added.
Spain’s first match is against Croatia, followed by a match against Italy.
“If not the toughest group, it’s one of the toughest,” Spain boss Luis de la Fuente stated.
“Italy are European champions, Croatia are always in the later stages, and even when they are not at their best, they are two historic teams.” And don’t forget Albania, who is top of their group.”
Meanwhile, Germany will play Scotland in the opening match of Euro 2024 in Munich.
The three-time champion Germans will kick off the one-month competition on June 14 in Munich, with the final on July 14 in Berlin’s Olympic stadium.
In Group A, Germany will face Hungary, which went undefeated in qualifying, and Switzerland.
“It’s not a death squad, but it’s a very strong squad, and we’re looking forward to it,” Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann said.
France and the Netherlands will face again after qualifying in the same group, having been drawn in Group D alongside Austria and the winners of Playoff A.
England, the Euro 2020 runners-up, is in Group C with Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia. England, who required extra time to defeat Denmark in the 2020 semi-finals, will open the tournament against Serbia.
“You look at Serbia with a centre forward like Aleksander Mitrovic and then you have to be careful not to assume anything when you see these draws, that’s for certain,” Gareth Southgate, the manager of England, stated.
“You can look at it on paper, but the games aren’t played on paper.” There are some teams in Pots 3 and 4, but all of the teams we face are more than capable.”
Belgium is in Group E with Romania, Slovakia, and the winner of Playoff B, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, or Iceland.
Portugal is in Group F, together with Turkey, the Czech Republic, and the winner of Playoff C, one of Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan, or Luxembourg, who placed third in Portugal’s qualifying group.
The top two finishers in each of the six Euro 2024 groups, as well as the four best third-place finishers, advance to the round of 16.