The Euro 24 fixtures are the highly anticipated schedule of matches for the UEFA European Championship in 2024. Football fans across the globe eagerly await this prestigious tournament, and understanding the fixture list is crucial for planning viewing parties, predicting outcomes, and following their favourite teams. This comprehensive guide will delve into the details of the Euro 2024 fixtures, covering the group stage, knockout rounds, and addressing common questions and trending topics surrounding the tournament.  

The Road to Germany: Understanding the Format

The UEFA European Championship 2024, commonly referred to as Euro 24, is the 17th edition of this quadrennial international men’s football championship of Europe. Germany will host the tournament from 14 June to 14 July 2024. Twenty-four national teams will compete for the coveted Henri Delaunay Trophy.  

The tournament format begins with a group stage, where the 24 teams are divided into six groups of four teams each. Each team plays every other team in their group once, resulting in a total of 36 group stage matches. Points are awarded based on match results: three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss.  

Following the group stage, the top two teams from each group automatically advance to the knockout stage. Additionally, the four best third-placed teams from across all groups also qualify. This ensures a competitive and exciting Round of 16.

The knockout stage follows a single-elimination format. Matches proceed through the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the final. If a match in the knockout stage is tied at the end of regulation time, extra time is played, followed by a penalty shootout if the score remains level.  

Euro 24 Group Stage Fixtures: Setting the Stage

The group stage fixtures are the foundation of the tournament, determining which teams will progress to the knockout rounds. Here’s a breakdown of the groups and their respective matches:

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland  

14 June: Germany vs Scotland (Munich)  

15 June: Hungary vs Switzerland (Cologne)  

19 June: Scotland vs Switzerland (Cologne)  

19 June: Germany vs Hungary (Stuttgart)  

23 June: Switzerland vs Germany (Frankfurt)  

23 June: Scotland vs Hungary (Stuttgart)  

Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania  

15 June: Spain vs Croatia (Berlin)  

15 June: Italy vs Albania (Dortmund)  

19 June: Croatia vs Albania (Hamburg)  

20 June: Spain vs Italy (Gelsenkirchen)

24 June: Albania vs Spain (Düsseldorf)  

24 June: Croatia vs Italy (Leipzig)  

Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England  

16 June: Slovenia vs Denmark (Stuttgart)  

16 June: Serbia vs England (Gelsenkirchen)  

20 June: Slovenia vs Serbia (Munich)  

20 June: Denmark vs England (Frankfurt)  

25 June: England vs Slovenia (Cologne)  

25 June: Denmark vs Serbia (Munich)  

Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France  

16 June: Poland vs Netherlands (Hamburg)  

17 June: Austria vs France (Düsseldorf)  

21 June: Poland vs Austria (Berlin)  

21 June: Netherlands vs France (Leipzig)

25 June: Netherlands vs Austria (Berlin)

25 June: France vs Poland (Dortmund)  

Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine  

17 June: Romania vs Ukraine (Munich)  

17 June: Belgium vs Slovakia (Frankfurt)  

21 June: Slovakia vs Ukraine (Düsseldorf)  

22 June: Belgium vs Romania (Cologne)

26 June: Slovakia vs Romania (Frankfurt)  

26 June: Ukraine vs Belgium (Stuttgart)  

Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic  

18 June: Turkey vs Georgia (Dortmund)  

18 June: Portugal vs Czech Republic (Leipzig)  

22 June: Georgia vs Czech Republic (Hamburg)  

22 June: Turkey vs Portugal (Dortmund)  

26 June: Czech Republic vs Turkey (Hamburg)  

26 June: Georgia vs Portugal (Gelsenkirchen)  

Knockout Stage Fixtures: The Path to Glory

Following the intense group stage battles, the knockout stage will determine the ultimate champion. The Round of 16 matchups will depend on the final standings of the groups and the performance of the best third-placed teams.

Round of 16:

29 June: Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group C (Berlin)

29 June: Winner Group B vs Third-placed team A/D/E/F (Cologne)

30 June: Winner Group C vs Third-placed team D/E/F (Gelsenkirchen)

30 June: Winner Group F vs Third-placed team A/B/C (Munich)

1 July: Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group F (Düsseldorf)

1 July: Winner Group E vs Third-placed team A/B/C/D (Frankfurt)

2 July: Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group B (Leipzig)

2 July: Runner-up Group D vs Runner-up Group E (Hamburg)

Quarter-finals:

5 July: Winner Match 37 vs Winner Match 38 (Stuttgart)

5 July: Winner Match 39 vs Winner Match 40 (Berlin)

6 July: Winner Match 41 vs Winner Match 42 (Hamburg)

6 July: Winner Match 43 vs Winner Match 44 (Düsseldorf)

Semi-finals:

9 July: Winner Quarter-final 1 vs Winner Quarter-final 2 (Munich)

10 July: Winner Quarter-final 3 vs Winner Quarter-final 4 (Dortmund)

Final:

14 July: Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2 (Berlin)

Trending Topics and Social Media Buzz

As Euro 24 approaches, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta (including Facebook and Instagram) are buzzing with discussions, predictions, and fan engagement. Some of the trending topics include:  

Anticipated Star Performances: Fans are eagerly discussing which star players are expected to shine in the tournament. Names like Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Cristiano Ronaldo are frequently mentioned.

Dark Horse Contenders: There’s always excitement around potential “dark horse” teams that could surprise the established favourites. Teams like Denmark, Croatia, and even Austria are being discussed as capable of making deep runs.  

Group of Death: Group B, featuring Spain, Croatia, Italy, and Albania, has been widely labelled the “Group of Death” due to the high calibre of the participating teams. Discussions around which giants might be eliminated early are prevalent.

Tactical Innovations: Football pundits and fans are speculating about the tactical approaches managers will employ. Discussions around high pressing, defensive solidity, and counter-attacking strategies are gaining traction.

Fan Predictions: Social media is filled with polls and predictions about the tournament’s outcome, top scorers, and breakthrough players. Fan sentiment and optimism surrounding their national teams are highly visible.

Ticket Scarcity and Travel: Many fans are sharing their experiences, both positive and negative, regarding securing tickets and planning their travel to Germany.

Kit Releases and Fashion: The release of national team kits often sparks debate and discussions about design and aesthetics among fans.

FAQs

When does Euro 24 start and end? 

Euro 24 will begin on 14 June 2024 with the opening match between Germany and Scotland in Munich, and the final will be played on 14 July 2024 in Berlin.  

How many teams are participating in Euro 2024? 

A total of 24 national teams will compete in the tournament.

How is the group stage structured? 

The 24 teams are divided into six groups (A to F) of four teams each. Each team plays every other team in their group once.  

How many teams advance from the group stage to the knockout stage? 

The top two teams from each of the six groups (12 teams) automatically qualify for the Round of 16. Additionally, the four best third-placed teams from across all groups also advance, bringing the total to 16 teams in the knockout stage.  

What happens if a knockout match is tied after regular time? 

If a knockout stage match is level after 90 minutes, two periods of 15 minutes of extra time are played. If the score remains tied after extra time, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout.

Where will the Euro 2024 matches be played?

 The tournament will be hosted in ten cities across Germany: Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart.  

How can I get tickets for Euro 2024 matches?

 Ticket sales were primarily conducted through the UEFA website. While the main sales phases have concluded, fans can check the official UEFA ticket resale platform for any available tickets closer to the tournament.

Who are the favourites to win Euro 2024? 

Based on current form and historical performance, teams like England, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy are often considered among the favourites. However, major tournaments can always produce surprises.

Which teams are considered the dark horses of the tournament? 

Teams like Denmark, Croatia, Netherlands, and Portugal, while strong, might not be the absolute frontrunners but possess the quality to potentially go far and surprise some of the favourites.

Final Thoughts

The Euro 2024 fixtures promise a thrilling summer of football. With top European nations vying for the championship, fans can look forward to captivating matches, stunning goals, and unforgettable moments. Keeping track of the schedule and understanding the tournament structure will enhance the viewing experience. As the tournament draws closer, the excitement will only intensify, and the world will be watching to see which nation lifts the coveted Euro 2024 trophy in Berlin.

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