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regular-article-logo Friday, 10 May 2024

Euro 2020: Croatia test for England, and the Netherlands return

North Macedonia will lock horns with Austria in their European Championship debut. The Netherlands face Ukraine in their first appearance in a major tournament in seven years

Our Bureau Published 13.06.21, 02:25 PM
Memphis Depay.

Memphis Depay. Twitter/ @FootySuperTips

After a dramatic day that saw Christian Erisken’s on-field collapse, Romelu Lukaku demolishing Russia and Kieffer Moore salvaging a draw for Wales versus Switzerland, all eyes will now be trained on tournament debutants North Macedonia, Gareth Southgate’s England, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, the controversial Ukraine and the Netherlands, who are making their first appearance in a major tournament since the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Here’s a round-up of tonight’s action that you must look forward to:

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England vs Croatia (6:30 pm)
Venue
: Wembley Stadium

The Three Lions have never won the European Championship. In their previous nine attempts, they never emerged victorious in an opening match at the tournament, not even when their first fixture was at Wembley in 1996.

England now renew their bid for a continental title at their national stadium against Croatia, the side that prevented them from reaching the World Cup final three years ago. England are also waiting for their first major title since the 1966 World Cup. That’s a long, painful wait.

Centre-back Harry Maguire and midfielder Jordan Henderson might not be fit enough to start. There’s also fatigue to consider given the heat forecast for Sunday, and the fact seven players were involved in the Champions League final two weeks ago when Chelsea beat Manchester City.

Tackling Croatia's likely midfield trio of Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic and Luka Modric will weigh on England’s minds after being over-run in that territory in 2018.

“If you come too early and don't quite get that right, they're really clever and they can pick you off and play in behind you,” England assistant coach Steve Holland said at the team's St. George's Park training headquarters.

Since the World Cup, when Croatia lost the final to France, Zlatko Dalic’s side have lost and drawn with England in the UEFA Nations League.

Unlike England, Croatia have won opening matches at the European Championship four times and drawn one. England have drawn five and lost four of them, including at their championship debut in 1968 against Yugoslavia, which Croatia used to be part of.

Players to watch out for:

Mason Mount has had a great season with Chelsea, playing an important role in the midfield. He had been Thomas Tuchel's go-to man, and Southgate will hope for Mount to deliver in a similar capacity. For Croatia, Luka Modric was outstanding in the 2018 World Cup. His contribution in the midfield will come in handy not just against England, but throughout the tournament.

Austria vs North Macedonia (9:30 pm)

Venue: National Arena, Bucharest

Austria have always been short of goals in their previous European Championship campaigns. But firing against North Macedonia has never been a problem. In their last two meetings in the qualifiers, Austria won 4-1 and 2-1.

But goals haven't come easy on the big stage. In six games played in the 2008 and 2016 editions of the continental tournament, the Austrian team managed only a single goal in open play in a 2-1 loss to Iceland five years ago.

Heading into Euro 2020, Austria lost to England 1-0 on June 2 and were held to a scoreless draw by Slovakia last Sunday.

Austria defender David Alaba, perhaps the team’s best known player, tried to take something positive from the last warm-up game, but the lack of goals was on his mind.

North Macedonia, meanwhile, will make their debut at a major tournament after qualifying through the Nations League playoffs. But they’ve had success scoring some goals and pulling off some upsets. The biggest upset came in March when the team beat Germany 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier. Earlier this month, North Macedonia drew 1-1 with Slovenia on June 1, with a goal conceded deep into injury time, and routed Kazakhstan 4-0 three days later.

Players to watch out for:

Besides Alaba, Marko Arnautovic will be expected to provide leadership and goals over the next few weeks. The 32-year-old striker has scored 26 goals in 87 appearances for the national team. But a confirmation on his availability is still pending. North Macedonia’s biggest scoring threat will be Goran Pandev, who made his debut for the national team 20 years ago. The 37-year-old Pandev has scored a national team record of 37 goals, including the one that secured a place at Euro 2020.

Netherlands vs Ukraine (12:30 am, Monday)

Venue: Johan Cryuff Arena
It's been many years since the Netherlands last played at a major soccer tournament, dating back to the orange-clad team’s run to the World Cup semifinals in 2014. On Sunday in Amsterdam, the Dutch will finally be back on the field to take on Ukraine at the European Championship.

“We know that we missed two final tournaments, but now we're finally here and so we want to show what we can do, not just for fun but really for the prizes,” said Memphis Depay, the striker who is the undisputed focal point of the Dutch attack at Euro 2020.

The team’s captain and defensive anchor, Virgil van Dijk, will have to wait even longer. He pulled out of the tournament to rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee.

The Netherlands’ only international title came at the 1988 European Championship. The Dutch have also reached three World Cup finals and lost them all. Only a handful of players remain in the Dutch team from the last major tournament, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ukraine qualified for the last two European Championships, but have never progressed past the group stage. The Ukrainians are coached by Andriy Shevchenko, whose mentality doesn't seem to have changed much from his playing days with the national team and clubs including AC Milan and Chelsea. “He always wants to win,” Ukraine midfielder Taras Stepanenko said. “Always, all matches, no matter what teams, he always wants to win.”

Players to watch out for:

For the Netherlands, Memphis Depay will be expected to come up with the goods. On the back of a fine season with Lyon, Depay is in fine touch. Frenkie de Jong, who developed into one of the best players during a tough season under former Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, is excited about the European Championship. “I don't think it is too many matches, physically, I feel really good. I think that is really something that is mental,” Jong said on Friday.

Ukraine’s main man will be Oleksandr Zinchenko, who plays at left back for Manchester City but is expected to switch to a central midfield role for his country.

(Match timings in IST)

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