The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament is all set to kick off on June 15, with hosts Germany taking on Scotland in the opening match. This will mark a significant return of a major international tournament to Germany since the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The defending champions, Italy, are gearing up to defend their title; however, they face tough competition in Group B alongside Spain, Croatia, and Albania. Notable players like Toni Kroos, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Modric are expected to showcase their skills, with some potentially playing their final Euros. The tournament format remains the same as the previous editions, with the top two teams from each of the six groups advancing to the Round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams. The grand finale is scheduled to take place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 15.
The UEFA Euro 2024 groups have been drawn as follows:
Group A: Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Scotland
Group B: Italy, Spain, Croatia, Albania
Group C: England, Denmark, Serbia, Slovenia
Group D: France, Netherlands, Austria, Poland
Group E: Belgium, Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia
Group F: Portugal, Turkey, Czech Republic, Georgia
The tournament format will feature six groups with four teams each, following a similar structure to the 2016 and 2020 editions. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams. The knockout stage will include the traditional quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the ultimate final, with single-leg ties deciding the outcomes.
Regarding the host venues for UEFA Euro 2024, a total of ten stadiums across Germany have been selected to host the matches. Among the notable venues are the Olympiastadion in Berlin, which will host the grand final on July 15, while the semis will be held at Munich’s Allianz Arena and Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion on July 10 and 11, respectively. All ten stadiums boast a capacity exceeding 45,000 spectators, with nine of them having previously hosted games during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The list of stadiums for UEFA Euro 2024 includes:
1. Olympiastadion, Berlin
2. Allianz Arena, Munich
3. Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
4. MHPArena, Stuttgart
5. Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen
6. Waldstadion, Frankfurt
7. Volksparkstadion, Hamburg
8. Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf
9. RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
10. Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
Germany and Spain share the record for the most UEFA European Championship titles, each winning the prestigious tournament three times. Germany’s triumphs came in 1972, 1980, and 1996, while Spain secured their titles in 1964, 2008, and 2012. Additionally, France and Italy have clinched two titles each, whereas countries like Portugal, Greece, Denmark, Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union have each won the championship once.
In terms of individual achievement, Cristiano Ronaldo leads the way with 14 goals in UEFA Euros history, surpassing all other players by a significant margin. The legendary forward has been a dominant force in the tournament, with his closest rival, Michel Platini, trailing with nine goals. However, players like Antoine Griezmann and Alan Shearer are in contention to challenge Ronaldo’s record as they strive to make their mark on the prestigious competition.
