Belgium and Slovakia are to face off for their first match of the UEFA EURO 2024 at the Frankfurt Arena. This is the first time they are facing each other in a competitive fixture.
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Belgium were top of their group during the qualifying round with 20 points from eight matches while Slovakia were the second in their group, they won seven of their ten matches in their group.
Belgium are not considered among the favourites to win the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament but they are capable of surprising their opponents.
In 1980, Belgium were the runners up in the European Championship, they were defeated 2-1 by West Germany in the final. This was Belgium's best performance at a European Championship. Belgium are actually the favourites to top Group E.
Slovakia will hope to secure second place in Group E but even a third place finish could see them advance to the knock out round of Euro 2024.
During Euro 2020, Slovakia made the last 16, this was their best performance in the competition.
Belgium seem to be in good form at the moment, they have won four of their last six matches and drawn the other two.
Slovakia have also won four of their last six matches but registered one loss and drawn as well.
Domenico Tedesco, the Belgium coach, said the following;
I am very happy that we can finally start playing. We've been through hard work and intense months, and the recent weeks have been very positive. We'll see what our level is during the tournament. Slovakia are an aggressive team who press high, and they don't stop for 90 minutes. They play vertically and try to always attack. A big tournament is always special, because of the atmosphere and the emotions it provokes.
Francesco Calzona, the Slovakia coach, said the following;
The team is in good shape, everyone trained and recovered fully. Belgium have very few weak points, with top level players. We need to give it our all, to try and get a positive result. We know they are the favourites. It's true that Belgium are good on the counterattack, but we have our own strengths - we can press high up the pitch, but need to do it well. I'm not just worried by Belgium's counters, but about all their qualities.
Possible Starting line ups.
Belgium: Casteels, Faes, Witsel, De Cuyper, Castagne, Mangala, Onana, Doku, Trossard, Lukaku, De Bruyne
Slovakia: Dubravka, Pekarik, Vavro, Akriniar, Hancko, Kucka, Lobotka, Duda, Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin
