Portugal and Czechia Clash in Euro 2024 Showdown

Get ready for a thrilling match as Portugal takes on Czechia in their opening game of the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament at the Leipzig Stadium on Tuesday, June 18th. This is also the first match of Group F.

This highly anticipated encounter marks the fourth meeting between the two teams, with Portugal seeking to maintain their dominance over Czechia. Czechia have won only once in their last three encounters with Portugal winning the other two.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar, is on the brink of making history as the first player to feature in six European Championships and the oldest player to score in the competition. Pepe, 41, will also become the oldest player to feature in the tournament.

Portugal, the Euro 2016 champions, are eager to bounce back from their disappointing exit in the round of 16 at Euro 2020. With a talented squad and experienced players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, they're considered strong contenders for the trophy.

Czechia, runners-up at Euro 1996, have consistently impressed in recent tournaments, reaching the semi-finals in 2004 and the quarter-finals in two of their last three tournaments, including Euro 2020. They are in impressive form, winning five of their last six matches, and will be looking to upset the odds against Portugal.

Both coaches have expressed admiration for each other's teams, with Portugal's Roberto Martinez praising Czechia's attacking style and Czechia's Ivan Hasek acknowledging Portugal's favouritism while vowing to give it their all.

Here are the words the two coaches said.
Roberto Martinez, Portugal coach: 

When I look at Czechia, I've admired their style for many years now – a team that takes risks, they like to play one-v-one situations all over the pitch, they’ve got an attacking mentality, and they are a very good side.

Ivan Hasek, Czechia coach: 

Portugal are the clear favourites to win the EURO while we are the outsiders and will just have to get through the group. Every game is 50-50. We just can't be too afraid. We have to be active, get ourselves into the game, and not just sit back and defend.

Possible line-ups

Portugal: Diogo Costa, Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Palhinha, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva

Czechia: Jindrich Stanek, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Ladislav Krejci, Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Soucek, Lukas Provod, Antonin Barak, David Jurasek, Jan Kuchta, Patrik Schick