The European Championship, also known as Euro 2024, kicked off on June 14 when host Germany defeated Scotland 5-1 in Munich. Here’s what to know about the monthlong tournament:
Where are the games being played?
The tournament is being held in Germany, with matches in 10 cities: Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart.
When and where is the final?
The final will be played on July 14 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Who are the favorites?
England, France and host Germany were considered among the pre-tournament favorites. England, which hasn’t won a major international tournament since the 1966 World Cup, lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy in a penalty shootout. Spain and Portugal also have strong teams.
How does the tournament work?
The group stage has six groups of four teams. The teams in each group play each other once, with three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss. The top two teams in each group, as well as the four best-performing third-place teams, advance to the round of 16. At that point, the tournament becomes a straight knockout competition through the quarterfinals, semifinals and final to determine the champion.
Which team is in which group?
Germany, Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland are in Group A.
Spain, Croatia, Italy and Albania are in Group B.
Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia and England are in Group C.
Poland, Netherlands, Austria and France are in Group D.
Belgium, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine are in Group E.
Turkey, Georgia, Portugal and Czech Republic are in Group F.
Who is the defending champion?
Italy won the last Euros, which were staged in 2021 because the original tournament was postponed for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Italy beat England in the final at Wembley Stadium in a penalty shootout.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing?
Yes, the Portuguese great is competing in a record sixth European Championship. Going into the tournament he already held the record for the most appearances at the Euros, with 25, and the most goals, with 14. Ronaldo, 39, won the competition with Portugal in 2016.
Is Erling Haaland playing?
No. The Manchester City striker may be one of the most prolific goal-scorers in world soccer, but his national team, Norway, didn’t qualify for Euro 2024.
Where can I watch Euro 2024?
U.S. viewers can watch Euro 2024 on Fox.
What is the match schedule?
Here’s a list of upcoming matches, with kick-off times listed in local time in Germany and Eastern Standard Time in parenthesis:
June 20
Slovenia vs. Serbia, 3 p.m. (9 a.m. EST)
Denmark vs. England, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Spain vs. Italy, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
June 21
Slovakia vs. Ukraine, 3 p.m. (9 a.m. EST)
Poland vs. Austria, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Netherlands vs. France, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
June 22
Georgia vs. Czech Republic, 3 p.m. (9 a.m. EST)
Turkey vs. Portugal, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Belgium vs. Romania, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
June 23
Scotland vs. Hungary, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
Switzerland vs. Germany, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
June 24
Albania vs. Spain, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
Croatia vs. Italy, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
June 25
France vs. Poland, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Netherlands vs. Austria, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Denmark vs. Serbia, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
England vs. Slovenia, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
June 26
Ukraine vs. Belgium, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Slovakia vs. Romania, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Georgia vs. Portugal, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
Czech Republic vs. Turkey, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
June 29
Round of 16, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Round of 16, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
June 30
Round of 16, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Round of 16, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
July 1
Round of 16, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Round of 16, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
July 2
Round of 16, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Round of 16, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
July 5
Quarterfinal, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Quarterfinal, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
July 6
Quarterfinal, 6 p.m. (noon EST)
Quarterfinal, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
July 9
Semifinal, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
July 10
Semifinal, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
July 14
Final, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)
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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024
