The UEFA EURO 2024 tournament is underway, and one of the most anticipated matches in Group E is between Belgium and Slovakia. Both teams will kick off their EURO 2024 campaigns in Frankfurt, facing each other at Deutsche Bank Park. This match promises to be exciting, with several key players and compelling narratives adding to the drama. Here’s everything you need to know about when and where to watch the match in India, the USA, and the UK.
Match Details
- Teams: Belgium vs Slovakia
- Date: Monday, June 17, 2024
- Time: 6:00 PM local time (1600 GMT)
- Venue: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt
Group E Overview
Belgium and Slovakia are joined by Romania and Ukraine in Group E. This group is particularly interesting due to the strong ties both Belgium and Slovakia have with Italian football. Slovakia is coached by Francesco Calzona, formerly of Napoli, while Belgium’s head coach, Domenico Tedesco, has Italian roots but grew up in Germany.
Who is coming out on top today? 🤔@bookingcom | #EUROfixtures pic.twitter.com/06aK7MpzJp
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 17, 2024
Historical Context
- Belgium’s History: Belgium reached the finals of the European Championship in 1980, narrowly losing to West Germany. Their last competitive match against Slovakia was a friendly 11 years ago, which Belgium won 2-1.
- Slovakia’s History: Slovakia has consistently participated in the European Championship since the competition expanded in 2016. They reached the round of 16 in their first two appearances. Historically, as part of Czechoslovakia, they won the European Championship in 1976.
Team News
Belgium:
- Key Players Absent: Thibaut Courtois, Axel Witsel, Jan Vertonghen, and Arthur Theate due to injuries.
- Young Talents: Players like Zeno Debast and Maxim De Cuyper will have a chance to shine.
- Star Player: Romelu Lukaku, Belgium’s top scorer with 85 goals, leads the team.
Slovakia:
- Veterans: Peter Pekarík and Juraj Kucka, both 37, are expected to participate.
- Key Player: Marek Hamsik, Slovakia’s top scorer with 26 goals, has retired and is now an assistant coach.
Belgium’s FIFA Ranking and Recent Performance
Belgium enters the tournament ranked No. 3 by FIFA, despite a disappointing 2022 World Cup performance where they failed to advance past the group stage. They have maintained a top-five FIFA ranking for seven years and held the top spot from 2018 to 2021.
Where to Watch Belgium vs Slovakia
India:
- Television: Sony Sports Network
- Live Stream: SonyLIV App
- Time: 9:30 PM IST
United Kingdom:
- Television: BBC, ITV
- Time: 4:15 PM BST
United States:
- Television: FOX Sports, Fubo TV
- Time: 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT
Conclusion
The UEFA EURO 2024 match between Belgium and Slovakia is set to be a thrilling encounter, filled with intriguing storylines and top-tier football action. With key players like Romelu Lukaku leading Belgium and experienced veterans in the Slovakian squad, this match is one to watch. Ensure you tune in from your respective region to catch all the excitement live.
Stay updated on the latest from EURO 2024 and enjoy the game!
