Euro 2024 today: Romania vs Ukraine, Belgium vs Slovakia, France vs Austria

The 17th European Championships has seen some cracking performances already with Germany and Spain setting the standard high in their very first games. Italy and England, however, looked listless in their wins. Now it is the turn of another powerhouse, another title contender, France in setting their mark. Also in action on 17 June are Group E teams Romania, Ukraine, Belgium and Slovakia.

Romania vs Ukraine in Group E

Ukraine, who are competing against the backdrop of the war at home against Russia, opens their European Championship campaign against Romania in Munich.

Ukraine are looking to back up their most successful campaign, having reached the quarterfinals at Euro 2020 where they were eliminated by eventual runners-up England.

Ukraine’s Vitaliy Mykolenko injured his ankle in the last warmup match but coach Serhiy Rebrov is hopeful the injury is not serious. Should Mykolenko not recover in time, he will likely be replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko.

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Romania impressed in qualifying, sailing through unbeaten to top a group that also contained Switzerland and Israel.

Romania coach Edward Iordănescu has all 26 of his players available.

STAT: Across their 16 matches at the Euros, Romania have managed just a single win (drawing five and losing 10). Their only win goes back to Euro 2000 when they beat England.

Belgium vs Slovakia in Group E

Belgium and Kevin De Bruyne face Slovakia to start their European Championship program.

Slovakia face a stiff test against the Red Devils, and goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka – who could be a busy man if Belgium hit the ground running – heaped praise on De Bruyne in the lead-up.

Belgium are unbeaten in 40 European and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches but are still looking to take the final steps when it comes to the finals, having failed to reach the semi-finals at a UEFA European Championship since 1980 and exited in the last-eight at the last two editions.

Slovakia are at their third straight Euros as an independent nation, all since the tournament was expanded to 24 teams. They reached the Round of 16 in 2016 losing 3-0 to Germany.

STAT: Romelu Lukaku’s record 85 goals for Belgium is more than the top three Slovakia scorers combined. Marek Hamsik, who retired last year and is now an assistant coach, leads with 26.

France vs Austria in Group D

World Cup runners-up France are one of the tournament favourites and start their campaign in Dusseldorf against Austria.

France had a strong 2023 with eight wins from 10 games and only one loss, to Germany. Four games this year have already included a 2-0 loss — again to Germany — in a friendly and a 0-0 draw with Canada last week.

Aurelien Tchouameni hasn’t played since he missed Real Madrid’s Champions League final with a foot injury. N’Golo Kante played the defensive midfield role in France’s two pre-tournament friendlies, his first international games since 2022.

Austria, managed by former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick, has revitalised the team since taking over in 2022 and turned down the Bayern Munich job to stay with the national time.

Austria are on a seven-game unbeaten run with just three goals conceded during that time. A 2-0 win over Germany and a 6-1 demolition of Turkey were the highlights.

Rangnick says his whole squad is fit and defender Gernot Trauner was rested from training Friday.

STAT: In his only Euros appearance, in 2021, Mbappe failed to convert any of his 14 shots and missed his penalty in the shoot-out against Switzerland.

Euro 2024 matches on 17 June

Romania vs Ukraine at 6:30 PM IST on SonyLIV

Belgium vs Slovakia at 9:30 PM IST on SonyLIV

France vs Austria at 00:30 AM IST (Tuesday) on SonyLIV