Euro 2024: 7 Must-Watch Games From Group Stages Including Spain Versus Defending Champs Italy

• The 2024 European Championship will officially kick off later today (June 14) with Germany against Scotland
• The group stage promises to have several cracking matches between heavyweights of the newest edition of the Euros
• Netherlands will play France in the group stages, while Spain will come up against 2018 World Cup finalists, Croatia

The Euro 2024 kicks off today and excitement is reaching fever pitch.

With 36 fixtures in the group stages, football fans will enjoy two weeks of back-to-back matches.

Sports Brief has isolated seven games that will almost certainly be worth watching in the group stages.

Euro 2024 must-watch group-stage games

Germany vs Scotland, June 14

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The opening fixture of any tournament tends to have fans glued to it.

Hosts Germany are hoping to advance to the last 16 of the competition for the fifth time in a row when they take on underdogs, Scotland, in the official Euro 2024 opening game.

Spain vs Croatia, June 15

Fans will not have to wait too long to see their first clash of the titans when 2010 World Champions, Spain, face Croatia, who are ranked 10th in the world standings according to FIFA.

La Roja is considered one of the favourites to win the tournament, while the Croats have always been seen as dark horses going into any major tournament.

The two’s most recent clash at a major tournament was at Euro 2020 when Spain won 5-3 in extra time in what was arguably the most extraordinary game of that tournament.

Poland vs Netherlands, June 16

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Poland, ranked 28th in the world, will face the Netherlands in their opening Group D game.

This is a game worth watching since Ronald Koeman’s side has an array of talent, who have at times fallen short of their full potential in recent years.

According to Transfermarkt, the Poles also have a decent squad, and with France and Austria fixtures coming later on, they will want to take all three points from the Dutchmen.

Serbia vs England, June 16

In all honesty, any game involving England attracts attention, and for justifiable reasons.

Boasting one of the most talented attacks in the competition, the Three Lions are under pressure to deliver at Euro 2024 and make amends for falling short in the final four years ago.

Their opening fixture will be against an unpredictable Serbia team, who are ranked 29 places below Gareth Southgate’s side.

Portugal vs Czechia, June 18

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Portugal is another nation tipped as one of the favourites to win the Euros.

Like England, fans worldwide will take a keen interest in all of the Selecao fixtures, but none will attract more attention in the group stage than their opener against Czechia.

Fans will be particularly interested to see how Roberto Martinez organises his squad since he has the luxury of two world-class players in practically every area of the pitch.

Spain vs Italy, June 20

There is a valid reason behind Group B being dubbed the ‘Group of Death’.

After their cracker against Croatia, Spain will come up against sleeping giants, Italy, who are baying for blood after missing out on the 2022 World Cup.

Luciano Spalletti's side will likely capture the attention of football fans globally, who will be curious to see whether The Azzurri have made improvements since their last major tournament.

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Notably, Spain and Italy are familiar foes and have met on several occasions at the Euros.

Denmark vs England, June 20

It would be a mistake to underestimate Denmark.

The Danes, ranked 21st in the world, will face favourites - England - in their second group game, hoping to upset the Three Lions and perhaps make strides towards qualifying for the last 16.

Netherlands vs France, June 21

The list would not be complete without Kylian Mbappe’s France.

The 2022 World Cup finalists are in a tricky Group D alongside Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands.

Many pundits expect the French and the Dutch to emerge as the top two teams in the group, but that is heavily dependent on what happens in their final group game on June 25.

The last time these two nations met in the European championship was in 2008, when the Netherlands edged France 1-0, thanks to a Wesley Sneijder masterclass.

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The most potent attacks in Euro 2024

Sports Brief also reported on the nations with the most potent attacks at Euro 2024, with Germany making the top five thanks to several world-class players.

Stuttgart loanee, Deniz Undav and and Hoffenheim striker, Maximilian Beier set to compete with Kai Havertz and Niclas Fullkrug for the centre-forward spot.