Italy, Spain, and Switzerland Start Euro Cup Campaigns with Wins

In a thrilling start to their Euro Cup campaign, defending champions Italy narrowly edged out Albania with a 2-1 win in Dortmund early Sunday morning. The match saw a dramatic first minute lead by Albania’s Nedim Bajrami, stunning the Italian side. However, Alessandro Bastoni quickly equalized in the 11th minute, followed by Nico Barella securing the winning goal just five minutes later.

Despite dominating possession, Italy struggled to break through Albania’s defense for much of the match, showcasing some early tournament nerves. The intensity was palpable as all three goals were scored within the first 16 minutes, setting the tone for an unpredictable Group B battle.

Italy will need to refine their attacking strategies ahead of their upcoming fixtures to solidify their title defense ambitions in this highly competitive tournament.

Spain Dominates Croatia with 3-0 Victory

In another Group B showdown, Spain displayed their championship pedigree with a commanding 3-0 triumph over Croatia on Saturday evening. Álvaro Morata opened the scoring in the 29th minute, swiftly followed by Fabián Ruiz adding Spain’s second just three minutes later. Dani Carvajal sealed the victory with a goal in first-half injury time, highlighting Spain’s clinical efficiency.

Lamine Yamal, the prodigious 16-year-old winger from Barcelona, made history as the youngest player ever to grace the men’s Euro Cup, delivering an assist in his debut appearance. Meanwhile, Bruno Petković’s missed penalty epitomized Croatia’s frustrating evening as they struggled to match Spain’s pace and precision.

Spain’s resounding victory sets a high standard early in the tournament, signaling their intent to reclaim European football glory.

Switzerland Overpowers Hungary 3-1 in Group A Opener

Switzerland made a strong start to their Euro Cup campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over Hungary in Cologne. Kwadwo Duah opened the scoring in the 12th minute, quickly followed by Michel Aebischer doubling the lead just before halftime. Despite a spirited effort from Hungary, Bálint Varga’s goal in the 66th minute provided only a temporary reprieve before Breel Embolo sealed Switzerland’s victory in injury time.

The result underscores Switzerland’s determination and cohesive play, positioning them favorably in Group A early on in the tournament.

Upcoming Matches

Today’s fixtures promise further excitement as Poland takes on Netherlands at 6:45 pm NST, followed by Slovenia versus Denmark at 9:45 pm NST. The action continues late into the night as Serbia clashes with England at 12:45 am NST, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters in the 2024 Euro Cup.