Guide: European Championship 22 June

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal won their premiere match in the European Championship. But it was a close call. Now, tough Turkey - with super talent Arda Güler - awaits. And can Belgium bounce back after their initial fiasco? Here is everything ahead of today's European Championship matches.

» Updated: August 25 2024

» Published: June 22 2024

Guide: European Championship 22 June
Photo: Sunday Alamba/AP/TT

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal won their premiere match in the European Championship. But it was a close call. Now, they face tough opponents Turkey – with super talent Arda Güler. And can Belgium bounce back after their initial failure? Here's everything you need to know about today's European Championship matches.

What: Georgia-Czech Republic, group F.

When: Saturday 22 June, 15.00.

Where: Volksparkstadion, Hamburg.

TV/Radio: TV4/TV4 Play/P4 Radiosporten.

+ Czech Republic's big chance

Both Czech Republic and newcomer Georgia started the European Championship with losses. Czech Republic was only minutes away from securing a point against Portugal in their premiere and impressed for long periods of the game. With a similar performance as last time, three points are certainly within reach – and a win would mean that the dream of advancing to the next round is still very much alive for the Czechs.

+ Georgia's corner threat

Georgia, on paper the worst team in the European Championship, likes to attack along the flanks, which often leads to corners. In fact, Georgia is one of the teams in the championship that gets the most corners per match. In their premiere loss, 1–3, against Turkey, Georgia created five corners, and in their rehearsal against Moldova, they got as many as seven corners.

+ Will the talent get playing time?

Czech attacking talent Adam Hlozek remained on the bench for the entire match against Portugal. Will he make his European Championship debut now? The 21-year-old is tipped for a bright future and responded with two goals in 23 Bundesliga matches last season, when his Bayer Leverkusen went through the league season without losing a single match.

What: Turkey-Portugal, group F.

When: Saturday 22 June, 18.00.

Where: Westfalenstadion, Dortmund.

TV/Radio: TV4/TV4 Play/P4 Radiosporten.

+ Shaky premiere for Ronaldo's Portugal

Yes, they got three points in their premiere against Czech Republic. But Portugal didn't exactly impress. It wasn't until stoppage time that substitute Francisco Conceicao could score the decisive 2–1, and there are several question marks over Portugal's play, not least now that tougher opponents await.

+ Super talent praised

Arda Güler's season in Real Madrid was disrupted due to injuries, but when the 19-year-old played, he showed class. And he did so again in Turkey's premiere win, 3–1, against Georgia. The midfielder scored a fantastic goal, and after his fine performance, he was widely praised by the entire football world. Can this championship be Güler's big breakthrough?

+ Victory means advancement

Three points for Portugal or Turkey would essentially secure a spot in the next round. So, expect a fierce battle between two teams that will give their all to win – both Portugal and Turkey are teams that can swing either way, so this could be a thrilling match.

What: Belgium-Romania, group E.

When: Saturday 22 June, 21.00.

Where: Rhein Energie Stadion, Cologne

TV/Radio: TV4/TV4 Play/P4 Radiosporten.

+ Lukaku doesn't like VAR

Belgium suffered a major setback in their first match in the European Championship, when they lost 0–1 to Slovakia. The Belgian players agreed that their performance wasn't the best, but the fact is that striker Romelu Lukaku had two balls in the net. Both goals were, however, ruled out after VAR review.

The two disallowed goals were on the borderline, said midfielder Kevin De Bruyne to Sporza.

Aside from the two disallowed goals, Lukaku had several chances, which he missed, and the 31-year-old has faced scathing criticism after the match against Slovakia. The question is whether he'll get another chance to start.

+ Happiest day in a long time

Romania started their European Championship campaign in the best possible way. In their premiere against Ukraine, they won 3–0, albeit the Ukrainian goalkeeper Andrij Lunin didn't have his best day at the office – the win is Romania's biggest ever in a major championship.

This is the happiest day since my daughters were born, said 1–0 goal scorer Nicolae Stanciu to Sport.

+ Crowd pressure

The Romanian fans created a magical atmosphere in the match against Ukraine and will likely do so again against Belgium. The supporters' songs give the Romanian players extra energy, Stanciu told Sport.

I and my teammates want to thank all the supporters. What I felt during the national anthem is indescribable, he said.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot
1 MIN READ

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot Injury, City Hopes for Season Return

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated
2 MIN READ

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated Semifinal Against Djurgården

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda
3 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda to Semifinals

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK
2 MIN READ

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK Victory at Gamla Ullevi

Swedish Referees Selected for European
1 MIN READ

Swedish Referees Selected for European Championship Duty

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges
1 MIN READ

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges for Nazi Salutes During Match

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars
2 MIN READ

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars from Online Hate with Zero Tolerance

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery Following Polish Speedway Crash

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts
2 MIN READ

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts as Billionaire Withdraws Sponsorship

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost
2 MIN READ

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost Arsenal Ahead of Fulham Clash

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle
3 MIN READ

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle Larsson for European Basketball Championship

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse
3 MIN READ

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse Allegations in Court

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings
1 MIN READ

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings Set New Home Win Record

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal
1 MIN READ

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal Record with Latest Score

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back
1 MIN READ

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back with Two Wins at World Championship

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic
1 MIN READ

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic to Claim Miami ATP Title

Min Woo Lee Claims First
1 MIN READ

Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA Tour Victory as Svensson Stumbles

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized
1 MIN READ

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized After Serious Crash

Haaland Injured in City's FA
1 MIN READ

Haaland Injured in City's FA Cup Win Over Bournemouth

Omar Faraj Scores Five as
2 MIN READ

Omar Faraj Scores Five as Degerfors Triumphs Over Halmstad

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National
1 MIN READ

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National Team for Nations League

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby
2 MIN READ

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby Dominates IFK Göteborg 4-0

Sweden Triumphs Over Finland to
2 MIN READ

Sweden Triumphs Over Finland to Secure World Championship Gold

Brynäs Advances to Semifinals but
2 MIN READ

Brynäs Advances to Semifinals but Goalkeeper Injury Raises Concerns

Hammarby Dominates Göteborg 4-0 in
2 MIN READ

Hammarby Dominates Göteborg 4-0 in Allsvenskan Opener

Vesna Milivojevic Stuns Malmö FF
1 MIN READ

Vesna Milivojevic Stuns Malmö FF with Two Goals in Home Opener

Elfsborg Eyes Revenge Against Malmö
2 MIN READ

Elfsborg Eyes Revenge Against Malmö FF After Dramatic Comeback

Sweden Claims Sixth Straight Bandy
2 MIN READ

Sweden Claims Sixth Straight Bandy World Championship Gold

Police Mobilize for Hammarby March
1 MIN READ

Police Mobilize for Hammarby March in Stockholm

Spaniard López-Chacarra Triumphs in India
1 MIN READ

Spaniard López-Chacarra Triumphs in India as Dantorp Falls Short

Ebba Andersson Triumphs with Double
2 MIN READ

Ebba Andersson Triumphs with Double Wins in Ski Classics Finale

Swede Max Novak's Ski Pole
1 MIN READ

Swede Max Novak's Ski Pole Breaks, Ending Race Hopes in Norway

Sweden's Curling Champs Stumble in
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Champs Stumble in World Championship Opener

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines with 14 Points in Miami Win

Lucas Raymond Sets New Career
1 MIN READ

Lucas Raymond Sets New Career High in Detroit's Win Over Boston

Andreas Nordebäck Achieves Season's Best
1 MIN READ

Andreas Nordebäck Achieves Season's Best with 17th Place Finish in Boston

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Pegula
1 MIN READ

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Pegula to Win Miami WTA Title

Jesper Svensson Shines in Tight
1 MIN READ

Jesper Svensson Shines in Tight PGA Tour Battle in Houston

AIK Keeps SHL Hopes Alive,
2 MIN READ

AIK Keeps SHL Hopes Alive, Set to Face Karlskoga in Semifinals

Viktor Gyökeres Shines with Two
1 MIN READ

Viktor Gyökeres Shines with Two Goals in Sporting Lisbon Victory