7th Day of The European Championship

Spain became the first team to win their group, while Bellingham and the company disappointed again.

Day 7 of the European Football Championship has passed, and Spain is the first team to secure its group win. Germany secured its place in the knockout stage. Today, Spain advanced past the first phase, winning what was considered the toughest group in the tournament.

The Spaniards completely outplayed Italy but won only 1-0, with a bizarre own goal by Riccardo Calafiori in the 55th minute. 

Two victories – over World Cup third-place Croatia and the reigning European champion Italy – secured Spain’s group win. And they can now look forward to June 30th, when their round of 16 matches will take place in Cologne.

The draw made Spain vs. Italy the designated “derby” of the group stage. 

This was also a replay of the semifinal from the last European Championship and marked a record eighth meeting between these two nations in continental tournaments. A clash with a long history, but this time, it belonged entirely to the Spaniards, led in attack by their brilliant young wingers, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

In this “group of death,” Spain leads with 6 points, Italy has three, and Croatia and Albania each have one. 

The final round on June 24 sees Spain face Albania while Croatia takes on Italy. Any of the remaining three teams can finish anywhere from second to fourth.

The second matches in Group C were played earlier on the same day, starting with a Balkan clash between Slovenia and Serbia. 

This became one of the most dramatic encounters… The Slovenians, leading thanks to a goal from Žan Karničnik, were seconds from a historic victory.

A last-gasp equalizer by Serbia! Luka Jović’s header sent the game into a frenzy, but the referee blew the final whistle after his celebration, ending the match.

The draw was logical, given the overall play in the match, but the Slovenian players took it as a defeat because they were so close to success in this match. Jović’s invaluable goal practically kept Serbia in Euro 2024, and considering the situation in the group, our Western neighbors have every chance of even taking second place in this group.

As the Balkan drama in Munich was still unfolding, everyone eagerly anticipated England’s awakening and playing like the favorites they were believed to be. 

However, this did not happen, and England once again failed to achieve the elusive second consecutive group stage victory in a European Championship, drawing 1-1 with Denmark in Frankfurt under the watchful eyes of King Frederik X of Denmark and British Prince William, who watched the match together.

After this result and the draw between Slovenia and Serbia, every team in this group retains a chance to advance. England remains in first place. Harry Kane gave the British the lead in the 18th minute, and Morten Hjulmand equalized in the 34th. The match remained fairly even until the end, despite the “Three Lions” being unlucky with a shot off the post by Phil Foden. In the end, the outcome is entirely logical.

The two teams met in the semifinals of Euro 2020, where England won 2-1 after extra time at Wembley. The decisive goal came after Harry Kane took a penalty, which was saved but scored on the rebound. 

The penalty decision infuriated the Danish team.

The Danish team has lost only one of their last 14 matches since March 2023. The 1992 champion, however, has only four victories in 22 matches against the “Three Lions.” England has stayed in the group stage of a European Championship since Euro 2004. Since then, the team has had eight wins and four draws.

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Slovenia – Serbia 1:1
Z.Karnicnik (69′) ; L.Yovic (90+5′)

Denmark – England 1:1
M.Hjulmand (34′) ; H.Kane (18′)

Spain – Italy 1:0
R.Calafiori (55′ Own Goal)

Group B Group C
1. Spain  6 pts 1. England  4 pts
2. Italy  3 pts 2. Denmark  2 pts
3. Albania  1 pt 3. Slovenia  2 pts
4. Croatia  1 pt 4. Serbia  1 pt

Upcoming matches in Group B: Upcoming matches in Group C:
– Jun 24:  Albania – Spain Jun 25:  England – Slovenia
– Jun 24:  Croatia – Italy Jun 25:  Denmark – Serbia

Read More About Nations and EURO 2024.