ROMA – The European Championship or known as Euro Cup 2024 qualification round will be started on 23rd March 2023, with a total of 55 teams playing in ten groups.
The qualifiers will produce 23 national teams to participate in the tournament held by Germany in June next year, a total of 24 teams including the host.
The first and second matchday of the group stage will be played from this Thursday to 28th March.
All the European major leagues including the English Premier League stopped for a week to make way for the international competition.
The defending champion Vs runner-up
The first day of the European qualifiers will feature the clash of the giants to be focused by millions of football fans worldwide.
Italy and England will replay the final of Euro 2020 as the first match in Group C.
In the battle of championship held on 11th July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Italy won their second European title through the penalty shootout, destroying the Three Lions’ dream to hail their first ever trophy.
Tonight, the Englishmen expect a revenge in the away game, to get a good start in the group with three points.
Harry Kane Vs Federico Chiesa
Team England features Harry Kane as their key player, the Tottenham Hotspur striker is looking forward to updating the goals record of his national team, which is currently 53, the same as Wayne Rooney.
The powerful forward will challenge the signature defence of the reigning champion, which is led by experienced centre back Leonardo Bonucci and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Not just Kane, the Three Lions also have plenty of top class attacking stars in their midfield, such as Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish who are serving EPL giant clubs.
Compared to England, the Blue Squad have players with less value and reputations overall, but feature a few of high rated stars including Jorginho from Arsenal, Nicolo Barella and Marco Verratti.
Federico Chiesa, the striker from Juventus is a man to be focused in the rivalry too.
Portuguese CR7 seeks new records
Meanwhile, the match between Portugal and Liechtenstein in Group J is another favourite game on Thursday night.
The home team who won the 2016 event as their first ever European championship, expect an easy victory against the visitors who are now in world ranking 198.
The world number 9 again features Cristiano Ronaldo as their most favourite star, with his desire to break several records in football history.
If CR7 is showing tonight, he will create the record of a player with the most appearances in the international competitions, as much as 197 matches.
Also, if the 38 years old legend scores in this Euro qualification round, he will update his record of most goals of international games, which is currently 118.
If the Portuguese captain successfully brings his nation to qualify into the tournament next year, he might appear in the major competition at the age of 39!
For more UEFA Europa League please keep on eye with us: 24. Live