UEFA Euro 2024 Group B: Preview, players to watch, fixtures, squads & telecast info

Group B has been regarded as the group of death.

Group B is perhaps the hardest of the six groups at the Euro 2024. Looking at the teams involved in this particular group suggests fireworks ahead.

First and foremost, Italy will aim to hold onto their Euro title as the defending champions, while they appear strengthened in most areas. Spain will want to usher in a new era of great football with a fresh group of players.

Next up is Croatia, who hope to make an impression this time around with their vast experience from some impressive performances over the last six years, spanning two World Cups. Last but not least is Albania, who despite their potential for a surprise, will go into Euro 2024 Group B as the clear favourites to be eliminated.

Player to watch out for

Spain: Lamine Yamal

Winger Lamine Lamal is destined to play for Spain in the forthcoming Euro in Germany, in contrast to the majority of 16-year-olds who will shortly be getting ready for their summer vacations. The teenager is having a breakthrough season, playing a large number of games for Barcelona and earning seven caps for Spain.

Lamal gained notoriety in April 2023 when, at the age of 15, he made his debut with Barcelona’s first team. He has since made 51 appearances for the main squad and netted seven goals.

Croatia: Joško Gvardiol

Joško Gvardiol made his senior team debut for Croatia in 2021. He went on to appear for the nation in the UEFA Euro 2020 and the FIFA World Cup in 2022, where he helped them finish third.

Even though Gvardiol isn’t the biggest, he is swift and strong, which Manchester City noticed during his World Cup performance in Qatar. Last August, City spent 77 million pounds ($96.87 million) to acquire him from RB Leipzig and bring the talent to the Etihad Stadium. Gvardiol can play a big role for his national team at this Euro edition.

Italy: Nico Barella

Inter Milan midfielder Nico Barella is one player who was an integral member during the Euro 2020 title-winning campaign. The midfielder, formerly of Cagliari, started all of the Euro 2020 group matches, including the championship match against England.

Furthermore, Barella is predicted to have a significant part this time around, if not a bigger one. Similar to his role under Roberto Mancini, Barella has been an important member of Italy‘s midfield under Luciano Spalletti. The player will be a must-watch at the Euro 2024.

Albania: Armando Broja

The most sought-after Chelsea prospect must deliver a show-stopping performance to prove that he is poised and capable of playing a major role as a centre-forward. A few people are sceptical of the striker Armando Broja’s ability to compete at the highest level, but he has the potential to shock everyone with an exceptional display.

Match fixtures

15 June: Spain vs Croatia 

15 June: Italy vs Albania

19 June: Croatia vs Albania 

20 June: Spain vs Italy

24 June: Croatia vs Italy

24 June: Albania vs Spain

All nations squad list

Spain

Goalkeepers: David Raya (Arsenal), Alejandro Remiro (Real Sociedad), Unai Simón (Athletic Club)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen), Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Nacho (Real Madrid), Daniel Vivian (Athletic Club)

Midfielders: Álex Baena (Villarreal), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Fabián Ruiz (Paris), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)

Forwards: Joselu (Real Madrid), Fermín López (Barcelona), Álvaro Morata (Atlético de Madrid), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Ayoze Pérez (Betis), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Croatia

Goalkeepers: Ivica Ivušić (Pafos), Nediljko Labrović (Rijeka), Dominik Livaković (Fenerbahçe)

Defenders: Martin Erlić (Sassuolo), Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), Josip Juranović (Union Berlin), Marin Pongračić (Lecce), Borna Sosa (Ajax), Josip Stanišić (Leverkusen), Josip Šutalo (Ajax), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens)

Midfielders: Martin Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb), Marcelo Brozović (Al-Nassr), Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City), Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Luka Sučić (Salzburg), Nikola Vlašić (Torino)

Forwards: Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Luka Ivanušec (Feyenoord), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Marco Pašalić (Rijeka), Ivan Perišić (Hajduk Split), Bruno Petković (Dinamo Zagreb), Marko Pjaca (Rijeka)

Italy

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma)

Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Jorginho (Arsenal), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma)

Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Michael Folorunsho (Hellas Verona), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio)

Albania

Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Empoli), Elhan Kastrati (Cittadella), Thomas Strakosha (Brentford)

Defenders: Arlind Ajeti (CFR Cluj), Naser Aliji (Voluntari), Iván Balliu (Rayo Vallecano), Berat Djimsiti (Atalanta), Elseid Hysaj (Lazio), Ardian Ismajli (Empoli), Marash Kumbulla (Sassuolo), Enea Mihaj (Famalicão), Mario Mitaj (Lokomotiv Moskva)

Midfielders: Amir Abrashi (Grasshoppers), Kristjan Asllani (Inter), Nedim Bajrami (Sassuolo), Klaus Gjasula (Darmstadt), Qazim Laçi (Sparta Praha), Ylber Ramadani (Lecce), Taulant Seferi (Baniyas)

Forwards: Jasir Asani (Gwangju), Medon Berisha (Lecce), Armando Broja (Fulham), Mirlind Daku (Rubin Kazan), Arbër Hoxha (Dinamo Zagreb), Rey Manaj (Sivasspor), Ernest Muçi (Beşiktaş)

Euro 2024 Telecast

UK: BBC TV Sport, ITV UK

USA: Fox Sports USA English, fubo TV, VIX

Australia: Optus Australia

India: Sony Sports Network, SsonyLiv

Nigeria: SportyTV Nigeria, Supersport South Africa

Canada: Bell Media Canada, TVA Sports

Germany: Telekom Deutschland, ARD, RTL Germany, ZDF

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