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

Belgium are expected to lead, while the second and third spots could see a tussle between other teams.

As UEFA Euro 2024 approaches, Group E promises exciting competition with Belgium, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine all aiming for the knockout rounds. Belgium, looking to bounce back from a poor 2022 FIFA World Cup, have a new coach, Domenico Tedesco. With star players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, they had a perfect qualifying run and are favourites to top the group.

Slovakia are at their third Euros and hope to do better than before. Coach Francesco Calzona’s team, featuring Milan Skriniar and Stanislav Lobotka, showed strength by finishing second to Portugal in qualifying. They face tough opponents and need to avoid mistakes.

Romania return for their sixth Euros with a mixed record. Coach Edward Iordănescu’s team, including Radu Dragusin and Ianis Hagi, had a strong qualifying campaign. They topped their group with a good defence and smart play, which they need to continue their progress.

Ukraine, despite national challenges, have shown great determination. Coach Serhiy Rebrov’s team made it through the playoffs, with key players Artem Dovbyk and Viktor Tsygankov leading the way. They have a good mix of young and experienced players and hope to reach the knockout rounds again like in 2020.

Group E looks to be a close contest for the top spots. Belgium are expected to lead, while Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine will compete for the other qualification places.

Players to Watch

Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne will be crucial for Belgium at Euro 2024. The 31-year-old midfielder was outstanding for Manchester City as they won the Premier League title. De Bruyne’s passing, vision and control of the tempo make him a world-class playmaker.

With 94 caps, he brings vital experience to Belgium’s new-look team. They will heavily rely on De Bruyne to create scoring chances and dictate games from midfield. His excellent form, late in the club season, has him primed for a strong Euros campaign. How far Belgium go at Euro 2024 could hinge on De Bruyne’s performances.

Slovakia: Milan Skriniar

Milan Skriniar will anchor Slovakia’s defence at Euro 2024. The 29-year-old centre-back is one of the best in his position, despite limited playing time at Paris Saint-Germain last season.

With 68 caps, Skriniar brings vast experience and composure to Slovakia’s backline. His aggressive defending and aerial ability make him a daunting presence for opposing attackers.

Romania: Radu Dragusin

Radu Dragusin will be a key figure in Romania‘s defence at Euro 2024. The 22-year-old centre-back joined Tottenham in January, but has had limited playing time so far.

Despite his youth, Dragusin’s strength, aggression and aerial ability make him well-suited for the international scene. He will be relied upon to organize Romania’s backline and defend set-pieces.

Ukraine: Mykhailo Mudryk

Ukraine‘s Euro campaign will see Mykhailo Mudryk as the standout player to watch. The Chelsea winger, known for his agility and quick bursts of speed, has been instrumental in his club’s recent performances. His ability to break down defences and deliver precise crosses will be crucial for Ukraine’s attacking play.

Mudryk’s experience in top European leagues has honed his skills, making him a valuable asset for the national team.

Fixtures

June 17: Romania vs Ukraine

June 17: Belgium vs Slovakia

June 21: Slovakia vs Ukraine

June 22: Belgium vs Romania

June 26: Slovakia vs Romania

June 26: Ukraine vs Belgium

All nations squad list

Belgium

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thomas Kaminski (Luton Town), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)

Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Orel Mangala (Lyon), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Arthur Vermeeren (Atletico Madrid), Aster Vranckx (Wolfsburg)

Forwards: Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven), Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Romelu Lukaku (Roma), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)

Slovakia

Goalkeepers: Martin Dubravka (Newcastle United), Henrich Ravas (New England), Marek Rodak (Fulham)

Defenders: Vernon De Marco (Hatta Club), Norbert Gyomber (Salernitana), David Hancko (Feyenoord), Sebastian Kosa (Spartak Trnava), Adam Obert (Cagliari), Peter Pekarik (Hertha Berlin), Milan Skriniar (Paris Saint-Germain), Denis Vavro (FC Copenhagen)

Midfielders: Laszlo Benes (Hamburg), Matus Bero (Bochum), Ondrej Duda (Verona), Patrik Hrosovsky (Genk), Juraj Kucka (Slovan Bratislava), Stanislav Lobotka (Napoli), Tomas Rigo (Banik Ostrava)

Forwards: Robert Bozenik (Boavista), David Duris (Ascoli), Lukas Haraslin (Sparta Prague), Leo Sauer (Feyenoord), Ivan Schranz (Slavia Prague), David Strelec (Slovan Bratislava), Tomas Suslov (Verona), Lubomir Tupta (Slovan Liberec)

Romania

Goalkeepers: Florin Nita (Gaziantep), Horatiu Moldovan (Atletico Madrid), Stefan Tarnovanu (FCSB), Razvan Sava (CFR Cluj)

Defenders: Nicusor Bancu (Universitatea Craiova), Andrei Burca (Al-Okhdood), Ionut Nedelcearu (Palermo), Adrian Rus (Pafos), Andrei Ratiu (Rayo Vallecano), Radu Dragusin (Tottenham Hotspur), Vasile Mogos (CFR Cluj), Bogdan Racovitan (Rakow Czestochowa)

Midfielders: Nicolae Stanciu (Damac), Razvan Marin (Empoli), Alexandru Cicaldau (Konyaspor), Ianis Hagi (Alaves), Dennis Man (Parma), Valentin Mihaila (Parma), Marius Marin (Pisa), Darius Olaru (FCSB), Deian Sorescu (Gaziantep), Florinel Coman (FCSB), Adrian Sut (FCSB), Constantin Grameni (Farul Constanta)

Forwards: George Puscas (Bari), Denis Alibec (Muaither), Denis Dragus (Gaziantep), Daniel Birligea (CFR Cluj)

Ukraine

Goalkeepers: Georgiy Bushchan (Dynamo Kyiv), Anatoliy Trubin (Benfica), Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid)

Defenders: Yukhym Konoplya (Shakhtar Donetsk), Bohdan Mykhaylichenko (Polissya Zhytomyr), Maksym Taloverov (LASK Linz), Illya Zabarnyi (Bournemouth), Vitaliy Mykolenko (Everton), Valeriy Bondar (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mykola Matviyenko (Shakhtar Donetsk), Oleksandr Tymchyk (Dynamo Kyiv), Oleksandr Svatok (Dnipro-1)

Midfielders: Serhiy Sydorchuk (Westerlo), Taras Stepanenko (Shakhtar Donetsk), Ruslan Malinovskyi (Genoa), Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea), Volodymyr Brazhko (Dynamo Kyiv), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal), Mykola Shaparenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Georgiy Sudakov (Shakhtar Donetsk), Viktor Tsygankov (Girona), Andriy Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Oleksandr Zubkov (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Forwards: Artem Dovbyk (Girona), Roman Yaremchuk (Valencia), Vladyslav Vanat (Dynamo Kyiv)

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

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.