euro 24 group e - Historical Football Kits

2024 European Football Championship Group E

euro 24 logo Ranked 3rd in the World, Belgium must fancy their chances in Germany and will have plenty of support travelling with them. They are unbeaten over the last 12 months. Ukraine will be cheered on by many neutrals and will seek to do well to boost the morale of their beleagured country. They have a strong recent record, having lost just twice, and drawn with Germany (twice), England and Italy. Romania and Slovakia sit well down in the FIFA rankings and are unlikely to cause a major upset but you never know.

Kit graphics by Daniel Stoker

Euro 24 Index

European Championships Index

Romania

Ukraine

Romania 3 Ukraine 0

Fußball Arena München
17 June

For almost half-an-hour Romania held off Ukraine who passed the ball well enough but lacked punch in the final quarter. Then a botched clearance led to Stanciu receiving the ball 22 metres out from where he lashed it home first time. In the second half two rapid fire goals (Marin 53', Dragus 57') ended the game as a competition.)

Belgium

Slovakia

Belgium 0 Slovakia 1

Frankfurt Arena
17 June

Slovakia produced the first shock of the tournament, beating much-fancied Belgium by a single goal scored by Ivan Schranz in the seventh minute. The Belgians fought to get back into the game but made too many mistakes. In particular their star striker, Lukaku missed more chances than the Slovakians made all together and he had two goals ruled out by VAR.

Slovakia

Ukraine

Slovakia 1 Ukraine 2

Düsseldorf Arena
21 June

Ukraine came from behind to keep their hope for progress alive. Slovakia, whom the Guardian's correspondent* described as "crisp, lively and complex with distinct fruity notes," took the lead in the 17th minute thanks to Franz. They dominated for long periods playing patient, possession football offering an object lesson in game management. Nevertheless Ukraine were undaunted and in the second half, they gradually got on top, Shaparenko scoring the equaliser (54'). After Mudryk hit the post for Ukraine (74'), the ball was sent over the top of the Slovakian defence where Shaparenko took it down with a deft touch before jabbing it past Dubravka to put Ukraine ahead. After the final whistle the Ukrainian squad stood in front of their supporters to perform a thunderclap.

*Jonathon Wilson bless 'im.

Belgium

Romania

Belgium 2 Romania 0

Cologne Stadium
22 June

Tielemans got Belgium off to the best possible start, shooting from 18 metres out in the second minute. Lukaku appeared to have added a second in the 64th minute but he was ruled offside by VAR which later revealed he was indeed off but only by a toes' length. Romania applied increasing pressure and Belgium had to defend with some desparation but in the 80th minute De Bruyne chased a long bal over the top from Casteels and beat Romania's goalkeeper to score.

Slovakia

Romania

Slovakia 1 Romania 1

Frankfurt Arena
26 June

Slovakia's Duda opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a headed goal into the far corner but 13 minutes later Marin equalised from the penalty spot after Hagi was brought down on the edge of the Slovakian penalty area. A draw would see both sides qualify for the next phase but to their credit they continued to attack. With an hour played an apocolyptic thunderstorm broke out with torrential rain turning the pitch into a mud slide. Once the rain eased the pace of the match slowed as both sides were content to play out the draw.

Ukraine

Belgium

Ukraine 0 Belgium 0

Stuttgart Arena
26 June

Ukraine outplayed Belgium for long periods while Lukaku's poor form continued. With the score level in Frankfurt Belgium resorted to time wasting at the end in the knowledge that a draw would be enough for them to progress. Ultimately Ukraine lacked the guile to break down their opponents and were eliminated despite finishing with four points. At the end the Ukrainian team were warmly applauded by their supporters but when Belgium went to thank their fans they were driven back by waves of booing and abuse.