There is another hat-trick of Euro 2020 matches on Thursday as the second round of group fixtures resumes across Europe.
In the opening match, Ukraine and North Macedonia, who both lost their opening matches, go head to head in Romania.
Then in late afternoon kick-off, Denmark take on Belgium in Copenhagen, which falls five days after Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the Parken pitch.
The Denmark midfielder shared a positive update on his Instagram from hospital on Wednesday, and while his teammates remarkably went on to complete the Finland match on Saturday, they must now try and focus on the task of beating Belgium to boost their prospects of qualifying from Group B.
Belgium impressed in their opening 3-0 win over Russia, likewise the Netherlands, who are in action against Austria on Thursday night four days after beating Ukraine 3-2.
How to watch Ukraine v North Macedonia
- Date: Thursday 17 June
- Kick-off time: 2pm [BST]
- Venue: National Arena, Bucharest (Romania)
- TV channel: ITV
- Live stream: Watch the game online via ITV Hub
- Highlights: Shown on ITV Hub each matchday
How to watch Denmark vs Belgium
- Date: Thursday 17 June
- Kick-off time: 5pm [BST]
- Venue: Parken, Copenhagen (Denmark)
- TV channel: ITV
- Live stream: Watch the game online via ITV Hub
- Highlights: Shown on ITV Hub each matchday
How to watch Netherlands vs Austria
- Date: Thursday 17 June
- Kick-off time: 8pm [BST]
- Venue: Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- TV channel: BBC One
- Live stream: Watch the game online via BBC iPlayer or via the iPlayer app
- Highlights: Shown on BBC One and BBC iPlayer throughout the tournament
What to look out for at Euro 2020 on Thursday
Ukraine were the only team at Euro 2016 to head into the final round of group fixtures unable to reach the last 16 – such is the nature of a 24-team Euros where 16 qualify – and so going into their second group game this time around they will be looking to get points on the board before facing Austria on Monday.
Their opponents North Macedonia put up a good fight against Austria before losing 3-1, and while Goran Pandev’s equaliser was a memorable moment for a nation playing their first major tournament, the possibility of securing a point or even a shock win would certainly outweigh that goal from their 37-year-old striker and captain.
In the second match, it will be about seeing how Denmark manage to regroup after the shock of Saturday’s events. Eriksen’s cardiac arrest and the fact the Danes went on to resume the match just hours later shone a light on the relentless nature of sport, and now just five days later they must use any positive energy garnered from Eriksen’s recovery to try and upset the odds against Belgium.
Romelu Lukaku’s double for the Belgians against Russia took him to 62 international goals in 94 games, and the favourite to end the tournament as top scorer will be a key figure once more as his side look to make it two wins from two and all-but assure themselves of top spot in Group B.
Finally, Netherlands’ past meetings with Austria have produced some high-scoring affairs – including a 4-3 to the Dutch in a 2008 friendly – and after both sides scored three times in their opening matches we could be set for another exciting encounter.
That could well jinx it, but the Netherlands have scored at least twice in their last eight matches, and based on Sunday’s showing against Ukraine they are unlikely to sit back even if they do go ahead.
More from i on Euro 2020
- In praise of Emma Hayes, the best pundit at Euro 2020 so far
- Eriksen collapse has thrown a spotlight on football’s relentless thirst for more
- ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ showing he has perfect blend of silk and steel to be a star
- Where Schick’s strike against Scotland ranks among greatest Euros goals
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3zwnO4w
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