Match previews

SPAIN are back trying to win yet another major international trophy at Euro 2020 but they must first overcome Sweden in their opening game. La Furia Roja have been on the slide since 2014 when they were dumped out of the World Cup at the group stages, but they’ll be looking to claim back the Euros title they lost to France five years ago this summer.
Spain’s clash with Sweden will take place in SevilleCredit: Getty
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Spain’s clash with Sweden will get underway from 8pm UK time on Monday, June 14 in Seville.
What’s the form?
Spain head into Euro 2020 in rather scintillating form, having battered Lithuania 4-0 in their final warm-up game.
They drew with Portugal 0-0 just before that but in their last Nations League clash with Germany, Luis Enrique’s side ran out 6-0 winners.
Spain easily qualified from the Euro qualifying group, coincidentally ahead of their group stage opponents Sweden.
The Swedes finished in second place, four points above Norway who missed out on a play-off place.
Sweden beat Poland 4-2 in their final Euro 2020 warm-up game.

Who’s in and who’s out?
The big news from Luis Enrique’s squad is that for the first time ever, there are no Real Madrid players in the squad for a major tournament.
Sergio Ramos was left out of the team in favour of Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte, who switched allegiances from France to Spain earlier this year.
Expect Laporte to start, with the likes of Alvaro Morata and Gerard Moreno up front for Spain.
Sweden will be without Zlatan Ibrahimpvic after he sustained an injury while playing for AC Milan toward the end of their Serie A season.
The Swedish FA said: “Zlatan has informed [head coach] Janne Andersson that his injury will stop him from participating in the European Championships this summer.
“Get well, Zlatan, we hope to see you on the football field again soon!”

Watch out for…
The fact that both Spain and Sweden will be without their two most-experienced players this summer in Sergio Ramos and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Spain boss Luis Enrique has also had to deal with coronavirus issues with his squad, as Sergio Busquets tested positive recently, though it’s hoped it’s only a false positive.
In the meantime, Enrique has called up Brais Mendez, Rodrigo Moreno, Carlos Soler, Raul Albiol and Pablo Fornals as precautions.
Credit: Getty
If the game’s rubbish…
Then look out for Spain’s starting striker Alvaro Morata’s wife Alice Campello.
The 26-year-old Italian stunner has three children with Morata, whom she married in 2017 when the Juventus man was playing for Chelsea.
Campello has a whopping 2.4million followers on Instagram and can often be seen at Morata’s games. So expect to see plenty of her this summer at Euro 2020.
Credit: Social Media – Refer to Source
Credit: Social Media – Refer to Source

Credit: Rex Features
Betting odds

Spain vs Sweden to DRAW 16/5 @ PaddyPower
Both teams to score 5/4 @ Betfair
Morata to score first 10/3 @ William Hill More

PERENNIAL international tournament outsiders Poland get their Euro 2020 campaign underway against Slovakia. Both sides are in a tough group alongside two-time Euros winners Spain and a Sweden side without their legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Poland will be hoping to escape a tricky group at Euro 2020Credit: AFP
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Poland vs Slovakia will be shown live on ITV 1 on Monday, June 14 with the game set to get underway at 5pm UK time at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg, Russia.
What’s the form?
Poland head into this summer’s tournament with two draws from their two warm-up games over the past week against Russia and Iceland.
But the Poles topped their Euro qualifying group comfortably and are one of the hot favourites to get our of their group.
Slovakia, on the other hand, came third in their group behind Wales and Croatia, but qualified by beating Republic of Ireland in the play-offs.
They also head into Euro 2020 off the back of two draws against Austria and Bulgaria.

Who’s in and who’s out?
Poland hero Robert Lewandowski will obviously start every game for Poland, having recovered from injury which kept him out the last portion of Bayern Munich’s season.
But the 32-year-old is doubtful the quality of the games this summer will be top-tier thanks to the hectic schedule the coronavirus pandemic has put upon football over the past year.
“The quality of games will go down. It’s not possible to stay with this quality on the top with so many games,” he said.
Leeds man Mateusz Klich could start in midfield, while Southampton star Jan Bednarek is likely to take his place in a back three for Paulo Sousa’s side.
Slovakia will have their own legend, Marek Hamsik, in their side, as well as Inter Milan’s own Milan Skriniar.
Newcastle shot-stopper Martin Dubravka will be in between the sticks for Slovakia.

Watch out for…
The easy answer is Robert Lewandowski, Poland and Bayern Munich’s star striker. But we’ll go a little rogue here.
Milan Skriniar, often-linked with a big-money move to the Premier League and Inter Milan wall at the back could be the difference in this game.
The Slovak centre-back was brilliant throughout Inter’s Serie A-winning campaign and will be the man his side look to to keep the goals out during Euro 2020.
“I think we are well-established as a team. We have been together for a long time, we have rehearsed some things. We still have some time in St Petersburg for the first match with Poland, which will be very important,” he has said ahead of the game.
Milan Skriniar is one of the best defenders in the worldCredit: AFP

If the game’s rubbish…
Then see if you can spot Robert Lewandowski’s wife Anna Lewandowski cheering on her striking expert of a husband during the Slovakia clash.
The 32-year-old is a bit of a striker herself – in Karate, having won multiple medals at the European and World Championships.
Lewandowska, also a nutrition specialist has two daughters, Kiara and Laura, with Lewandowski – and all three are expected to be present at Poland’s Euro 2020 games.
Credit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba
Credit: Getty – Contributor

Betting odds

Poland to win 3/4 @ PaddyPower
Both teams to score 6/5 @ Betfair
First goal to be own goal 20/1 @ William Hill More

SCOTLAND are back in the international big time as they take on Czech Republic in their Euro 2020 opener at Hampden Park. Steve Clarke’s side will be gunning for a massive win to open up their tough Group D campaign, which also includes games against England and Croatia.
Hampden Park will host Scotland’s clash with Czech RepublicCredit: PA
⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
And you can catch all of the action live on BBC One from 2pm on Monday, the first of THREE games throughout the day.
What’s the form?
Scotland are participating in their first Euros since 1996, when they were also in a group with heated rivals England.
Heading into this summer’s tournament, the Scots were unbeaten in their two warm-up games against Holland and Luxembourg, beating the latter 1-0.
Scotland finished third in their qualifying group but managed to overcome Serbia on penalties in the play-offs to reach Euro 2020.
Czech Republic were beaten handily 4-0 by Italy last week but they bounced back with a win against Albania to head into the Euros with a victory under their belts.
“It’s behind us now, we need to learn from this, concentrate on the match against Albania and then put all our thoughts towards Scotland and ensure we don’t perform like that again,” Czech boss Jaroslav Silhavy said.
The Czechs finished second in their qualifying group, which was topped by their third Euro 2020 match day opponents England.

Who’s in and who’s out?
Scotland included Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour in their young squad, which also includes David Turnbull and Nathan Patterson.
Ole McBurnie has a foot injury so will not be available, while Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack also misses out with injury.
Andy Robertson, John McGinn and Scott McTominay are all expected to start for Clarke’s side against Czech Republic.
Former Scotland player Steven Naismith said:
“Billy Gilmour is an exceptional talent. He is somebody who has come into the international scene and made an impact in a short period of time.
“I’m sure the other boys in the middle of the park will be trying to keep him out.”
Their opponents, on the other hand, will have West Ham stalwart Tomas Soucek anchoring the midfield.
Hammers right-back Vladimir Coufal is in the 26-man squad, as is Bayer Leverkusen start Patrik Schick.

Watch out for…
West Ham’s Tomas Soucek, who was instrumental in the Hammers’ sixth place Premier League finish last term.
An engine in the middle of the park, Soucek can break up play and get forward with pace, often popping up late on the edge of the box or at the back post for corners.
Soucek notched 10 times for West Ham in the league last season, and he’ll be hoping his form continues with the Czech Republic this summer.
Tomas Soucek will be one player to watch for Czech RepublicCredit: AFP
If the game’s rubbish…
Have a look to see if Patrik Shick’s long-term partner Hana is in the crowd.
The Czech beauty can often be spotted watching her man’s games from the stands and this summer at the Euros will be no different.
Hana boasts over 4,000 followers on Instagram and got married to Leverkusen star Schick last year.

Credit: Refer to Caption
Credit: Refer to Caption
Betting odds

Scotland to win – 19/10 @ Paddy Power
Both teams to score – 23/2 @ Betfair
Che Adams to score first – 5/1 @ William Hill More