Daily Euro 2020 Thread: England begins another quest for glory

Yesterday was a difficult day. The resumption of Euro 2020 was supposed to be filled with joy and excitement after last year’s delay, but the horrific collapse of Christian Eriksen was absolutely devastating. Thankfully, by all accounts he is progressing, but to see anything like that on the pitch is terrifying. We wish all the best to Christian and his family, and his time in North London will always be remembered fondly.

There is no good way to transition, but as the competition attempts to continue, we take a look at the fixtures on the docket. Of most interest to this website is the opening match for England, a country that always enters international competition with untethered hope that rarely is rewarded by results. However, a 2018 World Cup semifinals appearance will give some confidence to Gareth Southgate’s squad.

The Three Lions will get a chance to avenge the ending of that World Cup run on Sunday, as the team that bested them falls first on the schedule. The squad that fell to Croatia in extra time in Moscow has since been refreshed, though, and part of that revamping has been the reduction of Tottenham Hotspur players. Now only Harry Kane represents the club on the national team, and the captain has his eyes set on glory.

England has actually faced Croatia twice since that World Cup defeat, winning at home and drawing away during the inaugural UEFA Nations League. Of course, the stakes will be much higher this weekend at Wembley, and the reactions are sure to be strong in either direction depending on the outcome.

England vs. Croatia

• 9:00 am ET, 2:00 pm UK
• ESPN (USA), BBC One (UK)
• Harry Kane

Austria vs. North Macedonia

• 12:00 pm ET, 5:00 pm UK
• ESPN (USA), ITV 1 (UK)

Netherlands vs. Ukraine

• 3:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm UK
• ESPN (USA), ITV 1 (UK)