England, Scotland, and Wales Gear Up for Their Opening Matches
The excitement for Euro 2020 is palpable as the tournament’s kick-off approaches in just two days. England and manager Gareth Southgate are putting the finishing touches on their preparations ahead of their first group stage match. Meanwhile, Scotland and Wales are also eager to make their mark in this prestigious competition, which will begin with the opening game between Italy and Turkey at the Stadio Olimpico.
This past week has been challenging for the Three Lions, with defender Ben White stepping in late to replace the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. White will provide essential cover for Harry Maguire, who is dealing with his own injury just days before the tournament begins.
The first match for England will be against Croatia, while Scotland will take on the Czech Republic in another Group D opener on Monday. Wales is set to be the first of the home nations to hit the field, kicking off their Euro 2020 journey against Switzerland on Saturday.
As teams finalize their rosters, several late injuries are affecting contenders, including the Netherlands, who will be without Donny van de Beek. Karim Benzema of France, one of the tournament favorites and reigning world champions, also experienced a scare, limping off during a match against Bulgaria. Additionally, Covid-19 continues to pose challenges, with Spain’s Sergio Busquets testing positive.