The first real shock of this Euro 2024 pits Spain and Croatia in Group B this Saturday, June 15 in Berlin. A match that the two teams cannot afford to lose.
Spain and Croatia face each other this Saturday, June 15, 2024 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin (6 p.m.), in the first shock of Euro 2024 on the occasion of the first day in Group B (which also includes Italy and Albania). The Spaniards and Croatians know each other well and have been used to facing each other in recent years. The two nations have crossed paths in four of the last six international competitions (2012, 2016, 2021 and therefore 2024). This is even the fourth consecutive time that the two teams will meet at the Euro and the seventh over the last twelve years in official competition.
La Roja with confidence
These confrontations have most often turned in favor of La Roja since 2012. The Spanish selection won against Croatia, notably in the round of 16 of Euro 2020 (played in 2021 due to Covid-19) at the end of a crazy match (5-3, ap) but also in the final of the last Nations League (0-0, 5 tab to 4). It remains difficult to identify a real favorite from this duel at the top, between a rejuvenated Spain which must confirm its rebound from the 2022 World Cup and a Croatia which relies on experienced players, like Luka Modric . At almost 39 years old, the Croatian midfielder will find some of his Real Madrid teammates on the pitch like Nacho and Dani Carvajal, with whom he has just won a sixth personal Champions League.
The exit stars
For this first shock of Euro 2024, Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente should rely on his 16-year-old prodigy, Lamine Yamal, and Nico Williams on the wings. PSG player Fabian Ruiz should accompany Pedri and Rodri in the middle, while in the absence of Aymeric Laporte, it is Nacho who will form the central hinge with Robin Le Normand. Spain’s probable starting XI: U. Simon – Carvajal, Nacho, Le Normand, Cucurella – Pedri, Rodri, F. Ruiz – Yamal, Morata, N. Williams. On the Croatian side, Brozovic and Kovacic should form an experienced midfielder with Modric. Croatia’s probable starting XI: Livakovic – Juranovic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol – Brozovic, Kovacic, Modric – Kramaric, Budimir, Majer.
Favorite Spain
No unencrypted broadcast is planned on French television for this match between Spain and Croatia, which will be exclusively broadcast by beIN Sports, this Saturday June 15 from 6 p.m. It is the Englishman Michael Oliver who will be responsible for refereeing this meeting. In this meeting at the top of Euro 2024, La Roja is given favorite by the different sports betting sites. The odds for a Spanish victory oscillate between 1.8 and 2 while that of a Croatian victory in Berlin is around 5. The odds for a draw are around 3.5.