Euro 2020 Group B features the No.1 ranked team in the world, two teams who reached the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup, and a first-timer. Belgium, who won all their matches in the qualifiers, is one of the contenders to win the tournament. They finished as group champions in the ongoing UEFA Nations League, winning five out of the six games. Denmark, who was also in Belgium’s group, finished runners-up after the victory over England.
After a successful 2018 World Cup, Russia will be keen to impress in the continental competition. The Eastern European nation exited the group stage in the last two editions but made the semi-finals in 2008. Meanwhile, Finland will make history as they will be playing in Euros for the first time. A second-place finish in Group J, behind Italy, sealed their berth. The Finns also had a decent outing in the 2020-21 Nations League.
Belgium, sweating over the fitness of playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, is expected to emerge as Group B winners. However, it could be an intense battle for the second spot. Russia has the upper hand as they have won nine of their 11 outings against Denmark. Newcomers Finland is capable of springing a few surprises and could take a leaf out of Wales’ books.
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifiers Stats
Goals scored/conceded
Belgium – 40/3
Denmark – 23/6
Finland – 16/10
Russia – 33/8
Top goalscorers
Belgium – Romelu Lukaku (7 goals)
Denmark – Christian Eriksen (5 goals)
Finland – Teemu Pukki (10 goals)
Russia – Artem Dzyuba (9 goals)
Euro 2020 Squads
Belgium
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Matz Sels
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata, Timothy Castagne,Thomas Meunier, Jason Denayer, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel, Eden Hazard, Thorgan Hazard, Nacer Chadli, Yannick Carrasco, Leander Dendoncker, Dennis Praet, Hans Vanaken
Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Michy Batshuayi, Christian Benteke
Denmark
Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel, Frederik Ronnow, Jonas Lossl
Defenders: Andreas Christensen, Jannik Vestergaard, Simon Kjaer, Joakim Maehle, Jens Stryger Larsen, Joachim Andersen, Nicolai Boilesen, Mathias Jorgensen
Midfielders: Thomas Delaney, Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Anders Christiansen, Mathias Jensen, Christian Norgaard, Robert Skov, Daniel Wass
Forwards: Martin Braithwaite, Yussuf Poulsen, Andreas Cornelius, Mikkel Damsgaard, Kasper Dolberg, Andreas Skov Olsen, Jonas Wind
Finland
Goalkeepers: Lukas Hradecky, Anssi Jaakkola, Jesse Joronen
Defenders: Paulus Arajuuri, Robert Ivanov, Thomas Lam, Daniel O’Shaughnessy, Jukka Raitala, Joona Toivio, Jere Uronen, Leo Vaisanen, Nicholas Hamalainen
Midfielders: Nikolai Alho, Fredrik Jensen, Glen Kamara, Joni Kauko, Robin Lod, Rasmus Schuller, Pyry Soiri, Tim Sparv, Robert Taylor, Onni Valakari
Forwards: Teemu Pukki, Marcus Forss, Lassi Lappalainen, Joel Pohjanpalo
Russia
Goalkeepers: Yuri Dyupin, Matvei Safonov, Anton Shunin
Defenders: Igor Diveev, Georgi Dzhikiya, Mario Fernandes, Vyacheslav Karavaev, Fedor Kudryashov, Andrei Semenov
Midfielders: Denis Cheryshev, Yuri Zhirkov, Dmitri Barinov, Daniil Fomin, Aleksandr Golovin, Daler Kuzyaev, Andrei Mostovoy, Maksim Mukhin, Magomed Ozdoev, Rifat Zhemaletdinov, Roman Zobnin
Forwards: Artem Dzyuba, Aleksei Ionov, Denis Makarov, Aleksei Miranchuk, Aleksandr Sobolev, Anton Zabolotny
Group B Fixtures
Date |
Match |
Timing (IST) |
June 12 |
Denmark vs Finland |
9:30 PM |
June 13 |
Belgium vs Russia |
12:30 AM |
June 16 |
Finland vs Russia |
6:30 PM |
June 17 |
Denmark vs Belgium |
9:30 PM |
June 22 |
Finland vs Belgium |
12:30 AM |
June 22 |
Russia vs Denmark |
12:30 AM |
*IST: Indian Standard Time
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