Group E Last Round: Ukraine vs Belgium, Slovakia vs Romania!

We hope you’re ready for another epic EURO 2024 review! In this article, we’ll cover none other than Group E’s last matchday. This event will include two top-notch games: Ukraine vs Belgium and Slovakia vs Romania. 

The Belgian team is generally considered the most likely to finish the group stage on top. Because of that, the matchup between Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium and Ukraine will be very interesting to watch, as Ukraine managed to achieve the almost impossible by qualifying. 

Despite being unable to play any qualifiers on their home courts due to the war, the Ukrainian squad smashed all expectations when they not only entered the championship but also displayed excellent form. 

On the flip side, many believe the Romanian team has a slight upper hand in the matchup against Slovakia. 

The squad has witnessed a rebirth since their manager, Edward Iordanescu, joined the fold. The Romanians failed to qualify for the UEFA EUROS and World Cups three times in a row. Still, Iordanescu’s arrival seems to have boosted both the spirits and the quality of their national football team. 

Depending on how the first two matchdays go, this will be the last chance for all EURO 2024 Group E teams to turn things around and acquire additional points. So, let’s get down to business, shall we? 

Meet the Teams of EURO 2024 Group E 

Group E consists of two teams expected to perform well in the competition and two squads that will have to go the extra mile to advance past the group stage.

The Ukrainians played extremely well in the last UEFA EURO but lost against England in the quarter-finals. This is the fourth time they have qualified for this elite championship. Also, considering they’ve upped their game with every new entry, many believe they’ve got what it takes to go far this summer. 

The quality of the Belgian team is undeniable this year, and they are the number one pick to finish the group stage on top of the leaderboard. Their last EURO appearance was rocky, to say the least, as they barely passed the group stage and were eliminated in the Round of 16. Ukraine will be the strongest opponent they face in the competition, and this match could easily decide who’s the winner of the group and who’s the runner-up.

As for the Slovakia vs Romania match, this battle of the underdogs could also provide us with solid excitement. Slovakia has a rich football history, even though they played best when the country was part of Czechoslovakia, winning the EUROS in 1976. Although they made six solid appearances in the European championship, the last time they passed the group stage was in 2016. 

Finally, Romania’s success in the UEFA EURO has been sporadic. Their most significant accomplishment was reaching the quarter-finals in 2000 when they lost to Italy 2-0. In recent years, the team qualified for the championship in 2016 but still needs to pass the group part of the tournament. 

Ukraine vs Belgium: The Top Match of Group E

The matchup between Ukraine and Belgium is expected to bring out the best in both teams, as it could easily decide which squad will be at the top of the group. 

As mentioned, the Ukrainian team surprised everyone with its impressive qualifications. Their head coach, Serhiy Rebrov, has superbly used the 4-3-2-1 formation. They’re expected to continue using similar tactics once the championship begins, as they proved more than capable. 

As for the players, their roster is also quite impressive. The squad is led by the captain, Andriy Yarmolenko from Dynamo Kyiv, and other standout players include Chelsea’s winger Mykhailo Mudryk and two fantastic guys that play for Girona, midfielder Viktor Tsyhankov and striker Artem Dovbyk.

Belgium also has some star power, led by the captain and Man City’s rock, Kevin De Bruyne. Roma’s striker Romelu Lukaku and Manchester City’s winger Jérémy Doku are also vital to their attack.

Another reason Belgium is expected to go far is its versatile playing style. Their manager, Dominico Tedesco, employs multiple formations in each game. 

The Belgian squad hasn’t suffered a defeat during the entire qualification, and their 58% possession rate with 86% passing accuracy is also quite impressive.

Slovakia vs Romania: The Underdogs Clash

Slovenia is playing much better than usual, partly due to their head coach, Francesco Calzona, who recently secured a national championship with Napoli. He typically relies on the 4-3-3 formation, and with such a strong manager, they have more chances than ever to enter the Round of 16. 

Their defensive line is led by their captain, Milan Skriniar, a center-back for Paris Saint-Germain. Other notable players include Newcastle United’s goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and Leo Sauer, a promising young winger. 

Meanwhile, Romania is no stranger to the UEFA EUROS, but they usually don’t pass the tournament’s group stage. Their star players Razvan Marin, Florinel Coman, and Adrian Rus hope to repeat their 2000 success when Romania blew past Germany and England and reached the quarter-finals. 

Despite featuring two weaker teams, the Slovakia vs Romania match could easily upset the balance of Group E. 

The Underdogs Revealed

Belgium is the group’s top dog, and Ukraine is a solid second. Slovakia and Romania are the two underdog teams, and on matchday 3, they will go head-to-head. 

Romania’s most significant issue is needing a potent goalie. Still, on the upside, several of their players scored multiple goals during the qualifications. 

Slovakia has more chances than ever with Napoli’s star coach, Francesco Calzona. So, it will be interesting to see if any of these teams have what it takes to squeeze out the stronger opponents and advance further. 

Matchday 3 Key Players to Watch

The Ukrainian squad is nothing to joke about, with Artem Dovbyk from Girona leading the charge. Chelsea’s rising talent Mykhailo Mudryk secured a record number of assists during the qualifications. At the same time, Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko adds another layer to their impressive offense. 

Belgium’s Golden Boot contender, Romelu Lukaku, scored the most goals during the qualifiers. Kevin De Bruyne and Johan Bakayoko comprise two essential pieces of their puzzle. Defense is veteran’s Arthur Vermeeren territory, while the 19-year-old Arthur Vermeeren from Atletico Madrid is also expected to leave his mark. 

Slovakia has a robust lineup with Robert Bozenik from Boavista, Napoli’s midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, and PSG’s defender Milan Skriniar.

Finally, the attacking midfielder Olimpiu Morutan controls Romania’s offense. Radu Dragusin, George Puscas, and Nicolae Stanciu strengthen the team from multiple angles. 

Get Ready for the Final Matchday

Since the winner of Group E will face off against the third-ranked of either Group C, A, B, or D, both Belgium and Ukraine will do their best to secure the top spot. 

The potential for unexpected outcomes is high as the runner-ups prepare to meet Group D’s runner-ups. The third-place winners could also find themselves in a thrilling match with Group B or C winners, adding an element of unpredictability to the tournament. 

This situation leaves Slovakia and Romania in a very tough spot. They will undoubtedly attempt to secure second place in the group and avoid a blowout in Round 16. We expect thrilling football action with Euro 2024 Group E’s last matchday. Don’t forget to follow our blog for more expert analysis of this unforgettable tournament!