Mere weeks after a gruelling domestic season concluded for the continent's most celebrated talents, 24 teams and over 600 players have been going again with Euro 2024 supremacy at stake.
Only three years have passed since Italy's exhilarating run to glory at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, culminating in their penalty-shootout success over England at Wembley in the final, but the Azzurri were dumped out of the 2024 competition in the round of 16 on Saturday night by Switzerland.
The likes of England, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and hosts Germany, who beat Denmark in the round of 16, are among the leading contenders to dethrone Italy as kings of Europe, where the new continental champions will be crowned in Berlin on July 14.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up everything you need to know about today's Euro 2024 action, including which teams are in action, how to watch and what to keep a particular eye out for.
TODAY'S EURO 2024 FIXTURES
France vs. Belgium (5pm | Merkur Spiel-Arena)
Portugal vs. Slovenia (8pm | Deutsche Bank Park)
The third lot of last-16 ties will take place today, with the first kicking off at 5pm between Group D runners-up France and Group E runners-up Belgium at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
Later in the evening, Group F winners Portugal will lock horns with Group C's third-placed outfit Slovenia at Deutsche Bank Park, with kickoff scheduled for 8pm.
TODAY'S PREDICTED LINEUPS AT EURO 2024
France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni; Dembele, Griezmann, Rabiot; Mbappe
Belgium: Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Tielemans, Onana; Doku, De Bruyne, Carrasco; Lukaku
Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes; Vitinha, Palhinha, Fernandes; B. Silva, Ronaldo, Leao
Slovenia: Oblak; Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Balkovec; Stojanovic, Elsnik, Gnezda Cerin, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko
HOW TO WATCH TODAY'S EURO 2024 ACTION
France's encounter with Belgium will be shown live on ITV1 and ITVX , in addition to STV and the STV Player, with coverage beginning at 15.45pm and concluding at 19.30pm.
Later in the evening Portugal's clash with Slovenia will be shown live on BBC 1, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport Website, with coverage to begin at 7.30pm and end at 22.10pm.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN TODAY'S EURO 2024 MATCHES
France vs. Belgium
Although Kylian Mbappe, donning a protective mask, finally broke his Euros duck at the third time of asking in France's final group-stage fixture, Les Bleus were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by already-eliminated Poland and subsequently had to settle for second place in Group D.
Didier Deschamps's side are yet to score a goal from open play at this summer's tournament and know that their form must improve if they are to progress to the final and power through a challenging side of the draw, including the likes of Portugal, Germany, Spain and Monday's opponents Belgium.
The same applies for Domenico Tedesco's Red Devils who have flattered to deceive at Euro 2024 thus far, most recently playing out a 0-0 draw with Ukraine in their final Group E fixture to finish as runners-up.
Like France, goals were at a premium for Belgium in the group stage and striker Romelu Lukaku is yet to open his Euro 2024 account having had three goals disallowed for offside. He along with Kevin De Bruyne will be tasked with firing Belgium to victory as they endeavour to advance from the last 16 of a major tournament for the fifth time in a row.
Portugal vs. Slovenia
Despite winning Group F with a game to spare, Portugal saw their 12-game winning streak ended by tournament debutants Georgia, who claimed a historic 2-0 victory, albeit against a much-changed A Selesao side.
Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in the group stage of a major international tournament for the first time in his career, while Roberto Martinez has since encouraged his Portugal group to quickly bounce back as they seek to avoid successive competitive defeats for the first time since Euro 2008.
Portugal will be regarded as firm favourites to come out on top against Slovenia, ranked 57th in the world by FIFA, who will be competing in the knockout rounds of a major tournament for the first time in their history after securing a third-placed finish in Group C, thanks to a 0-0 draw with England.
Matjaz Kek's side drew all three games in Group C and boast a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions, while their only previous meeting with Portugal was a triumphant one - a 2-0 friendly win as recently as March.
WHAT HAPPENED IN YESTERDAY'S FIXTURES AT EURO 2024?
Euro 2024 favourites England were staring down the barrel of defeat - an embarrassing one with an incalculable amount of criticism facing them at full time - as they trailed by a goal to nil in second-half stoppage time against Slovakia.
However, Jude Bellingham saved the Three Lions' bacon with a superb overhead kick in the 95th minute to force the contest into extra time, before captain Harry Kane completed the comeback for England - much to the relief of Gareth Southgate - with a close-range header just 52 seconds after the restart, securing a 2-1 win.
While England will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals, a blockbuster battle between Euro 2024 hosts Germany and fellow three-time Euros champions Spain awaits after the latter came from behind to beat Georgia 4-1 in Cologne.
After an unfortunate own goal from Robin Le Normand, Spain dazzled their way to victory courtesy of goals from Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo, meaning La Roja remain the only nation competing at Euro 2024 who boast a 100% record, after they also won all three Group B matches.
body check tags ::
