Spain vs Croatia: A Preview of the Euro 2024 Group B Clash
As Euro 2024 kicks off, all eyes will be on the Olympiastadion in Berlin on June 15th, where Spain and Croatia will face off in the opening match of Group B. Both teams come into the tournament in impressive form, promising a thrilling encounter to set the tone for the competition.
Spain’s Form and Prospects
La Furia Roja enters the Euro 2024 tournament as the favorite to win Group B, a status justified by their recent stellar performance. Spain has suffered just a single loss in their last 12 matches across all competitions, including friendly games. This impressive record underscores their position as one of the prime contenders to clinch this year's European Championship.
Spain's historic success in the European Championship further solidifies their status as a formidable contender. Having won the tournament three times, Spain boasts a legacy of excellence in this competition. In their recent friendly matches, Spain demonstrated their attacking prowess by scoring 19 goals across six games. Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia, they bounced back with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Brazil, followed by commanding victories over Andorra (5-0) and Northern Ireland (5-1).
Their potent attacking force, coupled with a solid defense, makes Spain a team to watch out for in Euro 2024. They will be keen to maintain their momentum throughout the tournament and advance deep into the knockout stages.
Croatia’s Strong Run of Form
Croatia arrives at Euro 2024 on the back of an impressive six-match winning streak. Their form in the qualification rounds was solid, finishing second in Group D with 16 points, ahead of Wales. While Croatia's success in the European Championships hasn’t quite matched their World Cup achievements, they have previously reached the quarterfinals in 1996 and 2008.
In preparation for the European Championship, Croatia secured a string of notable victories. They overcame Tunisia on penalties, triumphed over Egypt with a 4-2 victory, and convincingly beat North Macedonia 3-0. A recent 2-1 victory against Portugal - one of the favorites for the tournament - highlights their potential to challenge the top teams in Europe.
Probable Lineups
Both teams will field strong lineups, balancing experience with youth. Here are the probable lineups for this exciting clash:
Spain Probable Lineup:
- Unai Simon (GK)
- Jose Gaya (DF)
- Aymeric Laporte (DF)
- Robin Le Normand (DF)
- Dani Carvajal (DF)
- Pedri (MF)
- Rodri (MF)
- Fabian Ruiz (MF)
- Nico Williams (FW)
- Alvaro Morata (FW)
- Ferran Torres (FW)
Croatia Probable Lineup:
- Dominik Livakovic (GK)
- Borna Sosa (DF)
- Josko Gvardiol (DF)
- Josip Sutalo (DF)
- Josip Stanisic (DF)
- Luka Modric (MF)
- Marcelo Brozovic (MF)
- Mateo Kovacic (MF)
- Luka Ivanusec (FW)
- Ante Budimir (FW)
- Andrej Kramaric (FW)
Team News
Spain’s squad for Euro 2024 is packed with talent across all positions:
Goalkeepers: David Raya (Arsenal), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao).
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Nacho (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao).
Midfielders: Alex Baena (Villarreal), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad).
Forwards: Joselu (Real Madrid), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ayoze Perez (Real Betis), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
Meanwhile, Croatia’s squad blends seasoned veterans with emerging talents:
Goalkeepers: Ivica Ivusic (Paphos), Nediljko Labrovic (Rijeka), Dominik Livakovic (Fenerbahce).
Defenders: Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Josip Juranovic (Union Berlin), Marin Pongracic (Lecce), Borna Sosa (Ajax), Josip Stanisic (Bayer Leverkusen), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens).
Midfielders: Martin Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb), Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr), Luka Ivanusec (Feyenoord), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Luka Sucic (RB Salzburg), Nikola Vlasic (Torino).
Forwards: Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Marco Pasalic (Rijeka), Ivan Perisic (Hajduk Split), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Marko Pjaca (Rijeka).
Head-to-Head Record
The last five encounters between Spain and Croatia have been closely contested, reflecting the even match-up between these two teams. One of the notable recent matches saw Spain triumph over Croatia after a penalty shootout, underscoring the intensity and competitiveness when these sides meet.
Prediction & Betting Tips
Given the current form of both teams, we expect an exciting, closely fought match with over 2.5 goals likely. Croatia's unbeaten streak in their last five matches, including four wins and one draw, contrasts with Spain's single loss in their last 12 outings. These statistics promise a high-stakes encounter that fans won’t want to miss, as both teams aim to make a strong start in their Euro 2024 campaign.