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Euro 2024: Heavyweight rivals Italy and Spain meet for the fifth European Championship in a row

Euro 2024: Heavyweight rivals Italy and Spain meet for the fifth European Championship in a row
DUSSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Defending champion Italy plays Spain on Thursday in one of the most anticipated games at Euro 2024. Spain leads ahead of Italy on goal difference after both teams won their opening games. Croatia and Albania are the other teams in the group. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. local (1900 GMT) in Gelsenkirchen. Here’s what to know about the match:
Match facts
— Italy survived a scare against Albania when Nedim Bajrami scored after 23 seconds. A 2-1 come-from-behind win avoided embarrassment for Luciano Spalletti’s team.
— There were no such concerns for Spain after a dominant 3-0 win against World Cup semifinalist Croatia.
— Italy beat Spain on penalties in the semifinals of the last Euros after a 1-1 draw through extra time at Wembley Stadium. The team, then coached by Roberto Mancini, also needed penalties to beat England in the final.
— Build-up to the last game in Gelsenkirchen - Serbia vs. England - had been overshadowed by security concerns. Eight people were temporarily detained following clashes between fans. There has been less focus on potential security issues ahead of this game.
Team news
— Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has resumed training following a muscular issue, leaving coach Luis de la Fuente to declare a fully fit squad for the game.
— Italian media has speculated about Spalletti making changes ahead of the Spain game and the potential for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante to be brought into his starting lineup.
By the numbers
— This is the fifth Euros in a row that Spain and Italy have met, with two wins each going into Thursday’s match.
— With 46% of possession against Croatia, Spain failed to dominate the ball for the first time in a major tournament.
— Italy is going for a record-equalling third European Championship title. Spain and Germany have also won three titles. Italy could also become only the second team to win back-to-back Euros after Spain in 2008 and 2012.
— At 16 years, 338 days, Spain’s Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to appear at a European Championship in his team’s opening match.
What they’re saying
“Spain vs Italy is a classic game, it could very easily be the final. They (Italy) have great players, a great coach, and a real football culture. They’re one of the great national teams.” — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.
“It’s one of the most important matches of my career; I’ve already been through some important games but this is right up there. This is one of those matches that could give the players a tale to tell in the future.” — Italy coach Luciano Spalletti.
“Right now Spain are better than us in terms of individual players. We will have to bring the Italian spirit into play; we will need to struggle together.” — Italy midfielder Davide Frattesi.
“I remember a friendly against Portugal before the last Euro and there was a part of the fanbase who weren’t happy and whistled us.... Now we, the media and the fans all share a lot of pride and ambition in what we’re doing. We’re all rowing in the same direction.” — Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.
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AP Euro 2024:

NEXT: Raonic hits record 47 aces in opening win at Queen’s Club

LONDON (AP) — Milos Raonic delivered a record 47 aces and saved two match points to defeat Cameron Norrie in the first round at Queen’s Club on Monday. Raonic’s 47 aces set an ATP record for a three-set match since the statistic began being recorded in 1991. The previous record was 45 aces, set by Ivo Karlovic against Tomas Berdych in Halle in 2015. Raonic’s previous best was 38 aces in 2011. “My serve has always been the most important shot to me,” Raonic said. “This small record, it’s something special, something meaningful. A fun stat to be proud of.” Former runner-up Norrie was defeated 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-6 (9) after holding match points in the final tiebreak. Former world No. 3 Raonic has slipped to 186th in the rankings after three years of injury problems, but the Canadian still possesses one of the game’s most potent serves. He wasn’t broken. Norrie had to endure a barrage of 225 kph (140 mph) serves before pouncing in the tiebreak, saving a set point before edging ahead. When Raonic immediately broke Norrie’s serve, the second set was decided. In the third-set tiebreak, Norrie couldn’t convert two match points, and Raonic sealed the win with a forehand winner. Meanwhile, seventh-seeded Holger Rune criticized the court as “terrible” after repeatedly slipping on the damp grass, leading to a three-set defeat to Jordan Thompson of Australia. Thompson won 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Frances Tiafoe retired after a nasty fall while trailing Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata 7-5, 4-6, 1-0. Third-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, the 2014 champion from Bulgaria, eased past Adrian Mannarino of France 6-1, 6-2.

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