Group E: Belgium vs Italy
What channel is it on?Â
BBC One
What time does it start?
Kick off is at 8pm.
Where is it being played?
Stade des Lumières, Lyon
140-character preview
Euro 2012’s beaten, Pirlo-less finalists begin their campaign against a supremely gifted Belgian side *and* Fellaini and Benteke.
Belgium player to watch
Eden Hazard. Absolute dross for Chelsea for the majority of the season but finished it with a flourish. If he rediscovers his best form in the next couple of weeks, expect Belgium to do well and his name to be linked with a big money move to Real Madrid for what’s left of summer.
Italy player to watch
No Pirlo, no Marchisio. The creative onus in the Italian midfield today is likely to rest on the shoulders of Antonio Candreva. He’s perhaps not the stellar name we’ve come to expect from Italian teams down the years but with Antonio Conte expected to field the more industrious Marco Parolo and Emanuele Giaccherini alongside him in the middle of the park, look to the Lazio man for the Azzuri’s inventive spark.
Why will Belgium win?
If you believe the FIFA rankings, the Belgians are the best European side (they’re the second best team in the world, don’t you know?). That aside, they’ve been that guy from work’s ‘dark horse’ for the last three major football tournaments.
Why will Italy win?
Put simply: tournament pedigree. A glimpse at their squad doesn’t inspire much belief, but with a predominantly Juventus defence no doubt giving nothing away at the back, the Italians will have a solid foundation upon which to build.
JOE drinking game buzzwords and phrases
Dark horses; stylish Italians; No Pirlo; tournament team
Headline predictions
