Belgium’s Golden Generation will begin their final chance at glory with their opening Euro 2024 game against Slovakia this evening.
The Red Devils head into the tournament in fine form having overtaken England in third in FIFA’s world rankings.
Belgium was famously once the No. 1 ranked side in the world for four years between 2018 and 2022 but never managed to achieve success at a major tournament.
At Euro 2024 the country are in the midst of a fresh cycle with a new manager while Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany are both retired.
The rest of their ageing superstars have one last opportunity to win silverware for Belgium and they start against the lowest-ranked nation in their group.
Belgium vs Slovakia: Date and how to follow
This Group E showdown will take place on Monday, June 17.
Kick-off at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt will be at 5pm UK time.
talkSPORT will have full coverage of the match presented by Natalie Sawyer.
Commentary comes from Nigel Adderley and former England striker Dean Ashton.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The tie will also be shown on free-to-air TV on ITV One.
Belgium vs Slovakia: Line-ups
Belgium: Casteels, Castagne, Debast, Faes, Carrasco, Mangala, Onana, Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard, Lukaku
Subs: Theate, Vertonghen, Witsel, Tielemans, Kaminski, Sels, Lukebakio, Vranckx, De Ketelaere, Bakayoko, Openda, Vermeeren, De Cuyper
Slovakia: Dubravka, Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko, Kucka, Lobotka, Duda, Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin
Subs: Obert, Rigo, Gyomber, Suslov, Tupta, Benes, Rodak, Hrosovsky, De Marco, Strelec, Duris, Bero, Ravas, Sauer, Kosa
Referee: Halil Meler (Turkey)
Belgium vs Slovakia: Players to watch
Kevin De Bruyne
The Man City superstar is one of the last remaining players from Belgium’s golden generation that promised so much.
At 32, De Bruyne’s days at major tournaments are numbered and he’ll be desperate for one last run at glory before hanging up his boots.
KDB had an injury-ravaged campaign and missed over three months of action earlier in the season due to a hamstring injury.
However, the midfielder still managed 10 assists and four goals in only 18 Premier League appearances.
And with Man City managing his minutes at the end of the season, Euro 2024 could come at the perfect time for him to hit top form.
Milan Skriniar
The defender will look to reset at Euro 2024 following a difficult individual season at Paris Saint-Germain.
Much was expected of Skriniar when he completed a long-awaited free transfer to PSG from Inter Milan last summer.
However, the 29-year-old has struggled with form and fitness under Luis Enrique and has made just 24 appearances in Ligue 1 this term.
Despite that, Skriniar has long been Slovakia’s best player since former Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik retired.
The centre-back marshalled a defence that conceded just eight goals in qualifying and his experience will be key in Germany this summer.
Belgium vs Slovakia: What has been said?
De Bruyne has stated he may consider leaving Man City because of the money on offer in Saudi Arabia.
The Belgian will be 33 this month and has just one year left on his current deal with City.
“I still have one year left on my contract, so I have to think about what could happen,” De Bruyne told the Belgian newspaper HLN.
“My eldest is now eight years old and knows nothing but England. He also asks how long I will play for City. Once the moment comes, we will have to deal with it in a certain way.”
“At my age you have to be open to everything,” he added. “You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.
“If I play there for two years, I will be able to earn an incredible amount of money. Before that I had to play football for 15 years. I may not even reach that amount yet.
“Then you have to think about what that could mean next. But at the moment I haven’t had to think about that yet.”
To lift the trophy:
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News Summary:
- Belgium vs Slovakia LIVE commentary: Score, line-ups, players to watch, and match preview as ‘Golden Generation’ begin last dance at Euro 2024
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