Hungary’s opening Group A encounter takes place on Saturday in Cologne against Switzerland. Germany, the host country, is first in the group after defeating Scotland 5-1 on Friday. At 3 p.m. local time (1300 GMT), the game will begin. This is what you need know about the game:
Complementary information Switzerland hopes to qualify for the European Championship’s knockout stages for the third consecutive year, and it plans to start its Euro 2024 campaign with a winning mindset.
– Hungary qualified for the tournament undefeated and has an amazing record in previous years. The team suffered its first defeat since 2022 last week when they lost to Ireland in a pre-tournament friendly.
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– Hungary’s fans will be under scrutiny after racist and homophobic abuse by its supporters during the last European Championship in 2021, and against England later the same year.
Team news – Hungary’s star midfielder, Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool, needed treatment on his left thigh, but seems likely to be fit.
– Hungary coach Marco Rossi says French-born midfielder Loic Nego will not be fit to face Switzerland but could recover for the second game on Wednesday against Germany.
– Swiss coach Murat Yakin says he has his whole squad available, though defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria and winger Steven Zuber did only light training on Friday. Zakaria has had a thigh injury and Zuber has a calf problem.
– Gregor Kobel reached the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund but is set to be only the second-choice Swiss goalkeeper at Euro 2024. The more experienced Yann Sommer is Switzerland’s starter and won the Italian title at Inter Milan this season.
– Switzerland made a formal complaint to UEFA about the quality of its training field in Stuttgart but opted against relocating to another facility because the travel would take too long.
By the numbers – It’s 70 years since Switzerland hosted the World Cup and Hungary lost to West Germany in the final. That loss marked the end of an era when Hungary’s “Magic Magyars” were one of the world’s best teams.
– It’s 43 years since Hungary beat Switzerland in a competitive game. Their last meeting was a 5-2 win for Switzerland in World Cup qualifying in 2017.
– Opening games have been a problem for both teams at the Euros. Switzerland has one win from five, against Albania in 2016. Hungary has one win from four, though two of its opening games were also semifinals because only four teams qualified for the tournament in 1964 and 1972.
– Granit Xhaka, the captain of Switzerland, can play in his 126th match for his nation, setting a new team record. With 123 games, vice captain Shaqiri is not far behind.
What they’ve said “We want to accomplish our well-defined goals, but tomorrow is the first game, the first objective. We wish to give it our all in the hopes of earning three points. Granit Xhaka, the captain of Switzerland.
“We didn’t become qualified by accident; rather, we earned it on the field. We want to take the lead and that is why we are here. – Coach Marco Rossi of Hungary.
“I think we’re ready for the game tomorrow. There is nothing to be afraid about. Bendeguz Bolla, a midfielder from Hungary.
