De Bruyne, Netherlands, cleaver: five reasons to follow the Euro this Thursday

There are only 7 more days to enjoy these matches in the middle of the afternoon, at 3 p.m., before the group stage of Euro 2020 gives way to the knockout stage.

This Thursday, one of the big fish of the tournament, Belgium, can already compost its ticket for the knockout stages.

Similar situation for the Netherlands who put on a show last Sunday against Ukraine (3-2).

Here are five reasons to sit in front of your screen to experience the rest of the European Football Championship.

Today's program

Ukraine-North Macedonia (group C): 3 p.m. (beIN Sports 1)

Denmark-Belgium (group B): 6 p.m. (beIN Sports 1)

Netherlands-Austria (group C): 9 p.m. (beIN Sports 1)

Ukraine-North Macedonia, KO in the air

It's the kind of game you can't lose, where every situation is more difficult, every opportunity more important.

This is what makes great competitions the salt.

Ukraine came close to catching the Netherlands in their first game (2-3) as North Macedonia fell stronger than they faced Austria (1-3).

To come out of his group with two defeats is not impossible, but almost.

"I am sorry for our supporters, I am speechless in front of the atmosphere they have set, I hope we will reward them," Macedonian coach Igor Angelovski said last Sunday.

Euro 2020 is the first major tournament in which North Macedonia participates.

Sport on video: Paul Pogba looks back on Rüdiger's bite during France-Germany (1-0)

Belgium as a steamroller?

It's hard not to be considered a favorite at the Euro when you're the first nation in the FIFA rankings.

Belgium held its rank last Saturday against Russia in Saint Petersburg (3-0).

And without being flamboyant, despite a double from its star Romelu Lukaku.

"To beat us, it will take a hell of a armada", launched the right side Thomas Meunier, scorer after his entry against the Russians.

The trip to Copenhagen, among Danes still shocked by the fear Christian Eriksen, will be a new test.

At the 2018 World Cup, Belgium started by sweeping Panama (3-0) before quartering Tunisia (5-2).

Denmark knows what to expect.

To read also: Denmark: Simon Kjaer, the hero of the Euro

De Bruyne, the dreaded return

His name shakes the walls of all base camps in this Euro 2020. Kevin De Bruyne underwent a "slight intervention" in his left eye socket on June 5, detailed Belgian coach Roberto Martinez.

The Manchester City playmaker suffered a shock with Antonio Rüdiger in the Champions League final against Chelsea (0-1 defeat).

He will be fit to face Denmark on Thursday.

To speak of a reinforcement of weight would be an understatement, as the 29-year-old Belgian flew over the debates at the Skyblues last season.

The Netherlands in sensation mode

So far, this is perhaps the best match that Euro 2020 has in store for us. The Netherlands led 2-0 against Ukraine before being joined 10 minutes from time. . to finally win 3-2 (Dumfries, 85th).

"It shows our mentality", satisfied striker Wout Weghorst after the meeting.

The Netherlands of the neo-Parisian Georginio Wijnaldum, of the Barcelona Frenkie de Jong or the future-ex-Lyon striker Memphis Depay are advancing steadily.

Their absences from Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup made them lose credibility.

But they proved it: there is talent in the middle and in attack, and enough cohesion to force a result.

Better not to miss their meeting in Amsterdam against Austria this Thursday (9 p.m.).

Austria under fire

Precisely, this Austria, what is it worth? The authoritarian victory against North Macedonia (3-1) cannot serve as a justice of the peace, as the Red and Yellow serve as Petit Poucet in this Euro. Five years after its Euro 2016 fiasco (last of its group behind Hungary, Iceland and Portugal), Austria does not want to "come back empty-handed" to Vienna, words from Leipzig midfielder Marcel Sabitzer . His trip to Amsterdam gives him the opportunity to measure himself against a great nation. It will be with his defensive star David Alaba, recently transferred from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid. But without his striker Marko Arnautovic, suspended after the game against North Macedonia for "insulting another player", UEFA informed.