The 2024 edition of the European Championship saw its Group D matches begin with Poland taking on Netherlands, at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Sunday.
Sportstar looks at the top talking points of the match.
No Lewandowski in Poland’s starting line-up
The biggest name missing in Poland’s starting line-up was its highest-ever goalscorer, Robert Lewandowski. The Barcelona striker has remained the perpetual threat for club and country, over the years, and his absence is bound to weaken the team.
Man shot by Hamburg police after axe attack before match
German police fired shots at a person who threatened officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device on the sidelines of a football fan parade in the St Pauli district of central Hamburg on Sunday, according to a police post on social media platform X.
A major police operation is now underway and the attacker is currently receiving medical care for injuries, the post added.
Verbruggen becomes youngest Dutch goalkeeper to start in Euros
At 21 years and 303 days, Bart Verbruggen became the youngest goalie in Euros since José Ángel Iribar, who played for Spain in EURO 1964, then called the European Nations Cup. In the history of the tournament, he ranks third among youngest goalkeepers to play in the tournament.
Winds of change in the National team?
This is the first time since 2008 that the Netherlands is starting a match at a major tournament without a player from Ajax. It is also the 12th time in the history of Dutch men’s football.
No Lewandowski, no problem
Adam Buksa became the first Polish player to score a first half goal in the group stages of the European Championships since Robert Lewandowski in the opening match of Euro 2012.
Gakpo equals Cristiano Ronaldo record after goal in Poland vs Netherlands
The Liverpool forward has scored in each of his last four group stage games at the European Championships and World Cup, which saw him get equal a record set by Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Spanish forward Alvaro Morata.
Gakpo has now scored the opening goal of the tournament for the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024. That’s four goals in seven games at major international tournaments.
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