SOCCER FOOTBALL 24H

Italy U21 v Germany U21 Saturday 24th June, 19:45 Live on Sky Sports Mix Italy  meet Germany in Group C of the U21 European Championship on Saturday night knowing there is no room for error. Luigi Di Biagio's boys face a  win-or-bust  situation in Tychy if the Azzurrini are to reach the semi-finals. Only the top team in each pool are guaranteed a place in the final-four and  Germany  are  in pole position  to qualify having secured two wins from two thus far. Stefan Kuntz's men arrive at the encounter requiring only a draw to progress. Italy   3.20  made a slow start to the tournament, bossed possession against Denmark but toiling in the final third. The  five-time winners  eventually made the breakthrough after a rather uninspiring first-half to secure a 2-0 triumph before suffering an unexpected 3-1 reverse to the Czech Republic. The Azzurrini made four changes to the team and began the encounter strongly;  Federico ...

New Zealand v Portugal Saturday June 24, 16:00 Live on ITV 4 New Zealand are set to miss out on a semi-final spot, after losing both of their opening fixtures. Although they were pretty abject against Russia in a 2-0 loss, they were much better in a 2-1 reverse against Mexico. Time and time again, the All Whites found space in the box against El Tri, but the profligate finishing of their central striker  Chris Wood  proved costly. At the other end, New Zealand really struggled to contain Mexican wingers Jurgen Damm and  Javier Aquino,  and ultimately they conceded two second-half goals which swung the match away from them. Portugal have steadily improved. They carelessly conceded a late equaliser against Mexico in a 2-2 draw, but tightened up against Russia, and didn't make the same mistake in a 1-0 victory. Given that the European champions now only need a point to reach the semis, coach  Fernando Santos  is expected to shuffle his pack. Although capt...

Macedonia U21 v Portugal U21 Friday 23rd June, 19:45 Live on Sky Sports Portugal   1.18  are missing captain  Bruno Fernandes  and centre-half  Ruben Semedo  through suspension as they bid to seal a place in the semi-finals of the U21 European Championships on Friday night via the best runner-up spot. Tobias Figueiredo  may deputise for Semedo with  Joao Carvalho  stepping into central midfield whilst  Bruma  will surely be given his first start of the tournament after his goal of the tournament contender during the Esperancas' 3-1 defeat to Spain last time out. Rui Jorge's group made the brighter start in the Iberian derby and  Daniel Podence  struck a post from 25 yards as the Portuguese put the pressure on early. But Spain struck with nearly their first attack of the encounter and rarely looked out of control of the game thereafter. Portugal upped the tempo at the start of the second half with Podence again goi...

Germany v Chile Thursday 22 June, 19:00 Live on ITV 4 This is arguably the most  mouthwatering prospect  of the group stage, with the world champions taking on a team that has twice been crowned as South American champions in quick succession. Germany played well in patches in their 3-2 win over Australia, but they gave away two awful goals (keeper  Bernd Leno  should've done far better in both instances), and at the other end of the pitch they lacked their usual ruthlessness. Coach Jogi Loew admits his team has plenty of work to do to improve, but he seems to be relishing the opportunity to face a Chile side that has become  a winning machine . Chile are  full of confidence  after winning the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, and while coach Juan Antonio Pizzi's style doesn't always inspire the same oohs and aahs as his predecessor Jorge Sampaoli, he helped the country retain their continental crown. There is quality throughout the team, and Bunde...