The rescheduled UEFA European Football Championship (Euros) kicks off on Friday (June 11) with a glorious opening ceremony and the anticipated clash between Turkey and former winners Italy.

Euros, cancelled in 2020 due to the raging coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, gets under way in Rome’s Stadio Olympico and sees 24 teams playing across 51 matches in 12 cities.

The month-long competition, held every four years, marks the pinnacle of European national football—all ending at Wembley Stadium in Great Britain with the final, which takes place on Sunday, July 11.

Italy’s Azzuri, who last made the Euro final just shy of a decade ago, are touted to win the opening bout, competing in a ‘relatively safe’ Group A against Switzerland, Turkey and Wales.