Euro 2024: What to know about the European Championship in German

The European Championship, also known as Euro 2024, is entering the knockout phase on Saturday, following the end of the group stage. Here's what to know about the tournament:

Where are the games being played? The tournament is being held in Germany, with matches in 10 cities: Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart.

When and where is the final? The final will be played on July 14 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Who are the favorites? Spain was the only of the 24 teams at Euro 2024 to win all three matches in the group stage. Six other teams, including host Germany, advanced to the round of 16 undefeated. Some were surprised to see Austria win their group ahead of France and the Netherlands. The tournament has a history of producing unexpected winners, including Denmark in 1992 and Greece in 2004.

How does the tournament work? The top two teams in each of the six groups advanced to the round of 16, as well as the four best-performing third-place teams. At this point, the tournament becomes a straight knockout competition through the quarterfinals, semifinals and final to determine the champion.

Who is the defending champion? Italy won the last Euros, which were staged in 2021 because the original tournament was postponed for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Italy beat England in the final at Wembley Stadium in a penalty shootout.

Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing? Yes, the Portuguese great is competing in a record sixth European Championship. Going into the tournament he already held the record for the most appearances at the Euros, with 25, and the most goals, with 14. Ronaldo, 39, won the competition with Portugal in 2016.

Is Erling Haaland playing? No. The Manchester City striker may be one of the most prolific goal-scorers in world soccer, but his national team, Norway , didn’t qualify for Euro 2024.

Where can I watch Euro 2024? U.S. viewers can watch Euro 2024 on Fox.

What is the match schedule? Here's a list of upcoming matches in the knockout phase, with kickoff times listed in local time in Germany and Eastern Standard Time in parenthesis:

June 29

Switzerland vs. Italy, 6 p.m. (noon EST)

Germany vs. Denmark, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)

June 30

England vs. Slovakia, 6 p.m. (noon EST)

Spain vs. Georgia, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)

July 1

France vs. Belgium, 6 p.m. (noon EST)

Portugal vs. Slovenia, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)

July 2

Romania vs. Netherlands, 6 p.m. (noon EST)

Austria vs. Turkey, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)

July 5

Quarterfinal, 6 p.m. (noon EST)

Quarterfinal, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)

July 6

Quarterfinal, 6 p.m. (noon EST)

Quarterfinal, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)

July 9

Semifinal, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)

July 10

Semifinal, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)

July 14

Final, 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST)