The delayed UEFA European Championships 2020 will start this evening, with plenty of Brentford representation. Euro 2020, as it will still be known, will take place across Europe. The first game is between Italy and Turkey in Rome today, Friday 11 June, and the event will run until 11 July, when the final will be held at Wembley Stadium in London.
Five Brentford players have been named in their national squads for the event. This will break new ground for The Bees as no contracted Brentford player has ever appeared in the tournament. The five will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Henrik Dalsgaard, who is the only player to be on Brentford books and appear in a FIFA World Cup, as well Julian Jeanvier and Kamohelo Mokotjo, who appeared in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.
Halil Dervişoğlu, Marcus Forss, Pontus Jansson, Mathias Jensen and Christian Nørgaard are preparing for the event. Halil is in the Turkey squad while Marcus is with Finland and Pontus with Sweden. Mathias and Christian are in the Denmark squad.
Turkey are in Group A and kick-off the event this evening. They also face Wales and Switzerland. Denmark and Finland are in Group B and they start their tournament tomorrow, Saturday 12 June. Russia and Belgium are also in Group B. Pontus and Sweden are in Group C with Spain, Poland and Slovakia.
We will keep you up to date with all Brentford involvement in the event and keep your eyes out for the first Bees player to feature in a European Championship tournament. There are also some former Brentford players involved. Chris Mepham is in the Wales squad while Daniel O'Shaughnessy is with Marcus in the Finland squad.