The European Championships get underway TODAY as Turkey and Italy go head-to-head - but when is the opening ceremony and how to watch it?

The eagerly-anticipated Euro 2020 finally gets underway today, after being pushed back by a year following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. 

In what is a special tournament, celebrating 60 years of the European Championships, the games will be split across the continent in 11 different cities - of course, with the semi-finals and final both taking place at Wembley Stadium. 

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Italy and Turkey will start proceedings in the first match of the tournament, as they square off at the Stadio Olympico in Rome. 

However, what officially marks the start of the tournament is the opening ceremony, which will take place tonight, shortly before kick-off. 

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There will be an estimated 16,000 fans in attendance for the ceremony and match. 

And with the tournament now just hours from getting underway, Sportsmail takes you through the opening ceremony details, the groups in full and the latest odds. 

The focus now turns to the prestigious trophy as the European Championships get underway

What time is the opening ceremony? 

As stated, the European Championships get underway tonight, on Friday, June 11, with Turkey and Italy going head-to-head at the Stadio Olympico.  

Kick-off for the opening match will be at 8pm, with the opening ceremony getting underway beforehand. 

The ceremony is expected to get going at around 7pm, with a joint performance from Martin Garrix, Bono and The Edge to take place shortly before kick-off. 

UEFA have confirmed it will be a virtual display using 'cutting-edge technology', with the trio performing 'We Are The People'. 

How to watch it? 

The match - and therefore the ceremony - will be broadcast live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 7pm BST.   

Those from the UK can stream the opening ceremony for free on BBC iPlayer.   

What are the Euro groups in full?  

Group A: Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, Wales

Group B: Belgium, Russia, Denmark, Finland

Group C: Ukraine, Holland, Austria, North Macedonia

Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic, Scotland

Group E: Spain, Poland, Sweden, Slovakia

Group F: Germany, France, Portugal, Hungary

When are England in action? 

England have received a major boost with Harry Maguire returning to full training on Thursday

Indeed, the tournament is getting underway today, and it won't be long until England are in action. 

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They play in just two days' time against Croatia, who knocked the Three Lions out of the 2018 World Cup at the semi-final stage. 

Five days later, England will come up against historic rivals Scotland, in a mouth-watering encounter. 

Finally, they will take on the Czech Republic on June 22, with high hopes they will then progress the the last-16.  

June 13: England vs Croatia, 2pm at Wembley

June 18: England vs Scotland, 8pm at Wembley

June 22: Czech Republic vs England, 8pm at Wembley 

What are the latest odds?  

France are now the favourites to win Euro 2020 after their 2018 triumph at the World Cup

France 9/2

England 5/1 

Belgium 13/2

Italy 15/2 

Spain 15/2

Germany 8/1

Portugal 9/1 

Holland 13/1

Denmark 25/1

Croatia 35/1

Turkey 66/1

Switzerland 66/1

Poland 66/1

Russia 75/1

Ukraine 90/1 

Sweden 90/1   

Austria 100/1  

Czech Republic 125/1 

Wales 150/1 

Scotland 200/1

Finland 500/1

Hungary 500/1

Slovakia 500/1

North Macedonia 500/1

*Odds as per Betfair and correct at the time of publication