LYON, France (AP) Belgium's ''golden generation'' of players will be looking to live up to the hype when they take on an aging Italian side in their opening Group E match at the European Championship on Monday.
Second-ranked Belgium has been tipped by many to win Euro 2016 despite a fairly lackluster display at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The team is laden with stars from goalkeeper to striker, many of whom ply their trade at top clubs in the English Premier League.
But should Italy's renowned defenders keep the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne at bay, then the pressure on Belgium will ratchet up in a group that also includes Ireland - rarely an easy opponent - and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden.