Fans worldwide are gearing up for one of the most significant moments in football: the UEFA Euros, the crown jewel of continental competitions. The last contest saw Italy take down England in the finals during penalties, taking the trophy and preventing the English side from bringing ‘football’ home again. With fans gearing up to watch worldwide, on patios or in man caves, it’s time to take a look at the competition.
The quadrennial competition might raise a few eyebrows for Canadians who don’t usually follow European soccer. Let’s break down how the Euros work and what soccer fans in Canada can expect in the coming months. The final tournament draw took place last December in Germany, where the competition will be hosted in ten venues. However, three playoff winners still have yet to be determined, which means three groups remain incomplete.
At the moment, here is what we know about the final groups. Group A includes Germany, Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland. Group B includes Spain, Italy, Albania, and Croatia. Group C consists of Denmark, Serbia, England, and Slovenia. Group D consists of the Netherlands, Austria, France, and one more playoff winner. The same applies to Group E, which includes Belgium, Slovakia, and Romania. Lastly, in Group F are Turkey, Portugal, and the Czech Republic, plus one more playoff team.
Those looking to bet on Euro 2024 can closely examine matchup histories, team rosters, and coaches if they want to glean some insights. If DIY analysis isn’t your thing, don’t worry—plenty of savvy publications cover the event as the start date nears. They can help you break down which of the favorites (England, France, and Germany) might be prone to slip and which underdogs (Croatia, Netherlands, and Turkey) could cut ahead.
Let’s dive in and explore what could happen when the tournament kicks off on June 14 before the final on July 14.
The Favourites
As outlined above, France, England, and host country Germany are all early favorites for the competition. England and France have pulled ahead early in 2024 with stacked rosters and a solid coaching outlook. In particular, England’s head coach, Gareth Southgate, will be desperate for a win, as he will hang up his hat following the competition.
However, some are keeping a closer eye on Germany, as the team faces a clean slate after Hansi Flick was released last summer. With momentum behind them and a significant home-field advantage, the Germans may push for the quarter-finals and finals.
The Dark Horses
Along closely following this year’s favorites, many others also watch the dark horses. The Netherlands is in a unique position to push under Ronald Koeman’s leadership—and it’s interesting to note that Koeman was playing for the Netherlands during the country’s last UEFA Euro win back in 1988.
Turkey is yet another dark horse worth following. Heading into the Euro 2020, the country was a favorite for those pulling for an underdog. Unfortunately, the team lost all three group-stage games and was immediately eliminated. Will head coach Vincenzo Montella guide them to a 2008-caliber performance? Or will they flop again?
The Netherlands and Turkey aside, Croatia is likely the tournament’s most promising dark horse. Not only does the team benefit from Luka Modric’s sage experience, but the team also came off a huge win last year. Unfortunately, their group will face stiff competition, including Spain and Italy.
Headlines Off the Pitch
Major competitions like the UEFA Euro come with a bevy of interesting soccer-related headlines, which are worth following, too. As outlined above, England’s head coach will likely step down after his contract retires at the end of the year. Though this gives Southgate time to investigate his options, there’s already much speculation about who will replace him.
Not all stories are so severe, though. Other hot topics include the decision to allow Scottish fans to bring bagpipes to games, a cheeky disruption from a prankster during the group drawing, and official warnings to travelers about the strength of German drinks.
