With Euro 2024 set to kick off in a few days, we look to who might lift the trophy, whether they be favorites or dark horses for the tournament. Which players could make the difference, well let’s find out…
We start with hosts Germany and their exciting team which is mixed with limitless potential and golden experience. With the likes of Musiala and Kroos running the midfield, Havertz and Sane up top and Rudiger and Schlotterbeck in defence, the hosts sure do have a reasonable chance to go all the way.
History doesn’t bode well for them though, as in the last two editions of the competition, the host has lost in the final. Julian Nagelsmann will hope to turn end this curse as fortune should really favor his brave men.
We now move to holders of the competition Italy, who despite not qualifying for the last 2 World Cups, seem to always have a knack for turning up at the Euros. With players like Chiesa, Barella, Donnaruma and Jorginho, the Italians should have the means to get out of the group, however it won’t be an easy task.
They have been drawn in the same group as Spain, Croatia and dark horses Albania. This will be a tough one to call as anyone could make it out of the group, but be sure we will be watching this avidly.
Similar to Italy, Spain have many key players like Pedri, Gavi, Nico Williams and most notably 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who all have the capability to change the game.
However it’s been their inconsistency in recent international tournaments that leaves fans scratching their head on whether the 2012 champions can repeat that success.
Next up to England, who are favourites for the tournament. With a squad packed full of superstars like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo, it sure seems that the Three Lions’ golden era is back.
Although England’s biggest achilles heel maybe their defence. With aging players like Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Lewis Dunk at the back, they sure are up for a tough time against most teams.
Now to the team that beat England in the World Cup, France. Les Blues, led by new Galactico, Kylian Mbappe, have certainly a lot to boast about, especially their theme of world-class players throughout their team.
Their only downfall maybe that they’ve been drawn into the ‘Group of Death’ with Netherlands, Poland and Austria joining them.
Led by Virgil Van Dijk, the Netherlands are sure to have a lot of fight with them as they too look to revamp themselves and get rid of their theme of underperforming.
A team that will look to do similar is Belgium as the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans look to re-establish the Red Devils as a powerhouse in international football.
Finally to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, as the veteran looks to bow out of international football with another Euros under his belt.
There are a few dark horses like Albania, Turkey, Scotland, Georgia and Ukraine who best be keeping an eye out for.
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