Who will win Euro 2024? This has been the question on the lips of many fans as several giants and minnows battle it out on German soil. In this post we take a look at the stronger and weaker contenders, and the dark horses.
Strong contenders
1. France
FIFA ranking: 2nd
Coach: Didier Deschamps
Player(s) to watch: Kylian Mbappe.
The 2018 World Champions crashed out in the quarterfinals of Euro 2020, two stages earlier than Euro 2016 where they agonizing lost in extra time to Portugal. Les Bleus look the most ready team. They will likely deploy a 433 with lightning fast Mbappe and Dembele flanking veteran Olivier Giroud in attack.
Predicted lineup; Maignan, Dayot, Konate, Parvard, Theo, Fofana, Kante, Griezmann, Mbappe, Dembele, Giroud.
2. England
FIFA ranking: 4th
Coach: Gareth Southgate.
Player(s) to watch: Bellingham, Kane.
Southgate himself admitted that this could be the end of the road if England don’t bring it home this time. Having lost to Italy in the 2020 final the Three Lions will be looking to go a step further this time around. Our experts think they will do well if they deploy more creative and attack based tactics, as opposed to more defensive ones.
Predicted lineup; Pickford, Maguire, Guehi, Walker, Trippier, Trent, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Kane.
3. Portugal
FIFA ranking: 6th
Coach: Roberto Martinez
Player(s) to watch: Joao Felix.
Portugal might just be in their golden generation era. The 2016 winners are blessed with options in every position on the field. Picking a first eleven will be the most difficult task for any coach, but players like Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo will retain their starting berths.
Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Rafael Leão, Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva.
Other Contenders
4. Germany
FIFA ranking: 16th
Coach: Julien Nagelsmann.
Player(s) to watch: Florian Wirtz.
The hosts look rejuvenated and will be very difficult to beat in their backyard. The last time Die Manscahft won a major tournament was 10 years ago at the 2014 world cup held in Brazil, so they will relish another opportunity at winning a major trophy.
Predicted line-up: Neuer; Kimmich, Rüdiger, Tah, Mittelstädt; Andrich, Kroos; Musiala, Gündoğan, Wirtz; Havertz
5. Spain
FIFA ranking: 8th
Coach: Luis de la Fuente
Player(s) to watch: Lamine Yamal.
La Roja may have fallen from their peak 2010’s period, but they are still one of the best national teams in the world.
Predicted line-up: Simón: Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Grimaldo: Merino, Rodri, Pedri: Lamine, Morata, Williams
6. Belgium
FIFA ranking: 3rd
Coach: Domenico Tedesco
Player(s) to watch: Doku, De Ketelaere.
Predicted line-up: Casteels; Faes, Witsel, De Cuyper; Castagne, Mangala, Onana, Doku; Trossard, Lukaku, De Bruyne
Dark horses
7. Croatia
FIFA ranking: 10th
Coach: Zlatko Dalić
Player(s) to watch: Luka Modric.
Predicted line-up: Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Gvardiol; Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić; Majer, Budimir, Kramarić.
8. Italy
FIFA ranking: 9th
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
Player(s) to watch: Frattessi.
Donnarumma; Darmian, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Di Lorenzo, Jorginho, Cristante, Dimarco; Frattesi, Chiesa; Scamacca
9. Netherlands
FIFA ranking: 7th
Coach: Ronald Koeman
Player(s) to watch: Xavi Simmons
Predicted line-up: Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké; Reijnders, Schouten, Veerman; Simons, Depay, Gakpo