- Euro 2024 gets underway on 14 June with Germany hosting the tournament
- Italy are the holders with England aiming to win the competition for the very first time
- Predictions for the group stage, knockout rounds and final
Who will win the Euro 2024 Golden Boot?
The absence of a summer World Cup in 2022 means European football lovers had a mere 18 months to wait before major tournament football returns to mainstream prominence.
That's right, Euro 2024 is around the corner and the tournament may well prove to be one of the last of its kind with Germany, and only Germany, playing host.
We've known for quite some time how the group stage will shape up after the draw took place in December, and the final three nations have now been confirmed following the conclusion of the play-offs.
A festival of footballing brilliance awaits and here's how 90min is predicting Euro 2024 to pan out.
Group A
Julian Nagelsmann would have been pleading for a tame group on home soil, but the German manager was instead dealt a mightily competitive one.
Switzerland are consistent performers at tournaments, almost always progressing into the knockouts, while Hungary and Scotland enjoyed stellar qualifying campaigns.
A lack of firepower could cost the Scots despite their defensive resolve and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Germany, emboldened by home support and a returning Toni Kroos, edge out a tight Group A with Hungary progressing in third as one of the best-performing third-place finishers.
|
Position |
Nation |
|---|---|
|
1. |
Germany |
|
2. |
Switzerland |
|
3. |
Hungary |
|
4. |
Scotland |
Group B
Spain and Italy have seen plenty of each other in recent years and they'll face off yet again this summer in a blockbuster Group B fixture.
Holders Italy overcame a superior Spain on penalties in the semi-finals at Euro 2020, but the Iberians have won three of the last four meetings. While Spain are without midfield star Gavi, there are more questions surrounding the Italians, who are still evolving under Luciano Spalletti.
Luis de la Fuente has done a fine job since succeeding Luis Enrique and the two-time winners are likely to be one of the most watchable teams in the group phase.
Croatia exceeded expectations at the 2022 World Cup by knocking out Brazil and advancing into the semi-finals. They've still got their Golden Generation core at their disposal, but they could struggle this summer.
Albania are blessed with a couple of stout defenders and won't be a walkover, but they're certainly the weakest team in Group B.
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Position |
Nation |
|---|---|
|
1. |
Spain |
|
2. |
Italy |
|
3. |
Croatia |
|
4. |
Albania
|
Group C
All eyes are on England in Group C and the Three Lions are poised to perform impressively in the group stage yet again this summer.
There are no standout weaklings in this group, with each of the other nations boasting prolific centre-forwards. Slovenia, however, are more reliant on their star striker, Benjamin Sesko, than the other two. 20-year-old Sesko is competing at his first major tournament.
Denmark's meeting with Serbia will likely decide who qualifies in second and, while the Danes are unlikely to repeat their Euro 2020 magic, Serbia so often disappoint under the bright lights despite their impressive personnel.
|
Position |
Nation |
|---|---|
|
1. |
England |
|
2. |
Denmark |
|
3. |
Serbia |
|
4. |
Slovenia |
Group D
France came within a penalty shootout of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend their World Cup crown.
Didier Deschamps' squad is overwhelmingly talented and led by the world's best player, Kylian Mbappe. The French are more than capable of an internal bust-up and a swift exit, but this harmonious group of players look like they're beyond that.
Les Bleus toppled the Netherlands twice in their recent UEFA Nations League meetings and it's hard to trust a Dutch side led by Ronald Koeman. As a result, they face a challenge to progress out of this group with Ralf Rangnick's Austria set to emerge as one of the dark horses of the tournament.
Poland, who qualified via the play-offs, will be competitive in the group but ultimately finish bottom.
|
Position |
Nation |
|---|---|
|
1. |
France |
|
2. |
Austria |
|
3. |
Netherlands |
|
4. |
Poland |
Group E
Domenico Tedesco has so far astutely managed Belgium's transition away from its Golden Generation and into an era led by youthful ebullience.
Some of the old guard remain and their presence will be pivotal for the Red Devils this summer. They've been blessed with a tame group and anything but a comfortable standing at its summit should be considered a disappointment.
The addition of Ukraine certainly bolsters the group, with the remaining three teams set to compete for two potential spots in the round of 16. Slovakia and Romania are two nations laced with youth that lack experience at the highest level.
Ukraine, given their recent experience, will back themselves to finish second.
|
Position |
Nation |
|---|---|
|
1. |
Belgium |
|
2. |
Ukraine |
|
3. |
Romania |
|
4. |
Slovakia |
Group F
Portugal worked a mini miracle in 2016 to win the Euros having finished third in their group and, although they endured a disappointing title defence last time out, they're bound for a prosperous campaign this summer.
Roberto Martinez has enjoyed a bright start to life as Portugal's manager and is a coach more suited to the demands of the international game. His side should progress as group winners, although both Turkey and Czechia will be competitive.
Having flopped miserably at Euro 2020, Turkey should enjoy more success in Germany given the reduced expectation. Czechia's duel with Vincenzo Montella's side will be decisive in deciding who progresses in second, with the loser facing a battle to advance in third.
As great a story Georgia is, they'll find life tough on their tournament bow.
Position
Nation
1.
Portugal
2.
Turkey
3.
Czechia
The expansion of the Euros to 24 teams, starting in 2016, means the four best-performing third-place finishers also advance into the round of 16 alongside the group winners and runners-up.
90min predicts Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and the Netherlands to be these four nations, with just one progressing beyond the first knockout phase. Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai will inspire an aggressive Hungary to victory over a Spain side that may have issues picking the Hungarian lock. They're also historically poor in penalty shootouts.
France and Belgium should bypass Turkey and Serbia with relative comfort, while England, who will be out for revenge, and Portugal are poised to advance from their blockbuster ties against Croatia and the Netherlands respectively.
Euro 2020 Denmark would've toppled the vulnerable hosts, but their current iteration are unlikely to be up to the task against hosts Germany. Dark horses Austria overcome likely qualifiers Ukraine, while Italy and Switzerland's duel reeks of a penalty shootout. The Italians' recent history from 12 yards gives them the edge.
|
Predicted round of 16 fixtures |
Winner |
|---|---|
|
Switzerland vs Italy |
Italy |
|
Germany vs Denmark |
Germany |
|
England vs Croatia |
England |
|
Spain vs Hungary |
Hungary |
|
Austria vs Ukraine |
Austria |
|
Portugal vs Netherlands |
Portugal |
|
Belgium vs Serbia |
Belgium |
|
France vs Turkey |
France |
