The 2024 European Championships is the 17th edition of the tournament, hosted in Germany.
It’s the third tournament to comprise of the expanded 24-team format and will run from June 14th to July 14th.
Below are my preview and predictions with Fifa rankings in brackets.
GROUP A
GERMANY (16)
Main Man: Toni Kroos
One to Watch: Florian Wirtz
Germany are playing in their 14th Euro finals, and although they are the joint record three times winners, they are in their worst form for major tournaments. However, playing at home, they expect to at least advance past the last 16 for the first time since 2016.
They will be led by skipper Gundogan, with support in midfield from Kroos & Wirtz. With Neuer in goal. In defence, Kimmich & Rudigar, also Havertz, Musiala & Sane up front.
Germany has a good blend of young and experienced players. Hosting is an obvious advantage, but their recent poor tournament record will bring different pressures.
PREDICTION: Fourth
HUNGARY (26)
Main Man: Dominic Szoboszlai
One to Watch: Barnabas Varga
Hungary are playing in their fifth finals and third in a row, after failing for 40+ years. They qualified as unbeaten group winners, four points ahead of Serbia.
Leading the team is captain Szoboszlai, supported in midfield by A.Nagy & Kerkez, with Gulacsi in goal, defenders Szalai & Orban with forwards Sallai and Varga.
After failing to win a group game in 2020, Hungary will be desperate for at least a win this time, but making it out of the group has to be a goal.
PREDICTION: Last 16
SCOTLAND (39)
Main Man: Andrew Robertson
One to Watch: John McGinn
Scotland are playing in their fourth finals and qualified for back-to-back Euros. They qualified as runners-up, four points behind Spain, who they beat at home, and six points ahead of Norway.
Led by Robertson, he will be supported in defence by Hanley, with McGinn, McTominay and Christie in midfield and the duo of Shankland and Adams up front.
Scotland has never made it out of the group stages of a major tournament. They will be up against it from the very start, as they open the tournament against host Germany.
PREDICTION: Group Stages
SWITZERLAND (19)
Main Man: Xherdan Shaqiri
One to Watch: Noah Okafor
Switzerland qualified as group runners-up, five points behind Romania. They are playing in their sixth finals and now third in a row.
Their captain and leader is Xhaka, supported by Freuler and Zakaria in midfield. Akanji, Schar and Rodriguez in defence. Sommer in goal, with Shaqiri and Okafor up front.
In their past five appearances they have done increasingly better. From going out in the group stages three times. To the last 16, to QF’s in 2020. But is that as far as they can go?
PREDICTION: Last 16
GROUP B
ALBANIA (66)
Main Man: Kristjan Asllani
One to Waatch: Jasir Asani
Playing in only their second Euros, Albania surprised all by winning their group on the same points as Czech Rep, but a better head-to-head. Four points ahead of Poland and didn’t concede a goal at home.
Leading them into the tournament will be captain Djimsiti, supported at the back by Hysaj. In midfield, Bajrami and Asllani. With Asani, Manaj and Broja up front.
Albania are managed by former Brazil international Sylvinho, with former Argentina international Zabaleta as his assistant. Naturally, they play attacking football. But it will be tough to better or equal the three points total from their last appearance in 2016.
PREDICTION: Group Stages
CROATIA (10)
Main Man: Luka Modric
One to Watch: Bruno Petkovic
Since their existence in 1994, Croatia has qualified for all but one of the past eight Euros. They qualified as group runners-up, a point behind Turkey.
They are still led by 38-year-old Modric, who will need support in midfield by Kavacic & Vlasic, with Gvardial and Vida at the back also, Peresic, Kramaric and Petkovic up top.
Croatia have made it out of the group stages in four of the last six Euros. Although an ageing squad, they still have many of the players who finished third at World Cup 2022.
PREDICTION: Quarter Finals
ITALY (9)
Main Man: Fredrico Chiesa
One to Watch: Nicolo Berella
The defending champions are playing in their 11th finals and are trying to become the second nation to win it back-to-back. They qualified as group runners-up, six points behind the team they beat to win Euro2020, England.
Led by the young but experienced keeper Donnarumma. With Di Lorenzo, Bastoni & Darmien in defence. Barella & Jorginho in midfield, and upfront Chiesa & Scamacca.
The two times champions will be hard-pressed to emulate 2020. However, If they battle through the group of death unscathed, it will give them confidence for the knockout stages.
PREDICTION: Last 16
SPAIN (8)
Main Man: Rodri
One to Watch: Alvaro Morata
The joint record three times champions are playing in their 12th finals, with only Germany playing in more. They qualified as group winners, four points ahead of Scotland.
Led by captain Morata, who is supported up front by Torres & Joselu, with Laporte & Carvajal at the back with Rodri, Olmo and Pedri in midfield. They also called up 16-year-old Yemal.
Although they have not done well in the World Cup since they won it in 2010, they were 3rd in the last Euros and are the current Nations League champions. So, definitly my dark horses.
PREDICTION: Quarter Finals
GROUP C
DENMARK (21)
Main Man: Christian Eriksen
One to Watch: Rasmus Hojlund
The Danes are playing in their 10th finals, and who can forget their fairytale victory in 1992 when they were late replacements? They qualified as group winners, on goal difference from Slovenia, four points ahead of Finland.
They will be led by experienced goalkeeper Schmeichel. With Kjar and Vestegaard at the back. Eriksen, Hojberg and Damsgaaard in midfield, with Dolberg & Hojlund up top.
After finishing 3rd in 2020, amid the Eriksen incident, they have the players capable of getting them that far again. Hopefully without incident this time.
PREDICTION: Last 16
ENGLAND (4)
Main Man: Harry Kane
One to Watch: Phil Foden
The English are playing in their 11th finals and qualified as unbeaten group winners, six points ahead of Italy.
Led by star striker Kane, he will be supported up front by Watkins & Saka. In midfield, Rice, Foden & Bellingham. With Walker, Stones at the back and Alexander-Arnold supporting both positions.
Disappointed with losing the 2020 Euro final at Wembley, this is most likely Southgate’s last tournament for England. With a 4th, runner-up and QF in his three tournaments, it’s now or never.
PREDICTION: Third
SERBIA (33)
Main Man: Dusan Tadic
One to Watch: Alexandar Mitrovic
Serbia are qualifying for their first Euro finals since being eligible to compete as Serbia in 1998. They have previously been to three World Cup finals but have failed to get out of the group each time. They qualified as runners-up, four points behind Hungary.
Leading the team is captain Tadic, supported by Kostic and Milinkovic-Savic in midfield, Pavlovic & Milenkovic at the back, with Mitrovic, Vlahovic & Jovic up front.
At Euro2000, they reached the QF as Serbia & Montenegro, but now solely as Serbia, they will want to make history and make the knockout stages for the first time.
PREDICTION: Group Stages
SLOVENIA (57)
Main Man: Jan Oblak
One to Watch: Benjamin Sesko
Slovenia are playing in their second Euro finals after their debut in 2000, where they failed to make it out of the group stages. They qualified as runners-up via goal difference behind Denmark and four points ahead of Finland.
Their captain and leader is goalkeeper Oblak, supported by Stojanovic and Bijol at the back, Kurtic and Stankovic in midfield with Sporar and Sesko upfront.
Having previously played in three major tournaments and not yet making out the group stages. Their sole focus has to be making it out of the group for the first time in their history.
PREDICTION: Group Stages
GROUP D
AUSTRIA (25)
Main Man: David Alaba
One to Watch: Marcel Sabitzer
The Austrians ara playing in their fourth finals and third in a row. They qualified as runners-up, a point behind Belgium but nine points ahead of Sweden. They were also unbeaten away.
If captain Alba is not fit, Sabitzer will lead the team, supported by Laimer and Baumgartner in midfield. Lienhart, Danso & Wober at the back with Arnautovic up front.
Austria has not been to the World Cup since 1998. However, since 98, they have been to three Euros but only been out of the group stages once, in 2020, where they reached the last 16.
PREDICTION: Group Stages
FRANCE (2)
Main Man: Kylian Mbappe
One to Watch: Antoine Griezmann
The two times champions are playing in their 11th finals. France was one of the first teams to qualify for this tournament. They qualified top of their group, unbeaten, four points ahead of Holland.
Led by star striker and qualifers 3rd top scorer Mpabbe, supported by Griezmann and Giroud up front. Kounde & Saliba at the back. With Rabiot, Camavinga and Tchouameni in midfield.
Surprisingly, in the five tournaments since they won it in 2000, France has only been past the QF’s once. Despite that, they have played in the final of the last two World Cups. So, have to be one of the favourites.
PREDICTION: Winners
NETHERLANDS (7)
Main Man: Virgil Van Dijk
One to Watch: Coady Gakpo
The Netherlands qualified runners-up, four points behind France, who they lost home and away to. They are making their 11th Euro finals appearance.
They are led by Van Dijk, supported at the back by De Legit & Ake, with Wijnaldum, De Jong and Simons in midfield. Depay, Gakpo and Weghorts are up top.
Although they were World Cup runners-up in 2010 & third in 2014, the 1988 champions have failed to get past the QFs in their last three appearances. They were also Nations League runners-up in 2019 and 4th in 2023. So, expect to get to at least the QFs.
PREDICTION: Quarter Finals
POLAND (28)
Main Man: Robert Lewandowski
One to Watch: Piotr Zielinski
The Polish are playing in their fifth finals, fifth in a row, and were the last team to qualify. They came third in their group, four points behind Albania & Czech Rep. Then went into a play-off where they beat Estonia 5-1. Then Wales 5-4 on pens after a 0-0 draw.
Captained by legendary striker Lewandowski, he will be supported up front by Piatek & Swiderski. In defence, Bednarek and Kiwiro, with Zielinski, Piotrowski & Grosicki in midfield.
In their last four Euros, Poland has only been out of the group stages once. They are coming to the end of this era of players, and this could be their last tournament for a while.
PREDICTION: Group Stages
GROUP E
BELGIUM (3)
Main Man: Kevin De Bruyne
One to Watch: Jeremy Doku
Playing in their seventh finals and third in a row, Belgium were one of the first teams to qualify. They finished top of their group, a point ahead of Austria.
De Bruyne will lead the team, supported by Witzel and Tielemans in midfield, Vertonghen, Faes and Castagne in defence, with Trossard, Doku and qualifier top scorer Lukaku up front.
Belgium are reaching the end of a golden generation that promised so much but has not yet delivered. They have failed to advance past the QFs in their last two Euros and are slowly running out of opportunities.
PREDICTION: Quarter Finals
ROMANIA (46)
Main Man: Nicolae Stanciu
One to Watch: Dennis Man
Romania are playing in their sixth finals and qualified as unbeaten group winners, four points ahead of Switzerland.
Leading the team will be Stanciu, who will be supported in midfield by Man and Haji. At the back, Dragusin and Bancu. With Puscas and Albec up top.
In their previous five Euros, Romania have only made it out of the group stages once, when they reached the QF’s in 2000. They have not been to a World Cup since 1998. So, this is where they strive.
PREDICTION: Last 16
SLOVAKIA (48)
Main Man: Juraj Kucka
One to Watch: Robert Bozenik
This is Slovakia’s third finals since being formed in 1993 and the third in a row. They qualified as runners-up, eight points behind Portugal but five ahead of Luxembourg.
In the absence of the retired Hamsik, leading the team will be Skriniar, who is supported in defence by Hancko. In midfield, Kucka and Duda. With Bozenic and Haraslin upfront.
It’s fair to say they are in their most successful era. In 2020, they failed to make it out of the group but did reach the last 16 in 2016. Matching that would be an achievement.
PREDICTION: Group Stages
UKRAINE (22)
Main Man: Oleksandr Zinchenko
One to Watch: Artem Dovbyk
Ukraine will be playing in their fourth finals. They finished third in the group, six points behind England, the same points as Italy, but a worse head-to-head after losing 2-1 in Italy. In the playoffs, they beat Bosnia away 2-1, then Icleand 2-1 at home, scoring late winners in both games.
Led by Yarmalenko, supported by Zinchenko and Tsyhankov in midfield. Zabarnyi and Mykalenko at the back with Mudrik, Dovbyk and Yaremchuk up top.
In the midst of what is going on back home, it’s a miracle they even qualified. They reached the QFs in 2020. But playing for more than just football, they could get that far this time.
PREDICTION: Last 16
GROUP F
CZECH REPUBLIC (36)
Main Man: Tomas Soucek
One to Watch: Patrik Schick
Since being formed in 1993, they have qualified for all eight Euros. In their debut, they were runners-up in 96. Since, they finished 3rd, two QFs and three group stages. They qualified as runners-up to Albania, on the same points but a worse head-to-head.
Their captain is Soucek, who will be supported in midfield by Barak & Cerny, with defenders Coufal and Holes. Also, forwards Schick and Hlozeck.
The Czech Rep seem to save their best for this tournament, considering they have only qualified for a World Cup once. Emulating their QF finish in 2020 is a realistic goal.
PREDICTION: Last 16
GEORGIA (75)
Man Man: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
One to Watch: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Georgians are the only debuting team and were the only 4th place team to qualify. Finishing behind Spain, Scotland and Norway, they went into a play-off where they beat Luxembourg 2-0, then dramatically beat Euro2000 winners Greece 4-2 on pens after drawing 0-0.
They are led by Kashia, supported by defenders Dvali and Kvirkvelia. In midfield, Kiteishvili with forwards Chakvetadze, Zivzivadze and star man, Kvaratskhelia.
Playing in their first major tournament the pressure should be off. So, they can play freely and just hope to give a good account of themselves.
PREDICTION: Group Stages
PORTUGAL (6)
Main Man: Cristiano Ronaldo
One to Watch: Bruno Fernandes
Portugal are playing in their ninth finals and have qualified for the past eight. They were champions in 2016 and were the only team to qualify with a perfect record. They also scored the most, conceded the least, thus having the highest goal difference.
Naturally, they are led by 39-year-old Ronaldo, the qualifiers 2nd top scorer, with support from Jota, Felix & Leao up front, Fernandes and B.Silva in midfield, Dias, Danilo and Cancelo at the back. Also, Rui Patricio in goal.
In their eight appearances, Euro2020 was the only time they did not get to at least the QFs. They have been to the SFs in four of the last six tournaments. So, have to be one of the favourites.
PREDICTION: Runners Up
TURKEY (40)
Main Man: Hakan Calhanoglu
One to Watch: Cenk Tosun
Turkey are playing in their sixth finals and third in a row. They qualified as group winners, two points from Croatia and were unbeaten away.
Leading the team will be Calhanoglu, supported by fellow midfielders Ayhan and Ozcan. At the back, Celik and Demiral, with Cenk Tosun, Akturkoglu and Yilmaz up front.
Turkey have failed to make it out of the group stages in the last two Euros. Although not the squad that finished 3rd in 2008 and 3rd in World Cup 2002. Qualifying as group winners will give them hope to make it out of the group for the first time since 2008.
