All eyes will be on Europe this summer as some of the top footballing nations on the planet go head-to-head at Euro 2024 in Germany.
To add to the intrigue, this tournament will continue with 24 teams taking part and six groups of four as first introduced in 2016. While the top two sides in each group will progress, the four third-place teams with the best records will also make it to the knockout stages.
For those placing a wager on Euro 2024 via bet365 Thailand, England and France are the main favourites while bettors should also track Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal and Belgium ahead of the tournament. Football followers can access bonuses as they back different teams throughout the competition from the group stages through to the final in Berlin.
It promises to be an exciting Euros with exhilarating action on the pitch as star names from across the continent do battle. This article will assess each group in a bid to decipher which countries could go all the way to lift the iconic trophy.
Group A
Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
While Germany may no longer boast the experience of the World Cup winning side, it is still a talented squad that could certainly go the whole way on home soil with the backing of the nation and they are favourites to top the group.
Scotland boast a young, hungry team with some top players plying their trade in the Premier League including Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson, Manchester United’s Scott McTominay and Aston Villa’s John McGinn.
Hungary, most famous for the Ferenc Puskas years in the 1940s and 1950s, have enjoyed somewhat of a football resurrection this century and will compete in their third consecutive Euros having failed to qualify between 1972 and 2016.
Switzerland, meanwhile, are ranked in the top 20 nations in the world by FIFA and are a solid outfit who like to keep it tight at the back. The Swiss will be confident they can progress though it seems a straight shootout for second place behind the Germans.
Group B
Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
Featuring in this year’s ‘Group of Death’, Albania could be forgiven for bemoaning their luck having been drawn alongside three of FIFA’s top ten ranked sides. However, the minnows, managed by former Arsenal and Manchester City left-back Sylvinho, will be giving it all to spring a surprise in what is only their second appearance at an international tournament having also qualified for the 2016 Euros.
Spain, Italy and Croatia are all capable of topping the group though it will be interesting to see how the team that has to settle for a place outside the top two fare and goal difference could come into proceedings as they also compete with how other third-placed sides fare in the competition.
Group C
England, Denmark, Serbia, Slovenia
The Three Lions are one of the favourites to win the Euros for the first time in the nation’s history with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Phil Foden among the best players in the world and playing in the Champions League on an annual basis.
While Gareth Southgate’s men are tipped for the top, Denmark and Serbia will likely battle it out for second place. The Danes boast a group of players playing at the top level and blend youth with experience while the Serbians boast some top firepower with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic upfront.
Slovenia may only be ranked number 57 in the world by FIFA but did qualify on the same points as Denmark, winning seven of their 10 qualifying group games.
Group D
France, Netherlands, Austria, Poland
On paper, France boast a stellar cast of star names and on the pitch they prove their quality time and again. Kylian Mbappe and Co are another one of the favourites and will be hoping to go one better after reaching the World Cup final in 2022.
The Netherlands know all about the French, losing twice to Les Bleus in qualifying, but will be confident they can match them on the biggest stage. Ronald Koeman’s side will be confident of qualifying but will face a tough task against an Austria side full of confidence under Ralf Rangnick and a Poland outfit led by the free scoring Robert Lewandowski.
Group E
Belgium, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine
While much of Belgium’s Golden Generation have now retired without winning the silverware so many expected it to, the Belgian’s still boast a top side and should finish first in what is perhaps the weakest group in the tournament.
Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine though, face a great chance of reaching the knockouts. Romania go in to the tournament on the back of an unbeaten qualifying campaign in which they finished above Switzerland while Slovakia were second to Portugal to seal their place at Euro 2024.
Ukraine, meanwhile, were in the same qualifying group as England and finished on the same points as Italy which earned a spot in the play-offs where they defeated Bosnia and then Iceland to secure qualification.
Group F
Portugal, Czech Republic, Turkey, Georgia
Portugal will again be led by talisman Cristiano Ronaldo in what could well be the 39-year-old’s final tournament at international level. Having won the Euros in 2016, Roberto Martinez’s side will be going all out to repeat those heroics and should make it out of Group F.
While Czech Republic reached the quarters in 2020, Turkey are looking to advance to the knockouts having failed to progress from the group stage in the previous two tournaments. Georgia, meanwhile, are playing in their first major tournament and, managed by former Bayern Munich defender Willy Sagnol, will hope to make it a truly memorable summer.
Summing Up
This year’s Euros tournament is sure to provide fans with plenty of exhilarating action as the likes of England, Spain, France and hosts Germany bid to be crowned champions of the continent. It’s also set to be an amazing tournament for nations like Georgia and Albania who will be keen to create their own Euros history.
