Euro 2024 set to kick off in Germany with France, England as top contenders
Excitement is building as Euro 2024 is set to kick off in Germany on June 14, with France and England leading the pack as the top favourites for this highly anticipated tournament.
This edition of the Euros promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with matches taking place in some of Europe’s most impressive stadiums in a nation known for its passion for football.
The decision to have the tournament hosted in one country, as opposed to the last Euros that were spread across the continent, aims to recapture the magic of past events and provide an immersive experience for fans.
With memories of the unforgettable 2006 World Cup in Germany still fresh in many minds, hopes are high that Euro 2024 will deliver moments to cherish for years to come.
Despite concerns around security in today’s global climate and complaints about infrastructure, such as Germany’s aging rail network, anticipation remains high for the tournament.
The host nation, which showcased its resurgence in football during the 2006 World Cup, is once again hoping to make a strong impression on the international stage.
While some skepticism surrounds Germany’s prospects due to recent early exits in major tournaments, the team, under the leadership of Julian Nagelsmann, boasts a talented roster that cannot be overlooked.
READ ALSO: Man Utd drown Leicester City 3-0 to join title chasers
As the three-time European champions, Germany will be looking to prove their mettle and make a lasting impact in Euro 2024.
“I have the feeling that we can win the tournament. And most of the time, my intuition is not too bad,” said Nagelsmann, whose team play Scotland in the opening game in Munich.
There are good reasons why France and England are widely seen as the favourites to raise aloft the Henri Delaunay trophy at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on July 14.
France are Europe’s top-ranked nation and have been in the last two World Cup finals. Their team has evolved since Qatar in 2022 but the quality at their disposal, beyond Kylian Mbappe, is fearsome and they are eager to win a first European Championship since 2000.
“Like other nations we have the potential to maybe go all the way, but we must not already be thinking about the semi-finals or a possible final,” warned coach Didier Deschamps.
It is not always the case that everything goes to form. But if it does, and France and England top their groups, they will be on a collision course to meet in the semi-finals at Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park.
England carry the burden of never having won the Euros. Beaten on penalties by Italy in the 2021 final, Gareth Southgate’s team lost a nail-biting quarter-final to France at the last World Cup.
The two men who could give them the edge are Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
Kane will be at home in his surroundings having just scored 44 goals in his first season for Bayern Munich.
Munich’s Allianz Arena hosts the first semi-final. The other semi-final venue was Bellingham’s home ground for the three years he spent at Dortmund, but he comes to the Euros after a fine first campaign at Real Madrid, fresh from winning the Champions League.
“Are we one of those teams who can win? Of course,” said Southgate, whose team are in Group C with Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia.
“I’d be an idiot if I said no, but if I said yes, that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of work ahead of us.”
Absent from the last two World Cups, Italy will be in Germany to defend their European crown, despite losing twice to England in qualifying.
The Azzurri are in a group with Spain, semi-finalists at the last Euros but who have not won a major tournament knockout game in 90 minutes since Euro 2012.
There may be as many as eight realistic potential champions, including 2016 winners Portugal, still led by Cristiano Ronaldo, even though he is now 39.
Belgium and the Netherlands will hope to make an impact too, but the Euros –- the third edition since expanding to 24 teams –- is richer for the presence of less-fancied nations.
Ukraine will be afforded widespread sympathy and have a decent team under Serhiy Rebrov.
Albania, under the Brazilian Sylvinho, appear at only their second Euros, while Georgia make their debut.
Managed by former France and Bayern Munich defender Willy Sagnol, and led by Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, they will be worth watching.
Their tournament starts on June 18 against Turkey in Dortmund.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
