The quadrennial European Championship, known more commonly as the EUROS, is the pinnacle international football tournament in the continent of Europe. It is the place where legends are made and nations gain worldwide recognition for their sporting abilities and sportsmanship. Since its conception in 1958, there have been sixteen distinct editions of the tournament, and ten nations have crowned themselves as the Kings of Europe. But, for this upcoming Championship in Germany, what do we have in the locker? Who will be the next big thing? The next best team? Will we have a new winner? Let’s dive deep into our analysis of this upcoming EURO 2024!
Where and when is the EURO 2024 taking place?
This year’s European Championship is taking place in the home country of the three-time winner, Germany. No other European nation has won more championships than the German state, and this will also be their second time as host, having hosted the 1988 edition before.
From June 14 to July 14, 2024, ten cities in Germany will allocate millions of fans, European and foreign, in their journey to witness one of the greatest spectacles in world football. These cities include Berlin, Dortmund, Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, and Dusseldorf. The final will be held on July 14 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, the same place where the 2006 FIFA World Cup final and the 2015 UEFA Champions League final took place.
Will Germany enjoy home advantage?
Many sports fans always give more weight to the host when it comes to chances of winning a tournament, and this is a logical conclusion; the hosts know the venue, climate, time zones, and have to adapt much less than the visitors; they also receive much stronger support from fans in the stadium. But, this is different in the European Championship.
Since France won the 1984 edition in Paris, no hosts have gone on to reach such high. Portugal and France have since reached the final in 2004 and 2016, so did England in the 2021 edition, but none came out victorious. So, it can be concluded quite comfortably that Germany will not enjoy more privileges than the visitors.
Who will be the historymakers in EURO 2024?
Throughout the competition’s six-decade history, few ever managed to reach the top of the podium and earn themselves a place in the history books. But who might this be in this year’s edition?
Cristiano Ronaldo
While he might have lost the GOAT debate against world and continental champions Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy amongst European athletes will unlikely ever be surpassed, let alone matched. He is already the competition’s all-time top scorer with 14 goals in the final rounds and is only one assist away from matching the all-time record as well. If he scores, he will also become the oldest player to score in the finals.
His inevitable inclusion in the Portugese 23-man squad will also see him become the first-ever footballer to be named in the tournament squad in six tournaments. If Portugal shines under his leadership and earns their eternal captain a place in the Team of the Tournament, he will then become the first-ever player to make the Team four times.
Didier Deschamps
Deschamps’ accolades are already exclusive, being one of the three people who won the World Cup as a player and a manager. If he manages to lead France to win this year’s European Championship, he will become the first-ever person to do the double-double: winning the World Cup and the European Championship as a player and a manager. That surely will cement his status as the greatest football manager of all-time.
But, what do you think? Will France take the European crown? Will England win its first European Championship? Will Italy be able to defend its 2021 title? Turn your football insights and decisions into real-world money at M88 now!
Kylian Mbappe
With Ronaldo and Messi finally out of the European stage, it might be time for Mbappe to become the undisputed king of the European scene. EURO 2024 proves to be his greatest chance to do so, with Erling Haaland not present and France at the top of their game in almost every aspect.
Of course, his penalty miss in last edition’s Round of 16 against Switzerland will be mentioned throughout the tournament. But, given his stellar performances at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he will surely be fired up to do even better against weaker opponents in a location much closer to home.
Who will shine in EURO 2024?
Now, the final question on your mind is: who will be triumphant in this year’s edition? Commentators have their own favourites, fans have different picks. The top four teams that are forecasted to win the tournament is England, France, hosts Germany, and Portugal.
England
England is always a threat in international football under the management of Gareth Southgate. With Jude Bellingham carrying Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign on his shoulders and Phil Foden creating goals for Manchester City, this English team will surely be one of the strongest line-ups on paper.
France
In recent years, France’s trajectory has been one to be jealous of; they won the 2018 World Cup, the 2021 UEFA Nations League, as well as went to the 2022 World Cup and 2016 EURO finals. Didier Deschamps would love to lead France’s redemption from their shock exit in the 2021 edition, and Kylian Mbappe will have a chance to prove himself as the new GOAT.
Germany
As hosts and three-time winner, Germany has disappointed many fans lately. Since their peak at the 2014 World Cup, they have been eliminated from the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in the first round. In the EUROS, they fared no better, having failed to reach a final since 2008. Julian Nagelsmann would appreciate the opportunity to make amends and start anew in his home turf.
Portugal
In what surely will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-ever European Championship, Portugal is making a strong case for themselves; they won every game in the qualifiers and conceded only two goals. However, they are possibly the weakest among the four candidates as their starting line-up is not as impressive or all-rounded as the others.
In conclusion, the EURO 2024 is proving to be one of the most highly anticipated sporting event in the last few years, with a line-up of strong teams, established players, and legendary managers. Whoever wins it all can definitely be proud of themselves, as they will have won against the strongest roster of players in a long while.