The Euros are coming up and it’s a competition very different to the World Cup as it always provides shocks. We have had so many underdog winners with the likes of Italy, Portugal, Greece and Denmark. I mean in 1992 Denmark didn’t even qualify and won it then fast forward 24 years Portugal finished third in their group and still won the whole tournament only winning one total game in 90 minutes. However, the last two tournaments have been shock winners so would that mean this year would yield the same results?
Group A:
1st – Germany
2nd – Switzerland
3rd – Scotland
4th – Hungary
If Germany don’t top this group in their own country with stars like Musiala and Wirtz then it will be one of the shocks of the tournament. It’s not that the other 3 teams are poor it’s just that I can see them dropping points to each other. Switzerland should finish 2nd being the second-best team in the group but with the great qualifying Scotland have I can see both teams getting to the knockouts whether Scotland are in 2nd and the Swiss in 3rd or the other way round. Hungary had an amazing qualifiers not losing a game but their group was easy and this is where the real heroes are made and I don’t think Hungary have any game changers or leaders that will be able to drive them through to the round of 16.
Group B:
1st – Spain
2nd – Italy
3rd – Croatia
4th – Albania
The supposed group of death in the tournament but I think if you actually look at the group, you have a very old Croatia side and a poor Italy competing with Spain who are filled all round with young, old and skilled. Oh yes and there’s Albania as well who I’d be surprised end up with 2 points through the group. It’s a no brainer that Spain finish top and Albania finish bottom, I think if you want to be quirky and do it for the interactions then you have Albania qualifying but I’d be stunned. Similar to Group A 2nd and 3rd is very much a toss up and could come down to the final game of the group Italy vs Croatia. Supporting Italy I do have them 2nd but knowing Italy’s past they could easily come 3rd and be level on points with Albania. Croatia have no top level striker anymore and only having 3 games could be there undoing so they will really have to prioritise there game on defending well to get through.
Group C:
1st – England
2nd – Denmark
3rd – Serbia
4th – Slovenia
Group C is similar to Group A in terms of if England don’t finish 1st in this group Southgate should be sacked for that. I do think wherever England finish I can see Southgate resigning and getting a job for the FA. Denmark after getting to the semi-final in 2021 should easily qualify from this group but if Serbia and Slovenia can sneak a win against them don’t be surprised to see them not qualify.
Group D:
1st – France
2nd – Netherlands
3rd – Austria
4th – Poland
Very simple group to predict with France and Netherlands easily top 2 as I very much doubt Poland or Austria can compete with these two giants. Both teams have a couple of decent players like Alaba and Lewandowski but overall are not good enough to qualify. If you actually look at Lewandowski’s he has scored 7 goals in 6 international tournaments so don’t expect him to carry Poland and that’s why they finish lower than Austria in my opinion.
Group E:
1st – Ukraine
2nd – Belgium
3rd – Slovakia
4th – Romania
This is the group of death in my opinion as anyone of these 4 could finish top and have the same likelihood of finishing bottom. Belgium are the most overrated country as somehow ranked 3rd in the world rankings yet they capitulate at every tournament. They were literally knocked out the groups in Qatar and they don’t have the likes of Hazard, Kompany and Lukaku is no longer the powerhouse he used to be. Ukraine, I believe will just have that grit to push through with the war still going on every single one of their players will be well up for it. Slovakia and Romania could finish anywhere I’m essentially just guessing for those two.
Group F:
1st – Portugal
2nd – Turkey
3rd – Czech Republic
4th – Georgia
Georgia will most definitely finish rock bottom of this group as the only star they have is Kvaratskhelia and he’s not even had the best of seasons. Portugal has the quality and their team has a good balance from defence right the way up the pitch so must finish top. The last game of the group pits Turkey and Czech Republic against each other so that could either result in an absolute brawl or could be a boring 0-0 as both teams look to qualify with 4 points.
Round Of 16:
Germany vs Denmark
Switzerland vs Italy
Spain vs Slovakia
England vs Czech Republic
Portugal vs Scotland
Netherlands vs Belgium
Ukraine vs Croatia
France vs Turkey
The knockout stages should provide no shocks, the only result you’d probably query is Ukraine beating Croatia but with Ukraine’s passion and Croatia an aging side I can see Ukraine running ragged on them.
Quarter Final:
Spain vs Germany
Portugal vs Netherlands
Ukraine vs France
England vs Italy
Onto the quarters, this is where I see the hosts dipping out as I think players like Yamal, Pedri and Rodri will shine and against a Germany side who don’t have a quality striker and that if they play each other Germany will not be able to outscore Spain.
Due to my predictions I have Portugal against the Dutch and even though they have Ronaldo I see the end for Portugal as I just see something is not quite right with them even though they have the quality. With Netherlands taking Argentina to penalties in the World Cup they should be able to build on that and knock out Portugal.
The last two quarter finals should be straight forward as much as I hate to say there will be a repeat of Euro 2021 and this time England will outclass Italy and France should be able to beat Ukraine and as much as Ukraine will go on a run, they will not have the ability to get a result against France.
Semi Final:
Spain vs Netherlands
France vs England
Another repeat of a final this time the 2010 world cup final and this is where the Netherlands run comes to an end as Spain will just have that experience in major tournaments over the Dutch and that will help guide them through.
Then the big hitter France vs England where with no Maguire, an injured Shaw and no quality CB partner for Stones I can not see a world in which England’s defence can keep out Mbappe, Griezmann, Giroud, Dembele and all the others. This should be comfortable for France unless there is a Ballon D’or performance from Bellingham.
Final:
Spain vs France
My final pits 3-time winners Spain against 2-time winners France and I have picked France to lift the trophy as they are just the best team with the most all-round squad all with quality and great depth. If Spain get to the final it will fill them with confidence going into the next World Cup and could experience for the youngsters whereas if France don’t get to the final, then it will be a very big disappointment.
The top goal scorer for Euro 2024 will be Kylian Mbappe as he leads France to the trophy and he will also win Player of the Tournament. Now for Young Player of the Tournament will be Lamine Yamal as he comes into the tournament only 16 and has already shone for Spain and Barcelona.
Amato Sports 