The UEFA European Championship 2024, also known as Euro 2024, is shaping up to be an exciting tournament with a number of strong contenders vying for the title. As French national team player Antoine Griezmann noted, “I think there are several favourites. Germany is one of them, they are playing at home. Then there is the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, Spain, England… There are a lot of strong teams. This championship is going to be really intense.”
The French national team will have to prove their place among the favourites on the pitch, with Griezmann acknowledging that "our game depends on ourselves, we have to show on the pitch that we are among the favourites, and the rest will depend on luck." Interestingly, the final will be played on July 14, a public holiday in France for Bastille Day.
The tournament will take place in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024. The French team will be placed in Group D, where they will face Poland, the Netherlands and Austria. The defending champion is Italy, who beat England in a thrilling final at Euro 2020 (1-1, Italy winning 3-2 on penalties).
Beyond the chances of the French team, the tournament as a whole promises to be very competitive. Germany, as the host nation, will be looking to lift the trophy on home soil. The Dutch, Croatia, Italy, Spain and England all have impressive squads and will be aiming to dethrone the reigning champions.
The depth of talent across Europe makes predicting the winner incredibly difficult. Several teams can claim to be favourites, with form, fitness and a bit of luck likely to be deciding factors in the outcome of the competition. Fans across the continent are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a gripping and unpredictable European Championship.
One wild card could be the emergence of a lesser-known team that enters a tournament that is as long as expected. Teams like Denmark, Belgium or even an outsider like Switzerland or Serbia are hoping to spring a surprise and upset some of the continent's heavyweights. The beauty of international football is its ability to create surprises and upsets that can turn a tournament on its head.
Ultimately, Euro 2024 promises to be a festival of football, showcasing the best of European football. Neutral supporters will be hoping for a high-quality, exciting championship that will live long in the memory, while passionate fans of each competing nation will be rooting for their team to claim continental glory. Here’s to June 2024!
