The seventeenth version of the UEFA European Championship takes place this Summer time, with the match extra broadly often called “Euro 2024” going down in Germany throughout ten beautiful venues.
The occasion will kick off on June 14th with the hosts Germany taking over Scotland within the opening contest. A complete of 51 matches will happen in whole, with the ultimate performed on July 14th on the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
The final match was performed in 2021, with Italy beating hosts England on penalties within the closing at Wembley Stadium in a memorable closing.
How Does The Match Work?
Twenty-four qualifying groups are break up into six teams of 4 groups, with every enjoying the opposite as soon as, for a complete of three matches apiece. The group winner and runner-up progress to the subsequent spherical, whereas 4 third-placed groups with one of the best information, will undergo to the knock-out stage.
Within the knock-out stage, groups play one-off fixtures, with additional time and penalties deciding a winner, if the scores are tied. We proceed the knock-out stage till the ultimate two stay, with these sides battling it out to turn out to be champions of Europe.
Who Are The Contenders?
Utilizing knowledge from a variety of UK Bookmakers (Learn extra right here), 5 nations can be thought-about as real Euro 2024 contenders for the title.
England
The main candidate in accordance with sports activities betting odds are England, with the Three Lions trying to go one higher than they did within the final match, having misplaced to Italy. The comparatively younger crew have grown in stature over the previous couple of years, with captain Harry Kane persevering with his goalscoring feats, whereas the emergence of Jude Bellingham as one of many world’s prime gamers solely makes the aspect stronger.
France
The more than likely challenger seems to be France, who’re second favourites to win the title. The aspect missed out on profitable the World Cup in 2022 and will likely be trying to make amends by profitable Euro 2024.
Les Bleus fundamental star is after all Kylian Mbappe, one of the crucial recognisable gamers on the planet and star for PSG, nonetheless a powerful supporting case together with Antoine Griezmann and Eduardo Camavinga solely provides to the impressiveness of the French aspect, one which will likely be robust to beat.
Germany
Subsequent up are the hosts, Germany. “Die Mannschaft” have had the posh of not needing to qualify, because of its internet hosting dedication, however type has not been supreme during the last 12 months or so, with stunning defeats to Colombia, Japan, Austria and Turkey in that point.
The crew goes by one thing of a transitional interval, as older gamers retire and new stars look to mattress in, however it’s hoped that the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Leon Goretzka can galvanise the hosts and lead the nation to victory.
Spain
Spain are one other crew anticipated to go far within the match and like Germany, “La Furia Roja” is slowly constructing momentum after a flurry of worldwide retirements lately.
Luis De La Fuente’s crew eased to the highest spot in qualification, though they did endure a loss away to Scotland, so there’s room for enchancment. Nonetheless, any crew with the gifted Gavi and Rodri in midfield will certainly be within the combine.
Portugal
The final of the “huge 5” is Portugal, with the “Seleção das Quinas” nonetheless dominated by one Cristiano Ronaldo. The legendary star possibly 39 years previous, however his affect and skill know no bounds.
It might be unfair to name this a Ronaldo crew, with Roberto Martinez additionally having the likes of Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias at his disposal, but when CR7 can carry out, Portugal ought to go very far.
Darkish Horses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG5u1uurPik
A “darkish horse” can describe an individual(s) who has a stunning potential or ability that was beforehand hidden or not acknowledged/revered. A well-known darkish horse in soccer historical past is Greece, which surprisingly gained the 2004 UEFA European Championship, beating hosts Portugal.
May we’ve got one other potential shock on our palms in Euro 2024?
Now I don’t notably imagine we’re going to see a monumental shock as in 2004, however there are a few nations who’ve flattered to deceive lately, which will simply come up trumps in Germany.
Belgium are no doubt one of many greatest disappointments lately, with the “golden technology” of gamers failing to dwell as much as the mantle. A third place on the 2018 World Cup is all of the aspect has to indicate for it up to now, however may this 12 months be any totally different?
Neighbours, the Netherlands are a aspect that has the load of historical past and expectation on their shoulders however have struggled since ending third within the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. A crew with a really robust backline led by Virgil Van Dijk has the potential to go far, however the lack of firepower going ahead might be their downfall.
And at last, we come to the present champions, Italy. It’s slightly unfair to name them darkish horses, contemplating they maintain the Henri Delaunay Trophy going into the match, however after profitable in 2021, most of the Azzurri gamers retired from worldwide soccer, leaving a giant hole to fill. Supervisor, Luciano Spalletti has a giant activity on his palms to retain the title, however may they as soon as once more elevate the well-known trophy?
Will Euro 2024 Be On TV?
Soccer protection is now huge enterprise, with many competitions promoting unique rights to indicate the respective matches, corresponding to UEFA Champions League or Premier League matches, however are you able to watch Euro 2024 on common TV channels?
The reply is sure! Fortunately, like its predecessors Euro 2024 will likely be proven throughout the vast majority of home free-to-air channels around the globe, which means followers can watch their star gamers and watch the motion unfold.
The final European Championship noticed an estimated viewership of 328 million again in 2021 and that determine might be overwhelmed this Summer time.
