My Top Teams at EURO 2024
The Euros begin in Munich tonight, with the hosts, Germany, taking on Scotland in the opening game. Whilst football fans will rejoice in the month-long feast of international matches, we will all be asking the question, can England do it? And if not, who’s taking the trophy?
The majority of bookmakers have England as the favourite, followed by perennial finalists France, hosts Germany, and the ever-stacked Portugal.
I’ve chosen my top three sides for this tournament, alongside a nation that isn’t being favoured, that I believe could make an impact in the later stages.
Portugal
My pick to win the Euros this time around. This squad is absolutely stacked, and would be even if Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t there.
Led by Roberto Martinez, following his time in charge of Belgium, the Portuguez have stars across the board. Joao Cancelo has been one of the best fullbacks in the last four years, he will play alongside Manchester City’s Ruben Dias, fresh off of five trophies in the last two years. In midfield Bruno Fernandes will have free reign, alongside Paris Saint Germain star Vitinho, the attacking quality, just in those two, is unbelievable. Up top, the options are endless for Portugal, from Joao Felix, to Bernardo Silva, to Rafael Leao, all supporting a generational star in Ronaldo. If this team plays just like it has in the qualifying stages, there is not much to stop them.
Portugal finds themselves in a group with Turkey, Georgia and Czech Republic. On paper, this is arguably one of the easiest groups to be in, especially considering form over the last year. Should Martinez’s team win this group, it would also keep them away from sides like England and France (providing they do the same) giving them a strong possibility of making the final.
A lot of times, it takes a good mix of youth and experience, alongside a strong defence to win a tournament. Portugal has that formula right now, and probably the best path to the chosen destination. Put this all together, they will be incredibly hard to stop. They’re my top pick to win the Euros.
France
At this point, the French are inevitable. Finalists in the last two World Cups, winning one, and finalists eight years ago in their home Euros, the French have a stellar team once again.
Didier Deschamps has managed to pick a lot of the players that won that World Cup back in Russia, alongside a lot of new blood, which unsurprisingly is just as good as those omitted.
Within France, Deschamps is often regarded as a defensive coach, and whilst that may be true it has led him to a lot of success. At this tournament, that may be a bit more difficult. Injuries have taken their tole on the options available, and whether Deschamps likes it or not, he has had to pick more attacking options than defensive. Whilst the French coach might not like this, it has allowed the nation to pile up on their attacking option, which make them a whole different animal.
Going forward the team is led by Real Madrid new boy Kylian Mbappe, Inter’s Marcus Thuram and ever-present Antoine Griezmann. The midfield is filled with solid players including Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Aureliem Tchouameni, and a player who Deschamps will need to play his heart out, the recalled N’Golo Kante.
The French will be there in the latter stages, that is without question. The question that is there, is if Kante can hold that more attacking defensive unit together, and allow the superstars like Mbappe, take France to the title.
A more difficult task for the French this time round, but with the combination they have, it is impossible to not have them as one of the favourites.
England
Yes, I’m doing it. I’m going there. My final favourite, is England.
Like any England fan, I have my doubts about our nation, but for the purposes of this they are on hold. It is impossible to ignore the level of talent that will wear an England shirt this summer, alongside the form of the players, and the mixture of tournament experience, they have to be in this conversation.
Whilst injuries may have turned Gareth Southgate’s hand in choosing more attackers, it has left the England boss with an embarrassment of riches going forward. From Cole Palmer to Bukayo Saka, to Phil Foden, all with Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane in the middle, going forward this team should set others alight. In midfield, whilst young, is full of talent, with Declan Rice, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s wand of foot, alongside golden boy Jude Bellingham. There are question marks at the back, but the likes of John Stones and Kyle Walker add experience and top-level quality.
Form works against England, as does a difficult group and path to the final. Despite this, the England team is full of quality, optimism and a manager, in spite of everything, has taken them to a final before.
As an England fan, I see it as a long shot, but pundits are right to have England up there. If we can put it all together, it could be time.
Netherlands
The Dutch are my wildcard for the Euros this year. Whilst they took a late hit, losing Frenkie de Jong last week, Ronald Koeman boasts a wealth of exciting young and experienced talent.
Matthias de Ligt, Nathan Ake and Virgil van Dijk offer top-level quality at the back. Xavi Simons is an x-factor in midfield, alongside the likes of Denzel Dumfries and AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders. Up top, you have the likes of seasoned veterans like Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo, with 23-year-old Joshua Zirkzee coming in after helping Bologna to a Champions League place.
The Netherlands have a well-balanced group even without de Jong, and had a strong qualifying campaign, only losing to France. Their group might contain the latter opponents once again, but Poland and Austria are teams Koeman would expect to beat.
Look out for the Dutch to maybe make a stir, and prove some doubters wrong this tournament.
