With the 2024 European Championships on the horizon, the buzz around favoured teams to clinch the championship is gaining momentum. As soccer enthusiasts eagerly await the tournament, the question of who will emerge as the top contenders hangs in the air. The Euros has a storied tradition of delivering thrilling moments, and this edition promises to be no different. In this article, we’ll look at the teams currently seen as favorites, unravelling the key factors that contribute to their status and what challenges they might face on the road to Euro glory.
What is the 2024 Euros
The European Championship, commonly known as the Euros, is a prestigious international soccer tournament that brings together the finest men’s national teams from Europe. Organized by UEFA, this highly anticipated competition occurs once every four years. This year’s tournament will be hosted in Germany, tied as the best-performing nation in this competition, with 3 European Championships under their belt.
Looking ahead to Euro 2024, the tournament will showcase 24 teams. Initially, these teams will be divided into six segments or groups, each with four teams in it. Within these groups, every team will play against the others once. The two teams that top the table from each group go to the knockout round. Teams finishing in 3rd place will be ranked based on points and goal difference, with the top four proceeding to the knockout stages. Once in the knockout stages, teams will strive to progress from the round of 16 to the quarter-finals, then the semi-finals, culminating in the grand final.
The Euros is always a great opportunity for sports betting fans due to the high quantity of high-quality fixtures for them to bet on. Furthermore, it is also a great opportunity for matched betting fans as there are many fixtures and an increased betting exchange market.
Where Will the Upcoming Euros be Hosted
As we have previously mentioned the upcoming 2024 Euros will take place in Germany across many major cities. The cities where these matches will be hosted include Berlin, Munich, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Gelsenkirchen, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne, and Leipzig. This is the second time the tournament will be hosted in Germany after they won the vote against Turkey to hold the competition this year.
France
France goes into this competition as favourites alongside England. France was one of the finalists in the most recent 2022 World Cup, where their star player, Kylian Mbappe, won the Golden Boot with 7 goals across the tournament. This year, they are natural favourites due to their previous tournament experience and incredible pool of talent. They have incredible players such as Mbappe, Griezmann, Tchouanemi, Camavinga, Giroud, and much more.
They currently have odds of 7/2 to win the Euro 2024, and we do not see this changing as France are one of the most dominant European soccer nations.
England
As we mentioned, France has tied favourites alongside England. England lost to France in the quarter-finals of the previous World Cup and made it to the final of the previous Euros. Gareth Southgate, despite not being a fan favourite, has consistently guided England deep into these international competitions. Now, with a squad that is better than ever, their chances of finally winning a trophy look good. Their squad features many players, such as Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, John Stones and many more.
In the bookmakers, they share odds of 7/2 with France.
Germany
Germany has been an underwhelming force in international soccer by its own standards in recent years. Their squad has lacked the quality necessary to compete in the big competitions over the years; however, this could change for the better this year. Not only is the competition hosted by them, which will provide them with the home advantage, but they also have a very strong squad with players such as Rudiger, Musiala, Havertz, Muller, Gundogan, Goretzka, Kimmich and more.
They currently have odds of 6/1 to win the Euro 2024 in the bookmakers.
Spain
Spain is quite similar to Germany in that they are a team with many international trophies that have previously dominated on the European stage. However, since their golden generation passed, they have struggled to build a team with sufficient quality. With this being said, they are still one of the stronger teams in this competition, and they play some amazing soccer. Key players of theirs include Pau Torres, Daniel Carvajal, Rodri, Gavi, Pedri, and Alvaro Morata.
The bookmakers currently value Spain’s chances of winning at 7/1.
Portugal
Portugal is a team that consistently holds some of the greatest players in the world while also lacking squad depth to back them up. This year, however, their team looks amazing, with some of the strongest squad depth in the competition. If Portugal can put in consistent performances, then this could be the year they regain the European Championship since their last win in 2016. Their star players include Ruben Dias, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the bookies, they are valued at 8/1 to win the European Championships.
Summary
Regardless of who wins, this tournament promises to be a spectacle of skill, passion, and unbridled competition. Whether it’s the perennial powerhouses, the rising stars, or the dark horses poised for a surprise, the battle for European soccer supremacy is set to captivate audiences worldwide. As the teams prepare to clash and make history, the stage is set for unforgettable moments that will etch themselves into soccer history.
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