2024 European Championship Draw Results and Reaction
The draw for the 2024 European Championship has been completed. There are some very exciting groups set to play in Germany next summer. Three teams are still left to qualify through one of the three playoff paths that will take place in March. However, we now know where the other 21 qualified teams are placed. So, let’s dig into the six groups for Euro 2024 that will kick off on June 14 and go until the final on July 14.
Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
The hosts, Germany, get themselves a very manageable group. Despite going out in the group stage of the last two World Cups and the Round of 16 in Euro 2020, they should run through this group with relative ease. This is a massive tournament for the new generation of German stars such as 20-year-old Jamal Musiala while this may also be the final tournament for the OG’s Thomas Muller, Mats Hummels and Manuel Neuer.
Besides the hosts, Hungary won their group in qualifying while Scotland and Switzerland both finished second. Scotland started 2023 out with five consecutive wins including wins over Spain and Norway. However, they have now gone winless in their last five, which is not the form you want to bring into a major tournament. Hungary went unbeaten in Euro 2024 qualifying but does not seem to strike fear despite a dangerous attack led by Dominik Szoboszlai and Barnabás Varga who each scored four goals in qualifying.
As far as the Swiss team goes, qualifying could have been better, but they still managed to just edge out Israel despite winning just one of their final seven qualifying matches. Do not let them fool you, as this is a very experienced team that made the quarterfinals four years ago.
Prediction: 1) Germany, 2) Switzerland, 3) Scotland, 4) Hungary
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
This might be the Group of Death with three of the last four European Championship winners. Italy won Euro 2020, while Spain won both Euro 2008 and 2012. Those two teams alone make this a group worth watching. Throw a Croatia side that made the semifinals of the last two World Cups into the mix and this group has three possible winners. If Luka Modric does play this will more than likely mark the end of his impressive international career.
Then there is Albania. This is just the second major tournament the small nation has ever qualified for following Euro 2016. It will be an uphill battle for them, but crazier things have happened.
Predictions: 1) Spain, 2) Croatia, 3) Italy, 4) Albania
Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
This seems like a relatively straightforward group for an England side looking to redeem themselves after their Euro 2020 loss in the final against Italy. Jude Bellingham has looked like the best midfielder on the planet this season and Harry Kane has been proving he can score outside of the Premier League. Denmark made the semifinal four years ago but lost to England in a controversial extra-time match.
To make this group more interesting Slovenia and Denmark were in the same group for qualification for the 2024 European Championship. The two drew 1-1 in Slovenia before the Danes won 2-1 at home. Serbia is a sneaky team that has never qualified for the Euros since becoming independent in 2006. They have a promising attack that could be enough to propel them into the knockout stage.
Prediction: 1) England, 2) Denmark, 3) Serbia, 4) Slovenia
Group D: Playoff Path A Winner, Netherlands, Austria, France
Along with Group B, this is one of the more stacked groups, especially depending on who gets out of the playoff path A. That playoff involves Wales, Finland, Poland and Estonia. Otherwise, it seems likely that France and the Netherlands will advance as the top two. Similarly to Denmark and Slovenia, these two were also in the same group for qualifying. France won both of those matches 4-0 and 2-1. Kylian Mbappe is still one of the world’s best players and could propel France to a deep run.
Austria qualified second in their group. They do not look to have much of a real chance against France or the Netherlands but could sneak into the round of 16 as one of the four best third-place teams.
Predictions: 1) France, 2) Netherlands, 3) Playoff Winner, 4) Austria
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Playoff Path B Winner
Belgium is approaching the end of their “golden generation” and this may be one final shot for them to win a major tournament. Romelu Lukaku was the highest goalscorer in qualifying with 14 goals. Romania finished Euro 2024 qualification atop their group and unbeaten. Slovakia only dropped two matches in their qualifying group.
It will be interesting to see who comes out of playoff path B. That consists of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Israel and Iceland.
Predictions: 1) Belgium, 2) Romania, 3) Slovakia, 4) Playoff Winner
Group F: Turkey, Playoff Path C Winner, Portugal, Czech Republic
The only team to win all of their qualifying matches was Portugal. They went 10-0-0 while outsourcing their opposition 36-2. With Cristiano Ronaldo anything is possible and it seems like this group will run through the Portuguese. Turkey also won their group but had the second-fewest points by a group winner in the 2024 European Championship qualifying stage.
The Czech Republic lost just one match in 2023, but it ended up being the difference between winning their Euro 2024 qualifying group and finishing second behind Albania. They have a relatively young team that will be interesting to watch.
The playoff path C is the worst of the three playoffs. It is made up of Georgia, Luxembourg, Greece and Kazakhstan. Only Greece has ever qualified for a major tournament but has not done so since qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
Prediction
1) Portugal, 2) Turkey, 3) Czech Republic, 4) Playoff Winner
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