2023-12-03 02:07:45
With just over six months to go before kick-off, Euro 2024, which takes place in Germany from June 14 to July 14, is starting to take shape. This Saturday, the draw for the group stage was made in Hamburg and formalized the first big posters for this competition. Spain will face Italy in particular, while France will challenge the Netherlands. Here is a summary of the different groups.
Group A: Germany-Scotland opener
Automatically qualified as host country, Germany was waiting to know its opponent for the opening match of the competition, on June 14 in Munich. The draw designated Scotland as the first opponent. A trap match given the good qualifying campaign of the Scots, who notably eliminated Erling Haaland’s Norway. Switzerland and Hungary complete this group A, solid but affordable for all the teams. The Swiss, who surprised the Blues in the round of 16 of the last Euro, are always there during major competitions.
Group B: the group of death
This is the strongest group in this Euro 2024. All the favorites feared facing Italy, placed in pot 4, during this group stage. It was ultimately Spain who inherited the title holder. The two teams will face each other on June 20 in Gelsenkirchen in their second match, a meeting which could already be decisive. Croatia and Albania are added to these two big names to create the group of death, quite uncertain even if Albania leaves a little late.
Group C: England the big favorite
Imperial during the qualifiers, during which they beat Italy and Ukraine, England did well this Saturday. The English will notably face Denmark, the pleasant surprise of the last Euro, which has fallen slightly into line for three years. The Serbs and Slovenes will also stand in the way of the Three Lions, who reached the final in 2021, at home at Wembley. However, they lost in the final against Italy after a cruel penalty shootout.
Group D: a big piece for the Blues
Three years after inheriting the group of death, with Germany, Portugal and Hungary, France feared being in the same boat. The draw for this Euro 2024 was ultimately more lenient. The Blues will still have to come up against the Netherlands, two teams who have already faced each other in the qualifiers, with two victories for Didier Deschamps’ men (4-0 and 1-2). Austria is the third member of this group, while the fourth is not yet known. It will be the winner of the play-off between Poland, Estonia, Wales and Finland.
Group E: Belgium serene
This is probably the weakest group of this Euro 2024. Very lucky in this draw, Belgium is the clear favorite against Romania and Slovakia. However, the last opponent is not yet known since it will also be the winner of a play-off. Israel, Iceland, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ukraine will compete for this last place. Behind the Belgians, qualification for the round of 16 seems very open since no nation really stands out.
Group F: Portugal well above
Like Belgium, Portugal should have no trouble qualifying for the round of 16. Roberto Martinez’s men will still have to get rid of Turkey, the Czech Republic and the last winner of the play-off, which will be played between Georgia, Luxembourg, Greece and Kazakhstan. Authors of a flawless performance during the qualifying phase, the Portuguese should take this first stage calmly. Behind, the race for the round of 16 promises to be intense.
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