Euro 2024 speaking factors: Most spectacular groups and predictions

Euro 2024 is right down to the ultimate 16 groups, as eight are headed residence after an thrilling group stage. We mentioned goodbye to Albania, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Scotland, Serbia and Ukraine, however we are able to all get pleasure from one other 4 rounds of fixtures earlier than the winner is topped on July 14.

Up to now, the match in has been stuffed with surprises, however what has stood out? Which groups have impressed (or not), and what can we count on from a bracket that has a lot of the top-ranked groups (France vs. Belgium; Spain vs. Georgia; Germany vs. Denmark; Portugal vs. Slovenia) on one aspect and a extra open really feel (Switzerland vs. Italy, England vs. Slovakia; Romania vs. Netherlands; Austria vs. Turkey) on the opposite?

We requested ESPN FC’s writers on the match what they’ve manufactured from issues to this point now we’re heading into the spherical of 16 on Saturday.

What’s been the very best factor concerning the Euros to this point?

Gab Marcotti: This appears like a real match, and never like the truth TV present set that Qatar was (and, to a lesser diploma, Russia 2018), with followers showing as extras. Due to geography, the match can be much more accessible. On the pitch, lots of the video games have been tight and within the stability till the ultimate moments, which makes a pleasant change from what we see week in, week out in membership soccer. And our German hosts have been terribly welcoming.

Mark Ogden: The large numbers of followers. The European nations have been backed by unusually small numbers in current main tournaments — Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 and the pandemic-impacted Euro 2020 — so it has been a return to the times of massive influxes of supporters. Germany’s location on the coronary heart of Europe, and the truth that eight nations at Euro 2024 border the nation, has allowed for large travelling contingents. Surprising color from Romania, Albania and Turkey has additionally been an enormous optimistic.

James Olley: The atmospheres and the absence of politics. Earlier than the 2018 World Cup, there was concern about safety and Russia’s relationship with the West. The final Euros had been delayed by a yr and nonetheless closely affected by COVID-19. And the 2022 World Cup in Qatar raised severe human rights questions that solid a shadow over every thing that occurred on the sphere. All three tournaments weren’t properly attended by followers because of this and, in that context, what a refreshing change Germany is. It genuinely feels just like the wondrous blur of tradition and color that these main occasions ought to be.

Rob Dawson: How open the match is. A number of the favourites like England and France have struggled, and there are darkish horse contenders within the spherical of 16 similar to Austria, Turkey and Switzerland. Every crew to make it out of the teams will really feel there’s a reliable probability to succeed in the semifinals and past.

Julien Laurens: The ambiance in stadiums. In all places I’ve been, it has been wonderful. Even on TV, it sounds wonderful. Each group of followers have raised their video games. Scotland’s had been nice, as all the time after they qualify, but in addition these from Turkey, Georgia, Albania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Croatia … even the French have been good. It has been stuffed with color, face portray, chanting, leaping, smiling and crying.

Sam Marsden: I agree that it is clearly the ambiance created by Scotland, Albania, Georgia, Turkey, Croatia and others. However simply to be totally different, I’ve loved the mx of kids and veterans. Spain’s Lamine Yamal turned the youngest participant to ever characteristic within the finals, at 16; Portugal’s Pepê the oldest at 41. Croatia’s Luka Modric turned the oldest-ever objective scorer at 38, whereas Germany’s Jamal Musiala and Turkey’s Arda Güler have delivered among the group stage’s finest moments at 21 and 19, respectively.

Tom Hamilton: It has been a match the place followers have blended brilliantly throughout Germany. Supporters from Romania, Slovakia, Austria and Denmark that I noticed all loved spending time with the Scotland followers, and greeted them with their very own model of “No Scotland, no celebration.” As we head into the knockout levels, you might have just a few acquainted names within the combine to win all of it, however the match is extremely open.

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Hamburg turns orange as Dutch followers get the celebration began

Dutch followers have a good time on the streets of Hamburg forward of their first Euro 2024 recreation.

What’s been the worst factor concerning the Euros to this point?

Marsden: The pitch invasions. Each recreation I’ve been to has seen safety breached, briefly halting the matches, typically on a number of events. Portugal’s video games have been hit hardest as a result of Cristiano Ronaldo impact. Six supporters tried to get to him through the Turkey recreation. After the Georgia match, one other fan launched themselves from the stands, falling down the tunnel. It is harmful.

Olley: I’ve all the time tried to not publicly complain about journey at tournaments as a result of as journalists, we’re all privileged to be there. Like many others, I’ve had some dangerous luck with the trains — attending to and from Gelsenkirchen for England’s first recreation specifically — however let’s concentrate on the soccer, so I will say the match format. It is the identical as at Euro 2020, however no much less irritating: it’s farcical that groups have to attend for generally days to know who they’re taking part in within the spherical of 16 or in the event that they’ve even certified. UEFA ought to return to 16 groups, however clearly cash talks right here, so a minimum of after they inevitably go to 32 groups, we are able to dispense with this 4 “finest third-place finishers” nonsense.

Hamilton: Like James, I’ve to agree that among the transport has been shambolic, and that the purgatory that groups are put in after ending the group stage is nonsense. Having third-place finishers undergo eliminates among the jeopardy. The truth that that Ukraine exit on 4 factors when some groups qualify on three is certainly farcical.

Laurens: Personally, every thing has been nice for me, so I haven’t got a worst factor. Leaving the Veltins Area in Gelsenkirchen after Spain vs. Italy was a little bit of a mission, however the Spanish followers in my tram saved singing so it was cool. The trains have been good for me; entry to stadiums too. The video games I’ve coated had good tales and I’ve seen nice targets, I’ve seen the Masked Participant [Kylian Mbappé] in motion, and excellent atmospheres. Berlin is a superb metropolis. I had simply forgotten how huge Germany is, particularly after the Qatar World Cup, so these practice journeys are nice however lengthy.

Dawson: What UEFA are doing contained in the stadiums earlier than kick-off. Juls is true; the ambiance created by the followers is likely one of the finest issues on the match, so there is no want for stadium sound methods to blast out ’90s dance classics to get everybody within the temper. Flip off the loud audio system and let the supporters construct the ambiance.

Marcotti: I believe among the greater names have not actually stood out but, although that does not actually trouble me that a lot … it is an opportunity to see others shine and are available to the fore. And among the logistics have not been nice at sure stadiums, however that is a minor grievance. Truthfully, there hasn’t been a lot to moan about in any respect and even those that complain concerning the format are reasonably lacking the purpose. These finest third-place groups nonetheless make for drama. Go to 16 groups and it means quite a few nations won’t ever qualify for a serious match in generations; go to 32 and also you make all of qualifying just about irrelevant (at which level you would possibly as properly scrap it and simply increase Nations League.) It is a compromise. Reside with it.

Ogden: The centre-forwards. Bear in mind them? They was the blokes who scored the targets and claimed all of the glory, but it surely’s been a grim competitors for the likes of Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Robert Lewandowski and others. The final time the Euros had been held in Germany, in 1988, the match was made memorable by the gorgeous targets and performances of the Dutch nice Marco van Basten. There is no signal of a brand new Van Basten but.

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Why Georgia qualifying for the knockout stage is a ‘great story’

Shaka Hislop recaps Georgia’s gorgeous 2-0 win over Portugal that sees them qualify for the spherical of 16 at Euro 2024.

Which crew have impressed you most?

Dawson: Georgia. They do not have quite a lot of possession, however they nonetheless discover a manner of taking part in front-foot, attacking soccer. Their video games in Germany are sometimes pure chaos. They defend aggressively, and after they win the ball again, it is like an Olympic dash into the opposite penalty space. They’re nearly like a throwback crew from a bygone period, and it is nice leisure.

Laurens: Georgia! I ran into their supervisor, Willy Sagnol, in Munich final month earlier than a Champions League recreation. He advised me that they might shock Europe. They usually have! I knew he was making them stable, hard-working and stuffed with confidence, however I did not assume they might get out of their group. They’ve, they usually have the very best goalkeeper of the match in Giorgi Mamardashvili and the highest objective scorer in Georges Mikautadze. What an unbelievable story.

Olley: Georgia are rightly being highlighted by the others, so I will say Austria. They topped a gaggle that seemed notably daunting given it contained France and Netherlands, however that was no fluke. Their relentless press and aggression will make them a match for anybody within the knockouts — they will beat Turkey and have already overwhelmed the Dutch, their doable quarterfinal opponents. And I am happy for head coach Ralf Rangnick, whose repute was unfairly maligned at Manchester United.

Hamilton: Georgia have been field workplace and great to look at and whereas I liked watching the primary 23 seconds of Albania scoring in opposition to Italy, general I’ve to say Austria. Rangnick has completed a superb job there and they’re contenders for the trophy. They got here into the match with a quiet confidence and are delivering. No crew will wish to play them.

Marcotti: Austria seem like a membership aspect, and I say that as a praise. Worldwide soccer would not actually lend itself to classy techniques as a result of coaches need to work with what’s out there they usually haven’t got that a lot time on the coaching pitch. However Rangnick has made Austria greater than the sum of its components, which is basically uncommon at this degree.

Ogden: Switzerland, simply forward of Austria. The Swiss are a harmful crew within the so-called weaker half of the draw as a result of they’re stable on the again, skilled in midfield and have younger and hungry expertise up entrance. Murat Yakin’s crew simply shade it forward of Austria, however they’ve additionally been spectacular.

Marsden: Spain. There have been query marks about La Roja pre-tournament. Only a few individuals had them down because the outright favourites, however they had been the very best crew via the group stage with three wins from three. What’s extra, they’re thrilling to look at with the unpredictably added by Nico Williams and Yamal.

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Why struggling England are nonetheless Euro 2024 favourites

Frank Leboeuf assesses England’s hopes within the knockout levels of Euro 2024.

Which crew have underwhelmed?

Ogden: England. Completely woeful. Different groups have underperformed, however none went into the match with as a lot hype as England. On paper, with a squad of such expertise, England ought to have breezed via their group and now be relishing a seemingly simple path to the ultimate. However Gareth Southgate’s gamers have turn out to be manner lower than the sum of their components. They have been dismal and boring.

Olley: France did not win their group and Belgium seemed common, but it surely needs to be England given the opponents they confronted. Southgate has taken the crew on throughout his eight years in cost, however merely has to get extra out of such a gifted group of attacking gamers. With the knockout rounds now upon us, his margin for error has gone.

Laurens: I’ll go away the English gamers to settle their rating with Southgate, so I’ll choose Belgium. They’ve been a humiliation to their nation. 4 factors of their group is a shame for a crew of their calibre, and with the gamers they’ve. Domenico Tedesco has been clueless to this point on this match.

Dawson: England? France? Belgium? Netherlands? Take your choose. Serbia shall be dissatisfied to be going residence early. There was a great probability to get out of Group C, however regardless of having Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic and Luka Jovic within the squad, they solely managed one objective in three video games and completed backside.

Hamilton: Denmark vs. Serbia was one of many dullest matches I’ve seen. And with Denmark heading via, it is Serbia who I believe go residence dissatisfied. They’ve good attacking expertise of their crew, however by no means managed to place collectively a efficiency which did justice to the sum of their components.

Marsden: Given it is more durable to succeed in the spherical of 16 than not, Croatia massively underperformed by crashing out within the group stage, even when they had been paired with Spain and Italy. The trio of England, France and Belgium have all been beneath par, too, however will get a shot at redemption, which Croatia won’t. Will that be it for Modric at main tournaments? He shall be 40 by the following World Cup.

Marcotti: Many of the pre-tournament favorites have been underwhelming, apart from Spain. England and France have attained nice outcomes by taking part in the type of soccer we have seen within the match, so I assume that is a mitigating issue for Southgate and Deschamps to a point, however they have been unimpressive.

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Are Spain the crew to beat at Euro 2024?

Julien Laurens has excessive reward for Spain as they proceed to impress after beating Albania 1-0.

The knockout bracket could be very one-sided, which groups do you count on to succeed in the ultimate and raise the trophy?

Marcotti: It is nonetheless fairly large open and something can occur … it is match soccer, in any case. Germany have a extremely robust run to the ultimate, and I am undecided concerning the age and depth of the squad, so I would lean in the direction of France (or Spain of their half of the bracket.) Within the backside half, it is not nice in any respect, however England have the best margin of enchancment, I assume. So how about France (or Spain) beating England within the remaining? (Until England beat themselves first, that’s.)

Ogden: I am going for a Germany vs. Netherlands remaining, with Germany to win it. I do not assume Germany are the very best crew, however they’ve residence benefit and have Musiala and Florian Wirtz as match winners. The Dutch have not impressed me in any respect, however their path to the ultimate is one which they may regard as a transparent path. They’ll beat Romania after which construct up a head of steam. In the event that they meet Germany within the remaining, it is going to be a basic match.

Olley: They’ve not been nice however my pre-tournament prediction was France so I’ve to stay with them, although Germany and notably Spain look in ominous type. I might wish to imagine England will enhance, however it’s onerous proper now to say with any confidence they will beat, say, Slovakia, Italy and Netherlands taking part in like they’ve. I will go for Netherlands to lose to France within the remaining.

Dawson: Within the high half of the draw, Spain and Germany have been most spectacular. If Germany can edge their potential quarterfinal, they may fancy their probabilities of reaching the ultimate. There’s a chance for a shock contender to return via the underside half; both Austria or Turkey, who meet within the spherical of 16. I believe Austria will edge it, attain the ultimate, after which lose to Germany.

Hamilton: I agree with Rob, I believe we’ll find yourself seeing a Germany-Austria remaining. Like many, I went for France pre-tournament, however as James is sticking, I will twist. Germany are dealing with the strain of being hosts brilliantly, and have the very best participant within the match to this point in Musiala. Austria are constructing properly underneath Rangnick and are on the beneficial aspect of the draw. I believe they will come via their half, after which in the end fall simply quick to the hosts within the remaining.

Laurens: Large groups are going to lift their video games now. The group stage is a little bit of enjoyable, however the actual match begins now. So I count on the likes of France, England, Belgium and Netherlands to play higher. You see the good groups step up when it issues probably the most. France are going to beat Netherlands within the remaining, and Mbappé, with out his masks, will raise the trophy, 40 years after Michel Platini.

Marsden: Anybody can beat anybody within the high half of the draw, however I’ll go for France vs. Spain within the backside semifinal and the winner of the match coming from that recreation. As for who they may meet within the remaining, going in opposition to all logic gleaned from performances to this point, it seems like the trail is opening up for England.