Every competition has favourites to emerge victorious and presently, European countries boast some of the most exciting talents to rule the planet, but only one Champion will be crowned, when it comes to a certain competition and the European Championship is not an exemption.
Portugal are the defending champions after winning in 2016. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Torcedores.com
Back in 2012, the then UEFA president, Michel Platini said that the tournament will be hosted in several nations as a “romantic” one-off event to celebrate the 60th “birthday” of the European Championship competition, and now, it will be held in 11 nations.
Azerbaijan, Denmark, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Scotland and Spain are the host nations of this summer’s edition after the competition was postponed last summer due to the COVID-19, it however retain the name Euro 2020.
A lot has changed with the teams and players as of last summer. However, to the heartbreak of some standout performers last summer, they are not so fortunate to be in a position to be selected for the competition, this summer due to different reasons.
Dutch defender, Virgil van Dijk for instance, and a host of Real Madrid players in the Spanish National Team, Sergio Ramos included. Trent Alexander Arnold’s injury and Danny Ings not in contention for England. French striker, Anthony Martial also become of victim of injury and lack of form.
Spain captain Sergio Ramos was not included in the squad for Euros. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Mirror Football
However, it is good news for the likes of Karim Benzema, Thomas Müller, Mats Hummels, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Thuram, Ben White, Aymeric Laporte and other players, who have been selected for the tournament, when last year they stood no chance.
With every nation now have chosen their squad for the tournament apart from standby players who could replace the injured ones, we take a look at how balanced is the books of some of the top guns, who are also favourites to win the tournament.
According to stats perform AI model, carried out by The Analyst, world champions, France are the favourites to win this tournament by 20.5% while Belgium are not far behind in second, taking 15.7% of the chances. While the likes of Spain, Germany, Portugal and Italy follow suit.
Indeed, Les Blues are blessed with glistering talents. The likes of Kylian Mbappe, N’Golo Kanté, Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann to mention but a few are world class. The recalling of Karim Benzema gives them yet another strength, and surely they will be looking to make it three European Championships, adding to the two they won back in 1984 and 2000.
Karim Benzema has been recalled to the French NT squad for the first time since 2015. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ
Another team to watch out for is the Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri. The Italian have never lost a game since September 2018, and are also yet to concede since October last year. Currently on an eight match winning run by an aggregate of 25-0, it might be just the perfect year to add to their only Champions, won in 1968.
The Belgian Red Devil’s have never won the European Championship and might have no better chance to win it than now. Boasting the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Youri Tielemans and several other stars, even with Eden Hazard not the player he was, they got a lot of players to cover.
In the last edition of the competition, their elimination was a disappointment, after losing 3-1 to Wales in the quarter final. This time, they will hope to have learnt their lesson and go one better than their best run in the competition, a second place finish in 1980.
The Three Lions of England have not been ruthless in their most recent games with narrow wins against Poland, Austria and Romania but they have the firepowers to propel them to Euro glory.
Lots of youngsters are making waves and having made it into the squad will be looking to make a name for themselves. Jadon Sancho, Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Bukoyo Saka among others were exceptional in the concluded season, with captain Harry Kane scooping both top scorer and playmaker awards in the league.
Bukayo Saka celebrates his winner for England vs. Austria with Jude Bellingham. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ
Should they all continue that form in the Euros, the Three Lions will take some beating for the main prize.
Defending champions, Portugal, like other countries now have almost an entirely different squad from the ones that won the Euros for them in France back in 2016. Younger, more promising and great players, surely this is a better set of players than the ones in last Euros.
However, they will be hopeful for the luck of their National heroes in other to achieve the same after the conclusion of the tournament later, next month.
Since Ronald Koeman’s departure, things have not been so well with The Netherlands Orange. But Frank de Boer side have come to life recently, losing in just one of their last 10 games.
The mercurial form of Barcelona target Memphis Depay has also been a significant boost for them, with the player contributing to 10 goals in his last seven games for the team. Holland’s success at the Euros will surely be more about the 27 year old’s performance.
Memphis Depay has been sensational for The Netherlands NT in recent games. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Memphis Depay.
Arsène Wenger said recently: “Honestly, I am not very confident for Germany. … They have not the stability, they have lost the belief.
Indeed, DieMannschaft have not been their former self recently even with the emergence of top quality players. However, they will be hopeful the return of Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels will help turn things round positively. Though, not many will bank on them winning the tournament.
Surprises are bound to occur so watch out for Turkey, who are placed in group A. Recently they have turn up with good performances and they could continue it in the Euros.
Croatia, Ukraine and Switzerland are also exciting teams. Watch out for shockers at the European Championship over the course of a month, starting and ending June 11 and July 11 respectively.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
