Euro 2024: Who looks good to advance to knockouts?

THE long wait for an international tournament seemed all the longer down to the that weird winter World Cup we had in Qatar back in 2022. Thankfully, we return to a more traditional staging of the European Championship hosted by Germany. As someone who witnessed their efforts as the host of the 2006 World Cup, if they are half as accomplished with this tournament, then the fans that have travelled will be in for a treat.

Group A 

We went to press before the opening game kicked-off last night between the hosts Germany and Scotland. And no doubt most of us were shouting for our Celtic cousins in lieu of our own appearance. But they may have been relying on Archie Gemmill levels of a miracle to get the better of the hosts.

Depending on that result and more, the Germans will be looking to become the first host nation to win the championship since the great Michel Platini French side of 1984. That statistic proves how hard a task it is for anyone, not to mind a host, to win the tournament. But they are still strong favourites to emerge top from the group.

Key man: Toni Kross. 

The Swiss are next favourites to qualify from this group. The country has been ultra consistent, being the only team to make the knockouts in their last five tournaments.

Key man: Granit Xhaka. 

Hungary’s defeat, their first in 14 matches, to Ireland has knocked off some of the shine for the Magyars going into the tournament.

Key man: Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Scots have never reached the knockouts in the five times they made the Euros. It will be hard to see them progress here again. But we are guaranteed they will fight all the way.

Key Man: Scott McTominay 

Scotland players during a training session at Stadion am Groben at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Picture : Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Group B 

Spain are group favourites here obviously, but questions over their overall title credentials remain.

Key man: Rodri.

Italy were the surprise champions three years ago in Wembley. And then proceed to fail to qualify for the World Cup. When they can make a tournament, they usually give it a real go.

Key man: Andrea Cambiaso.

Croatia are better performers in World Cups than the Euros. But with their talent they can go all the way.

Key Man: Luca Modric (as always).

Albania are the undoubted underdogs in this company, in only their second tournament. But with little to play for but pride, they may spring a surprise result.

Key man: Rey Manaj.

England's Harry Kane signs autographs after a public open training session at Jena Stadium in Jena, Germany. Picture:AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Group C 

England, as seems so often the case, have a relatively easy group to get out of. No problems really envisaged here for Gareth Southgate’s side, despite losing their last pre-tournament friendly.

Key man: Phil Fodin.

Denmark may be the only side in this group to give the English a test.

Key man: Rasmus Hojlund.

Amazingly, this is Serbia’s first Euros outside of Yugoslavia. And a side of their calibre and goal-scoring ability might upset a couple of teams.

Key man: Aleksander Mitrovic.

Slovenia make up the group and while no pushovers, should find this company too much for them.

Key man: Andraz Sporar.

 Austria manager Ralf Rangnick. Picture:  Tim Goode/PA Wire.

Group D 

France and their star-studded team are close to being the unbackable favourites to win the entire tournament. This golden generation will disappoint if they don’t make it all the way to the final at least.

Key man: Kylian Mbappe.

The Dutch are the next most likely to progress from this group. And they will be looking to repeat the feat of their countrymen when the Euros were last back in Germany in Euro 88. Pity we are not there too to repeat our own Euro 88 achievements.

Key man: Virgil van Djik.

Austria make the short trip over the alps to the tournament on the back of a rather good qualification run, which saw them press high and keep opponents under pressure, led by former interim Man United boss Ralf Rangnick.

Key man: Christoph Baumgartner.

The Poles look great when they are qualifying but never follow it up it seems in the tournament. They may just be on the wrong end of their cycle.

Key man: Robert Lewandowski.

The Euro mascot 'Albärt' poses inside the stadium of German first division, Bundesliga, soccer team Borussia Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany, Picture: AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Group E

People will once wonder again if Belgium’s prestigious talent turn up for this tournament. Whatever the answer, they should have more than enough to progress from this group.

Key man: Kevin de Bruyne.

Ukraine continue to qualify for major tournaments despite the many issues at home. Indeed, this is their fourth Euros in-a-row and got to the quarter finals in 2020.

Key man: Artem Dovbyk.

Romania didn’t lose a single game in their qualification and will look for possible progression from a third-place finish. Fans will hope Ianis Hagi will channel the skills of his legendary father Gheorghe, but that may be wishful thinking.

Key man: Radu Dragusin.

Slovakia will have their hands full in this group and will struggle to advance.

Key man: Milan Skriniar.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring against Ireland during  the friendly on Tuesday in Aveiro, Portugal, Picture: AP Photo/Luis Vieira)

Group F 

The Portuguese attacking lineup makes them the untouchable favourites from this group, even without considering the impact of their mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo. And he is a handful enough as we found out again on Tuesday night.

Key man: Bernardo Silva.

 Turkey are the next favourites to progress from this group even though precedence is not in their favour after losing six of their last seven European tournament matches.

Key man: Hakan Calhanoglu.

The Czech Republic have a long history of success in the Euros. But have not enjoyed as much glory since their runner-up run in 1996.

Key man: Patrik Schick.

This is Georgia’s first major tournament as an independent country, and simply being there may prove more valuable to its citizens than any result achieved for the troubled Caucasus republic.

Key man: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.