Introduction
The UEFA European Championship, commonly referred to as the UEFA Euros or just the Euros, is one of the world's biggest football tournaments. This year's edition, Euro 2020, was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament features 24 national teams from across Europe, and in this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of each team's history, players, and chances of winning.
Group A
Italy
Italy has a rich footballing history, having won the World Cup four times and the Euros once (in 1968). Their manager, Roberto Mancini, has put together a talented squad that includes the likes of Jorginho, Giorgio Chiellini, and Ciro Immobile. Italy is known for its defensive strength, and they will be hoping to keep clean sheets throughout the tournament.
Switzerland
Switzerland is a solid team with a balanced squad. They qualified for the Euros through the qualifiers, finishing second in their group behind Denmark. Their key players include Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Yann Sommer. While they may not be favorites to win the tournament, they are certainly capable of causing some upsets.
Turkey
Turkey has a relatively inexperienced squad, with many players plying their trade in the Turkish Super Lig. However, they do have a few quality players such as Hakan ?alhano?lu and Burak Y?lmaz. Turkey will be hoping to progress to the knockout stages, but it will be a tough ask in a group that includes Italy and Switzerland.
Wales
Wales had a dream run in Euro 2016, reaching the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual winners Portugal. Their squad is led by Real Madrid star Gareth Bale and includes other talented players such as Aaron Ramsey and Dan James. While they may not be as strong as they were in 2016, they are certainly capable of causing an upset or two.
Group B
Belgium
Belgium is currently ranked as the world's number one team, and for good reason. They have a talented squad that includes world-class players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard. Their manager, Roberto Martinez, plays an attacking brand of football that is pleasing on the eye. Belgium will be hoping to finally win a major tournament after coming third in the 2018 World Cup.
Denmark
Denmark had a solid qualifying campaign, finishing top of their group ahead of Switzerland. Their key players include Christian Eriksen, Yussuf Poulsen, and Kasper Schmeichel. While they may not have as many big names as some of the other teams, they play well as a unit and could potentially go far in the tournament.
Finland
Finland is making their debut in a major tournament, and they will be hoping to make a good impression. Their squad is largely made up of players who play their club football in lower-ranked leagues, although they do have Premier League regulars Teemu Pukki and Lukas Rupp in their ranks. Realistically, Finland will be aiming to make it out of the group stage.
Russia
Russia had a mixed qualifying campaign, finishing second in their group behind Belgium. Their squad includes experienced players such as Artem Dzyuba and Yuri Zhirkov, as well as exciting young talents such as Aleksandr Golovin. Russia will be hoping to build on their quarter-final appearance in the 2018 World Cup.
Group C
Austria
Austria had a strong qualifying campaign, finishing behind Poland in their group. Their squad includes players such as David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer, and Marko Arnautovi?. While they are not amongst the favorites to win the tournament, they are certainly a team that could cause a few surprises.
Netherlands
The Netherlands are back in a major tournament after missing out on the 2018 World Cup. Their squad includes talented players such as Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, and Memphis Depay. The Dutch will be hoping to recapture the glory of their Euro 1988 win.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia is another team making their debut in a major tournament. Their squad is largely made up of players who play their club football in lower-ranked leagues, although they do have Napoli's Eljif Elmas in their ranks. Realistically, North Macedonia will be aiming to make a good impression and cause a few upsets.
Ukraine
Ukraine qualified for the Euros by finishing top of their group ahead of Portugal. Their squad includes exciting young talents such as Oleksandr Zinchenko and Viktor Tsyhankov, as well as experienced campaigners like Andriy Yarmolenko. Ukraine will be hoping to make it out of the group stage after failing to do so in 2016.
Group D
Croatia
Croatia had a memorable run in the 2018 World Cup, finishing as runners-up to France. Their squad includes quality players such as Luka Modri?, Ivan Rakiti?, and Ante Rebi?. They may not be as strong as they were in 2018, but they are still a formidable team that could potentially go far in the tournament.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic had a solid qualifying campaign, finishing second in their group behind England. Their squad includes players such as Patrik Schick, Tomá? Sou?ek, and Vladimír Darida. While they may not be favorites to win the tournament, they have the potential to cause a few upsets.
England
England has a talented squad that includes stars such as Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, and Marcus Rashford. They have a strong defense and midfield, and their attacking options are amongst the best in the tournament. However, the weight of expectation could be a potential downfall for the Three Lions.
Scotland
Scotland is back in a major tournament for the first time since 1998. Their squad includes Premier League regulars such as Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay, as well as exciting young talents like Billy Gilmour. Realistically, Scotland will be aiming to make it out of the group stage, although they will be full of confidence after qualifying for the tournament via the playoffs.
Group E
Poland
Poland had a strong qualifying campaign, finishing top of their group ahead of Austria. Their squad is led by Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski and includes other talented players such as Wojciech Szczesny and Piotr Zieliński. While they may not be favorites to win the tournament, they are certainly a team to watch out for.
Slovakia
Slovakia qualified for the Euros via the playoffs, beating Northern Ireland in the final. Their squad includes stars such as Milan ?kriniar and Marek Ham?ík, as well as exciting young talent in the form of Róbert Bo?eník. Realistically, Slovakia will be aiming to make it out of the group stage in what is a tough group.
Spain
Spain won the Euros in 2008 and 2012, and they have a talented squad that could potentially win the tournament again. Their squad includes stars such as Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, and álvaro Morata. However, they will be without manager Luis Enrique for the tournament due to personal reasons.
Sweden
Sweden had a solid qualifying campaign, finishing second in their group behind Spain. Their squad includes talented players such as Emil Forsberg, Alexander Isak, and Victor Lindel?f. While they may not be amongst the favorites to win the tournament, they are certainly capable of causing an upset or two.
Group F
France
France is the reigning world champions and has a talented squad that includes stars such as Kylian Mbappé, N'Golo Kanté, and Antoine Griezmann. They won the Euros in 1984 and 2000, and they will be hoping to add another title to their collection.
Germany
Germany had a disappointing 2018 World Cup and will be looking to bounce back in the Euros. Their squad includes players such as Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, and Thomas Müller. Germany always performs well in major tournaments, and they will be aiming to win their fourth Euros title.
Hungary
Hungary had a solid qualifying campaign, finishing fourth in their group behind Croatia, Wales, and Slovakia. Their squad includes RB Leipzig's Péter Gulácsi and former Liverpool player ádám Bogdán. Realistically, Hungary will be aiming to make a good impression in the tournament.
Portugal
Portugal won the Euros in 2016, and they have a talented squad that could potentially win the tournament again. Their squad includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and Rúben Dias. However, they will be without Manchester City star Jo?o Cancelo for the tournament due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Conclusion
Euro 2020 promises to be an exciting tournament, with many talented teams competing for the title. While France and Belgium are amongst the favorites to win the tournament, there will certainly be some surprises along the way. Which team will be crowned the European champions in 2021? We will have to wait and see.
留言0