EURO 2024 - Group Stage Thread

[Franz555]

" THE BEAUTIFUL GAME "

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. A penalty is a cowardly way to score. Everything is practice.

Pele

It all kicks off June 14 , 2024 in Germany , with the hosts playing the opener against Scotland. The Final is slated for Sunday July 14th in Munich. I don't see any country that stands out as a sure thing. On the contrary , this tournament can be won by a number of quality sides.Starting this thread for anyone who wants to keep up with odds , injuries , players involved etc

**** Disclaimer

**** The following opinions are those of a stubborn Kraut who has serious bias towards German Football. Any and all statements regarding Germany or its players are the sole responsibility of The said Kraut ( aka Franz555 )

Group Stage ( FIFA rankings )

GROUP A :

1. Germany ( 16 )
2. Switzerland ( 19 )
3. Hungary ( 26 )
4. Scotland ( 39 )

This German side has been in a period of transition since the last Euro in 2022. A mixture of disappointing losses against much weaker foe , caused several managers to be hired and fired after brief cameos. Enter former Leipzig and Bayer coach Julian Nagelsmann to pick up the pieces and rebuild the fractured side. At 36 , he is experienced beyond his years and is known to be very interactive with the younger players. He is the perfect coach for a young side with plenty of talent and a need for direction. Playing Musiala ( 20 )along side Wirtz ( 21 ) gives their midfield the skill needed to play with Europe's elite. They are both complimented by Gundogan , who left Man City after the winning Treble , and found a home in Barcelona's midfield. They have 3 or 4 viable goal scorers to choose from ( Havertz , Sane and Fulkrug ) and a back 4 that has potential but lacks consistency. Since Nagelsmann's appointment , Germany went into France and won 2 - 1 before returning home and beating Netherlands 2 - 0 only 3 days later. With a new outlook and a great communicator in Nagelsmann , I will back Germany to win this group and await those results before pressing onward with them. The remaining 3 countries could very easily win the 2nd spot and group advancement , but I will back the experience of Switzerland to nab 2nd place.

 

[KingKolzig]

Ronaldo still playing is hilarious

 

[Tanko]

Naglesmann has been there for 8 months. I'd think the team has his desired style of coaching down well by now.

Should be fun to watch everyday. Jun14 - 26th for group stages with morning or midday games for us in the US.

GL

 

[Franz555]

GROUP C :

1. England ( 4 )
2. Denmark ( 21 )
3. Slovenia ( 57 )
4. Serbia ( 33 )


When will England win another major trophy ? 1966 seems to be another place and time for a country that produces some of the worlds greatest football players, and a league that boasts likewise. I cant recall a depth chart of England's that even comes close to this years addition. Coach Southgate has a number of dilemmas prior to making his final cuts this week. Plenty of English press have left Grealish off of the final 26 players list. Shocking that a player with such talent may not be good enough to make the side. Saka , Rice , Bellingham , Foden , Kane ...... are just a few names that Southgate gets to choose from each game. This team is definitely talented enough to hoist the Silverware. Denmark are a solid side with a midfield that competes with most top tier teams across Europe. Erikson ( Man U ) , Hojberg ( Man U ) , Hojbjerg ( Spurs ) , Maele ( Wolf ).... are all familiar with the Group's opposition and capable of an upset or 2.

 

[Franz555]

Ronaldo still playing is hilarious

Playing ?

He wont see any meaningful minutes , assuming he even gets a spot on the 26 man roster.

 

[BMR Genie]

A month-long of Euro soccer action!

 

[KingKolzig]

Playing ?

He wont see any meaningful minutes , assuming he even gets a spot on the 26 man roster.

ESPN said he made the roster. One fwd injury and he's out there

 

[BMR Genie]

Ronaldo still playing is hilarious

It might be his last Euro game.

 

[Franz555]

Euro 2024 Odds: The five favourites at 10/1 or shorter to win the tournament​

Harry Paterson | 14:02 Sunday 2nd June 2024
Euro 2024 gets underway this month, who are the favourites going into the tournament?
Euro 2024 kicks off on the 14th June when host country Germany take on Scotland in Group A.
Competing nations will conduct their final preparations during the upcoming friendly matches this week, offering spectators a final glimpse of their respective teams before the main event.
The current favourites are 2020 finalists England and their star studded squad of young talent.
England can be found at a best price of 3/1 at various bookmakers to lift the trophy.

BetUK​

• Live chat and email support available
• Slick, clean interface
• Excellent mobile offering

Euro 2024 Odds​

Team	Best Odds	Implied Probability (%)
England	3/1	25%
France	4/1	20%
Germany	6/1	14%
Portugal	8/1	11%
Spain	9/1	10%
Italy	18/1	5%

 

[BMR Genie]

Euro 2024 Odds: The five favourites at 10/1 or shorter to win the tournament​

Harry Paterson | 14:02 Sunday 2nd June 2024
Euro 2024 gets underway this month, who are the favourites going into the tournament?
Euro 2024 kicks off on the 14th June when host country Germany take on Scotland in Group A.
Competing nations will conduct their final preparations during the upcoming friendly matches this week, offering spectators a final glimpse of their respective teams before the main event.
The current favourites are 2020 finalists England and their star studded squad of young talent.
England can be found at a best price of 3/1 at various bookmakers to lift the trophy.

BetUK​

• Live chat and email support available
• Slick, clean interface
• Excellent mobile offering

Euro 2024 Odds​

Team	Best Odds	Implied Probability (%)
England	3/1	25%
France	4/1	20%
Germany	6/1	14%
Portugal	8/1	11%
Spain	9/1	10%
Italy	18/1	5%

I'm surprised to see Italy at the bottom.

 

[Franz555]

With Friendlies still being played , and injuries possible , I'm going to wait on any futures wagers.

Value Plays :

Portugal 8/1
Spain 9/1

Spain / Croatia / Italy / Albania make up Group B. Scary

 

[Franz555]

I'm surprised to see Italy at the bottom.

No Respect for the Champs

 

[BMR Genie]

No Respect for the Champs

Right? I kinda rooting for them given that they are the contending Champ and given their International wins. But, anything can happen.

 

[Franz555]

GROUP B :

1. Spain ( 8 )
2. Italy ( 9 )
3. Croatia ( 10 )
4. Albania ( 66 )

This group has to qualify for " The Group of Death " tag. Outside of Albania , who will be the team that the other 3 attempt to pad #'s on , its a coin toss. Even though Gavi has been injured, Spain & Barcelona replaced him with 16 yr old phenom Lamine Yamal. Morata will captain this years edition and have plenty of talent around him. Im a big fan of Olmo in midfield , and his return from injury tips the scales in Spains favor imo. I will take Italy for 2nd as Croatia are fielding one of the oldest squads in the tournament. Perisic is now 35 and Kramaric 32 , and with legendary Modric now @ 38 , the cycle seems to have come full turn for Croatia.

 

[Tanko]

GROUP B :

1. Spain ( 8 )
2. Italy ( 9 )
3. Croatia ( 10 )
4. Albania ( 66 )

This group has to qualify for " The Group of Death " tag. Outside of Albania , who will be the team that the other 3 attempt to pad #'s on , its a coin toss. Even though Gavi has been injured, Spain & Barcelona replaced him with 16 yr old phenom Lamine Yamal. Morata will captain this years edition and have plenty of talent around him. Im a big fan of Olmo in midfield , and his return from injury tips the scales in Spains favor imo. I will take Italy for 2nd as Croatia are fielding one of the oldest squads in the tournament. Perisic is now 35 and Kramaric 32 , and with legendary Modric now @ 38 , the cycle seems to have come full turn for Croatia.

Wow.
These games will be must see (excl Albania massacres).

I'm going to have to look up the seeding process to see why this group is so loaded (random, or was it some type of qualification criteria).

 

[Franz555]

GROUP D :

1. France ( 2 )
2. Netherlands ( 7 )
3. Austria ( 25 )
4. Poland ( 28 )


France have the depth to withstand the heavy schedule a tournament of this magnitude provides. They also boast the #1 player on the planet in Kylian Mbappe , who will most likely join Real Madrid once his contract expires on June 30th. With both Hernandez boys back healthy again , the back line is solid as well. Netherlands are a traditional powerhouse in Europe , but key injuries to their midfield will leave them vulnerable against the big boys in the knockout stage. If there is an upset to be had in this group it may come from Austria who have compiled a nice resume in the build up to this tournament. I don't see Poland doing much in this group and feel as though the entire program is in a transitional stage that will see their glory days fade as the young talent pool is unimpressive. Hats off to a great goal scorer in Lewandoski , who will ride off into the sunset after the 3 group stage games.

 

[BMR Genie]

Is there bad blood between Mbappe and PSG now that he's living, Franz?

Do you think France, especially the fans is still happy to see him play for them? Maybe I'm just overthinking..but seems awkward.

 

[Franz555]

GROUP E :

1. Belgium ( 3 )
2. Ukraine ( 22 )
3. Slovakia ( 48 )
4. Romania ( 46 )


This group has the smell of an upset or 2 imo. Belgium have had a great run the past 8 to 10 years , as their program had arguably the most individual talent at its disposal. Kevin De Bruyne is back healthy after a long injury absence , and playing in top form again. The supporting cast are not exactly household names that soccer fans are accustomed to seeing. A bit long in the tooth are Lukaku ( 31 ) , Meunier ( 32 ) and Vertonghen ( 37 ) . They do have a group of very talented young players that will carry the torch in years to come , notably Doku ( 22 ) of Man City and Trossard ( 27 ) of Arsenal. I like Ukraine to grab 2nd place based on the turmoil that they have over come to get to this tournament , although either of the remaining 2 could easily end up 2nd.

 

[Franz555]

Is there bad blood between Mbappe and PSG now that he's living, Franz?

Do you think France, especially the fans is still happy to see him play for them? Maybe I'm just overthinking..but seems awkward.

That soap opera played itself out through the early stages of PSG's season. Mbappe was attempting to persuade PSG to cut a deal with Real Madrid that was met with constant road blocks. Mbappe would have loved to stay in France , but the exit of Messi and Neymar told him that winning trophies @ PSG was a distant possibility. PSG attempted to sell him for a single season to a Saudia Arabian team for a rumored $300 million + , which Mbappe quickly declined. He wants to win trophies and be considered one of the greatest players to ever play the game. For that to happen he realizes Real Madrid would be his best option. Needless to say , Real Madrid will gladly roll out the red carpet for him after the Euro is done

 

[BMR Genie]

That soap opera played itself out through the early stages of PSG's season. Mbappe was attempting to persuade PSG to cut a deal with Real Madrid that was met with constant road blocks. Mbappe would have loved to stay in France , but the exit of Messi and Neymar told him that winning trophies @ PSG was a distant possibility. PSG attempted to sell him for a single season to a Saudia Arabian team for a rumored $300 million + , which Mbappe quickly declined. He wants to win trophies and be considered one of the greatest players to ever play the game. For that to happen he realizes Real Madrid would be his best option. Needless to say , Real Madrid will gladly roll out the red carpet for him after the Euro is done

I'm glad he's not blinded by Saudi's money, he's too young to retire lol.