Sports Desk: The wait is finally over, and the football fever is back! The Euro 2024 begins on 14 June on the German soil. Footballs’ second most decorative tournament after the world cup kicks off with the matchup between the host Germany against Scotland at Munich on Friday.
The Euro 2024 comprises of 24 teams divided in six groups, with France and England being billed as the favourites to lift the trophy on paper. France have been one of the top performers in the recent global football tournaments. Besides, Kylian Mbappe’s sharp displays in the warm-ups adds further confidence to the French team.
England, meanwhile, gets another attempt on clinching the silverware under the managerial leadership of Gareth Southgate after the heartbreak of 2021, where the three lions missed the championship by a whisker in the penalty against Italy in London. England comes with an energetic team with leading Premier League stars, although with the absence of Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire. Besides, it would also be interesting to watch how Bundesliga icons like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham performs and if they can leverage the advantage of playing at an environment familiar to them.
Germany would want to regain its drifting glory. The Germans, who are the most successful footballing nation after Brazil haven’t won any major tournament after being crowned world champions in 2008. They failed to reach quarters in the previous edition and had a socking first round exit in Qatar 2022. Playing at home in front of their own fans and with one of the youngest coaches of the tournament and the second youngest coach of Germany, hopes on the Julian Nagelsmann led side would be high. Will the Germans be able to capitalize on the home advantage, or if they will they wobble in home pressure will be fascinating to see.
Players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will also be in the centre of attention as they are on the verge of retirement and set to play their last Euros. Irrespective of the sides they support, fans around the world would be glad to see teams like Portugal or Croatia win the championship and give a memorable goodbye to these global legends.
Nevertheless, fans around the world look forward to this European football carnival with much anticipation, expecting many sleepless nights and on the edge of the seat matches over the next one month. Happy Euros!
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