The Euro 2024 tournament is set to kick off on Friday in Germany, with the host nation hoping to make a strong push towards the final in Berlin on July 14. This marks the first major men’s international tournament hosted by Germany since the 2006 World Cup, providing an exciting backdrop for the competition. Unlike the last European Championship, which was marred by delays and limited crowds due to the pandemic, this year’s event promises a return to normalcy with all matches being played in Germany’s 10 stadiums from Hamburg to Munich.
With Europe still grappling with issues like far-right gains in EU parliament elections and the crisis in Ukraine, there is hope that the Euro 2024 tournament will bring people together. Germany, in particular, is looking to repeat the success and unity of the 2006 World Cup, with tournament director Philipp Lahm expressing optimism about a more united Germany emerging from the competition. The national team, led by Julian Nagelsmann, is in a good position to make a strong showing, with a talented roster including veterans like Toni Kroos and rising stars like Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala.
Despite Germany’s potential, the strong favorites heading into the tournament are France and England. France, Europe’s top-ranked nation, boasts a talented squad led by Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe and coach Didier Deschamps. England, who narrowly missed out on Euro 2021 victory, are determined to make history with star players like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading the charge. Both teams are aiming to progress far in the tournament and potentially meet in the semifinals if they top their groups.
Meanwhile, defending champions Italy, led by legendary former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, and Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo are seen as genuine contenders for the title. The competition has been expanded to 24 teams, allowing smaller nations like Georgia to make their debut. However, injuries are starting to take a toll on some leading players, with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Poland’s Robert Lewandowski among those ruled out of the opening matches due to various ailments. As the excitement builds for Euro 2024, football fans across the continent eagerly anticipate the drama, upsets, and triumphs that will unfold over the next month.
