The stage for the 2024 UEFA European Championship is set. With its wonderful range of stadium venues, football fans hailing from every corner of the continent will be flocking to Germany for what promises to be an outstanding event.
If you haven’t already booked your selection of games to attend at the tournament, Zenseats is here to help you find the best Euro 2024 tickets available. Whether you’re looking to get seats at one game or several, we always guarantee top-quality service and satisfaction, ensuring you enjoy a great experience.
As for the tournament itself, Euro 2024 is already getting fans excited when it comes to the possibilities, given that such international football events can often be a journey into the unknown. And that’s why attempting to make predictions is always entertaining, as we consider all the possibilities that could make the difference between success and failure among the competing teams.
We all have our own opinions and teams we support, and that’s no different among the staff at Zenseats. So as we look forward to Euro 2024, we decided to make some predictions of our own, accompanied by a deeper dive with analysis covering which teams and players could wow us at the tournament.
Tipping the outright winners
It’s fair to say that heading into Euro 2024, several teams will be considered among the hot favourites, although two in particular seem to have the best chances of lifting the glittering silver Henri Delaunay Trophy.
Although the odds may change slightly before the tournament itself begins, bookies and pundits alike are tipping England and France to be the two main contenders. That’s easy to understand, given that both teams are blessed with a phenomenal depth of talent and ability to choose from. But if we had to choose one team or the other for success, which would it be?
Well, the choice is by no means easy given that both have fantastic players. But even though France reached the 2022 World Cup Final in Qatar, only losing to Argentina via penalties, we reckon there might be more heartache to come at Euro 2024.
Right now, it’s hard to shake the sensation that something special is about to happen for England, who finally seem ready to brush aside all those years of hurt. They also know the cruelty of losing a major international final on penalties, having suffered the same fate against Italy at Euro 2020 and before their home fans at Wembley Stadium.
But this time around, the Three Lions appear to be in the midst of another golden generation, and one that seems genuinely capable of going all the way, ready to stamp their authority on Euro 2024 and make sure the silverware is coming home at long last.
Stories to watch unfold
Aside from the prospects of England or France potentially dominating as favourites, what makes any major tournament so thrilling is the chance to witness fascinating stories unfold. And at Euro 2024 this year, there will be plenty of those for us to watch and observe, made all the more captivating by the slender differences between joy and pain on the pitch.
One story that still hasn’t reached its final chapter is that of Cristiano Ronaldo. The man from Portugal is easily one of the greatest players in football history, dazzling crowds around the globe with exceptional skill and his uniquely powerful determination to succeed. He’s certainly done that plenty of times, and that includes adding the Euro 2016 title to his astonishing list of accolades and accomplishments.
Portugal will be reliant on Ronaldo being in top shape and form at Euro 2024, which might also be his final appearance on the international stage. He’ll be 39 when the tournament begins in Germany. While he could yet decide to keep on playing, aiming to appear at the 2026 World Cup, winning the UEFA European Championship one last time will be Cristiano’s priority.
And speaking of golden oldies who are eager to bow out in a blaze of glory, look no further than Croatian icon Luka Modric. While he still pulls the creative strings at Real Madrid, the 38-year-old midfield magician is undoubtedly reaching the conclusion of his career. If this Croatia team is to win Euro 2024, then Modric will be its beating heart.
But if we have to pick one narrative that really grabs our attention, it has to be the quest for personal and collective glory of Kylian Mbappe, who seemed a tortured figure after the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final in Qatar where he scored a hat-trick and lost. His level of performance was fantastic, so after that disappointment, he could be the man who makes all the difference with France at Euro 2024.
The chance of major upsets
Unless your own team happens to be on the receiving end of an upset, shock defeats really captivate the imagination of most football fans. This proves that even in the modern game, underdogs always have a chance of winning matches and competing well.
The UEFA European Championship has been filled with many fine examples over the years, and we’re sure to witness more at Euro 2024 this year. This is especially true given the large field of teams competing at the tournament. There will be 24 countries in total taking part in the group stage.
We can’t shake the sensation that nations beginning with ‘S’ might grab some impressive results. So watch out for perceived minnows like Slovakia or Slovenia, always be wary of the potential for Switzerland to bring Europe’s titans down to size, and let’s not forget that Scotland will be hoping to bring joy to their fans on the pitch. The fabled Tartan Army always travels with plenty of passionate support and their enthusiasm in the stands will be a huge boost for the team.
Although everyone seems to be writing off their chances, Italy will be keen to defend their title at Euro 2024, even if their form and results over the last couple of years has pushed them into underdog territory heading into the tournament. It’s hard to totally ignore their possibilities for success or their potential to surprise unwary opponents.
Discovery of new international stars
One thing about major tournaments is that aside from the well-known superstars, every player featuring at Euro 2024 will have the opportunity to showcase their potential. The tournament in Germany will feature a plethora of youthful and highly talented prospects, many of whom are taking their first steps on the international stage.
England could feature several young stars, including Levi Colwill and Rico Lewis, both of whom boast great potential, adding to the already established yet still just 20-year-old Jude Bellingham. The Netherlands also have plenty of rising stars, so keep an eye out for attacking talent Johan Bakayoko and the hard to pronounce Aster Vranckx, as both could shine.
They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, so Khephren Thuram will also be one to watch if given the nod by France. The 22-year-old midfielder is the younger brother of established international Marcus Thuram. Both are the sons of French legend Lilian Thuram, who enjoyed World Cup and European Championship triumphs during his illustrious career.
Of course, the beauty of events like Euro 2024 is that almost certainly, there will be players that many have never heard about or seen before, suddenly grabbing our attention with match-winning performances and stellar displays. When it comes to naming such individuals, that’s practically an impossible task, but one that will make the tournament all the more thrilling when they do emerge and hit the headlines.
