Euro 2024 and the many questions

Preview of the 2024 Euros: Germany hosts opener, France favored, key contenders analyzed including Spain, Italy, England, Netherlands, Belgium

The 2024 Euros is upon us, who are you rooting for? (Photo credit: UEFA.com)

The 2024 European Championship gets underway on Friday in Germany as the host nation takes on Scotland in the tournament opener.

Germany isn’t anyone’s favourite for this tournament, but they can spring surprises with the quality of their squad. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, Leverkusen’s Florian Writz, Bayern’s Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, and Manuel Neuer are enough to hold forte, but will they go all the way?

France, the bookmakers' favourite to win this year's Euros, has a squad that has been together for the longest period of time. With N’golo Kante back in the fold, the World Cup finalists could deliver the Euros for the first time since 2000.

La Roja, step forward! The Spanish side has everything it takes to compete in all departments; since winning it back-to-back in 2008 and 2012, Rodri has been the main man, and he is capable of driving Spain forward, but can they advance in a group that includes Italy and Croatia?

Speaking of Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalist is fast losing their golden generation; Luka Modric is closer to 40 than 30, and this is no doubt his last major tournament. He will seek to leave on a high note, but can this Croatian side rise above adversaries?

As defending champions, Italy doesn’t look like a team that can trouble many others. They’re indifferent in form and sometimes unassuming, but they’re in danger of not advancing from the group stage with Spain and Croatia also in their group. Who will lift the Azzuris?

Group C looks tricky. Many would rank England as the most favorable team, but Denmark has a strong rivalry with Gareth Southgate's team, and Serbia can also be a formidable opponent. Benjamin Sesko’s Slovenia is also in the mix; that’s an interesting group.

To be considered serious, the Netherlands must deliver something. The Oranje hasn’t won anything of note since the Euros in the 80s; they must negotiate with France, Austria, and Poland in Group D. This is the last chance for their golden generation.

Belgium is another team that smokes their last straw. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and a few others won’t get another chance to win something substantial; they don’t look the part right now, but they should not have problems getting past Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine in Group E.

Portugal is another potential contender. With a rich squad and an experienced Roberto Martinez in the dugout, the 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo could be eyeing the 2026 World Cup, but this is realistically his last chance on the big stage. Can the rest of the squad help him reach the heights again?