The 24-team lineup for the European Championship is complete after Poland, Ukraine and Georgia became the final teams to qualify for the tournament in Germany. Here's a look at the how the favorites, title outsiders and underdogs stack up with less than 80 days to go until the opening game:
THE FAVORITES
France will likely go into the tournament as the favorite, given its status as the leading European team in the FIFA ranking — at No. 2 — and having been the champion or runner-up at three of its last four major international tournaments. Fronted by Kylian Mbappé, the French squad remains deep and will be motivated by its loss in the World Cup final in Qatar. Similarly, No. 3-ranked England has regrets after losing the title match against Italy at the last Euros in 2021 and has its strongest pool of players for 20 years, with Jude Bellingham now a star at Real Madrid. Over the recent international break, France lost soundly to Germany and England was defeated by Brazil, underlining their vulnerability and showing that perhaps there's no overwhelming favorite at the Euros. Belgium has lost some of its luster and will be concerned by the absence of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and the persistent injury issues of Kevin De Bruyne. Portugal, meanwhile, has so much talent in his squad and was the only team to qualify with a flawless record, albeit from a weak group. At 39, can Cristiano Ronaldo win the Euros for a second time?
THE HOST NATION
This story is from the April 02, 2024 edition of Cricket Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 02, 2024 edition of Cricket Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ben Stokes: The Comeback Man Of England Cricket
Stokes, who played match-winning innings for England in the finals of the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2022, came out of ODI retirement to feature in last year's dismal World Cup defense. After knee surgery over the winter, he opted out of the...
MS Dhoni Set To Play Another IPL Season In 2025: A Masterstroke Or A Rule-Bending Move By BCCI?
MS Dhoni last played for India during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup; few could have predicted that we would still be discussing his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) more than five years later. Yet, here we are in 2025...
VERSTAPPEN SHOWS HIS PETTY SIDE WHEN FIA FOOLISHLY PUNISHES HIM FOR CURSING
Verstappen was the youngest driver ever to start an F1 race and the youngest Fl race winner, and he has made clear he doesn't plan to stay to become the oldest winner in the sport's history.
PEP GUARDIOLA IS FACING MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS MANCHESTER CITY FUTURE
Guardiola likely knows he will never find another club like City in elite European soccer. Backed by the spectacular riches of Abu Dhabi's ruling family, he has been allowed to build a team in his image, with exorbitant amounts spent to assemble a squad that has enjoyed unprecedented....
PATTON KIZZIRE ENDS DROUGHT WITH 5-STROKE VICTORY IN FEDEX CUP FALL OPENER
Unlike in 2023 when Theegala was followed by a large gallery on his way to winning, Kizzire and Lipsky played the final round in front of a small crowd at the picturesque course in the heart of the Napa Valley wine country. For the second straight day, Kizzire had to make up...
IPL 2025: TWO PLAYERS EACH FRANCHISE MUST RETAIN
Shreyas lyer and Sunil Narine As the defending champions of IPL 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to retain a core that helped them secure their title. The first name on the list is captain Shreyas lyer, who has been instrumental in stabilizing the team...
FIVE SHOCK RELEASES FROM FRANCHISES THAT MIGHT HAPPEN AHEAD OF THE IPL 2025 MEGA AUCTION
Rohit Sharma, the stalwart of Mumbai Indians, could be shockingly released ahead of IPL 2025. After Mumbai reinstated Hardik Pandya as captain in the 2024 season, Rohit played a secondary role. The tensions between...
END OF BABAR AZAM'S CAPTAINCY ERA
The PCB said it had backed Babar as the T20 and ODI captain, but his decision to resign reflected his desire to focus more on making a greater impact as a player.” Babar announced he was stepping down, saying he wanted to deliver more for the team as a player...
TOM LATHAM TAKES OVER AS NEW ZEALAND TEST CAPTAIN
Latham has already captained New Zealand in nine tests, taking over from Williamson when _ he was recovering from an elbow injury. He has also led New Zealand in 44 one-day internationals.... if
CRICKET UMPIRE ALEEM DAR TO QUIT
Root, who is technically excellent and owns pretty much all the shots, overtook Cook's record of 33 test centuries by an England batter last month when he made hundreds in both innings against Sri Lanka at Lord's...
