The final three spots at this summer’s UEFA Euro 2024 have finally been determined. There were 12 teams still hopeful of securing progression through to the Germany-hosted showpiece this June and July however, those have been whittled to just three, all of whom have successfully punched their ticket.
Poland broke Welsh hearts in Cardiff with a penalty shootout victory while Ukraine came from behind to defeat Iceland through a late strike from Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk. The story of the playoffs however goes to Georgia. Despite playing for over an hour with ten men, they successfully defeated 2004 champions Greece on penalties in Tbilisi to secure their spot at the European Championships for the first time in history.
England have already secured their spot after topping a difficult-looking qualifying group ahead of reigning champions Italy and the aforementioned Ukraine. But who will they face at the tournament once it gets underway?
Two down, two to go
With the tournament just a matter of months away, UK gambling sites have made the Three Lions the 3/1 favourites to lift the trophy this year. Should they manage to live up to the billing it would be the first major trophy that an England men’s team have lifted since winning the World Cup way back in 1966.
But with teams such as France – who eliminated Gareth Southgate’s side from the most recent World Cup in Qatar – also in the mix, victory is by no means guaranteed,
England had the chance to show to the rest of the continent that they were rightfully considered the frontrunners with two high-profile friendly matches to aid their preparations for this summer.
The first of those was against Brazil, however teenage sensation Endrick ensured that it was the Selecao that ran out victorious. Three days later, it was Belgium’s turn to visit the home of football, and the hosts were once again unconvincing. The visitors twice took the lead through Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans, only to be twice pegged back firstly through Ivan Toney and then thanks to Jude Bellingham’s last-gasp equaliser.
Now, there are only two games between England and the Euros. The first of those is against Bosnia on June 3, and the second against Iceland on June 7.
The road to Berlin
Euro 2024 officially kicks off on June 14 when hosts Germany battle it out with underdogs Scotland at the Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich. England will have to wait two days until their campaign gets underway when they face Serbia in Gelsenkirchen. They will then head to Frankfurt four days on from that for a rematch of the Euro 2020 semifinal with Denmark, before concluding their group stage responsibilities against Slovakia in Cologne on June 25.
Since the tournament’s expansion to 24 teams eight years ago, it’s difficult to predict who England will face in the second round if they top Group C as expected. However, if they progress as runners-up, they will likely face Germany in a mouthwatering clash in Dortmund on June 29. if they do top the group and then make it to the quarterfinals, more battles against heartbreakers Italy and Croatia could be on the horizon.
