EURO 2024 is shaping up to be the most interesting international tournament in years. A titan of a home nation in a highly accessible country means fans should come out in large numbers to support. According to UEFA, there were over 30 million ticket requests during the lottery stage, which doesn’t include later sale phases or individual nations sales. The hype is building.
A few different interesting storylines shaping up already. Juggernauts France are seeking EURO glory, while England desperately aim to redeem themselves for past failures, and hosts Germany looking to re-establish their place amongst the top dogs. Diminishing golden generations for teams like Belgium and Croatia and of course Ronaldo’s last shot at meaningful silverware.
Here is what BFW’s writers predict will go down this summer in Germany.
Jack Laushway
EURO Winner: Germany
Yes, Germany will redeem their recent failures in past tournaments with a brilliant home tournament victory. A stumble against Hungary in the group stage will be corrected as they go on to beat Serbia, Spain, and Portugal en route to the finals.
Runner-Up: England
The Three Lions will have another excellent tournament at EURO 2024, but once again, not enough to cross the finish line. Gareth Southgate’s side will have all the momentum in the world after beating France in the semi-finals, but not enough tactics to beat Germany.
Golden Boy: Florian Wirtz (Germany)
Florian Wirtz might be the world’s top young talent at the moment. It is clear that Nagelsmann will be using Wirtz as a key member of the squad and a combination of performance and Germany’s success will proper Wirtz to the award.
Golden Glove: Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Despite his shortcomings the Champions League semifinals against Real Madrid, Neuer will achieve everything demanded from him. In possibly his last international tournament, Neuer goes out on top. How poetic.
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe (France) and Harry Kane (England)
If there was any certainty in the entire tournament, it is Mbappe scoring goals. Not only the world’s best, but a proven tournament player. With an easier group, he’d be an absolute lock for Golden Boot. Despite tough opponents, he could still score seven throughout the tournament.
Harry Kane will be fundamental to England and their group stage opponents are weak defensively. Don’t be surprised to see Kane rack up six-to-seven goals with a finals run.
Biggest Surprise: Austria
Austria is in what many will call a group of death, and deservedly so. However, due to the possibility of qualifying to the Round of 16 via 3rd place, Austria will go beyond the Group Stage and defeat Ukraine en route to the quarter finals. They could even advance to the semis with a solid showing against likely opponent Portugal.
Biggest Disappointment: Netherlands
The Netherlands are likeable. Some old veterans and exciting players such as Jeremie Frimpong. Whether this will translate to success is another story. In another group, perhaps they wouldn’t receive this honor. However, a third-place finish would put them potentially against a heavily favorited England in the Round of 16. That’s if they can squeak through as the third seed. They might not be so lucky if they can’t get a win over Austria or Poland.
LoneStar249
EURO Winner: France
Les Bleus is still bitter from losing the World Cup final and winning the European championship for the first time since 2000. With an incredibly deep squad, France will be able to weather cards and injuries throughout the seven match format. With the PSG drama in the rear view mirror, Kylian Mbappe will be on a mission to prove that he’s the best attacker in the world.
Runner-Up: Spain
After winning in 2008 and 2012, Spain finished a surprising 4th in the 2020 EUROs. Spain has a tough Group B draw with Italy and Croatia, but the forgiving 24-team format will push Spain to the knockout stage where they always find a way to grind out tight games.
Golden Boy: João Neves (Portugal)
The 19-year-old defensive midfielder from Portugal has been a standout at Benfica all season. Neves plays with a maturity beyond his years and will be a force for the Portuguese national team for the next decade.
Golden Glove: Mike Maignan (France)
After spending the first half of his twenties at Lille, Maignan moved to AC Milan where he has been the main keeper for the past three years. In the prime of his career, Maignan will post three or four shutouts for France on the road to the championship.
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe (France)
France should score multiple goals in every game, and Mbappe will be the primary finisher. He might even break the 9-goal record of fellow countryman, Michel Platini. After going out on top with PSG in Ligue One, Mbappe’s dominant performance this summer will propel him toward his first Ballon d’Or.
Biggest Surprise: Switzerland
Group A has three teams who are evenly matched on paper (Switzerland, Scotland, and Hungary). Switzerland have the best odds to upset Germany and claim the top spot in the group, putting them in a favorable position in the Round of 16. Currently sitting at +6500 odds to win the whole tournament, the Swiss have to like their chances to reach the quarterfinals.
Biggest Disappointment: England
With the stars aligned and a core group of starlets, this should be the year for England. They will most likely dominate the group stage, but run into a team in the knockout stages that yields possession and hits them hard on the counterattack.
RIPLT
EURO Winner: Germany
There’s no way of proving this, but Germany will go and win the whole thing. This team is solid all around and Germany owes this to Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, and Toni Kroos who only need the EUROs left to complete their trophy cabinet.
Runner-Up: France
France is a good team and they have the personnel to make a deep run in the tournament, but they are definitely a beatable team. Germany beat them before and they can definitely do it again.
Golden Boy: Florian Wirtz (Germany)
Wirtz will follow up his 2023/24 performances with an otherworldly display in his maiden EUROs tournament, at home too.
Golden Glove: Yann Sommer (Switzerland)
Although he will let a few goals in, Sommer is still a headache to play against and will overall be the best ‘keeper in the tournament.
Golden Boot: Harry Kane (England)
This is gonna turn out like his most recent season with Bayern: bang in the goals but win jack. Save it for the Champions League, bud.
Biggest Surprise: Portugal
Funny enough, some don’t rate Portugal enough or don’t see them making a deep run because there’s something about them that sees them eliminated early. Here’s food for thought: when was the last time Portugal advanced beyond the quarterfinals of a major tournament? It’s been a while since they have and this time around they won’t be getting lucky.
Biggest Disappointment: England
England is a team stacked with stars, there’s no denying that, their only problem is that the coach radiates ineptitude. If you’ve seen memes online that say Gareth Southgate is the only thing that can stop England from winning it, there’s some truth in that.
Dasher
EURO Winner: Germany
I know this seems like less of a prediction and more of what I wish will happen, but this is the tournament Germany has the best chance of winning. Exactly a decade since the Germans were crowned champions of the world, the home tournament gives them a chance to finally overcome their failures since the summer in Brazil and finally become kings of Europe. With a hungry squad filled with players on hot streaks of form looking to prove themselves, this is Germany’s year.
Runner-Up: England
Gareth Southgate’s controversial squad selection was actually something England needed to do — shake off the old and and bring in the new. Harry Kane has the best shot he’s ever had at an international trophy this summer, and who knows. If luck is on their side, football might be coming home after all.
Golden Boy: Florian Wirtz (Germany)
Do I need to explain myself? He’s been one of the best players in the world this season and there is no doubt he will replicate that at the EUROs. If Germany make it far (which I think they will), there is no one to stop Wirtz from claiming this award except maybe his teammate and Bayern star Jamal Musiala.
Golven Glove: Diogo Costa (Portugal)
I’m going out on a limb here. I think the Portuguese keeper will surprise fans with solid performances as Portugal make a deep run in what could well be Ronaldo’s last major tournament for his nation.
Golden Boot: Harry Kane (England) and Kylian Mbappé (France)
Kane’s goalscoring wonders never cease to amaze, and he will certainly continue his never ending frenzy in the summer. As for Kylian, he will (as he usually does) show up for France and remind everyone why he’s so highly regarded as a player right before he completes his highly anticipated move away from PSG.
I’m with Jack — they share the award for top goalscorer.
Biggest Surprise: Georgia
Georgia is on paper, outclassed by all the other teams in their group. Georgia is also the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. But the team is made to defy the odds. A team full of young stars coupled with seasoned professionals — all of whom are visibly pulling their weight for both club and country across various teams in Europe. I can go on for hours about almost all of their players and how they’ve cultivated brilliant team dynamics under Willy Sagnol, but maybe that is for another post.
Backed by some of the most passionate fans as the team has reached the first major tournament in their history, you cannot help but root for this side as they enter their Golden Generation. And I have a feeling they will shock the world at the biggest stage in Europe.
Biggest Disappointment: Italy
Unlike the last EUROs, I simply don’t see this team making it far in the tournament. This team lacks what the Italian teams of the past did. It looks disjointed and tired of constant failure to qualify for the World Cup. The reigning European champions will not impress.
Samrin
EURO Winner: Spain
They have flown under the radar but have a very deep squad which can beat any team on its day.
Runner-Up: France
Didier Deschamps’ side have the know-how needed to get to the final. They have a really deep squad as well as always which should help get them through the tough moments.
Golden Boy: Jude Bellingham (England)
Due to my disillusionment with the game, I know Bellingham will receive this award even if England does not make it too far.
Golden Glove: Jordan Pickford (England)
Pickford is a good goalkeeper (who appears reasonably crazy sometimes). He might get some love for his consistency this time.
Golden Boot: Harry Kane (England)
Love for Bayern means one must choose Kane.
Biggest Surprise: Austria
Ralf Rangnick is a good coach and Austria is a good team; paired together, they might make a deep run.
Biggest Disappointment: Germany
Germany will perhaps get out of the group but might struggle to get any further.
CSmith
EURO Winner: England
Damn it…just damn it…but the English are coming…for that trophy.
Runner-Up: Spain
Spain is solid from top to bottom and should be a formidable presence in the tourney — and it really could be the champions when all is said and done.
Golden Boy: Pedri (Spain)
I fear that Florian Wirtz will be the odd-man out for Germany’s attack (which would be a crime), so Pedri could be poised to step into a big role for Spain, who I expect to do well.
Golden Glove: Jordan Pickford (England)
I don’t know why…and I can’t shake it, but everything keeps coming up England as I think about this tourney.
Golden Boot: Harry Kane (England)
The Englishman will pick up where he left off with Bayern Munich.
Biggest Surprise: Austria
Ralf Rangnick’s team is in a killer group with France, Poland, and the Netherlands, but this squad is going to go to battle for a guy who chose to stay with them, rather than bail for a big job in Bavaria. Will this make RLD’s 2024 complete if Austria can put together a solid run?
Biggest Disappointment: Germany
This might sound weird, but Germany will be a disappointment because they will be bounced before the quarterfinals. While the German national team will make it out of group stage, Nagelsmann’s defensive picks will let him down and his insistence on using Ilkay Gundogan will be a detriment to the team.
San_Holo
EURO Winner: England
England are in a very good moment and boast, arguably, the strongest squad on paper at the EUROs. Yes yes, we’ve heard all the “It’s coming home” nonsense before, but this time it might actually happen. Past England sides have lacked one key aspect: experience. Following a decent showing in the 2024 World Cup and a loss in the 2020 EUROs final, England will be entering this tournament fully equipped to get the job done.
Runner-Up: Germany
Germany, for the first time in years, feels like they have a team again. The emergence of Bayer Leverkusen and VFB Stuttgart this season has blessed der Mannschaft with the deepest and highest quality squad in recent memory. Julian Nagelsmann will take advantage of the array of in form options as well as Germany’s home ground advantage to reach the final, but will ultimately fall just short of glory.
Golden Boy: Jude Bellingham (England)
Should England win the EUROs, there’s no way this award doesn’t go to Bellingham. At the tender age of 20, the midfield-maestro has already proven his quality and leadership abilities on the largest stage at club level. The EUROs will be no exception.
Golden Glove: Jordan Pickford (England)
England have had a notoriously strong defence at tournaments under Gareth Southgate, keeping five out of seven and three out of five at the 2020 EUROs and 2022 World Cup respectively. That bodes well for Pickford, who also always seems to be at his best for his national side.
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé (France)
The new Real Madrid addition is simply a goal scoring machine for Les Bleus, even topping the scorers chart at the 2022 World Cup. Besides Harry Kane, I don’t see anyone else topping Mbappé.
Biggest Surprise: Austria
Ralf Rangnick really does seem to be cooking something special with Austria. Germany’s southerly neighbours have won seven, drawn two and lost only one in their last ten games. Austria are a team on good form and one that looks ready to announce it at the EUROs.
Biggest Disappointment: Germany
Now this one is purely based on how expectant German fans are at this tournament. A large portion of the supporter base seems to believe that Germany will win the EUROs for the first time since 1996. In this vein, any result apart from winning the tournament will be seen as a disappointment, and in my eyes, Germany are not quite at that level yet.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on where the German national team stands ahead of its EURO 2024 opener against Scotland? Well, we have you covered with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show, where we hit on the team’s form, Julian Nagelsmann’s potential starting lineup, and why fans are correct to be at least a little concerned. if you want to check it out, you can get it on Spotify or below: