OneFootball
Dan Burkeยท14 June 2024
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Dan Burkeยท14 June 2024
EURO 2024 is finally here, and it all begins tonight in Munich when Group A gets under way.
As host nation, all eyes and all the pressure will be on Germany in this group, and it will be fascinating to see how they cope with it.
Die Mannschaft have disappointed at each of their last three major tournaments, and a run of three consecutive defeats in friendlies cost former coach Hansi Flick his job last September.
But with Julian Nagelsmann now at the helm, there is quiet optimism that Germany could perform on home soil this summer, and they shouldnโt have too much trouble navigating what looks like a relatively straightforward group.
While Germany should be considered the favourites, the other three teams in the group look evenly matched, and should all fancy their chances of either finishing in the top two, or being one of the four best third-placed finishers who will advance to the last 16.
Scotlandโs meeting with Switzerland in Cologne on matchday two could therefore be pivotal.
If Scotland were to lose to Germany in the opening game, they will be fighting for their lives when they take on the Swiss, who themselves will have been tested by Hungary in their tournament opener.
The stakes will be high whenever Scotland, Switzerland and Hungary face each other, and it should make for excellent viewing.
Florian Wirtz (Germany)
The 21-year-old has already cemented himself as the poster boy of Germanyโs next generation after starring in Bayer Leverkusenโs Bundesliga winning team last season, scoring 18 goals and providing 20 assists.
With Wirtz and Jamal Musiala set to support Kai Havertz in attack at the Euros, the hosts have bags of attacking dynamism and should cause their opponents all manner of problems.
Tommy Conway (Scotland)
The withdrawal of Liverpool youngster Ben Doak due to injury was a blow for the Scots, but it presented an opportunity for 21-year-old Conway, who was drafted into the squad as Doakโs replacement.
The striker found the net 12 times for Bristol City last season, and will give coach Steve Clarke an enthusiastic option to turn to should Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland come up short.
Milos Kerkez (Hungary)
An impressive debut season at Bournemouth last year has sparked recent rumours of Manchester United interest, and plenty of scouts will be keeping tabs on the 20-year-old at EURO 2024.
Kerkez is an attacking left-back who is tough in the tackle, technically gifted and full of energy. After making his senior debut against Germany in September 2022, he quickly established himself as Hungaryโs first choice left wing-back, and will be hugely important for them at this tournament.
Ruben Vargas (Switzerland)
At 25, Vargas has been around for a while now and this will in fact be his third major tournament for Switzerland.
The Augsburg winger scored some crucial goals in qualifying and will be hoping to show off his pace and trickery this summer in the country where he plays his club football.
Few fans and pundits seem to be tipping Germany for glory this summer, but the hosts have finished among the final four every time they have hosted a major tournament, winning the 1974 World Cup, reaching the semi-finals at EURO 1988 and finishing third at the 2006 World Cup.
Remarkably, however, they have not won a knockout game at a major international tournament since EURO 2016, and Fridayโs clash with Scotland will be coach Nagelsmannโs first competitive game in charge, with the 36-year-old having overseen four wins, two draws and two defeats in eight friendlies so far.
EURO 2024 will also be the last dance for midfielder Toni Kroos, who is set to retire this summer and already signed off on his Real Madrid career by lifting the Champions League.
Can he add a second piece of international silverware to his 2014 World Cup winnersโ medal before bowing out for good?