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With the long-awaited kickoff of Euro 2020 only hours away, it’s time for the last group stage predictions to come in. A wild ride is awaiting us and I did my best to predict the outcomes of an incredibly balanced group stage. None of the six groups have a clear standout and the storylines are as many as they are intriguing. We may have had to wait an extra year for the Euros to finally get going, but as they say, a pleasure delayed is a pleasure heightened.
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Group A
Winner - Italy: While Turkey could cause the Azzurri some problems in the tournament opener, Roberto Mancini’s side should book first place. Injuries to Lorenzo Pellegrini and Stefano Sensi give the tactician a slight headache but the stacked midfield department should ease their exits. The biggest question marks will be how the aging duo of Bonucci-Chiellini fares, along with who Mancini picks to lead the front line.
Second place - Turkey: A close second will be Turkey, managed by Şenol Güneş. Burak Yilmaz, Yusuf Yazici, and Hakan Calhanoglu form a tricky attack and Turkey has potential to be a dark-hourse.
Third place - Switzerland: The Swiss miss out on the top two but still advance to the knockout stages as a third place side.
Fourth place - Wales: Wales will round out Group A with Gareth Bale and Co. unable to repeat the heroics of 2016.
Poll
Who do you think wins Group A?
This poll is closed
-
91%
Italy
(96 votes) -
3%
Turkey
(4 votes) -
3%
Switzerland
(4 votes) -
0%
Wales
(1 vote)
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Group B
Winner - Belgium: The trend of Inter players and first place finishes will continue with Romelu Lukaku and Belgium. The Red Devils may be a little shaky defensively nowadays but it’s five-star attack will be no match for the rest of Group B.
Second place - Denmark: Christian Eriksen’s Denmark will take second, failing to beat only Belgium in an impressive group stage that puts the rest of the tournament on watch.
Third place - Russia: The hosts of the 2018 World Cup may not have the firepower to take out Denmark or Belgium, but Russia should roll through Finland en route to a third place finish that still secures it a spot in the next round.
Fourth place - Finland
Poll
Who do you think wins Group B?
This poll is closed
-
90%
Belgium
(82 votes) -
6%
Denmark
(6 votes) -
2%
Russia
(2 votes) -
1%
Finland
(1 vote)
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Group C
Winner - Netherlands: While it’s difficult to imagine Frank de Boer finding success on a stage as big as the Euros after his recent, uh, bumpy tenues at a handful of clubs, the quality on the Netherlands is too much for a group stage exit.
Second place - Ukraine: Another potential dark horse, Ukraine will fight it out with the Oranje for the top seed until the final matchday.
Third place - North Macedonia: In its first-ever major tournament, Goran Pandev-led North Macedonia will pick up a shock third-place finish.
Fourth place - Austria
Poll
Who do you think wins Group C?
This poll is closed
-
85%
Netherlands
(74 votes) -
9%
Ukraine
(8 votes) -
3%
North Macedonia
(3 votes) -
2%
Austria
(2 votes)
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Group D
Winner - Croatia: Croatia over England is perhaps the first real upset so far. England has a wealth of talent but Croatia’s experience will prove the difference.
Second place - England: Despite not topping the group, the Three Lions can still make noise in the knockout stages.
Third place - Scotland
Fourth place - Czech Republic
Poll
Who do you think wins Group D?
This poll is closed
-
14%
Croatia
(22 votes) -
36%
England
(57 votes) -
45%
Scotland
(71 votes) -
3%
Czech Republic
(5 votes)
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Group E
Winner - Spain: La Furia Roja may be far removed from its golden generation, but it still has the quality to top Group E. A deep run, however, might be beyond Luis Enrique side’s abilities.
Second place - Sweden: The Swedes will struggle without the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Dejan Kulusevski (COVID-19) but Isak will pick up the scoring load to guide his country into second.
Third place - Slovakia: Slovakia may be widely expected to finish last, but with Milan Skriniar in defense anything is possible. A narrow victory over Poland on Matchday 1 will be enough to send the Poles into fourth.
Fourth place - Poland
Poll
Who do you think wins Group E?
This poll is closed
-
66%
Spain
(53 votes) -
13%
Sweden
(11 votes) -
7%
Slovakia
(6 votes) -
12%
Poland
(10 votes)
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Group F
Winner - Portugal: Last but far from least comes to Group of Death. Portugal, France, and Germany all have high aspirations for the summer, while Hungary isn’t push-overs. The Seleção will be the ones to take top seed, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
Second place - France: France may be the tournament favorite, but I see them finishing behind their Portuguese counterparts. The Giroud-Mbappe tension will carry over into the games themself but France will still go on a deep run once it finds its footing.
Third place - Germany: Germany’s last games under the departing Joachim Low will be further proof its time for the World Cup winner to exit. Germany has enough talent to hang with anyone but it won’t come together this summer.
Fourth place - Hungary
Poll
Who do you think wins Group F?
This poll is closed
-
19%
Portugal
(17 votes) -
59%
France
(52 votes) -
13%
Germany
(12 votes) -
6%
Hungary
(6 votes)
Group winners - Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Croatia, Spain, Portugal
Second place - Turkey, Denmark, Ukraine, England, Sweden, France
Third place - Switzerland, Russia, Scotland, Germany