Euro 2024: Groups, Schedule, and Favorites

The anticipation is building as Euro 2024, the grand football spectacle, draws nearer. This time around, the defending champions Italy are set to face fierce competition in Group B, where they’ll lock horns with Spain, Croatia, and Albania. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the intriguing storylines this tournament promises to deliver.

Tournament Commencement and Venue

Euro 2024 will kick off on Friday, 14 June 2024, at the iconic Allianz Arena in Munich, the home turf of Bayern Munich. Scotland has the honor of facing the hosts in the opening match, setting the stage for a month-long football extravaganza that will conclude on Sunday, 14 July at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Interestingly, this marks Germany’s first time hosting the tournament since reunification, with the last event held on their soil dating back to 1988.

Ticketing Information

If you’re itching to be part of the action, you’ll want to know about ticket availability. Tickets were initially up for grabs from 3 to 26 October, allocated through a lottery system. But fear not, fans of qualified nations can still apply for tickets via the dedicated fan portal on the UEFA website.

The Frontrunners

Now, let’s talk about the hot favorites. As of the latest odds, England and France stand tall as joint favorites, both with odds of 4/1, according to the bookmakers. Hosts Germany aren’t too far behind at 7/1, while Spain is a strong contender at 8/1. In a more surprising turn of events, Scotland finds itself at 80/1 odds to clinch the title. But hey, stranger things have happened in football, right?

Group Stage Lineup

The group stage will see some thrilling matchups:

• Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
• Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
• Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
• Group D: Play-off winner A, Netherlands, Austria, France
• Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Play-off winner B
• Group F: Turkey, Play-off winner C, Portugal, Czech Republic

But wait, there’s more! Twelve teams have a chance at qualification through the play-offs, adding another layer of excitement to the mix.

Broadcasting Coverage

For those of us following the action from the UK, BBC and ITV will once again be sharing the broadcasting coverage, following the pattern from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and previous European Championships. Stay tuned for the full schedules and the BBC’s punditry team, which will be revealed closer to the tournament’s start.

England and Scotland’s Journey

Now, let’s zero in on England and Scotland’s paths. England’s group-stage matches are as follows: 16 June against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen (20:00 BST), 20 June against Denmark in Frankfurt (17:00 BST), and 25 June against Slovenia in Cologne (20:00 BST). Meanwhile, Scotland’s group-stage fixtures include a showdown with Germany on 14 June in Munich (20:00 BST), a clash with Switzerland on 19 June in Cologne (20:00 BST), and a meeting with Hungary on 23 June in Stuttgart (20:00 BST).

Knockout Possibilities

As for the knockout stage, it’s all up in the air. If England tops Group C, they’ll face one of the third-placed teams from Group D, E, or F in the last 16. However, if they finish second, they’ll take on the winner of Group A in the last 16. Scotland’s fate is similar: if they top Group A, they’ll face the second-placed team from Group C, but if they finish second, they’ll confront the second-placed team from Group B. And don’t forget, both teams could advance as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group stage.

Formidable Teams and Notable Absences

As the tournament approaches, some teams are riding high on their unbeaten qualifying campaigns. France, England, Portugal, Belgium, Romania, and Hungary all boast unblemished records. Portugal stands out as the only side to win every match, scoring 36 goals and conceding just two. Meanwhile, Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku emerged as the top scorer during qualifying, notching an impressive 14 goals in eight matches for Belgium.

However, it’s not all sunshine and roses. Some notable nations, like Norway and Sweden, won’t be gracing the tournament. Norway’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard will miss out due to Norway’s failure to qualify, while Sweden, a regular presence, failed to secure a spot for the first time since 1996.

Stadiums Galore

Finally, the tournament will be spread across ten host cities in Germany, showcasing some legendary venues:

• Berlin: Olympiastadion (70,000 capacity)
• Cologne: Cologne Stadium (47,000)
• Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund (66,000)
• Dusseldorf: Dusseldorf Arena (47,000)
• Frankfurt: Frankfurt Arena (48,000)
• Gelsenkirchen: Arena AufSchalke (50,000)
• Hamburg: Volksparkstadion Hamburg (50,000)
• Leipzig: Leipzig Stadium (42,000)
• Munich: Munich Football Arena (67,000)
• Stuttgart: Stuttgart Arena (54,000)

All in all, Euro 2024 is shaping up to be an exhilarating festival of football, and fans from around the world are eagerly awaiting the action to unfold. So, mark your calendars and get ready for a summer filled with goals, drama, and unforgettable moments on the pitch. It’s a date no football enthusiast should miss!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Euro 2024 Preview

More about Euro 2024 Preview

• UEFA Official Website for Euro 2024 ticket information.
• Euro 2024 Odds for the latest betting odds and favorites.
• BBC Sport and ITV Sport for broadcasting details in the UK.
• Official Euro 2024 Website for comprehensive tournament information.
• UEFA Euro Qualifying for details on unbeaten teams and qualifying matches.
• Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard official club websites for updates on their absence from Euro 2024.
• Swedish National Football Team for information on Sweden’s absence from the tournament.
• Euro 2024 Host Cities for details on tournament venues.