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Euro 2024 is already nearing the end of the group phase and the hottest tournament in world football is starting to take shape.
With every side having now played two matches, we are starting to get a sense as to who could be getting their hands on one of the most iconic trophies in the game. Here are our talking points from the tournament so far.
Spain and Portugal Look Poised For Deep Run
Through two rounds of matches the best two teams in the tournament have undoubtedly been Spain and Portugal. Both sides have recorded victories in their first two matches and have looked a cut above the rest.
With both sides seeing a massive cut in their odds for overall glory with sports betting apps all over the world, both have been able to capture the imagination due to their fast free flowing football and both teams will hope to continue playing this way as the knockout rounds begin.
Both were amongst the first teams to officially qualify for the Round of 16 and nobody will want to take them on once the serious business starts.
Beware the hosts
Heading into the tournament, one team that people were finding difficult to assess was Germany.
Despite being a juggernaut of a team, the last few tournaments have been tough for the Germans. They have failed to qualify from their group at the last two World Cups and fell at the Round of 16 at Euro 2020.
Drawn in a tricky looking group alongside Scotland, Switzerland and Hungary, Germany have made easy work of the Scots and Hungarians and have absolutely cruised into the last 16.
Almost certain to top their group and with a passionate home support behind them, Jamal Musiala has been one of the stars of the show. Playing aggressive, front-foot football, Germany look poised to go all the way.
France and England yet to fire
Heading into the tournament both France and England were considered the heavy favorites, but through the first two matches it’s fair to say that both have failed to fire.
The French have just scored one goal through their first two matches and with Kylian Mbappe missing in action due to a broken nose picked up in the first game, the French attack looked disjointed and uninspiring in their 0-0 draw with the Netherlands.
Mbappe will return, but there is a good chance that the French won’t top their group, due to trailing the Dutch on goal difference.
It would be foolish to discount their chances, but they will need to play far better as the tournament progresses if they are to win their first European Championships since 2000.
England have never been able to win the Euros and that long wait looks set to continue unless they can quickly find another gear.
Despite beating Serbia and drawing against Denmark, England have been well below par and can consider themselves slightly fortunate to be leading their group with four points.
One huge concern for England fans is how unbalanced their team looks. The Trent Alexander-Arnold experience in midfield hasn’t worked and there are also concerns over the positions of Kieran Trippier and Phil Foden.
The English players look unable to cope with the pressure at the moment and if Gareth Southgate can’t find a solution, they look in real danger of an early exit.
Underdogs Have Helped Make This Tournament
Back in 2016 when the Euros was expanded from 16 teams to 24, there was a fear that the inclusion of eight extra teams could detract from the overall quality of the tournament.
The inclusion of teams such as Albania and Georgia and the reemergence of nations such as Romania and Scotland have seen a wave of huge passionate fan bases descend on Germany and it’s fair to say that it is these teams who have brought a real party atmosphere to the tournament.
Despite their underdog status, Albania, Georgia, Romania and Scotland all have a chance of reaching the last 16 and through the first two games they have shown that they certainly belong in tournaments like this.
The atmosphere around Germany has been electric and that is in no small part to the fans of these teams having the time of their lives.
If any of these sides can reach the knockout phase of the tournament, nobody will want to face them.