Twists of Fate: How have the pre-tournament favorites fared in the group stages of UEFA Euro 2024?

New Delhi: Now that the group stages are over, the stage is set for the knockout stages of the premier competition of Europe, the UEFA Euro 2024. Like every other tournament, this year’s edition had multiple pre-tournament favourites that were being tipped to win the title by fans and pundits alike.

Countries like France, Germany and England were the heavy favourites heading into the tournament whereas Spain, Portugal and defending champions Italy were seen as teams that could have an outside chance at winning the tournament. With the group stages behind us, we now have a better idea as to how these teams have performed at the tournament and if their performances lived up to the expectations of the fans.

While some teams showcased exactly what was expected of them, some flattered to deceive, let’s dive in to find out how each of the six pre-tournament favourites fared in the group stages of the tournament and what it means for the knockout stages.

1) Germany: A revival of fallen giants on the cards?

Their performance in the group stages: Germany kicked off the tournament with a dominant 5-1 win over Scotland before earning a comfortable 2-0 win over Hungary. They looked on course to make it three out of three against Switzerland but almost lost that encounter, being saved right at the death via a Niclas Fullkrug header. Before the tournament began, the host nation was amongst the top favourites to lift the trophy come July and it was after years that they looked like the Germany of old.

After being knocked out of the group stages in both the World Cups since they won it back in 2014, and getting knocked out against England in the round of 16 at UEFA Euro 2020, the pressure was immense on Julien Nagelsmann’s side to perform. And perform they did. They blew apart Scotland showing their goalscoring prowess, they humbled Hungary showcasing their ability to control the game and in the draw with Switzerland, they showed their resilience to not give up till the end.

What to expect in the last 16: Having emerged as the winners of their group, Germany now take on Denmark in the last 16. This Denmark side is nothing like the one we saw in the previous tournament and shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge to a vastly superior Germany side.

2) Spain: Can they extend their 100% win record?

Their performance in the group stages: Luis de la Fuente’s men are the only side to make it to the knockout stages with a 100% win record in the group stages as they overcame Croatia, Italy and Albania to finish top of their group. Not only did they win all their games, they were also the only team to keep a clean sheet in all of their matches in the group stages making them an exciting side to watch.

Spain haven’t had much to cheer about ever since their 2012 triumph and while they reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2020, nobody really expected them to win last time around. This time however, being led by the experienced Alvaro Morata, who has exciting young wingers in Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to support him, Spain look like an incredibly dangerous side capable of going all the way. They made it out of a tough group with relative ease and that should be a warning sign for the rest of the nations.

What to expect in the last 16: The Spaniards take on debutants Georgia in the pre-quarters, who have just stunned Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Georgia have had a fairytale run till now but Spain seem like a step too far for the debutants just yet. If both Germany and Spain manage to go through the pre-quarters, then we will get to see a rematch of the 2008 UEFA Euro final and that makes for a mouth-watering clash.

3) England: Is it finally coming home?

Their performance in the group stages: This could be the final tournament manager Gareth Southgate takes charge of as England boss and he would love to go out with a trophy to show for his efforts. After reaching the finals of the tournament in the previous edition, and containing the likes of Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, many expected England to be the favourites for the tournament.

However, one unconvincing win over Serbia and two draws later, that optimism amongst fans has slowly disappeared as England’s performances in the group stages have been highly uninspiring. Scoring only twice in the group stages, Southgate’s men seem far inferior to all the pre-tournament favourites and if their group-stage performances are anything to go by, it doesn’t look like football is coming home this time as well.

What to expect in the last 16: Once again, England have the luck of the draw with them as they’ve been drawn on the relatively easier side of the bracket as they face Slovakia in the round of 16. While they have been poor in the group stages, England should be able to overcome Slovakia to reach the quarters but they’ll need to majorly improve their performances or Slovakia could cause another upset.

4) Italy: Can the defending champions go back-to-back?

Their performance in the group stages: The defending champions are hoping to become the first team since Spain in 2012 to retain the UEFA European Championship. The Azzurri started the campaign with a commanding 2-1 win over Albania but sort of lost their way after that game. They lost to Spain after an own-goal made them pay the price for their attacking woes and the same attacking problems almost cost them the game against Croatia.

They finished the group stages with a win, a loss and a draw to their name as they qualified for the next round as runners-up in Group B but were lucky enough to finish second in the group. This Italy side looks a shadow of the side that won the tournament in 2021 and will need to fix their attacking troubles to retain their title.

What to expect in the last 16: Italy face a tricky Switzerland side in the round of 16 that almost beat Germany in the group stages. If the Italians can’t find a solution to their attacking problems, Switzerland might just knock them out of this tournament just like they did with France in UEFA Euro 2020.

5) France: Will their 24-year wait for the Euros end or extend?

Their performance in the group stages: The heavy favourites before the tournament started are in for a rude awakening after the group stages ended. France were expected to top their group given the quality of players at their disposal but they laboured their way to just a single win in their group in the first game against Austria. Following that up with two successive draws with Netherlands and Poland, the favourites finished second in their group.

The French national team also scored just two goals in the group stages, one of which was an own-goal and the other was a penalty, meaning no French player has scored from open play in the tournament, three games in. While their defence has been solid, their attacking displays need to improve majorly if they are to win the tournament for the first time in 24 years.

What to expect in the last 16: As a result of finishing second in the group, France take on Belgium in the pre-quarters in what is a game between two faltering attacks and two solid defences. This game could either be a tactical masterclass or a boring snoozefest but given France’s pedigree, they should defeat a well past their prime Belgium to advance.

6) Portugal: Will Ronaldo’s potential swan song end with silverware?

Their performance in the group stages: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal began the tournament brilliantly, recording two wins out of two and sealing qualification to the next round. However, a surprise defeat to Georgia in their final game would be a massive blow to their confidence heading into the knockout stages of the tournament.

With a new manager at the helm in Roberto Martinez, Portugal are aiming for a repeat of their 2016 heroics as they look to wash away the memories of the early exit in the pre-quarters of the previous edition. They have looked good in both of their wins but there are certainly flaws in their game that need to be addressed ahead of their last 16 clash.

What to expect in the last 16: As they finished top of their group, Portugal face Slovenia in their last 16 clash and it should be a routine win for the 2016 champions as they look to win another UEFA Euro trophy.

 With all the pre-tournament favourites having made it through to the next round, here’s a review of how all six of these teams performed in the group stages and what expect of them in the knockouts.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today