Euro 2024 marks the proper return of summer football
Euro 2024 is now only two days away, as tournament hosts Germany take on Scotland on Friday at 8pm.
This tournament will mark the return of international football as we know and love it.
It will be the first tournament since the 2018 World Cup to take place in the summer with full crowds.
Football fans are in for a great summer.
England under pressure to deliver
England are amongst the favourites to win the tournament, alongside France and Portugal.
The England side competing in Germany this summer will be a much younger group.
Jude Bellingham, age 20, Phil Foden, age 23, Bukayo Saka, age 22, and Marc Guehi, age 23, are all expected to start this time around, none of whom started in the last Euros.
Still, it will be a side full of experience for both club and country, and their goal must be to go all the way.
Is Euro 2024 Gareth Southgate’s last dance?
Speaking to the media this week, Gareth Southgate indicated that this will likely be his last tournament as England boss.
He has been England’s most successful manager since Alf Ramsey, but has struggled to get his nation across the finish line.
The Three Lions reached the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020, but saw a quarter-final exit against France in the 2022 World Cup.
Southgate, who has been criticised in the past of practicing favouritism with his team selection, has finally changed his tune.
England regulars Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, and Jordan Henderson have been left out of the squad, which serves as a sign of hope.
Putting form over preference could bode well for a squad so hungry to win a major tournament.
A favourable group for England
England are favourites to finish top of their group with Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia.
Their game schedule for the group stage is as follows:
- Serbia vs England: Sunday, June 16 @ 8pm.
- Denmark vs Engalnd: Thursday, June 20 @ 5pm.
- England vs Slovenia: Tuesday, June 25 @ 8pm.
Will football finally be coming home this summer?
