One of the world’s most anticipated sporting events starts today in Munich, Germany – Euro 2024! This edition of the football tournament features a multitude of heavy hitting nations, along with several potential dark horses and party crashers. Whether you’re a fan of one of the participating nations of simply a football fanatic, we’ve got you covered at CoinGames. We’ll be offering enhanced odds on a number of matches, as well as fantastic promotions throughout the entire tournament. Before the tournament gets underway, let’s check out eight things to keep an eye out for at these Euros!
1. The Hosts: Underachievers or Top Contenders?
Germany hosts a major tournament for the first time since World Cup 2006, where their run ended in a thrilling late loss to Italy in the semifinals. The national team has been in volatile form recently. Since Hansi Flick’s departure as manager – with the arrival of Nagelsmann – they have been in promising form. While they’ve only played friendlies under his managament, they’ve won three of their last four, including convincing victories against the Netherlands and France. Their squad features an exciting mix of young talents like Musiala, Wirtz and Havertz – along with more experiences players like Gundogan, Neuer and Kroos. Will they go far at this domestic tournament? Considering Germany have not won a knockout game in international tournaments since Euro 2016, they are due a deep run. CoinGames sportsbook has Germany listed at 2.10 to make the Euro 2024 Semifinals, and 3.70 to make the Final.
2. Mbappe: Real Madrid Star to Drag France Over the Line?
Kylian Mbappe – arguably the best player in the world – made a long-awaited move to Champions League winners Real Madrid earlier this month. The young star has already taken France to Wolrd Cup glory when he was only nineteen in 2018. However, in the last edition of the Euros, Mbappe was disappointing, missing the cruicial penalty that sent the French home against Switzerland in the Round of 16. Is it time to redeem himself on the European stage? It seems very possible, as France have, in my opinion, the best mix of management and players in the competiton. Deschamps has already taken his side to two World Cup Finals, as well as a Euro final in 2016 that they lost in Paris. Their squad is full of talent, even though the striking option remains a bit of a mystery. If it were only up to Mbappe’s talent, France would easily be outright favorites. However, they will have to deal with a couple of very qualified teams before lifing the trophy. CoinGames has France listed at 4.80 to win the tournament, just behind this next team.
3. Will England Finally Win a Major Tournament?
Perennial underachievers England have had one of the world’s strongest and most complete squads for close to six years now. This tournament is no different, even though there are some real questions regarding the Three Lions’ backline. A frontline trio of Foden, Kane and Bellingham is easily one of the most complete in the competition. The real question is how the others will perform. Managers Gareth Southgate, while taking his team to the Euro final in 2022 and World Cup semis in 2018, has been targeted at home and abroad for being too conservative. If he does not change up his style of play, it is difficult to see how England will beat the likes of France, Germany and even Portugal on the way to Euro victory. Nevertheless, the bookmakers have England as favorites to win the tournament ahead of the French, listed at 4.30 on CoinGames.
4. Does Portugal Have the Best Squad of the Tournament?
The winners of the 2016 Euros come into this tournament with, in my opinion, the best squad out of all the qualified teams. They should be considered as perhaps among the top 2 favorites to take home the trophy once again. From top to bottom, the Portuguese team is absolutely stacked in talent, with only France being anywhere close. Their defense features veteran Pepe, who will pair up with Man City’s Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo, in additon to Nuno Mendes on the left. In midfield, Fulham’s Palhinha – tailed closely by Bayern – will p;ay along with Vitinha and Bruno Fernades, who sparkles when playing for Portugal. And the choices upfont are absolutely out of this world. Cristiano Ronaldo returns for what is his sixth Euros tournament, along with Milan’s Rafa Leao, City’s Bernando Silva, Liverpool’s Jota and more. If manager Roberto Martinez is able to form a coherent group, this team will undoubtedly reach the final stages of the tournament. CoinGames has them listed at 4.40 to make the Final, a bet I’d take in a heartbeat.
5. Can the Italians Challenge and Retain Thier Crown?
The current holders of the Euro trophy, Italy, come into this edition in a rather more dishevled manner than they did in 2021. Euro 2024 will likely see a weaker team play out in the group of death alongside Spain and Croatia. However, there is still a lot of talent in the team. Veterans Bonucci, Chiellini and Verratti are all gone from the winning side of three years ago. The rejuvinated squad looks to lack a bit of experience, but certainly not excitement. Inter’s Bastoni, Barella, Darmian and Dimarco all arguably had the best year of their career, and will likely all start if fit. Donnarumma was named player of the tournament in 2021, and will certainly have to perform like it again this time around if the Italians are to go far. Ultimately, they will not win the competition – the only team to retain was Spain’s golden generation in 2008-2012, but they could cause an upset. Luciano Spalletti has only been in charge a couple of months. Given time to adapt, he could give this side a real identity. Italy is listed at 4.00 to make the semifinals of Euro 2024.
6. Young and Exciting: Could Spain Win a 3rd Euro?
Similarly in some regards to Germany, Spain have rather underachieved since winning Euro 2012. They have only won two knockout games in any major tournament since then, both at the last Euros, before losing to Italy on penalties in the Semifinal. They have chnaged managers since the World Cup in late 2022, and a generational chnage has occurred as well. Pedri and Rodri now lead one of the most talented midfields in the tournament, while youngsters Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal will thunder down the flanks. Their only real question mark is in defense, where they are relying on older players like Carvajal, Jesus Navas, Nacho and Laporte to do the job. Offensive powerhouses like France, Portugal and England could do some real damage there. They are in a difficult group alongside Italy and Croatia but will be expected to make it out. How far they can get after that is anyone’s guess: rule out the kings of possession at your own peril. CoinGames lists them at 2.50 to make the semifinals, the same as Portugal.
7. Austria and Ukraine: Dark Horses and Party Crashers
Outside the top 8-9 teams of the tournament, there are a few that could do some real damage to the heavy hitters at Euro 2024. In my opinion these are Austria – who were amazing in qualification, and Ukraine – who have a very talented team at their disposal. Austria is in a tough group alongside France, the Netherlands and Poland, and will miss a key player like Alaba. However, the rest of their squad is solid enough to be competitive even in this group. This is true especially in midfield, where they feature players from Bayern, Leipzig and more. On the other hand Ukraine may very well go really deep in the competition. Their squad is young and they are in a relatively easy group this time around. Alongside the likes of Mudryk and Zinchenko, who play for top Premier League teams, they have called up Dovbyk from Girona, this season’s leading scorer in La Liga. Look for these two teams to make the knockout rounds and potentially surprise everyone with runs to the quarters and beyond. Austria listed at 9.00 to make the semifinals, Ukraine at 11.00.
8. Transition Periods for Belgium and the Netherlands?
Two national teams that could struggle at Euro 2024 are the Netherlands and Belgium, even though they still boast players of the higest order. They are both enduring a period of transtion somewhat, especially Belgium, with the arrival of manager Tedesco, the exclusion of Real Madrid keeper Courtois and the retirement of Eden Hazard. Lukaku and de Bruyne still feature even though they are at the latter stages of their careers. Both Belgium and the Netherlands have called up a number of younger players that will lead the next generation to perhaps even more success than the last one. Players like Zirkzee, Frimpong and Van de Ven for the Netherlands, and Doku and Openda for the Belgians will lead their teams for tournaments to come. However, for this edition, both teams are likely to not make it farther than the quarterfinals. However, if you do believe in them, Belgium are listed at 3.85 to make the semis, while the Nertherlands at 4.00.
Play every single Euro 2024 match at the CoinGames sportsbook. With enhnaced odds and promotional boosts, this weill be a tournament to remember nio matter who you are rooting for!
