EURO 2024 – My Predictions

It’s time for me to whip out my crystal ball once again – I have a (not so) great track record when it comes to my football predictions, so it’s time to put my wishy-washy skills of foresight to the test once more for the EUROS!

It should be a fantastic tournament in Germany, filled with upsets and stunning goals … but how do I think it’ll ultimately play out?

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

GROUP STAGES

GROUP A

POSITION	NATION
1	Germany
2	Hungary
3	**Switzerland**
4	Scotland

Germany are the host nation for this tournament, and I think they’ll have something to prove across the whole EUROS. They should beat every opponent quite comfortably with the support of the home crowds, finishing top of Group A with nine points (or seven, if Hungary scrape a draw). Expect masterclass performances from Kroos, Wirtz and Neuer.

It’ll be the end of the road for a spirited Scotland side, unfortunately, but I can see Hungary and Switzerland going head to head for that second place spot. Hungary will come out on top, but at least Switzerland will go through as one of the best third place teams.

GROUP B

POSITION	NATION
1	Spain
2	Italy
3	**Croatia**
4	Albania

Sorry, Albania, but you’ve been drawn in the group of death. You’ll get a point against Croatia if you’re lucky, but that’s about it.

I think people expect Croatia to shock the world once more, but this tournament will be a step too far for them. Both Spain and Italy will finish above them – but a win against Albania could see them advance to the knockouts nonetheless.

Spain and Italy (reigning champs, let’s not forget) are two dark horses going into this tournament, and I think we’ll see some surprises from both. They’ll finish first and second respectively, with Spain pipping them to top spot thanks to sheer squad quality.

GROUP C

POSITION	NATION
1	England
2	Serbia
3	**Denmark**
4	Slovenia

The so-called “easiest” group of the EUROS, but I could absolutely see England bottling it and finishing second or even third. Still, on paper we should have enough quality to top the group with (hopefully) nine points.

Most people would back Denmark as the second place team, but I think they’ve been undergoing a steady decline in recent years. Serbia will instead shock everyone by randomly finishing second … but Denmark will still advance thanks to three points against Slovenia.

GROUP D

POSITION	NATION
1	Netherlands
2	France
3	Austria
4	Poland

I haven’t pushed the boat out with many of my predictions, but I think the biggest shock of the Group Stages will be that France won’t top the group comfortably. Kylian Mbappe will bag top scorer just from his games against Austria and Poland alone, but a shock loss to Netherlands will root them in second place.

Netherlands have what it takes to go far in this tournament … but the same cannot be said for Austria and Poland, who will both crash out after disappointing performances.

But keep in mind I predicted France to come second in their 2022 World Cup Group as well. Behind Denmark. Yikes …

GROUP E

POSITION	NATION
1	Belgium
2	Ukraine
3	**Romania**
4	Slovakia

Other than England in Group C, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more certain outcome than Belgium topping Group E.

Despite their shaky track record in tournaments they should easily top their group with seven or even nine points. A determined Ukraine side will finish second, and Romania will do just enough against Slovakia to secure a place in the next round.

GROUP F

POSITION	NATION
1	Portugal
2	Czech Republic
3	Turkey
4	Georgia

Again, Portugal should easily be topping this group with the quality they have in their squad. I’m starting to see why people say European nations are overrated at football, as there’s not much competition apart from a dozen or so big countries.

Czech Republic are my pick for second place, and I don’t think either Turkey or Georgia will do enough to make it to the knockouts.

ROUND OF SIXTEEN

This is always the point of my predictions where the real-world relevance varies wildly, as there’s no guarantee that ANY of these games will happen depending on how the Group Stages play out. Either way, it’ll be fun to see how my theoretical tournament plays out overall!

GERMANY vs Serbia (2-0)

The mighty host nation versus the underdogs. Sorry, Serbia, but you won’t have what it takes to progress to the Quarters.

I imagine this’ll be the random Niclas Fullkrug brace of the tournament.

Hungary vs ITALY (1-2 aet)

Hungary are on the up, and Italy are on the down. What I’m trying to say is that this’ll be the spiciest game of the round.

Szoboszlai will do his nation proud, but Italy will have enough in the tank to win in extra time.

SPAIN vs Switzerland (3-1)

A comfortable win here for Spain … unless they bottle it for the umpteenth tournament in a row.

Switzerland are a decent side, but I can’t imagine them doing well against a proper team like Spain.

ENGLAND vs Romania (0-0 pen)

On paper, England should absolutely batter Romania. We tend to do well in knockout stages against lower-ranked nations, to be fair, but I think we’ll have a stress-induced nightmare.

Whether it’ll end up being 0-0, 1-1 or 2-2 I don’t know, but it’ll take an intense penalty shoot-out to send England through.

PORTUGAL vs Denmark (4-0)

This is my pick for biggest blow-out of the round – Denmark are far from the dark horses they used to be, and Portugal’s squad is brimming with class.

Goals from Jota, Fernandes, Leao and Silva will see Portugal reach the Quarters comfortably.

FRANCE vs Ukraine (3-2)

France will win in the end, but Ukraine will make them work for it.

I can even see Ukraine going 2-0 up thanks to a pair of brilliant Mudryk assists, but goals from Mbappe, Tchouameni and a substituted Dembele will see the French advance.

Belgium vs CROATIA (0-1 aet)

The other of the Round Of Sixteen games to go to extra time. Sorry, Belgium, but I see you crashing out yet again.

This’ll be a really boring game of football with little to no action, and a late Croatia winner thanks to a scrappy goal will book them an undeserving place in the next round.

NETHERLANDS vs Czech Republic (2-0)

Netherlands will score an early goal and a late goal, with not much going on in between.

It’ll see them advance ahead of Czech Republic, though, who won’t do enough to truly trouble the Dutch.

QUARTER FINALS

GERMANY vs Spain (1-0)

Germany vs Spain ended 1-1 in the 2022 World Cup, but I think the Germans will take that experience and use the home setting to their advantage.

It’ll be a really tight game, but a 70th minute header from a German defender will be the difference.

Portugal vs FRANCE (1-1 pen)

Apparently I’m France’s biggest hater, as yet again I’m predicting them to struggle in a place where most others would see them through.

They’ll draw to a determined Portugal side in regular and extra time before barely scraping through on penalties.

Croatia vs NETHERLANDS (1-2 aet)

Croatia have done well to reach the Quarter Finals of yet another major tournament, and once again I can see them giving their opposition some grief.

It’ll end 1-1 in normal time, but a Netherlands winner in the 110th minute will be the difference between two steadfast sides.

England vs ITALY (1-2 aet)

By pure coincidence I have a repeat of the 2020 (or 2021, technically) Final. And just like in the last EUROS, I think Italy’s passion will be too much for our lukewarm England side to handle.

Once again it’ll end 1-1 in normal time, but a lapse of concentration will see England concede a late extra-time nail in the coffin. Maybe the 2026 World Cup will be our year.

SEMI FINALS

GERMANY vs France (0-0 pen)

A Germany / France Semi-Final is a juicy prospect, but one that I feel will ultimately fail to deliver.

It may go down as the worst game of the tournament – tight in the midfield, few big chances. Germany will win on penalties in the end thanks to home support.

NETHERLANDS vs Italy (4-2 aet)

Whilst Germany-France is set up to be the worst game of the tournament, my gut is telling me that Netherlands-Italy will be the very best.

It’ll be cards-a-plenty (a bit like Netherlands-Argentina in the 2022 World Cup), and two goals in added time will see the Dutch reach their first major final in over a decade.

FINAL

Germany vs Netherlands

Twenty-four teams enter, but only two can reach the final. It’s Germany – the host nation – against Netherlands – the European bridesmaids. They both have a history of winning intense EUROS tournaments … but who will have what it takes to be victorious?

I predict Germany taking home the trophy. It’ll be 1-1 at half time, but a spirited second half performance will see the Germans best the Dutch 3-1.

WINNER – GERMANY

Just for the hell of it, here are my predicted EURO 2024 award winners:

TOP SCORER	Kylian Mbappe
BEST PLAYER	Toni Kroos
BEST YOUNG PLAYER	Florian Wirtz
GOLDEN GLOVE	Manuel Neuer
BEST GAME	Netherlands VS Italy
UNDER-ACHIEVERS	Belgium / England
OVER-ACHIEVERS	Croatia / Italy

Aaaaaaand that’s my prediction. Hopefully I’m wrong about England crashing out … but until we know for sure in a month’s time, you can check out some of my latest blog posts below: