After the smashing success of our 2018 World Cup Preview we now bring you perhaps the second most important international soccer tournament preview. More footy!
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A year late and after a threat of cancellation due to the Covid-19 pandemic we will finally witness the 16th edition of the UEFA European Football Championship this summer. To say it’s been an eventful calendar year since this tournament was supposed to take place is an understatement. Not only has European soccer been devastated and dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak, the sport across the pond was nearly thrown into massive chaos at the club level which nearly had enormous generational implications for a tournament like this and its governing body the Union of European Football Associations.
As it stands, the Euro 2020 is taking place this summer during 2021 with the 2016 champions Portugal set to defend their crown.
When: June 11, 2021 through July 11, 2021
Originally scheduled to begin on June 12, 2020 the Euro 2020 Championship will retain its name despite being played a full year later.
Where: 11 Cities in 11 Countries
France hosted the 2016 tournament and in order to increase the bribery celebrate the 60th anniversary of the competition, UEFA decided in late 2012 that this 2020 tournament would be spread out across several cities on the continent. Bad timing with the pandemic. Originally, 13 cities were awarded group stage matches:
- Baku, Azerbaijan, Olympic Stadium
- Brussels, Belgium, Eurostadium
- Copenhagen, Denmark, Parken Stadium
- London, England, Wembley Stadium
- Munich, Germany, Allianz Arena
- Budapest, Hungary, Puskas Arena
- Rome, Italy, Stadio Olimpico
- Amsterdam, Netherlands, Amsterdam Arena
- Dublin, Ireland, Aviva Stadium
- Bucharest, Romania, Arena Nationala
- St. Petersburg, Russia, Krestovsky Stadium
- Glasgow, Scotland, Hampden Park
- Bilbao, Spain, San Mames
There were plans to build a new luxurious Eurostadium in Brussels as a hosting site but the project never got off the ground. This spring, the Dublin site was removed due to Covid issues with the government while the Bilbao site has been re-located to Seville, Spain at Estadio de La Cartuja.
Copenhagen, London, Budapest, Amsterdam, Bucharest, Glasgow, and Seville will host the round of 16 games while Baku, Munich, Rome, and St. Petersburg will host the quarterfinals. London will host the semifinal and Euro final inside Wembley Stadium.
Television: ABC/ESPN
ESPN won the rights to the Euro 2020 tournament (plus many of the qualification matches) back in August 2016 following the conclusion of the last competition in which they also broadcasted the games. The deal was reportedly for $110 million beating out bids from NBC and Fox.
A handful of games will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN2 while the vast majority will remain scheduled for ESPN. Italy will face Turkey tomorrow at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN to kickoff the tournament.
Storylines
#1 Things are Super
Maybe you were living under a rock when the European Super League nearly brought soccer to its knees back in April. If so, here’s a quick explainer:
12 of the richest club teams from the 5 biggest countries attempted to form their own Super League, from which they cannot be relegated, and thus earn more money and increasing the disparity between the haves and the have nots.
Currently, clubs qualify for the Champions League through placement in their domestic leagues. The Super League was a way to effectively bypass the Champions League and their money/prestige which would’ve had a cascading effect on the importance of domestic league games while sending values of those leagues and their negotiating power for television and sponsors into the dumps.
Fans across Europe and the rest of the globe got mad. Very, very mad. UEFA, who runs the Champions League and Euro Championship, threatened to ban any Super League players from participating in their competitions. UEFA was eliciting support from FIFA to ban Super League players from the World Cup, too.
Facing enormous internal pressure–including from national governments–several potential Super League clubs pulled out of the deal and while it looks dead for now the specter of a future move hangs over this summer’s Euro’s and the leadership of UEFA (who instituted new changes to the Champions League in response to pump more money and games to clubs) as the sands continue to shift in world soccer.
#2 VAR
Yes, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is making its debut in the Euro Championship this year. So get ready for razor thin measurements of random body parts to see if a play was off-sides. Luckily, they have decided accidental handballs from offensive players will not be called back on goals so that’s good.
#3 Player Health
The 2016 version of the tournament expanded the field from 16 to 24 teams and that setup remains for 2020 once again. UEFA also made a couple more changes for this year:
1) Increasing the national squad numbers from 23 to 26 players.
2) Increasing the amount of subs per game from 3 to 5 players.
Player health remains a major story line with the virus threat still looming in the shadows and the majority of domestic leagues wrapping up only 3 weeks ago. Additionally, since the tournament was pushed back a year it also coincides with the Olympics coming later this summer. However, only France, Spain, and Germany have squads attending the Olympics from the Euro participants and those teams heading to Japan are almost exclusively Under-23 players, or in other words, the B-national team(s).
Who’s (Not) Here
UEFA made the decision not to allow hosting countries an automatic bid to the tournament which makes sense when they spread it out across so many different nations. As such, it was a little bit easier to qualify for the European powers.
The following did not qualify for 2020 despite making it for 2016: Albania, Romania, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Iceland. According to the latest UEFA coefficient, Romania (25th) is the highest ranked nation to miss out while Iceland (52nd) is actually the lowest rated despite their memorable 2016 Euro run that saw them capture the imagination of the world with their “Viking clap” celebration and run to the Round of 16 where they upset England 2-1 before being defeated by France.
The 5 new teams coming in for 2020 who missed out last go-around include: Netherlands (6th), Scotland (11th), Denmark (14th), North Macedonia (38th) and Finland (44th). Despite being a Pot 1 team and 3rd in the coefficient during qualifying for 2016, the Dutch infamously missed out after winning only 4 out of their 10 games. Now, they’re back!
The Groups
Defending champions Portugal get put in the Group of Death which makes the other 5 groups not quite as competitive as you’d like with clear traditional favorites in each pod.
Betting odds to win the Euro via Bovada.
Group A
Italy +950
Turkey +6,000
Switzerland +8,000
Wales +15,000
This is Italy’s first major tournament since they missed out on the 2018 World Cup. They’ve certainly picked themselves up in a big way rolling easily through qualifying and coming into the Euro’s riding a 25-game unbeaten streak. They have a nice crop of really young emerging players but a lack of proven star power up front to generate goals.
Turkey held off 2016 darling’s Iceland to qualify and only lost 1 out of their 10 qualifying games. Switzerland topped a weak Group D during qualifying, but just barely. The Swiss will look to move past the group stage like they did in 2016. Wales just got in by the skin of their teeth, scoring just 10 goals in 8 games to qualify.
Group B
Belgium +600
Denmark +2,800
Russia +10,000
Finland +35,000
Belgium are getting a ton of buzz as one of the favorites to win going an European best +37 in goal differential during qualifying while winning every game. They lost in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Euro but were competitive in a semi-finals loss to eventual champion France in the 2018 World Cup. This is probably the last chance for Belgium’s modern golden generation.
Denmark had a nice run at the World Cup and didn’t lose during qualifying. Russia was in Belgium’s qualifying group and lost the 2 games by a combined 7-2 score. Finland is a deep underdog finishing 2nd in their group during qualifying but lost 4 games, not enough to let Greece get in the tournament ahead of them.
Group C
Netherlands +1,200
Ukraine +10,000
Austria +12,500
North Macedonia +52,000
The Dutch were dealt a major blow when team captain Virgil van Dijk was ruled out of the Euros coming back from a nasty ACL injury suffered back in October with Liverpool. Netherlands looked solid in qualifying splitting games with group-winner Germany.
Ukraine was one of the big surprises of qualifying only dropping 4 points and topping their group over favorite Portugal. Austria made it through after a messy qualifying saw them lose 3 times and drop 10 points overall–and in the same group–the tournament’s heaviest underdogs North Macedonia made it to the Euros via the Path D playoffs winning a group over Georgia, Belarus, and Kosovo.
Group D
England +500
Croatia +3,300
Czech Republic +15,000
Scotland +25,000
As always, the pressure is on England who is looking for their first major trophy since their 1966 World Cup victory with this tournament concluding on their home soil. They led an easy group in qualifying and will play all 3 group games for the Euros in London.
Croatia were the World Cup runners-up back in 2018 but have some aging players from that memorable run. The Czech’s were in England’s group for qualifying and while they lost 5-0 early did exact revenge with a 2-1 win. Scotland got through by the skin of their teeth winning the Path C playoffs in penalties over Serbia.
Group E
Spain +800
Sweden +8,000
Poland +8,000
Slovakia +25,000
Spain and Sweden were in the same qualifying group with a last-second goal to force a 1-1 tie in the second game gave the Spanish a 5-point cushion to top the table. The Swedes will be without their legendary star Zlatan Ibrahimovic who is out due to injury and at 39 years old probably didn’t have much to offer with only 2 games played in qualifying anyway.
Poland made the quarterfinals in the 2016 Euros and played well topping Group G with ease in qualifying. Slovakia made it by winning Path B in the playoffs over Northern Ireland.
Group F
France +500
Germany +700
Portugal +900
Hungary +25,000
Someone is going home unhappy. As mentioned, Portugal finished 2nd in Group B while Germany held off the talented Dutch in their group. France dropped 5 points in qualifying and just barely topped their group against a sneaky tough Turkish team that only allowed 3 goals in 10 games.
Hungary qualified through the Path A playoffs winning a group from Iceland, Romania, and Bulgaria.
Top 10 Players to Watch
GK Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy
At just 22 years old, he’s already made over 200 appearances for AC Milan and has been the starting keeper for Italy since 2018. This spring, he let his contract with Milan run out and will be one of the most sought after keepers in recent memory. As of this writing, he’s rumored to be signing with PSG.
FW Romelu Lukaku, Belgium
Most agree midfield maestro Kevin de Bruyne (he suffered nasty facial injuries in the Champions League final and might not be 100% for this tourney) is the best Belgian on earth but their country’s fate may be determined by the form of striker Romelu Lukaku. Despite a combined 81 goals at Everton and Manchester United, he never lived up to massive expectations in the Premier League but helped Inter win Serie A in 2020-21 while scoring 47 goals over the past 2 seasons. Still just 28, Lukaku is already Belgium’s all-time leading scorer and a big Euro could fuel a massive transfer this summer.
FB/LW David Alaba, Austria
Alaba was at one point a massively popular young star who spent nearly 300 games fitting into some dominant Bayern Munich squads and winning 27 trophies for the club. He’s leaving Germany and is set to join Real Madrid on a 5-year deal after the Euros and will enter the spotlight again with a competitive Austria squad.
FW Harry Kane, England
The captain of England and the talisman of my beloved Tottenham Hotspur is set to begin a controversial summer that has him linked to Premier League champions Manchester City and elsewhere throughout Europe as he’s rumored to be pushing his way out of Spurs. The leading scorer during Euro qualifying, Kane has bagged 34 goals in just 53 senior appearances for the Three Lions.
MF Marcos Llorente, Spain
Spain is never short of talent but are in a weird spot without a ton of elite players currently in their prime. Except for Llorente who made the move from Real Madrid to Atletico 2 seasons ago and is heading into the Euros as a 2020-21 La Liga champion whose market value is about as high as any midfielder in the world right now.
FW Robert Lewandowski, Poland
You want goals? This guy has got goals for you. Lewandowski is heading into the Euros after breaking the single-season Bundesliga record after slotting home 41 goals for Bayern Munich this year. He’s scored 66 goals for Poland and is the country’s all-time leading scorer.
MF Bruno Fernandes, Portugal
Fernandes has burst onto the scene since his move from Sporting to Manchester United 2 seasons ago. In 51 league games, he’s scored 26 goals and assisted on 19 others for the Red Devils. Now, he enters the spotlight as a leading figure of the defending European Champions.
FW Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
It doesn’t seem possible with his continued production levels but at 36 years old this could be Ronaldo’s last major tournament from a legendary career. He’s coming off a disappointing 4th place team finish for Juventus but Ronaldo pumped in 29 goals in 33 games nonetheless. Heading into his final year of a 4-year deal for his Italian club, it’s possible a big Euro could tempt Juventus to cash in rather than see Ronaldo leave on a free transfer in the twilight of his career.
MF Joshua Kimmich, Germany
Kimmich was too young to be on the 2014 World Cup winning German side but was a part of the 2016 Euro semi-finalists and the disappointing lack of success at the 2018 World Cup. One of the most versatile players in the world, capable of playing right back, defensive midfield, or a more creative midfield role, Kimmich is worth upwards of $100 million and leads a Germany squad with high expectations.
MF N’Golo Kante, France
No one has experienced a better 6 years than the lovable Kante. Once an unknown in the French league, he’s won 2 Premier League titles, a FA Cup, the 2018 World Cup, and is fresh off the 2021 Champions League win that could vault the energizing midfielder to the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best soccer player. A European Championship for France could clinch that award.
Top 3 Young Players to Watch
DF Matthhijs de Ligt, Netherlands
Still just 21 years old, de Ligt already has 26 caps for Netherlands and is through 2 years of a 5-year deal at Juventus that will see him paid nearly $92 million total. With Virgil van Dijk by his side this was supposed to be an imposing Dutch defense but now de Ligt will carry a larger burden for the Euro’s.
FW Phil Foden, England
Foden just turned 21 last month and already has 3 Premier League titles under his belt from 69 appearances for Manchester City. He’s only been featured in 6 senior games for England but could have a breakout tournament with a couple of crucial goals as a substitute.
FW Kylian Mbappe, France
Mbappe has been one of the top faces of world soccer and yet doesn’t turn 23 until December so he still counts for this section. Four summer’s ago he made a $220 million transfer from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain and could be back on the market again ready to shatter the world’s most expensive player title from teammate Neymar. While at PSG, Mbappe has scored 91 goals and has already netted 16 more for France.
Best Kits
#1 Portugal Away – One of the best kits in all of football since it was released back in September.
#2 France Home – Sharp, as per usual for the World Cup champions.
#3 Wales Home – Oddly generic feel mixed with unique colors to create something memorable.
#4 Belgium Home – Aided by a new sleek crest that debuted nearly 2 years ago.
#5 Ukraine Away – You can almost hear the echoes of a distant Soviet era with this kit.
#6 England Away – Miles better than their home kit which continue to be trash.
#7 Sweden Away – The Swedes know how to pull off the pinstripes as well as anyone.
Who’s Winning?
These tournaments are often subject to major wild cards and lucky bounces for the big teams based off the fact that all the players are coming immediately from their grinding club seasons and being thrown together with their countrymen with very little challenges placed before them during qualifying.
For example, England, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France, Belgium, and Italy won 56 games, tied 4, and lost only 4 matches with a combined +186 goal differential during qualifying. And now, the biggest international tournament for them not named the World Cup* was delayed a full year!
Have written a trio of pieces for @ringer about ‘golden generations’ at Euro 2020. The first (and oldest) is Belgium, with England and Portugal to follow. https://t.co/orjWs7DuPo
— Scott Oliver (@reverse_sweeper) June 10, 2021
The only reason it makes sense to pick against France is because of that Group of Death. Anything can happen with only 3 games and that level of competition.
I’ll predict Belgium takes home the title. It seems the most fun of the handful of favorites and they are due something great from a generation of players who have put the small country back on the map in the elite strata of European soccer.
*A quick reminder that the 2022 World Cup kicks off in only 17 months after these Euro’s as the powers-that-be thought a November/December tournament in Qatar to disrupt club football was a good idea. The summer of 2023 is going to feature exhausted soccer players.Â
To hijack this thread – this is a disaster for ND: https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1403071467164737538?s=20
Swarbrick was on the 4-person committee that put this out. Yikes.
If they are going to expand, I don’t hate this proposal. Sure it doesn’t allow ND the opportunity to get a top 4 bye, but:
I agree with you. Not getting a bye is a price to pay for independence. They have no conference championship game, which is their bye week and avoids a potential loss. There just has to be some consequence and equalizer to level that off. (Otherwise Texas probably goes independent tomorrow lol)
If ND is12-0 it almost certainly means being a 5 or 6 seed and playing a home game against the #12 or 11 seed instead of a conference championship game. If they’re going to aspire to win a title, that’s not the end of the world, seems like a pretty reasonable trade off to make.
If ND is 11-1, they’re almost certainly going to make the playoff, which probably was never going to happen in a four team playoff.
Sounds mostly positive to me, aside from now winning a title means three playoff wins. But that first win shouldn’t be such a daunting step to take and maybe will help build some momentum and positive vibes for once.
The more I’ve had time to think on it, the less it is a straightforward disaster for ND. And I hadn’t contemplated some of those benefits.
But it structurally should push ND towards joining a conference, notwithstanding what Pete Sampson says on Twitter. That bye helps more than the “we get to skip a conference title game!” point gets at, because the conference championship game would essentially be a no-lose situation for a 12-0 ND relative to this proposal – either you lose, and you’re ranked 5-6, or you win and get a bye. This compares to being a 5-6 seed guaranteed.
The real bummer of this proposal though is it makes ND regular season games much less meaningful. I think we’ll probably get in at 10-2 some if not most years, so the only difference between 10-2 and 12-0 is a home vs. away game and a little stressing about whether the 10-2 team is in or not. That really makes the regular season games mean a whole lot less. By contrast, if we had the potential of a bye hanging out there, it would put a big premium on being undefeated.
The only sensible way to use the word “disaster” would be if it was an 8 team format with 6 automatic conference bids, or something to that effect.
I don’t see “new format virtually guarantees that good Notre Dame teams will participate in playoffs” as a bummer at all, quite the opposite. I mean, it’s ND, it’s never going to be smooth rides to even take fore granted the 10-12 wins every year in the first place…
Finally!
Unfortunately, they have also decided that defenders getting blasted in the arm from 2 yards away will now be red carded and any of their pets will be euthanized.
I have to assume Moussa Sissoko was #11 on this list?
Baby steps with VAR, I suppose.
I can only assume Sissoko has naked pics of everyone in European soccer.
Praying for you, Christian!
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/euro-2020-denmark-soccer-player-christian-eriksen-stable-after-collapsing-n1270602