With all the squads now confirmed for Euro 2024, debate can really start as to which nation will lift the Henri Delaunay Cup in Berlin next month.
France and England have been heavily backed by the experts, while hosts Germany as well as Portugal and Spain have been tipped to make deep runs.
Defending champions Italy are not one of the fancied nations amid concerns over Luciano Spalletti’s squad’s quality and depth.
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Leonardo Bonucci of Italy lifts the Euro 2020 trophy. Getty
England again enter the tournament – which kicks off on Saturday morning AEST – with a huge sense of expectation, with many believing Gareth Southgate’s squad has the ability and experience to win their first major men’s international trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
England’s charge will be led by La Liga player of the season Jude Bellingham, Premier League player of the season Phil Foden and captain Harry Kane, the Bundesliga’s golden boot, as they look to replicate their club form on the international stage.
Like England teams of the past though, conjecture over the makeup of the squad – as well as concerns over whether Southgate has the tactical nous to take the next step with this team – continues to punctuate the discussion.
A team photo of England before playing Italy at Wembley Stadium. Getty
Southgate left big names Jack Grealish and James Maddison at home, favouring in form but less experienced options like Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon.
“We’ve gone over it and over it as staff to try and be fair. We back our decisions, but we recognise we could have gone a different route,” Southgate said.
England’s defensive issues will need to be addressed if they are to overcome the considerable challenges they will face later in the tournament.
Gareth Southgate of England at Wembley Stadium. Getty
One may come in the shape of France, as Didier Deschamps’ uber-talented squad looks set to again be contesting the pointy end of the competition.
In Kylian Mbappe, France possesses the most devastating individual talent at the tournament, while the guile and skill of Antoine Griezmann sets a platform to trouble even the very best defences.
The Real Madrid duo of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchoumeni provide the legs in midfield along with the experienced heads of the recently recalled N’Golo Kante and Adrien Rabiot.
Defensively though, Deschamps will have some decisions to make, including whether he continues with the central defensive partnership of Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamcano despite the sensational form of Arsenal’s William Saliba.
France’s credentials will be tested early in the group stage against Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands despite the late withdrawal of star midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Griezmann believes France has the overall quality and collective spirit to overcome any challenges put in front of them.
“Our coach believes in us being a group, being a team,” the midfielder said.
“We’re a group that lives well together. I see it in training, too. Everyone gives 100 per cent, and we have the perfect set-up to take us as far as possible.”
Germany’s recent upturn in form has many now believing that Julian Nagelsmann’s men can trouble the very best in Europe, with the support of a home nation spurring them on.
Toni Kroos of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates after winning. Getty
The exciting young talents of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz – combined with the swansong of midfield maestro Toni Kroos – have many in Germany dreaming of glory.
Spain, as always, will carry the hopes and dreams of an expectant public but come in with more questions than answers at both ends of the pitch.
Barcelona star pair Lamine Yamal and Pedri could provide the key to see how far Luis de la Fuente’s men go, as they battle to qualify out of the group of death with Italy and Croatia.
Lamine Yamal of Barcelona at Parc des Princes. Getty
Roberto Martinez’s Portugal team have, in many people’s eyes, the most balanced team to potentially knock off either England or France.
A generation of young talent led by exciting AC Milan winger Rafael Leo, mixed in with the experience of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, has Portugal well placed to contend.
But doubts still linger over Martinez’s ability to truly maximise the talent, with critics pointing to his previous work with Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ that failed to win a major international tournament.
Whoever the winner, a sparkling month of football awaits as Germany welcomes the cream of the European crop.
With individuals ready to star, the collective spirit of competing nations may ultimately crown the king of Europe come July.
The opening game between Germany and Scotland kicks off on Saturday (5am AEST).
EURO 2024 PREDICTIONS
Winner: England
Golden Boot: Kai Havertz
Player of the tournament: Phil Foden
Biggest surprise package: Hungary
Biggest flop: Spain
Harry Kane of England at Wembley Stadium. Getty
EURO 2024 TITLE ODDS
England: $4.80
France: $5
Germany: $6.50
Portugal: $8
Spain: $9
GOLDEN BOOT ODDS
Kylian Mbappe (France): $5.50
Harry Kane (England): $6.50
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): $11
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium): $13
Jude Bellingham (England): $21
– Odds via Sportsbet as of 4pm AEST on June 13
EURO 2024 MATCH SCHEDULE (AEST)
Saturday, June 15
- Germany v Scotland @5am
- Hungary v Switzerland @11pm
Sunday, June 16
- Spain v Croatia @2am
- Italy v Albania @5am
- Poland v Netherlands @11pm
Monday, June 17
- Slovenia v Denmark @2am
- Serbia v England @5am
- Romania v Ukraine @11pm
Tuesday, June 18
- Belgium v Slovakia @2am
- Austria v France @5am
Wednesday, June 19
- Turkiye v Georgia @2am
- Portugal v Czechia @5am
- Croatia v Albania @11pm
Thursday, June 20
- Germany v Hungary @2am
- Scotland v Switzerland @5am
- Slovenia v Serbia @11pm
Friday, June 21
- Denmark v England @2am
- Spain v Italy @5am
- Slovakia v Ukraine @11pm
Saturday, June 22
- Poland v Austria @2am
- Netherlands v France @5am
- Georgia v Czechia @11pm
Sunday, June 23
- Turkiye v Portugal @2am
- Belgium v Romania @5am
Monday, June 24
- Scotland v Hungary @5am
- Switzerland v Germany @5am
Tuesday, June 25
- Croatia v Italy @5am
- Albania v Spain @5am
Wednesday, June 26
- France v Poland @2am
- Netherlands v Austria @2am
- Denmark v Serbia @5am
- England v Slovenia @5am
Thursday, June 27
- Ukraine v Belgium @2am
- Slovakia v Romania @2am
- Czechia v Turkiye @5am
- Georgia v Portugal @5am
Sunday, June 30
- Round of 16 #1: Group A runner-up v Group B runner-up @2am
- Round of 16 #2: Group A winner v Group C runner-up @5am
Monday, July 1
- Round of 16 #3: Group C winner v Group D/E/F third-place @2am
- Round of 16 #4: Group B winner v Group A/D/E/F third-place @5am
Tuesday, July 2
- Round of 16 #5: Group D runner-up v Group E runner-up @2am
- Round of 16 #6: Group F winner v Group A/B/C third-place @5am
Wednesday, July 3
- Round of 16 #7: Group E winner v Group A/B/C/D third-place @2am
- Round of 16 #8: Group D winner v Group F runner-up
Saturday, July 6
- Quarter-final #1 @2am
- Quarter-final #2 @5am
Sunday, July 7
- Quarter-final #3 @2am
- Quarter-final #4 @5am
Wednesday, July 10
Thursday, July 11
Monday, July 15
HOW TO WATCH EURO 2024 IN AUSTRALIA
Optus Sport subscribers can stream every game live with replays, mini matches and highlights to be provided for each fixture.