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The UEFA Euro 2020 has been the biggest talk in town for the last few weeks. Originally scheduled for 2020, the tournament was shifted to this year (2021) due to the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic.
Days have passed, months have gone by, it's finally the long-anticipated moment for football fans across the globe. The tournament kicked off yesterday in Rome as home team Italy locked horns with Turkey. The hosts were comfortable victors in a 3-0 result.
The competition will host many fantastic teams and world-class superstars who will be keen to mesmerize us with their eye-catching displays. With everyone having a keen eye on the coveted trophy, it is a battle that promises to go down the wire and produce special moments that will stick in the memory for several years.
All the countries participating in the tournament will surely fancy their chances of going all the way. That said, there are a few sides that look terrifying and well-poised to make history at the Euros this year. These nations are considered favourites by many as a result. Below, we highlight five of them.
#5 Spain
When it comes to the Euros, you simply can't write off the Spanish team. They are the most successful nation in the history of the tournament with three triumphs, a record they share with Germany. They are also the only side to win successive editions of the competition (2008 and 2012).
Manager Luis Enrique has got the team fired up for the Euros this summer. Recent results include a goalless draw with Portugal and a 4-0 thumping of Lithuania. La Roja are spoilt with options in all departments. Playing a decent style under the tactician, they've proved to be effective both in attack and defence. That type of balance is what wins you titles.
The likes of Jordi Alba, Cesar Azpilicueta, Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara, Koke and Gerard Moreno will provide the squad with the needed experience. Meanwhile players such as Pedri, Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo will make a perfect blend of youthful legs.
Enrique made the bold decision to snub Sergio Ramos, whose performances have been inconsistent in recent months. It remains to be seen if the gaffer will be proven right when their journey begins with a clash with Sweden on June 14.
#4 Belgium
It would be really unfortunate if Belgium's golden generation fails to deliver a major trophy, with time fast leaving them behind. The Red Devils, as they are famously called, finished third in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but most of their best players are already close to being 30.
At the European championship this year, this generation of players will get the opportunity to win a trophy for their nation. With the quality they possess, they would be a great match for any team in the tournament.
Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku enter the competition in red-hot form after firing Manchester City and Inter Milan respectively to league triumphs. Dennis Praet and Youri Tielemans were also influential as Leicester City claimed the FA Cup.
Eden Hazard will be looking to put his Real Madrid struggles behind him and make a statement in the European tournament. On his day, the playmaker remains a huge menace for any defense. If Manager Roberto Martinez gets his puzzle well, there would be no stopping this team at the Euros.
#3 Portugal
Who doubts the team that has the best player in the world leading its attack? Cristiano Ronaldo is greatly obsessed with winning and it's obvious. At this year's European championship, the Juventus talisman will surely not settle for less.
Portugal have a reason to believe they have what it takes to go all the way in the competition this year. They emerged victorious in the 2016 edition when nobody (or very few) believed in them. This time, they are even better equipped, with fantastic talents in every area of the pitch.
Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva could help Ronaldo hit his peak in front of goal with their endless creativity. Andre Silva, Joao Felix and Diogo Jota will also share in the goalscoring burden. Meanwhile Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nelson Semedo and Joao Cancelo will keep things safe at the back.
They have a great job to do to qualify from their group of death, Group F. A group that features France, Germany and Hungary. However, the Portuguese have enough quality to see off any challenge and go all the way in the competition.
#2 England
It is high time the England national team stepped up and changed the narratives about them in major competitions. Their best outing in recent years was a fourth-place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. This year, they look more promising to deliver their first international trophy in decades.
The Three Lions have been tipped by many to achieve success at the European championship this summer. Gareth Southgate's men will be looking to Harry Kane to lead them from the front. The Tottenham Hotspur striker finished with the most goals at the last World Cup and was also awarded the Premier League Golden Shoe last season.
The likes of Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling are other players who could wreak havoc on opposition defences. Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice will run riot in the centre while players like Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire, John Stones and Kyle Walker will ensure safety at the back.
England have a relatively easy route to the knockout phase as they are drawn with the likes of Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic in Group D. If they treat every game as important, they should find themselves at the elimination stage without much sweat.
#1 France
When discussing the favorites for the European Championship this year, it looks like we need to place France on an exclusive list. Les Bleus appear to be the strongest side heading into the tournament. They won the World Cup in fantastic fashion in 2018 and they'll be hoping to keep up their impressive run at the Euros.
They boast an attack made up of players like Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema. Behind them, a midfield trio of Ngolo Kante, Paul Pogba and Corentin Tolisso will be intimidating to opposition teams. That's not to mention world-class defenders like Raphael Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard and so many more talents in every department.
Manager Didier Deschamps surely knows how to get the best out of this team. Their recent results include 3-0 victories against Bulgaria and Wales. With Les Bleus firing on all cylinders at the moment, it would be a gargatuan task for anyone to come close to them at the Euros this year.
