Euro 2024 LIVE: Latest England news and Scotland updates on eve of tournament opener vs Germany

Right here, The Unbiased assesses how each nation stacks up forward of Euro 2024:

France haven’t been European champions since 2000, however they’ll arrive in Germany as one of many favourites to win the trophy after reaching the previous two World Cup finals. They’ve each the most effective participant within the event, Kylian Mbappe, and probably the most energy in depth – gamers like Actual Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Inter’s in-form Marcus Thuram might solely make the bench. Didier Deschamps remains to be looking for the appropriate mix and steadiness, because the current defeat by Germany and draw with Canada confirmed, however count on France to seek out it by the knockout rounds.

Right here, The Unbiased assesses how each nation stacks up forward of Euro 2024:

Julian Nagelsmann has reshaped his midfield by parachuting in Toni Kroos from worldwide retirement, and the early indicators are that the gamble may simply work. With Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz in huge attacking positions, Kai Havertz main as a false 9 and Ilkay Gundogan within the No 10 function, this reimagined German aspect are a harmful prospect. And with dwelling benefit, Germany instantly appear like contenders to be topped champions of Europe once more, virtually three many years after Euro ‘96.

Right here, The Unbiased assesses how each nation stacks up forward of Euro 2024:

That is Gareth Southgate’s fourth main event as England supervisor – and probably his final – and he’ll take his strongest squad but. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are the highest scorers in LaLiga and the Bundesliga on the time of writing; Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are two of the most effective attacking gamers within the Premier League; Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer appear like future leaders. England’s Achilles heel stays their defence, as errors within the current pleasant towards Belgium confirmed, however they’ve the attacking firepower and event expertise to navigate their method to the ultimate. A 1-0 defeat by Iceland at Wembley was not ultimate preparation.

Right here, The Unbiased assesses how each nation stacks up forward of Euro 2024:

Portugal have been the one group with an ideal qualifying file, profitable 10 video games out of 10, and neatly Cristiano Ronaldo scored 10 targets. A shock pleasant defeat by Slovenia in March’s worldwide break set some alarm bells ringing, and on the finish Ronaldo walked off in a trademark huff. However Roberto Martinez will convey among the best squads to Germany this summer time together with Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Diogo Jota and Rafael Leao amongst a raft of attacking expertise.

Right here, The Unbiased assesses how each nation stacks up forward of Euro 2024:

An thrilling new era of Spanish gamers will present itself at these Euros via the abilities of Atletico’s Nico Williams and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal – the 16-year-old Yamal is already one in all Barca’s finest gamers and was sensational for Spain towards Brazil of their pleasant draw on the Bernabeu. The kids will flit round Rodri, arguably the most effective midfielder on the planet proper now, and there’s a quiet optimism that Spain could make a big effect in Germany.

Right here, The Unbiased assesses how each nation stacks up forward of Euro 2024:

The golden era has light and there may be not fairly the identical expertise coming via to switch them, however a completely match Kevin De Bruyne nonetheless represents among the best gamers in Europe. Belgium went via qualifying unbeaten, conceding solely 4 targets, and haven’t misplaced a match since they have been shocked by Morocco on the 2022 World Cup. Romelu Lukaku top-scored in Euro 2024 qualifying with 14 targets and he will probably be key as soon as extra.

The reigning champions have been unconvincing ever since beating England within the remaining at Wembley three years in the past. They did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup, then completed third within the Nations League, earlier than scraping via qualifying for the Euros forward of Ukraine with two defeats by England alongside the way in which. Like a lot of the larger nations, a big downside for Luciano Spalletti is the dearth of targets amongst his ahead gamers, however Italy can by no means be discounted on the subject of main tournaments.

Ronald Koeman continues to bounce between wing-backs and a extra typical Dutch 4-3-3 formation, and it was the latter that proved efficient in March’s pleasant internationals with a 4-0 thrashing of Scotland. The issue for Netherlands stays the dearth of a dependable goalscorer – no Dutch participant scored greater than three targets throughout qualifying.

Right here, The Unbiased assesses how each nation stacks up forward of Euro 2024:

Croatia stay reliant on a 38-year-old Luka Modric to run the midfield however then he’s nonetheless producing chic performances, so who can blame them. Their file reveals they know how you can go deep in main tournaments, and a 2-1 pleasant win over Portugal final week may have boosted confidence. A tricky Euro 2024 group with Spain and Italy will reveal extra about Croatia’s possibilities.

Marco Rossi’s free-flowing group are a pleasure to look at at their finest and an underrated drive too, having not misplaced a recreation of any form since a Nations League defeat by Italy in September 2022. Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai is the captain and excellent participant, whereas striker Barnabas Varga is a menace: he scored 4 targets in qualifying and has 26 in 30 video games this season for Hungarian champions Ferencvaros. They beat Israel 3-0 of their remaining warm-up earlier than the event.

Ralf Rangnick has obtained Austria taking part in some good soccer. They certified comfortably after beating key rivals Sweden dwelling and away, after which put collectively two spectacular wins over the March worldwide break, beating Slovakia 2-0 and Turkey 6-1. In David Alaba, Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer, Christoph Baumgartner and Michael Gregoritsch they’ve some good gamers to name upon. They’ve simply sufficient to trigger an upset in a tricky group with France and Netherlands.

Right here, The Unbiased assesses how each nation stacks up forward of Euro 2024:

A powerful qualifying marketing campaign was adopted by a disappointing March worldwide break by which Scotland have been thumped by Netherlands and, maybe extra concerningly, overwhelmed by Northern Eire. Scott McTominay was impressed in qualifying with seven targets – solely Romelu Lukaku, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe scored extra – however that attacking menace has been missing in a run of seven video games with out a win. Scotland have two remaining fixtures to organize earlier than taking part in on the opening evening in Munich towards the hosts, Germany.

The Czechs certified properly from a aggressive pool and have a great likelihood of progressing on the Euros from a gaggle with Portugal, Turkey and Georgia. Captain Tomas Soucek is their key participant.

England needs to be cautious of Group C rivals Slovenia and significantly large striker Benjamin Sesko, who has 11 targets in 28 caps for his nation up to now and is having fun with a powerful debut season for RB Leipzig. A shock 2-0 win over Portugal in March’s friendlies was one other reminder of their menace.

The Danes certified properly for these Euros and the type of Rasmus Hojlund at Manchester United offers some hope forward of the event. Supervisor Kasper Hjulmand led the group to the semi-finals at Euro 2020 however they flopped on the World Cup, and he’s nonetheless looking for the appropriate formation after flipping between a again 4 and wing-backs.

Right here, The Unbiased assesses how each nation stacks up forward of Euro 2024:

Romania completed high of their qualifying group and unbeaten, however 16 targets scored in 10 video games – 4 of which have been towards Andorra or Kosovo – inform the story of a group missing spark in assault. Star participant and captain Nicolai Stanciu has spent the previous few years taking part in in China and Saudi Arabia.

Slovakia certified from a decent pool to succeed in the Euros, and now discover themselves in a aggressive however open-looking group with Belgium, Romania and Ukraine. Captain Milan Skriniar is the defensive keystone and left winger Lukas Haraslin will present attacking impetus after a stellar season for Sparta Prague, with 14 targets up to now.

The group have rebounded beneath new supervisor Michal Probierz, following a poor qualifying marketing campaign, and got here via that dramatic play-off remaining with Wales in Cardiff on penalties. Robert Lewandowski is taking part in in fairly probably his remaining event, and Poland will want his targets to assist spring a shock in a tricky group with Netherlands, France and Austria.

The Serbian group stays an enigma, with extra gifted gamers than their current event outcomes would counsel. In Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, captain Dusan Tadic, Sasa Lukic and Aleksandar Mitrovic there’s some high quality, however they have been twice overwhelmed by Hungary in qualifying after which learnt little from a 4-0 thumping by Russia in March’s pleasant preparations. Beating Sweden 3-0 in a more moderen pleasant may have steadied nerves.

The Swiss made arduous work of a comparatively mild qualifying group and don’t look to have the firepower to trigger any nice shocks on the Euros. Chicago Fireplace’s 32-year-old Xherdan Shaqiri stays amongst their extra dynamic attacking gamers.

Right here, The Unbiased assesses how each nation stacks up forward of Euro 2024, beginning with:

There have been celebrations within the streets of Tibilisi after Georgia certified for his or her first main event in dramatic model, profitable a penalty shootout after a tense play-off remaining with Greece. The French former Bayern Munich defender Willy Sagnol is the supervisor, and his foremost job is constructing a group that may get the most effective out of Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Georgia beat Montenegro 3-1 of their final pleasant earlier than the event.

Albania topped their qualifying group however a horrendous draw sees them face Spain, Italy and Croatia within the Euro 2024 group stage – progressing to the knockouts could be a outstanding achievement. Armando Broja is their nice hope, whereas Atalanta’s Berat Djimsiti is a high-quality defender and captain of the nationwide group.

It was heart-warming to see the celebrations as Ukraine made it via the play-offs to Euro 2024. The group has some expertise most clearly seen within the boots of Mykhailo Mudryk, their hero within the play-off remaining, and a nation will probably be behind their bid to emerge from arguably the weakest group which options Belgium, Slovakia and Romania

Turkey have been via a turbulent time in current months with the sacking of supervisor Stefan Kuntz and the set up of Roma legend Vincenzo Montella as his substitute. Montella started by main the group to qualification for the Euros, forward of Wales and simply behind Croatia, however the March worldwide break was a catastrophe, with a 1-0 defeat by Hungary and a 6-1 thrashing from Austria. They lack a potent goalscorer and Montella has his fingers full attempting to get them able to face Georgia of their opening recreation on the Euros.