The draw for Euro 2024 takes place within the port metropolis of Hamburg on Saturday when France, England and the opposite main contenders will be taught the trail to potential continental glory that awaits them subsequent summer time.
The Elbe Philharmonic Hall, overlooking the river which runs via Germany’s second-largest metropolis, would be the venue for the draw, simply over six months earlier than the beginning of the match which runs from June 14 to July 14.
Not everybody’s minds shall be on subsequent yr’s finals simply but as the draw takes place in a metropolis plunged into sub-zero winter temperatures and with high-flight membership soccer the centre of consideration throughout the continent.
Yet Saturday’s occasion marks the beginning of the actual countdown to the European Championship for the 20 nations who’ve thus far certified alongside hosts Germany.
Last yr’s crushed World Cup finalists France and an England facet that has by no means earlier than been continental champions are within the first pot of seeds together with Portugal, Spain, Belgium and the hosts.
Recent performances and the depth of expertise obtainable to their respective coaches, from Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann to Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, make France and England stand out among the many favourites.
There shall be strain on England to go one higher than on the final Euro in 2021, once they misplaced the ultimate on penalties to Italy at Wembley.
“I think we have to accept that. Pressure comes when expectation is different from reality and reality is we are going to be one of the teams capable of winning,” England supervisor Gareth Southgate stated lately.
Germany, in the meantime, are in disaster on the sector having misplaced six of 11 video games performed since a second consecutive exit from the World Cup within the group stage final yr.
That kind value Hansi Flick his job as coach however they’ve simply suffered back-to-back defeats underneath his successor Julian Nagelsmann.
“We’ve an unbelievable amount of work to do in every position,” Nagelsmann informed native media after the current 2-0 reverse in Austria.
– Italy in pot 4 –
As ever there are harmful sides lurking outwith the primary pot, with the Netherlands — winners of the final Euro held in Germany in 1988 — in pot three, and reigning champions Italy in pot 4.
Having failed to make the final two World Cups, Italy solely wrapped up qualification this time by holding on nervously for a draw with Ukraine of their closing recreation.
None of the perimeters within the increased pots will need to be drawn with Italy, even when the format removes some jeopardy with 4 of the most effective third-positioned groups among the many six teams advancing to the final 16.
“After all the difficulties we have had, we will be in Germany and we will be going there as reigning champions and going there to win,” Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma stated after the Ukraine draw which secured qualification.
The final three berths on the finals won’t be identified till the play-offs in March, which can characteristic the likes of Poland, Wales, Ukraine and Euro 2004 winners Greece.
– Another ‘summer fairy tale’? –
The type of the host nation is an actual concern and threatens German hopes of this being one other “summer fairy tale”, which is how the nation remembers the 2006 World Cup.
However, soccer supporters throughout the continent shall be keen to benefit from a return to the traditional format of a Euro staged in a single nation after the final match was held in 11 completely different nations throughout the continent.
Euro 2020 was additionally marred by restrictions on journey and on attendances due to the pandemic.
There shall be none of that this time and followers will flock to the ten host cities unfold across the nation, from the capital Berlin and Hamburg within the north, to Munich within the south and Dortmund within the coronary heart of the Ruhr industrial area.
Germany will play within the match’s opening recreation in Munich on June 14, whereas Berlin’s 70,000-capability Olympiastadion will host the ultimate a month later.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
