The highly anticipated UEFA Euro 2024 has finally kicked off, and the group stages have already displayed some thrilling matches.
England has been eyeing the Euro Cup for over 50 years now. Their 2020 run against Italy was the closest they’ve ever come to winning the Euro Cup. There’s no doubt that the Three Lions are going to give everything they have to hold the cup this year.
But is sheer willpower enough to win the Euros? Or does England’s boss, Gareth Southgate, have some clever strategies up his sleeve?
England’s Group Stage and Warm-Up Matches
Under Gareth Southgate’s guidance, the English team has performed admirably in their last three major tournaments. However, with the pressure getting intense, Euro 2024 might be his last shot at glory with the team.
England’s form in the warm-up matches hasn’t been very encouraging. They had an emphatic 3-0 win against Bosnia but struggled a great deal against Iceland, eventually losing 0-1. While England managed to win their first group-stage match against Serbia 1-0, it was clear they had a hard time maintaining their pace.
When Serbia and England clashed after a whopping 21 years, both teams were eager to take the three-point victory in their fight for a spot in the round of 16. England came out swinging, owning the ball from minute one. They came close to scoring just five minutes into the game, but Foden missed his chance.
Serbia struggled to keep possession, especially with young Jude Bellingham buzzing around the ball. Just thirteen minutes in, Bellingham swooped in for a header after Kane fumbled a cross and seized the moment.
That goal was the highlight of the match. Despite sticking to their 4-2-3-1 formation, England’s aggressive attacks lost their pace as they tried to absorb the pressure. They built their attacks around Bellingham, but the Serbian defenders robbed them of all the opportunities.
The game wrapped up with just one goal from England. While this was satisfactory, it was far from the form they should be in while aiming for the Euros. Southgate wanted a win, and he got one. However, such a rigorous challenge from Serbia raises questions about their chances against major powerhouses like Spain and Germany.
Factors Which Propel England to Euros Victory
Southgate’s squad will be hoping to hit their stride across the remainder of their group-stage matches at the Euros. They’ll need to do so if they’re to live up to the favorites tag that bookmakers have given them.
New betting sites are popping up almost daily, but they each have one thing in common: England sits number one in the outright betting odds to win the Euros. The best sports betting sites recognize that despite England’s slow start against Serbia, they have the squad to go all the way this year.
The real strength for England in the Euros will be their attack, led by skipper Harry Kane. Kane has been on fire since his move to Bayern Munich. Southgate has some fine talent to support Kane, like Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden.
The Rising Star: Bellingham
Then there’s Jude Bellingham, who’s proving to be one of the best players in the world. He made a flawless transition from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid and continues to shine. In the recent win over Italy, Bellingham was the maestro, orchestrating the game and even pumping up the Wembley crowd.
Bellingham loves the spotlight and handles the pressure with ease. At just 20 years old, he’s the dark horse for the English squad. His fearless performance in Qatar’s World Cup and exponential growth since then have proved his status. Settling quickly at Real Madrid and donning the number five jersey of Zidane, he’s already a hero to the Madrid fans.
The Three Lions are gearing up to tackle a number of challenges to prove their worth as the top pick for the Euros. Southgate isn’t one to back down from tough decisions, and he’s made some bold moves to ensure the squad’s dominance.
With his ace team and strategic prowess, England has a solid chance of claiming the 2024 Euro Cup.