Team: FRANCE
Squad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020_squads#Francehttps://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/teams/43--france/
Captain: Hugo Lloris
Key Players: Kylian Mbappe; N'Golo Kante; Paul Pogba
Potential Breakout Player: Jules Kounde
Notable Absentees: Ferland Mendy (injury); Dayot Upamecano (non-selection);
Best Historical Finish: Winners (1984, 2000)
Minimum Expectation: Semifinals
How Far Could They Go: Winner
Fantasy Football Sleeper Option: Paul Pogba (MID - 8.5m)
The idea of a golden generation for the French has been supplanted by the reality that the French have a talent pool unmatched in football. Despite reaching the final of the last Euros and winning the last World Cup, this appears to be the most talented French team in two decades. A cursory look at some the guys who didn't make it (Areola, Mendy, Upamecano, Umtiti, Laporte, Theo Hernandez, Ndombele, Camavinga, Aouar, Martial, Fekir, Lacazette) shows the insane quality in depth. This will be their tenth appearance, having triumphed twice in the past in each of their previous 'Golden Generations'.
The idea of a golden generation for the French has been supplanted by the reality that the French have a talent pool unmatched in football. Despite reaching the final of the last Euros and winning the last World Cup, this appears to be the most talented French team in two decades. A cursory look at some the guys who didn't make it (Areola, Mendy, Upamecano, Umtiti, Laporte, Theo Hernandez, Ndombele, Camavinga, Aouar, Martial, Fekir, Lacazette) shows the insane quality in depth. This will be their tenth appearance, having triumphed twice in the past in each of their previous 'Golden Generations'.
Qualification was surprisingly close with Turkey pushing them all the way but eventually the French won the group. They more recently dominated their UEFA Nations League group in Section A going unbeaten and winning five of their six games - against Portugal, Croatia and Sweden. The French are able to return nine from Euro 2016 and fourteen of the squad who triumphed in Russia in 2018. However, unlike some other teams returning a bunch of players with tournament experience, they French returnees are still near or in their primes and the players not at these prior tournaments are truly world-class and pushing hard for their chance to tar for Les Bleus.
Their coach (Didier Deschamps) has been in command since 2012 and has a core of players he has gone through three previous tournaments with. Deschamps is a winner through and through, captaining the 1998 World Cup and 2000 Euro winning French teams and of course being in charge of the 2018 vintage. The French have a settled system of either 4-3-3 or a 4-3-1-2. Captain Lloris will be in goal behind Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe and Hernandez shielded by Kante with Pogba and Rabiot expected to be box-to-box midfielders. The return from exile of Benzema to play with Mbappe and Greizmann is a problem for the rest of the tournament. The French already have a seeming man advantage by being able to field Kante add to that the players around him are experienced and elite level to a man. Depth is no issue with Kimpembe probably walking a tightrope to main his spot ahead of Kounde or Lenglet. The ability to throw on the pace and silky skills of Coman, Dembele, Lemar and Ben Yedder of the physical presence of Giroud or Sissoko gives Deschamps a cheat code.
A minimum requirement will be a semifinal appearance, but France will enter the tournament unquestionably the favourite. The talent is there and will be tested early given the other heavyweights in the Group, making it difficult to say where they finish, I'd suggest they still win the group. The rest of the tournament will be watching anxiously hoping the French avoid their brackets as far as possible.
Their coach (Didier Deschamps) has been in command since 2012 and has a core of players he has gone through three previous tournaments with. Deschamps is a winner through and through, captaining the 1998 World Cup and 2000 Euro winning French teams and of course being in charge of the 2018 vintage. The French have a settled system of either 4-3-3 or a 4-3-1-2. Captain Lloris will be in goal behind Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe and Hernandez shielded by Kante with Pogba and Rabiot expected to be box-to-box midfielders. The return from exile of Benzema to play with Mbappe and Greizmann is a problem for the rest of the tournament. The French already have a seeming man advantage by being able to field Kante add to that the players around him are experienced and elite level to a man. Depth is no issue with Kimpembe probably walking a tightrope to main his spot ahead of Kounde or Lenglet. The ability to throw on the pace and silky skills of Coman, Dembele, Lemar and Ben Yedder of the physical presence of Giroud or Sissoko gives Deschamps a cheat code.
A minimum requirement will be a semifinal appearance, but France will enter the tournament unquestionably the favourite. The talent is there and will be tested early given the other heavyweights in the Group, making it difficult to say where they finish, I'd suggest they still win the group. The rest of the tournament will be watching anxiously hoping the French avoid their brackets as far as possible.
Team: GERMANY
Squad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020_squads#Germany
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/teams/47--germany/
Captain: Manuel Neuer
Key Players: Manuel Neuer; Thomas Muller; Joshua Kimmich
Potential Breakout Player: Florian Neuhaus
Notable Absentees: Marco Reus (injury); Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (injury)
Best Historical Finish: Winner (1972; 1980; 1996)
Minimum Expectation: Quarterfinals
How Far Could They Go: Semifinals
Squad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020_squads#Germany
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/teams/47--germany/
Captain: Manuel Neuer
Key Players: Manuel Neuer; Thomas Muller; Joshua Kimmich
Potential Breakout Player: Florian Neuhaus
Notable Absentees: Marco Reus (injury); Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (injury)
Best Historical Finish: Winner (1972; 1980; 1996)
Minimum Expectation: Quarterfinals
How Far Could They Go: Semifinals
Fantasy Football Sleeper Option: Robin Gosens (DEF - 5m)
The other three-time Euro champion will enter the tournament also as a major question mark. A hugely talented group have underwhelmed recently. An unsettled squad has now been bolstered by the return from a shambolic exile of veteran quality in the shape of Hummels and Muller (two of five who had that summer in Brazil in 2014). Since 2018 there has been a number of un-German results which has put the manager in a tenuous position, but he survived on goodwill earned and his replacement Hansi Flick is now ready and waiting in the wings -but for after the Euros. They qualified pipping the Dutch to win the group, winning all but one of their eight games (a 4-2 reverse against the Dutch) and scoring freely netting thirty goals at an average of 3.75/game.
The other three-time Euro champion will enter the tournament also as a major question mark. A hugely talented group have underwhelmed recently. An unsettled squad has now been bolstered by the return from a shambolic exile of veteran quality in the shape of Hummels and Muller (two of five who had that summer in Brazil in 2014). Since 2018 there has been a number of un-German results which has put the manager in a tenuous position, but he survived on goodwill earned and his replacement Hansi Flick is now ready and waiting in the wings -but for after the Euros. They qualified pipping the Dutch to win the group, winning all but one of their eight games (a 4-2 reverse against the Dutch) and scoring freely netting thirty goals at an average of 3.75/game.
Aside from France and possibly Portugal, ironically both in this group, the Germans can call upon arguably the strongest squad at the tournament. On paper at least they have a seemingly perfect blend of youth and experience. They have a strong contingent from the Bavarian behemoths with eight players in the squad. They have an all-time great in goal, questions at CB but then trot out a midfield group that will take some beating, but there is concern about the misfiring striker meant to lead the line.
Low has been in charge since 2006 (an absolute eternity in international football) but since achieving the pinnacle success of international football, winning the World Cup in 2014, performances have dipped. The formations have varied in recent games as the questions have piled up, but fully expect to see a 4-3-2-1 at the tournament. Neuer will certainly be behind Ginter, Hummels, Rudiger and Gosens. Kimmich, Goretzka and Kroos will potentially play behind Gnabry, Muller and Havertz. This line-up is very much subject to change given Can, Sule, Gundogan, Neuhaus, Sane and Werner have all started/played meaningful time in recent qualifiers and friendlies. The only real certainties to start probably are Neuer, Hummels, Kimmich and Muller.
The Germans will be seeking to restore the pride in Die Mannschaft which has been seriously dented by the early 2018 World Cup exit, finishing bottom of their 2019 UEFA Nations League group as well as the truly historic recent negative results (6-0 loss to Spain in November and 2-1 loss at home to North Macedonia in March). With the talent available they surely can do very well, but with a tough group and knowing Low is gone in July - the question is will it be a last hurrah for Low or another Low point?
Low has been in charge since 2006 (an absolute eternity in international football) but since achieving the pinnacle success of international football, winning the World Cup in 2014, performances have dipped. The formations have varied in recent games as the questions have piled up, but fully expect to see a 4-3-2-1 at the tournament. Neuer will certainly be behind Ginter, Hummels, Rudiger and Gosens. Kimmich, Goretzka and Kroos will potentially play behind Gnabry, Muller and Havertz. This line-up is very much subject to change given Can, Sule, Gundogan, Neuhaus, Sane and Werner have all started/played meaningful time in recent qualifiers and friendlies. The only real certainties to start probably are Neuer, Hummels, Kimmich and Muller.
The Germans will be seeking to restore the pride in Die Mannschaft which has been seriously dented by the early 2018 World Cup exit, finishing bottom of their 2019 UEFA Nations League group as well as the truly historic recent negative results (6-0 loss to Spain in November and 2-1 loss at home to North Macedonia in March). With the talent available they surely can do very well, but with a tough group and knowing Low is gone in July - the question is will it be a last hurrah for Low or another Low point?
Team: HUNGARY
Squad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020_squads#Hungary
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/teams/57--hungary/
Captain: Adam Szalai
Key Players: Peter Gulacsi; Willi Orban; Adam Szalai;
Squad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020_squads#Hungary
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/teams/57--hungary/
Captain: Adam Szalai
Key Players: Peter Gulacsi; Willi Orban; Adam Szalai;
Potential Breakout Player: Attila Szalai
Notable Absentee: Dominik Szoboszlai (injury)
Best Historical Finish: Semifinals (1964; 1972)
Minimum Expectation: Qualifying (Already achieved)
How Far Could They Go: Group Stage
Notable Absentee: Dominik Szoboszlai (injury)
Best Historical Finish: Semifinals (1964; 1972)
Minimum Expectation: Qualifying (Already achieved)
How Far Could They Go: Group Stage
Fantasy Football Sleeper Option: Stay Away!
Long gone are the days of the legendary Magical Magyars where some of football's first superstars with names like Puskas and Kocsis led Hungarian teams to World Cup finals (in both 1938 & 1954) and semifinals at the Euros (1964 & 1972). Notwithstanding, a second consecutive Euro qualification is a major success for Hungary. They finished 4th in their group behind Croatia, Wales and Slovakia but got through by navigating the UEFA Nations League play-offs eliminating Bulgaria and Iceland along the way.
They are able to call on eight who played at Euro 2016 where they overachieved. Still this is not a well known or overly talented squad, with only four players plying their trade in a Top 5 European league (all in the Bundesliga). The majority of the squad play in their domestic league, with a number having had an experience in the recently concluded UEFA Champions League. Sadly, they will be without their most promising and dangerous attacking weapon given Szoboszlai was forced to withdraw injured. As one of the brightest young talents in Europe, his absence is more keenly felt on this limited squad.
Their coach has been in the role since 2018 and has them playing a 5-3-2 system. Gulacsi is in goal behind At. Szalai, Orban and Fiola/Lang, with Lovrencsics and Nego/Varga the wingbacks. Kleinheisler, Nagy and Siger are the midfielders with Nikolic and Ad. Szalai the forward line. Gulacsi and Orban are two players with major top flight experience and will need to marshall the defence against the European giants they will face.
Long gone are the days of the legendary Magical Magyars where some of football's first superstars with names like Puskas and Kocsis led Hungarian teams to World Cup finals (in both 1938 & 1954) and semifinals at the Euros (1964 & 1972). Notwithstanding, a second consecutive Euro qualification is a major success for Hungary. They finished 4th in their group behind Croatia, Wales and Slovakia but got through by navigating the UEFA Nations League play-offs eliminating Bulgaria and Iceland along the way.
They are able to call on eight who played at Euro 2016 where they overachieved. Still this is not a well known or overly talented squad, with only four players plying their trade in a Top 5 European league (all in the Bundesliga). The majority of the squad play in their domestic league, with a number having had an experience in the recently concluded UEFA Champions League. Sadly, they will be without their most promising and dangerous attacking weapon given Szoboszlai was forced to withdraw injured. As one of the brightest young talents in Europe, his absence is more keenly felt on this limited squad.
Their coach has been in the role since 2018 and has them playing a 5-3-2 system. Gulacsi is in goal behind At. Szalai, Orban and Fiola/Lang, with Lovrencsics and Nego/Varga the wingbacks. Kleinheisler, Nagy and Siger are the midfielders with Nikolic and Ad. Szalai the forward line. Gulacsi and Orban are two players with major top flight experience and will need to marshall the defence against the European giants they will face.
Hungary should be the definition of no-hopers at this tournament. The playing staff is extremely limited and they are now shorn of their most devastating attacking force. It is a struggle to see where they will get goals from and even if the defence is admirable, it will likely be a barrage of attacks to be faced from the superior individual talents of the other teams in the group surely being too much. Any positive result would be a major shock, expect to see Hungary as the whipping boys as the others try to pad goal difference. The only sliver of hope, their first two games are in Budapest where full attendance is granted. We will see just how much a home crowd can act as a 12th man.
Team: PORTUGAL
Squad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020_squads#Portugal
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/teams/110--portugal/
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Key Players: Cristiano Ronaldo; Ruben Dias; Renato Sanches
Potential Breakout Player: Joao Felix
Notable Absentees: Andre Gomes (non-selection)
Best Historical Finish: Winners (2016)
Minimum Expectation: Quarterfinals
How Far Could They Go: Winners
Squad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020_squads#Portugal
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/teams/110--portugal/
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Key Players: Cristiano Ronaldo; Ruben Dias; Renato Sanches
Potential Breakout Player: Joao Felix
Notable Absentees: Andre Gomes (non-selection)
Best Historical Finish: Winners (2016)
Minimum Expectation: Quarterfinals
How Far Could They Go: Winners
Fantasy Football Sleeper Option: Joao Felix (MID - 8.5m)
The defending champions are back and on paper better than ever. A hugely talented and deep squad come into the tournament as one of the absolute favourites. Portugal qualified but only in 2nd to Ukraine, where they stumbled a bit, before sealing their 8th appearance and 7th straight Euro tournament - never failing to not at least get to the quarterfinals. They have not missed a major tournament since World Cup 1998 and by winning Euro 2016 they shed the pain of the crushing defeat to the unfancied Greeks in Portugal in 2004 and added their name to winners' row as the 10th winner.
Rather than simply bask in the glory of their somewhat surprising success, the Portuguese have gone from strength to strength. They did struggle at the World Cup in 2018 but with another great generation of talent coming through they added the inaugural UEFA Nations League crown in 2019. They only narrowly missed out to France of winning their group in the latest edition of the same but finished comfortably ahead of Croatia and Sweden. The current squad returns eleven from the 2016 triumph, but the depth is massively greater with a number of burgeoning superstars added.
The defending champions are back and on paper better than ever. A hugely talented and deep squad come into the tournament as one of the absolute favourites. Portugal qualified but only in 2nd to Ukraine, where they stumbled a bit, before sealing their 8th appearance and 7th straight Euro tournament - never failing to not at least get to the quarterfinals. They have not missed a major tournament since World Cup 1998 and by winning Euro 2016 they shed the pain of the crushing defeat to the unfancied Greeks in Portugal in 2004 and added their name to winners' row as the 10th winner.
Rather than simply bask in the glory of their somewhat surprising success, the Portuguese have gone from strength to strength. They did struggle at the World Cup in 2018 but with another great generation of talent coming through they added the inaugural UEFA Nations League crown in 2019. They only narrowly missed out to France of winning their group in the latest edition of the same but finished comfortably ahead of Croatia and Sweden. The current squad returns eleven from the 2016 triumph, but the depth is massively greater with a number of burgeoning superstars added.
Fernando Santos has been in charge since 2014 and has built up a tonne of goodwill for his work. They play version of the 4-2-3-1 / 4-4-3 with Rui Patricio in goal behind Cancelo, Dias, Fonte and Guerreiro with Danilo and Sanches in deeper midfield roles with Jota, Bernardo Silva and Joao Felix behind CR7. The real impressive thing about this version of Portugal is what they have in reserve. The ageless Pepe, Semedo, Carvalho, Joao Moutinho, Neves, Sergio Oliveira, Bruno Fernandes, Guedes and Andre Silva would get into almost any other starting lineup at the tournament. Their bench may actually be better than even the French's.
Unlike 2016 where they had a relatively straightforward group which they still almost bungled, this edition sees the margin for error extremely thin. Must hammer Hungary and then get at least one positive result against the French/Germans. This is probably the 2nd most talented squad at the tournament with experience and youth in equal measure. This team is far better equipped than in 2016. The attacking talent is almost unmatched, the question will be if they are allowed to play freely - in recent matches despite the array of talent the Portuguese could be accused of playing a little negatively. They should get out of the group, whether it be 1st, 2nd or as one of the best 3rd placed teams, after that not a team to want to face up to. Should be a tough out and have a realistic chance for a deep, deep run and potentially even repeat.
Unlike 2016 where they had a relatively straightforward group which they still almost bungled, this edition sees the margin for error extremely thin. Must hammer Hungary and then get at least one positive result against the French/Germans. This is probably the 2nd most talented squad at the tournament with experience and youth in equal measure. This team is far better equipped than in 2016. The attacking talent is almost unmatched, the question will be if they are allowed to play freely - in recent matches despite the array of talent the Portuguese could be accused of playing a little negatively. They should get out of the group, whether it be 1st, 2nd or as one of the best 3rd placed teams, after that not a team to want to face up to. Should be a tough out and have a realistic chance for a deep, deep run and potentially even repeat.
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