Group C is tough to call. The Netherlands play all three of their group games in front of a home crowd in Amsterdam which could give them a major boost but the new look young Dutch side will be playing with pressure on their shoulders. Austria and Ukraine will be looking to build on impressive qualifying campaigns while North Macedonia make their international major tournament debut at this summer’s European Championships.
Austria
Star Player: David Alaba
Manager: Franco Foda
Best Euros Finish: Group Stage (2008 & 2016)
What are their chances?
Austria have a squad that some would consider having underachieved in recent years as they were knocked out in the group stages in 2016 coming bottom of a group that consisted of Hungary, Iceland and Portugal. They then went on and failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup leading to the appointment of German Franco Foda as manager. Foda’s side finished second in Euro 2020 qualifying behind Poland and ahead of North Macedonia who also went onto to qualify.
The Austrian team has a heavy Bundesliga influence therefore they adopt a style of play common in the German first division. Foda has his side pressing opposition into mistakes and looks to then counter-attack, captain David Alaba who has recently joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich is integral to keeping the side disciplined using his experience on the European stage coupled with his outstanding ability. Marcel Sabitzer of Red Bull Lepizig and former West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic will be the main goal threats for Austria with Arnautovic scoring six goals in qualifying.
Bet9ja Outright Euro 2020 odds: 81.00
(David Alaba on international duty ahead of Euro 2020: Getty Images)
Netherlands
Star Player: Georginio Wijnaldum
Manager: Frank De Boer
Best Euros Finish: Winners (1988)
What are their chances?
The Dutch failed to qualify for both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in what has been a transitional phase for the country, add to this the appointment of Frank De Boer as Head-Coach from MLS side Atlanta United (a manager who had previously failed at Crystal Palace lasting just four games in the Premier League) and you could understand why they’re not as fancied as Netherlands teams of the past.
However, the squad is now beginning to look promising containing some of the best young talents across Europe. Despite the key absences of Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk and now Manchester United’s Donny Van De Beek through injury, the team still consists of Frankie De Jong, Memphis Depay and Matthijs De Ligt to name a few. The key man for the Dutch will be Georginio Wijnaldum, the midfielder who has been subject of interest from PSG and Barcelona plays a more attacking role for his country which saw him score eight goals in qualifying. The former Liverpool man is also captain, so there will be pressure on his shoulders to get the young team performing again at a major tournament.
Bet9ja Outright EURO2020 odds: 14.00
(Georginio Wijnaldum in Netherlands friendly against Scotland: Getty Images)
North Macedonia
Star Player: Goran Pandev
Manager: Igor Angelovski
Best Euros Finish: N/A First European Championships
What are their chances?
This tournament will be North Macedonia’s first ever so for many of the top nations they will be somewhat of an unknown quantity. Igor Angelovski took over in 2015 and has now finally got the nation to a European Championships. North Macedonia qualified through the play-off system in which they beat Kosovo and then Georgia to reach the finals.
Goran Pandev is their main threat, the 37-year-old has played 119 games for his country scoring 37 goals and spent the majority of his career in Italy playing for the likes of Genoa, Napoli, Lazio and Inter Milan. If North Macedonia are to cause a surprise upset in this group they will be relying on him for goals and they’re capable of this as they beat Germany 2-1 in QATAR 2022 qualifying. Another noteworthy name in their squad is Premier League and Leeds United star Ezgjan Allioski who is known for the energy he brings to the team thanks to the coaching of Marcelo Bielsa.
Bet9ja Outright EURO 2020 odds: 401.00
(Goran Pandev celebrates scoring against Germany in QATAR 2022 Qualifier: Getty Images)
Ukraine
Star Player: Ruslan Malinovskyi
Manager: Andriy Shevchenko
Best Euros Finish: Group Stage (2012 & 2016)
What are their chances?
If Euro 2020 qualification is anything to go by then Ukraine could be one of the tournament’s dark horses. Shevchenko’s men topped their group finishing above Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and remaining undefeated in their eight games. Although Shevchenko was an elite player himself in his playing day for the likes of AC Milan and Chelsea he has built a team based on unity and cohesion rather than relying on star performers.
You would be forgiven were you to suggest the key man would be Andriy Yarmolenko of West Ham, Oleksandr Zinchenko of Manchester City or Yehven Konoplyanko of Shaktar Donetsk as they are all very high-profile gifted players who have been a success on the European stage. However, Atalanta’s Ruslan Malinovskyi was an ever present in the midfield during qualifying despite any changes in formation. It is his versatility to play deeper and help break up attacks or create chances and be a goal threat himself that makes this team function. A team built off defensive solidity having only conceding four in their eight qualifiers, Ukraine will fancy their chances of progressing from the group.
Bet9ja Outright EURO 2020 odds: 67.00
(Ruslan Malinovskyi battles with Ngolo Kante: Getty Images)
Fixtures
13 June 2021 – Austria v North Macedonia – National Arena, Bucharest – 17:00
13 June 2021 – Netherlands v Ukraine – Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam – 20:00
17 June 2021 – Ukraine v North Macedonia – National Arena, Bucharest – 14:00
17 June 2021 – Netherlands v Austria – Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam – 20:00
21 June 2021 – North Macedonia v Netherlands – Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam – 17:00
21 June 2021 – Ukraine v Austria – National Arena, Bucharest – 17:00
