EURO 2020: GROUP F PREVIEW

Group F otherwise known as the “Group of Death” consists of the three last major tournament winners, France (2018 World Cup), Germany (2014 World Cup) and Portugal (Euro 2016). The fourth nation given the task of competing with these powerhouses is Hungary. The last of the groups to get underway in Euro 2020, Hungary and Portugal will play out their first game on Tuesday June 15^th in Budapest followed by France v Germany in Munich on the same date. It’s very tough to call who will be making the knockout stages and who may miss out entirely.

France

Star Player: Kylian Mbappe

Manager: Didier Deschamps

Best Euros Finish: Winners (1984 & 2000)

What are their chances?

France go into Euro 2020 as favourites to win the whole competition. Didier Deschamps side are the current world champions having beat Croatia convincingly 4-2 in the FIFA World Cup final just three years ago, a victory that never looked in doubt. The French will still have the hunger for more international success which makes them an even more dangerous proposition having lost in the final of the European Championships in their home tournament to an extra time goal from Portugal’s Eder, a team they will be facing in this summer’s group stages.

It is clear to see when looking at their squad as well as the players Deschamps has left at home why France are fancied by so many to be champions. Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane, Antoine Griezmann all household names playing for the biggest clubs around the world and that is without mentioning potential Ballon d’Or winner N’golo Kante and star player PSG forward Kylian Mbappe. In 2018 Mbappe announced himself on the world stage as a frightening talent with his unbelievable pace and eye for goal. Since then, the 22-year-old has only solidified his status at the elite level with many tipping him to become the next best player in the world once Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi retire. Do you think Mbappe is on course to be the best?

Bet9ja Outright EURO 2020 odds: 5.25

(Kylian Mbappe brings the ball under control: Getty Images)

Germany

Star Player: Joshua Kimmich

Manager: Joachim Low

Best Euros Finish: Winners (1972, 1980, 1996)

What are their chances?

Germany are one of the powerhouses of international football having won three European Championships and the FIFA World Cup four times. However, since becoming world champions back in 2014 they have begun to go through a transitional period. Manager Joachim Low has recently put his trust in the young talent Germany has to offer and there is plenty of it however, this has come with its drawbacks such as losing 6-0 to Spain and 2-1 to North Macedonia within the last 12 months.

Despite some worrying performances recently the Germany squad is still one of the strongest in the tournament making it difficult to pick out a star player. Joshua Kimmich has been an integral part of Bayern Munich’s dominance of the Bundesliga as well as their success in the UEFA Champions League. Kimmich was initially a right back when he broke into the Germany and Bayern sides but has made the transition into a midfield enforcer which has only made him better. Likened to legend Phillip Lahm for his adaptability he too has matured with age. At 26-years-old the midfielder is no longer a youngster and coming into his prime years so, expect big performances from him to keep this young Germany team formidable.

Bet9ja Outright EURO 2020 odds: 8.50

(Joshua Kimmich against Denmark: Getty Images)

Hungary

Star Player: Peter Gulacsi

Manager: Marco Rossi

Best Euros Finish: Semi-Finals (1964 & 1972)

What are their chances?

Hungary are without a doubt the underdogs of Group F and will count themselves unlucky to have been drawn against such opposition. Rossi’s side only qualified for Euro 2020 through the play-off qualifiers in which they beat Bulgaria 3-1 and then Iceland 2-1 to progress to the tournament’s finals. Despite the odds being stacked against them, the Hungarians were drawn in the same group as Portugal back in 2016 and drew 3-3. The eventual champions were only saved thanks to a wonderful Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick which included a stunning back heel goal.

The star player for Hungary is their goalkeeper Peter Gualcsi of Red Bull Leipzig and this may be a good thing for them. Gulacsi has experience playing at the top level regularly in both the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League. The Hungarians will be up against tough opposition so they’re going to have to rely on Gulacsi to make vital saves as well as keep an influential calm head.

Bet9ja Outright EURO 2020 odds: 351.00

(Peter Gulacsi stands alone in his penalty box: Getty Images)

Portugal

Star Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Manager: Fernando Santos

Best Euros Finish: Winners (2016)

What are their chances?

Portugal will be looking to retain the European Championships this summer as the current holders of the title. Their victory in 2016 was the first time they had won a major international tournament, surprising when you consider the talent they’ve had over the years. Fernando Santos was the man who masterminded the success and has also led his team to winning the inaugural UEFA Nations League. Despite Santos’ pedigree, Portugal did struggle in qualifying coming only second in their group behind Ukraine leaving question marks over whether the talented squad can put their ego’s aside and compete as a team.

The main man is five time Ballon D’or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, the forward is Portugal’s highest scoring player and he’s just five goals away from beating the all-time record for most international goals, currently held by Ali Daei (109). If you look beyond one of the best players to have ever lived there is still a whole host of great footballers in this squad, the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Diogo Jota amongst the best to be currently playing in the Premier League. The key to Portugal’s success is whether Santos can get the team firing on all cylinders as there is no doubt it is more talented than the side that were champions just five years ago.

Bet9ja Outright EURO 2020 odds: 9.00