Euro 2024 Group Stage Analysis: What to Expect in Groups A, B, and C

The stage is set for the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament, which resumes in June after a three-year break. It promises to live up to the standards we've grown accustomed to at the Euros, with loads of exciting matches awaiting football fans as early as the group stage.

Germany is the host for this year's edition and will hope to become the national team with the most European Championship trophies. The defending champions, Italy, will seek to repeat as the Kings of Europe, a feat only one team has achieved in the history of the tournament. There's also England and France, two teams who have been heralded as the tournament favorites and will look to live up to the hype.

The group stage presents an array of tricky tests for some of the heavyweights, with potential upsets looming if they are not careful. We preview the Euro 2024 group stage, analyzing each team's chances of making it to the knockout rounds of the competition.

GROUP A – Germany, Hungary, Scotland, and Switzerland

The Euros kick off with a thrilling encounter between hosts Germany and a Scotland side seeking to make it out of the group stage of a major tournament for the first time. Both teams have struggled as of late and will hope to redeem themselves this summer.

Scotland will fancy their chances against Julian Nagelsmann's men, who are under immense pressure to deliver on home soil. For a Scotland team that put the world on notice during the Qualifying rounds of the playoffs, we can expect them to land the first major blow in the tournament.

Hungary is also a team to watch in this group after a dominant run in the Qualifiers. They were one of six teams to qualify for the Euros without a defeat, and could also challenge for the top spot in Group A. This team has given Germany a run for their money in the past, forcing a draw against the hosts at Euro 2020 and could do it again this year, so expect Hungary tickets to be in high demand when the two sides meet again this year.

Switzerland is also in this group but will need to step up their game if they're going to make it through this gauntlet. They were impressive at the early stages of the Qualifiers but went on to share the spoils against Belarus, Israel, and Kosovo, losing their most important game to Romania. However, given their past performances in this tournament, they should not be considered underdogs.

GROUP B – Spain, Albania, Italy, and Croatia

The “Group of Death,” as many like to call it, has lots of exciting twists and turns to look forward to in Group B. Albania is almost certain to crash out of this group, but their noteworthy performances against the likes of the Czech Republic and Poland last year should not be overlooked.

Italy is a team still trying to find themselves after a surprise championship run in 2021. The Azzurri were a no-show at the World Cup for the second consecutive time and have since parted ways with title-winning head coach Roberto Mancini. With former Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti now in the driving seat, the Italians will face a tough test against a resurgent Spain side and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, Croatia.

As for the Balkans, they will hope their star man Luka Modrić can lead them out of this tough group and deep into the tournament yet again. But Croatia will not rely solely on him to carry the weight as they boast a team of solid players like Marcelo Brozović and Mateo Kovačić, who will join the Ballon d'Or winner in midfield. Zlatko Dalić will also have a solid centre-back in Joško Gvardiol, who was one of the best defenders in Qatar.

Spain has the most superior squad among the four teams and should be able to clinch the top spot if they play at their best. But Luis de la Fuente will miss the services of young talent Gavi, who played a crucial role en route to their Nations League win last summer. Not having the 19-year-old in the squad will hurt La Roja's midfield, but having the likes of Pedri, rising talent Lamine Yamal, and Rodri, arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world, on your roster should get the job done.

GROUP C – England, Slovenia, Denmark, and Serbia

One of the most exciting groups in this tournament will see a rematch of the EURO 2020 semi-final between England and Denmark. The Three Lions got the better of the Danes thanks to an extra-time goal from Harry Kane and will hope history repeats itself.

Kane will undoubtedly be England's top gun yet again and is having the season of his life at Bayern, with 44 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions. Gareth Southgate will hope to see his star forward replicate his goalscoring form in a familiar country as the tournament favorites seek a first major title since 1966. The veteran coach has all the tools to get it done this year as he boasts arguably the most complete roster on paper. Anything short of a top spot in Group C will be considered a disappointment.

Slovenia and Serbia shouldn't cause much of a problem for his cause, although this is not to say they can't compete. Serbia will seek to finish as runners-up in their first-ever Euros appearance as an independent country, but their success lies heavily in the hands of Al-Hilal striker Aleksandar Mitrović, who has been killing it in the Saudi Pro League this season.

But the Serbians' closest competition for a knockout round spot is Kasper Hjulmand's Denmark, a team that will be seeking to avenge their painful semi-final loss at Wembley and make a statement after a disappointing World Cup campaign in Qatar. Denmark will face Slovenia, another familiar foe, in their opening group-stage game. Both sides met during the Qualifiers, with Denmark winning the return fixture 2-1 to secure the top spot in Group H.