Will it be triumph or turmoil for hosts Germany?

As the anticipation for Euro 2024 reaches a fever pitch, we at Rezzil wanted to turn our analytical lens towards Group A, the tournament’s opening act. The group is promising to be a captivating battle with hosts Germany, European veterans Switzerland, touted black horses Hungary, and the combative Scotland. 

Ahead of Friday’s opening game, we’ll dissect each team’s strengths, strategies, and potential roadblocks, offering a comprehensive preview of the group stage.

GERMANY

Fifa World Ranking: 16th 

Euros Appearances: 13

Best performance at the Euros: Champions (1972,1980, 1996)

Euro 2020: Round of 16

Germany is hosting the tournament this year for the first time alone since West Germany hosted it in 1988. Although historically renowned, the German national team has seen some difficult times of late, but they alongside the youthful head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, will be wanting to put on a show for their fellow compatriots and replicate the success of previous German teams that won three European Championship titles and four World Cups. 

Julian Nagelsmann will be aiming to improve the team’s performance after failing to advance past the Round of 16 in the last three international tournaments under Joachim Low. The team has a mix of young talent and experienced players, which could be the key to success, especially while playing on home soil. Three players from their 2014 World Cup victory – Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, and Thomas Muller – are still part of the team and with the announcement of Kroos’s departure from Real Madrid, the curtain is drawing on their career. As a home nation, Germany will be looking to end their international careers with a victory on home soil, as this may be their final opportunity to represent their country.

On to the current squad, Nagelsmann is likely to start the campaign with Arsenal’s in-form forward, Kai Havertz, leading the attack. Given his recent performances, this decision is not surprising. However, the question remains about who will play alongside him. There are several talented players contending for this role. Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan will likely start according to reports, but the competition for the third spot between young Florian Wirtz and Leroy Sane from Bayern Munich will be a key battle as the tournament progresses. The first outcome will be revealed on Friday when they face Scotland in the opening match.

SCOTLAND

Fifa World Ranking: 39th 

Euros Appearances: 3

Best performance at the Euros: Group Stage (1992,1996,2020)

Euro 2020: Group Stage

After qualifying for their second back-to-back Euros in their history, Scotland and the Tartan Army will be hoping they can make progress through the group stages and write themselves into the history books. Last time round they only managed a single point as they finished in fourth place behind England, Croatia, and Czechia who all qualified for the knock-out phase in the 2020 tournament. 

The Scots surprised many in qualification as they fought off Erling Haaland’s Norway to secure second place in their group alongside Spain. Scotland’s qualification campaign saw them win five of their eight games and only lose once away to group winners Spain.  

The star in their ranks during qualification was undoubtedly Manchester United’s Scott McTominay. The midfielder had previously been deployed as a defensive player at the international level but was given a fresh lease of life when manager Steve Clarke made the decision to push him forward and become Scotland’s talisman. McTominay thrived from this and subsequently scored seven goals and assisted another across seven starts for the Scots during the qualifying campaign. The Scots will be hoping their very own Scott can find the back of the net a couple more times if they look to escape an incredibly difficult group.

HUNGARY

Fifa World Ranking: 26th

Euros Appearances: 4

Best performance at the Euros: Third Place (1964)

Euro 2020: Group Stage

Hungary enter this tournament with nothing to lose but everything to gain. After a long stint away from the international scene Hungary returned at Euro 2016, they made it out of the groups and impressed many as they topped a crop containing both Austria and eventual winners Portugal. They fell at the next hurdle though, as Belgium toppled them 4-0. However the fans’ hearts were already won, as they saw their nation do what no other prior side of theirs had since 1972. They returned again in 2020 and despite strong displays failed to make it out of a tough group which held heavyweights France, Portugal, and Germany.

Hungary hearts will be hopeful ahead of this tournament though. A group which is tough but in comparison to 2020 it’s one which allows them to dream of the knock-out stage. Their qualification record was one to be admired, they were one of six sides to go unbeaten, sitting alongside the likes of England, France, and Belgium.

Their side will be led by a front three to watch out for, Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai playing alongside Roland Sallai, with Barnbas Varga just ahead of the pair. Varga has racked up 20 goals for Hungarian side Ferencvaros as they lifted the title this season and could be one to watch out for, he also bagged a brace in Hungary’s 3-0 win in their final warm-up game ahead of the Euros campaign. A front line which could surprise a few, keep your eyes peeled.

SWITZERLAND

Fifa World Ranking: 19th

Euros Appearances: 5

Best performance at the Euros: Quarter Finals (2020)

Euro 2020: Quarter Finals

Switzerland have become a regular feature at the Euros in recent years, qualifying for five of the last seven tournaments after making their debut in 1996. This is the first time that they are making it three in a row and I for one hope they bring with them as much excitement and entertainment as they did in the last Euros. 

This nation pulled off one of the shocks of the tournament at Euro 2020, in what was probably the game of the tournament too. The Swiss faced one of the favourites France in the Round of 16 and found themselves 3-1 down with ten to play and elimination looming. Then up stepped Haris Seferovic and Mario Gavranovic to turn the tie around and send it to penalties where Switzerland came out on top and made it to the Quarter Finals for the very first time.

This time around will be a tough test again for the Swiss. Without any real star quality going forward they’ll be relying upon solidity in defence. Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji and Newcastle’s Fabian Schar will play a key role in trying to ensure they can keep it clean at the back to try and snatch a win when they get an opportunity going forward. I however think this is going to be a difficult mission for Switzerland to escape the group, although anything can happen as we all know. 

Rezzil’s Group A Prediction:

1. Germany
2. Hungary
3. Scotland
4. Switzerland

With the group stage drama ready to unfold, the path to Euro glory awaits. But before the battles begin, you can get ready to relive the magic. Keep your eyes peeled for a brand new challenge that awaits a chance to step into the shoes of legendary scorers and etch your own name in Euros history.