On 11th June 2021, it’s take 2 for Euro 2020. Initially scheduled for Summer 2020, the celebration of European football played every four years was pushed back, as it too, fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s on, albeit with a change to the format (there could be more to come) and the fans are itching for some fantastic, nail-biting action. Before it starts, let’s take a look at what’s changed and who we think might lift the trophy.
With the major National leagues having already or soon to be drawing to a close, and the finals of the domestic European tournaments decided, it’s time to shift our focus to International tournament football.
Euro 2020: The format
To give a quick review… the original format of the competition was to host games in a variety of stadiums across the continent, including Wembley (England), Aviva (Ireland), Allianz Arena (Germany), Stadio Olimpico (Italy), Amsterdam Arena (Netherlands), Eurostadium (Belgium), San Mames (Spain), to name but a few. The whole setup of the competition was to be different with a somewhat fresh and innovative approach. Fast forward a year and the format is still very similar but with a couple of nations missing out on hosting games (namely, Belgium and Ireland) and consequently, fixtures changing in response to the varying status of COVID-19 in each of the countries.
Euro 2020: The teams
England have had a positive build up so far, with the waist coat man having the nice problem of deciding which talent to pick for his final squad; the amount of potential that has come out of the cracks in the past two or three years is certainly exciting. Currently, England are competing for favouritism with the bookmakers at around 4/1!? The top five favourites are France, England, Belgium, Germany, and Spain respectively. With defending champions Portugal in 6th.
Euro 2020: Our best guess
Going against our patriotic hunch, our money is on Italy. The Azzuri are, on paper, an inexperienced outfit but the extra year of preparation and Serie A action will have done them no harm. Retaining the home fixtures in the group stage is also a positive and we expect them to feature prominently in the tournament, making it through to the latter stages here in England, for the semi-finals and final.
With an 11th June start date, 10 days before ‘normality’ and supposedly beers everywhere with everyone according to the web, this has the potential to be a cracker of a month for the sport and the nation. The heart says England, the head says Italy. Irrespective, here’s hoping for a bumper month of action, loads of goals, and sport making the front pages of the news once more.
Author: Tom Landale – Associate Director, Accident, Health, Sports & Contingency
