UEFA Euro 2024 Preview: Groups D, E & F
Part two of my group stage preview ahead of the looming UEFA European Championship in Germany
As I write, we are only two days away from the opening match at the UEFA European Championship.
My excitement for major tournaments never wanes, though this year it seems to be more unhinged than ever. That is likely down to it being six years since we last had a proper international tournament summer; Euro 2020 was a year late and blighted by Covid, while the cross-continental “hosting” watered the atmosphere down. Following that, Qatar’s winter World Cup excelled on the pitch, but beginning a week after the league campaigns paused meant a distinct lack of growing anticipation.
I was planning on writing this preview of Groups D, E and F the day before Germany vs Scotland, but my inner kid at Christmas has got the better of me, so here it is! You don’t need to have read my preview of Groups A, B and C before reading this (just make sure you do read it, cheers!) but who in their right mind starts with Group D?
Group D
Group D for death? There are two candidates for the ever-present Group of Death accolade, and this is certainly one of them, featuring the finalists of three of the past four major tournaments, former winners and top dark horse material.
Poland vs Netherlands
Where Group of Death potential is lacking in this group, in my opinion, is the presence of Poland. They have improved significantly under Michał Probierz after Fernando Santos’ uninspiring time in charge, but I think they will come up short against a Netherlands side who always look capable of scoring. Netherlands win.
Austria vs France
Right, let’s go for it early on - big surprise time! Austria have been formidable under Ralf Rangnick, and they can take a point in their opener against a France side who never look their best when a tournament begins. Draw.
Poland vs Austria
Austria will want to put themselves in the driving seat ahead of the two big guns going head-to-head. Poland have been improving in front of goal of late in friendlies, but remain untested against the stronger sides. There might be just one goal in this one, but Austria will get it. Austria win.
Netherlands vs France
After a setback, France will be out to put the record straight. Two sides who have well-balanced squads and enjoy getting forward, this could be one of the best fixtures in the group stage. Better strength in depth for the French means they edge it. France win.
Netherlands vs Austria
Austria, with four points on the board, know they could advance even with a loss to the Dutch, for whom a point will be enough. A cautious approach from Ronald Koeman will probably set the tone as both sides look forward to the knockouts. Draw.
France vs Poland
Apologies Poland, but you are the first side I’m sending home with zero points. With topping the group in mind, France will go all out and - as was the case in Qatar - have too much for the tiring Polish defence. Kylian Mbappé to score at least one and, France win.
Group D standings
As many expect, France top the group, but Austria live up to the hype and get through a tough group unbeaten. Netherlands better the points total of all the third-placed sides in Groups A, B and C, so are safely through.
1. France 7
2. Austria 5
3. Netherlands 4
4. Poland 0
Group E
The hipsters group! So glad we have finally reached it, I’m sure you are too! Belgium, no longer everyone’s favourites, are going under the radar, as are three sides who all have the potential to surprise.
Romania vs Ukraine
I am intrigued as to how far Ukraine can go at this Euros. They somewhat stumbled to the quarter-finals three years ago, and their in-form players such as Artem Dovbyk and Viktor Tsygankov can get them there again in finer style. Romania were unbeaten in qualifying, albeit not in a strong group, and lack of goals is a worry. Ukraine win.
Belgium vs Slovakia
The Red Devils look so light at the back these days, though in Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard they look as dangerous as ever going forward. Slovakia are so hard to call, they could go home without a point, but I think they could be underestimated, and another early surprise could be in store. Draw.
Slovakia vs Ukraine
Two sides who know where the goal is will meet in Dusseldorf full of confidence, which will hopefully make for a cracking game - the hipster’s game from the hipster’s group, if you will. Draw.
Belgium vs Romania
Romania’s 0-0 draw with Liechtenstein in the warm-ups gave proof to their struggles in attack. No, we should not read too much into friendlies, but they do not seem cut out to break through even Belgium’s questionable back line. Belgium win.
Slovakia vs Romania
Desperate for a win, I expect Romania to at least score against Slovakia, but if the Romanians are thus left exposed at the back, I expect Slovakia to profit. Slovakia win.
Ukraine vs Belgium
In the battle for top spot, I am expecting another open contest, with attack being the best form of defence. Former club teammates Oleksandr Zinchenko and De Bruyne will aim to control the midfield battle, but the teams cancelling each other out becomes the order of the day. Draw.
Group E standings
Romania certainly don’t disgrace themselves but they become the second side to leave Germany with three losses, while the other three all finish on five points. As the placings will come down to who gets the biggest win against Romania, I think Belgium will just about seal first place, ahead of Ukraine. Slovakia advance.
1. Belgium 5
2. Ukraine 5
3. Slovakia 5
4. Romania 0
Group F
F is for finally, and finally, here is Group F. Another with a standout candidate for group supremacy, with three teams set to fight tooth-and-nail for the runners-up spot.
Turkey vs Georgia
Officially, they are Türkiye these days, but I’ll be sticking with the anglicised version for now. Euro 2020’s flops will hope for better this time, starting out against the only proper debutants at these finals, Georgia. Both sides have more about them than just Arda Güler and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but both will be determined to stifle the other’s dangerman. Draw.
Portugal vs Czech Republic
Oh, and the 2020 quarter-finalists are officially Czechia, but again I’ll go with the old form. The Czechs seem to always have a great Euros followed by a poor one, and as I highlighted in my “No one will win the Euros” article, they are due a bad one. That said, I expect them to be tough to beat, but Portugal will be a little tougher. Portugal win.
Georgia vs Czech Republic
Georgia will push with all their might, but to no avail. Like Albania, they will make a lot of friends along the way, but this is where their hopes of an unlikely last 16 place all but end as the Czechs edge it. Czech Republic win.
Turkey vs Portugal
Turkey do not have an abundance of experience at the back, and this is where it will cost them. Having been worked by the Czechs, Portugal will go all out and wrack up the goals, with perhaps this being a certain 39-year-old’s day to shine. Portugal win.
Georgia vs Portugal
Portugal are my tip to be the highest scorers after the group stage; once they have really got going against Turkey, they will roll over the plucky Georgians who by this stage will be running on empty. Portugal win.
Czech Republic vs Turkey
Memories of their epic encounter in 2008 come flooding back, not only because it will dominate the pre-match coverage, but because history will repeat itself. I’m not sure about another 3-2, but Turkey will save themselves when on the brink of another early elimination. Turkey win.
Group F standings
Another complete non-shock from me to have Portugal in first with nine points, though that does make them my only team carrying a maximum forward into the knockouts. Turkey overhaul the Czechs to finish second, as Ivan Hašek’s men are left doing the maths to see if they are progressing.
1. Portugal 9
2. Turkey 4
3. Czech Republic 3
4. Georgia 1
The third-placed teams - who is through?
Five points for Slovakia and four for the Netherlands means they are off to the knockout rounds, while only two for Switzerland means they are out.
Of the three sides on three points apiece, Italy are guaranteed a goal difference of zero thanks to three draws, which I think will be better than the sides who lost twice; Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
I am anticipating a ruthless England doing a bit of damage to Slovenia, while the two Czech losses I believe will be narrow. That means, it is the Czech Republic who go through.
My Round of 16 ties
If by some miracle, I am right with all 24 placings, that will set up the following ties in the Round of 16. The chances of these being the exact matches are incredibly slim, so I won’t be previewing them! I will be doing a proper knockout stage preview - in which I will pick my winning team - once the groups have been concluded.
Germany vs Serbia
Hungary vs Croatia
Spain vs Czech Republic
England vs Slovakia
Portugal vs Italy
Austria vs Ukraine
Belgium vs Netherlands
France vs Turkey
Anthony Tomas is a football writer and commentator, who writes for Flashscore and World Soccer Magazine.