The UEFA European Championship, commonly known as the “Euro Cup” is all set to begin in a few days. It was supposed to take place in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed all of the games from taking place. This highly-awaited competition is now back and is expected to be viewed by millions of football fans from all over the globe. Even sports betting fans are getting in on the action, with thousands downloading the 20 bet app in preparation. Let’s see all you need to know about the Euro cup 2020.
This time, the action will not be limited to just one country, like previous editions of the Cup have. The month-long festival of football will take place in 11 of the host cities, and all 24 of the teams will battle it out on the turf. In the last edition, hosts France were beaten by Portugal 1-0 in the finals after extra time. The new French team seems 100% ready to avenge their loss and walk away with the Cup.
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Will France Win A Double-double Again?
France is one of the only teams who have managed to win the “double-double”, which is the term for winning both the FIFA World Cup and the Euro Cup. In 1998 and 2000, Les Bleus did the unthinkable and managed to clinch both titles. French powerhouse Zinedine Zidane or “Zizou” managed to score 2 back-to-back goals, and France managed to defeat Brazil 3-0. This victory just paved the way to the Euro Cup 2000.
The Euro 2000 was co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, and the final match was held at De Kuip in Rotterdam. Italy and France battled it out on the pitch, and France managed to sneak in a narrow victory. Striker Trezeguet snuck in a golden goal in the 103rd minute and handed Les Bleus their double-double. The French team is definitely looking forward to a double-double in Euro 2021, after their fantastic 4-2 defeat of the Croatian national football team.
How Is The French Lineup For Euro 2021?
Many people think that France has a very strong lineup for this edition of the Euro Cup. In fact, this informative site says that France is the hot favorite for this edition. Some of the best players of this generation are playing for Les Bleus, such as Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema, and Paul Pogba. They’re all in terrific form and there is a huge chance that they’ll win the cup.
The French leadership is also beyond compare, with World Cup winning manager Didier Deschamps again taking the mantle. Deschamps actually happens to be a protege of 1998 winning manager Aime Jacquet. He is a skilled tactician and an astute manager, and is definitely going to do his best to lead the team to victory. However, the teams of England, Italy, Germany, and Spain are close behind. These teams might end up stealing the Euro Cup from right under France’s nose.
England Looking Forward To Mending “55 Years Of Hurt”
Many British sports commentators and analysts have said that 2021 might be the year when England “mend 55 years of hurt”. Managed by veteran Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions team is going to provide stiff competition to the other European competitors. The 2021 English team is full of young faces who are going to prove their mettle in the ensuing competition. England is all set to compete against Croatia on Sunday.
Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka will be some of the youngest players on the turf – aged only 17 and 19 years respectively. This type of team shows Southgate’s commitment to reinventing the image of the English team. There has been a certain measure of uncertainty and anxiety as well since star midfield Harry Maguire has an injury. The English team is all set to prove their mettle on the field. Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane will help tide them over.
Portugal – The Wild Card of Euro 2021
The Portuguese team is the defending champions, but they’re all set to play the role of the wild card in Euro 2021. The Portuguese team has always been about star striker Cristiano Ronaldo, whose fleet footwork manages to carry the team to victory. During this edition, Ronaldo will have a fantastic supporting cast too. Diogo Jota, Joao Felix, Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva, and Bruno Fernandes will help Ronaldo carry the Os Navegadores to victory.
Who Is Going To Be The Iceland Of Euro 2021?
In the 2016 edition of the Euro Cup, the Iceland team took the tournament by storm. The tiny island nation managed to come 2nd in their group, and they also managed to demolish the English team in the Top 16. This has led many to speculate over this edition’s Iceland. Here are the top contenders for the position of Iceland.
- The Italian national team hasn’t attracted a lot of attention in the past few years, but they can be expected to turn the tide suddenly. The present team has some of the most talented midfielders in recent history. Nicolo Barella, Marco Verratti, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and the regista Jorge “Jorginho” Filho.
- The Croatian football team made history by becoming one of the first underdog teams to make it to the finals of the FIFA World Cup. They gave tough competition to the French team as well, scoring 2 goals as well. This time, the team is all set to avenge the French – with Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacici bringing the rear.
Some Must-see Games Of Euro 2021:
Here are some of the absolute must-see games that you cannot afford to miss.
- England vs Croatia, June 13
- France vs Germany, June 16
- The Netherlands vs Austria, June 18
- England vs Scotland, June 19
- Sweden vs Poland, June 23
Summing It Up
The Euro Cup 2020/2021 is expected to be one of the most exciting tournaments, especially in a world plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic. Clear out your calendars for the matches today!
