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Which Dark Horses are Expected to Win Euro 2024?
The European Championship is a tournament that has often generated many surprise victors. Here is a look at some dark horses expected to emerge in Euro 2024.
The European Championship is a tournament that has often generated many surprise victors. Denmark were successful in 1992, Greece upset the odds in 2004, and in 2016 Portugal prevailed against the hosts (France) in the final.
Here is a look at some dark horses expected to emerge in Euro 2024.
Croatia
Despite having a population of less than 4 million, Croatia have overachieved on the major stage over the last couple of decades. They reached the final of the 2018 World Cup, while they also finished as runners-up in the UEFA Nations League last year.
At odds of 40/1 in the Euros outrights betting, Croatia are considered outsiders once again. They have been placed in a tough group, along with Spain, Italy, and Albania. However, third place may be good enough to qualify for the last 16.
Good to be back and we keep going. Hala Madrid. 💪🙏 pic.twitter.com/Mg0kPNZs0a
— Luka Modrić (@lukamodric10) December 10, 2023
With some of the leading players in Europe, Croatia should be one of the leading Euro 2024 tips in many of their matches this summer. Luka Modrić has just had an excellent season with Real Madrid, winning the La Liga and Champions League, while Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric is one of the hottest strikers in Europe.
Croatia will be a strong competitor for any team in this year’s European Championship. With the experience and quality they have, they might just go all the way this time.
Denmark
England needed extra time to eliminate Denmark in the semi-finals of Euro 2020, in what was an excellent run in the tournament from the Danes. The 1992 winners could be set to rise at least one place higher this time.
Denmark qualified for Euro 2024 by finishing top of their qualifying round, which included Slovenia and Finland. They defeated Slovenia 2-1 in their penultimate game of the group, a result that proved crucial to their trajectory.
With Andrea Christensen, Simon Kjaer, Jannik Vestergaard, and Joachim Andersen, Denmark have one of the strongest defences at the upcoming European Championship. They will be a tough team to beat.
Ukraine
Ukraine secured their spot in Germany this summer through the play-offs. They got the better of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their semi-final encounter, while in the final they defeated Iceland 2-1.
Over the last 12 months, Ukraine have drawn with Germany (twice), England, and Italy. Those results prove they can mix with the leading teams at Euro 2024.
Ukraine have been fortunate to be drawn into a relatively easy group in the opening stage of the European Championship. They will face Belgium, Romania, and Slovakia. Head coach Serhiy Rebrov is confident his side can finish in the top 2 and qualify for the last 16 of the tournament.
MYKOOOOO!!! pic.twitter.com/lAvQuUdzCd
— Everton (@Everton) November 11, 2023
Many of Ukraine’s squad now play in the major leagues across Europe, including Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid), Vitaliy Mykolenko (Everton), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal), Viktor Tsyhankov (Girona), and Roman Yaremchuk (Valencia). They have enough talent to go far at Euro 2024.
This year’s European Championship is the 11th in its history. The champions will qualify for the Finalissima where they will face the winners of the 2024 Copa American tournament.
