Euro 2020: 3 early title contenders aiming to win it all
As teams continue to qualify for next summer’s European Championship, here’s a look at three teams looking to win it all.
The recent international window rendered a few verdicts. For nations looking to qualify for the 2020 European Championship, the past few days have been filled with drama and emotion.
The 24-nation tournament, which will be played from June 12 to July 12, will be contested in 12 cities spread out across a dozen European nations.
While Portugal, the defending champions, have yet to qualify — six countries are already in. Belgium, Italy, Russia, Poland, Ukraine and Spain are all in. Among these six, three have emerged as early contenders for the title.
The three have lots in common, most notably having all competed at the World Cup just last year. The tournament draw will take place on November 30 in Bucharest, Romania. Four teams will also contest a playoff this coming March.
Here’s a look at three nations that have emerged as early favorites as qualification ends next month.
Belgium
After finishing fourth at the recent World Cup, Belgium dominated during the qualifiers. The Red Devils have won Group I, posting a 8-0 record and scoring 30 goals while conceding just once.
Belgium have qualified for the tournament five previous times, most recently in 2016. Under manager Roberto Martinez, Belgium have a strong blend of veterans and youngsters. Among the new blood on this team is midfielder Youri Tielemans. The 22 year old not only has a deadly shot, but his ball distribution have made this attack-minded squad an early contender for the title.
“We have an incredible group,” Martinez told reporters. “You may have been born with a lot of talent, but the unbridled commitment they show every time, chapeau. It is a pleasure to work with these players. They are great ambassadors for Belgium and I am proud of them.”
Spain
The 2010 World Cup champions are back in the Euro finals after going 6-2-0 to rise to the top of Group F. La Roja have appeared at the tournament 10 previous times, the most recent in 2016. While this team is very much a work-in-progress, it would be foolish to rule them out.
Spain booked their spot in the finals Tuesday after drawing Sweden 1-1 as substitute Rodrigo scored off Fabian Ruiz’s 92nd-minute pass. Sergio Ramos hasn’t just been a major force in the back, he’s also scoring goals. His team-high four strikes in qualifying (tied with Rodrigo) are proof that the 33 year old isn’t done yet.
“If we don’t win every match people will start saying that we are not playing well, but things don’t always go your way in football,” Rodrigo said after the match. “The important thing is that we have qualified. Now we have time to try to improve.”
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Russia
The 2018 World Cup hosts were underdogs then. It would be foolish to underestimate them a second time.
Russia have plowed through qualifying with many of those players that became household names during the World Cup. Coached again by Stanislav Cherchesov, the team is 7-0-1 in Group I (the only defeat so far coming against Belgium). The Russians are led offensively by Artem Dzyuba’s nine goals during qualifying.
“The main task is to win the European Championship,” Cherchesov said during a recent news conference.
The Euros are a tournament known for surprise champions. Some examples include Denmark in 1992 and Greece in 2004. Could the Russians, who went on an improbable run to the quarterfinals on home soil, join that elite list?