Euro 2020 preview: Your complete guide to the group stage

Delayed a year by COVID-19, the Euros kick off on Friday with the group stage. Here’s a breakdown of the 24 teams and all six groups.

The Euros are finally here!

A year after UEFA postponed the tournament because of the pandemic, 24 of the continent’s best national teams square off for a shot at being crowned European champion.

The European Championship will be played in 11 cities — Amsterdam, Baku, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Glasgow, London, Munich, Rome, Seville and St. Petersburg — and will feature fans, the first major international soccer tournament to have them since the pandemic struck in March 2020.

France, the defending World Cup winners, and Portugal, reigning European champions, are on the shortlist of nations favored to win it all, along with Belgium, Italy and England.

But the Euros have also been known to crown surprise winners. Underdogs such as Denmark won it all in 1992. Greece did the same by stunning Europe’s established powers in 2004. In a tournament that many consider second only to the World Cup, anything can happen.

The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, plus four third-place teams with the best records, advance to the knockout round.

Here’s a breakdown of each group and the teams favored to advance to the 16-team knockout stage, which will conclude on July 11 with the final at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Group A: Italy, Turkey, Switzerland and Wales

Italy open the tournament Friday in Rome against Turkey, bringing with them a roster that combines youth and experience along with a 26-game unbeaten streak. For some players, like budding midfielder Nicolo Barella, this is a chance to get some tournament experience. For others, like defender Giorgio Chiellini, it will be a chance at redemption after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the last World Cup.

Turkey, Switzerland and Wales all have an equal shot at coming in second. They are evenly matched, although Wales, led by striker Gareth Bale, will need to go on another Cinderella run like it did at the last Euros five years ago if it wants to advance to the knockout stage.

Turkey could very well end up being the surprise side of this group. If their roster can stay healthy, look for them to edge Switzerland and reach the knockout stage.

Who will advance: Italy, Turkey and Wales

Group B: Belgium, Denmark, Finland and Russia

Belgium, ranked No. 1 in the world by FIFA, have a chance here at an international trophy for the very first time. A star-studded roster, which includes strikers Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, make the Red Devils heavy favorites to win the group and go deep into the knockout round.

The real fight here is for second and third. Denmark and Russia have a shot at those positions over Finland. The Danes feature goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, the type of talent that will keep his team alive in tight games.

The Russians, however, impressed at the last World Cup they hosted in 2018 and could use that momentum to help the side advance past the first round.

Who will advance: Belgium, Denmark and Russia

Group C: Austria, Netherlands, North Macedonia and Ukraine

The Dutch are back at a major tournament after missing out on the last World Cup. The Netherlands are a team that have rebuilt over the last two years. Attacking players like Memphis Depay make the Oranje a tough side with arguably the best chance at the title since last winning it back in 1988.

Austria and Ukraine also have a shot at advancing as well, although much of that will depend on whether first-timers North Macedonia can snag some points along the way.

The Austrians can often be inconsistent, although the teams in this group aren’t the toughest so that will certainly help them stay alive. Austria’s penchant for scoring goals late should keep opponents on their toes.

Who will advance: Netherlands, Austria and Ukraine 

Group D: Croatia, Czech Republic, England and Scotland

England are serious contenders for the trophy (it would be their first since capturing the 1966 World Cup) after manager Gareth Southgate showed everyone that this team can compete after finishing fourth at the last World Cup.

The Three Lions roster features some of the Premier League’s top talents, including Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Mount, who recently won the Champions League for the London-based side, is one of the world’s best midfielders. Kane, top scorer at the last World Cup, can still score goals when needed.

Croatia is the other team in this group that has a strong core of players. They finished runners-up at the World Cup in 2018 after losing to France in the final. Nonetheless, midfielder Luka Modric remains one of the best in the world at his position. This team’s never-say-die attitude is fun to watch and one that could unleash upsets at this tournament.

Who will advance: England and Croatia 

Group E: Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden

This group, compared to the others, is a wide open affair. Sure, Spain is favored to win it, but this is a team that’s currently in a transition. The new-look La Roja, without a Real Madrid player on the roster for the first time at a major tournament, are looking to re-establish themself as a powerhouse a decade after they dominated the game.

Poland, led by the Bayern Munich’s talented striker Robert Lewandowski, and Sweden, a team featuring a combination of youth and veterans, are expected to compete for a chance at advancing out of the group over underdogs Slovakia.

Who will advance: Spain and Poland 

Group F: France, Germany, Hungary and Portugal

Every major tournament has a “Group of Death” — and here it is at these Euros.

France, Germany and Portugal all have a shot at first place, although Les Blues have enough depth to field two starting lineups. Didier Dechamps is looking to win the trophy as a manager after capturing it as a player for France in 2000. He’s brought back striker Karim Benzema to the French squad and that will be fun to watch as he lines up alongside the speedy Kylian Mbappe.

Germany and Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, will battle for second, while underdogs Hungary are here to gain some much-needed experience.

Who will advance: France, Germany and Portugal