In the 2020 edition, England showed marked improvement. Unfortunately, their championship dreams were dashed once again by Italy in a penalty shootout. However, in this edition, England qualified impressively, securing six wins out of eight matches, and remained unbeaten even against the defending champions.
🎥 Netherlands - Soviet Union | Euro 1988 Finalhttps://t.co/6IGF5e1uni
— Football Archive (@FootballArch_) March 23, 2024
So, how do the other teams fare? Denmark, often underestimated, has a notable history. They won the EURO in 1992, a feat that England has yet to achieve. Denmark earned their spot in EURO 2024 by topping Group H in the qualifiers, winning seven out of ten matches, including a victory over Slovenia, with two losses and one draw rounding out their campaign. Interestingly, Slovenia, the runner-up in Group H, is making its second EURO appearance, following their debut in 2000. Back then, they performed admirably, drawing with Yugoslavia and Norway, and narrowly losing 2-1 to Spain.
Serbia’s history in the EURO competitions is particularly intriguing. Unlike the other three teams, who have prior EURO experience, Serbia’s participation in EURO 2024 marks their first appearance as an independent nation since the dissolution of Yugoslavia and Montenegro. Given these circumstances, England appears to be the most likely to advance to the next round, aiming to finally secure their first EURO title, a goal they narrowly missed in the previous edition. Moreover, winning in Germany would mark a significant end to England's international title drought, which has persisted since their World Cup victory in 1966.
Brb, watching this on repeat 🔁 pic.twitter.com/6EHATCo5bm
— England (@England) June 5, 2024
In Group C, England stands out as the team with the most formidable strength. The goal-scoring prowess of English players in the 2023/24 league season serves as a key indicator of their potential. England boasts a lineup of star attackers, all of whom had stellar seasons with their clubs before heading to Germany. Notable among them are Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins, and Harry Kane. These players were goal-scoring machines for their respective clubs, each netting double-digit goals in the 2023/24 season.
Harry Kane is the standout, having been the top scorer in the Bundesliga with 36 goals. The former Norwich City player was also the sole English player in the top scorers' list for the qualifiers, with eight goals, placing him fourth behind Romelu Lukaku (14 goals), Cristiano Ronaldo (10 goals), and Kylian Mbappe (9 goals). Jude Bellingham, named La Liga's best player, had an equally impressive season. The 20-year-old contributed significantly to Real Madrid's La Liga and Champions League victories, scoring 23 goals and providing 12 assists in 41 matches across all competitions.
This abundance of goal sources will set England apart in the group stage. The defenses of Slovenia, Denmark, and Serbia will undoubtedly face challenges, struggling to contain an English squad capable of scoring from nearly every position. England's star-studded lineup promises a formidable offensive threat.
However, England is not alone in having top-tier goal scorers. Their three opponents also boast accomplished strikers. Starting with Serbia, the Eagles are likely to rival England's offensive firepower. Coach Dragan Stojkovic has assembled a formidable frontline that could pose a significant threat in the competition. Denmark and Slovenia, too, have proven goal-scorers in their ranks, ensuring that Group C will be a hotbed of attacking football.
Benjamin Šeško - 23/24@_Benjaminsesko pic.twitter.com/qu5YxoI6jK
— GM10 (@GM10Media) June 4, 2024
Serbia's attacking lineup features Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic, Dusan Tadic, and Luka Jovic, with Jovic gradually finding his form at AC Milan. The standout among these is Vlahovic, who has netted 18 goals in all competitions for Juventus this season, 16 of which were in Serie A. This tally surpasses the likes of Victor Osimhen, Marcus Thuram, and Romelu Lukaku.
Denmark boasts talents like Kasper Dolberg, Yussuf Poulsen, Jonas Wind, and Rasmus Hojlund. While they might not have the same star power as Cole Palmer or Harry Kane, they consistently score double-digit goals at the club level. For instance, Hojlund scored 16 goals in his debut season with Manchester United.
Slovenia's attack might be less renowned, but they have Benjamin Sesko, a rising star expected to reach Erling Haaland's level. At just 21, Sesko has become a key player for RB Leipzig, finishing the 2023/24 season with 18 goals, 14 of which were in the Bundesliga. Notably, none of Sesko's goals came from penalties, matching the tally of Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface.
With such offensive depth, Group C of EURO 2024 promises to be thrilling. Each team has a potent attack, suggesting a high-scoring group stage. Serbia appears capable of matching England's firepower, but the battle for the runner-up spot is likely between Serbia and Denmark. Meanwhile, Slovenia must play strategically to capitalize on any opportunities and potentially cause upsets in the group.
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