Johnny Phillips: Tough to call a Euro 2024 winner, but never write off Germany

one-country host steeped in football tradition, like Germany, for this particular event.

The bloated 24-team format – now into its third tournament - provides plenty of second chances in

the group stages. Portugal know all about this, who failed to win a single game in the first phase yet

still qualified in third place from their four-team group in 2016 before going on to lift the trophy.

So, picking a winner is a tricky business. But the two countries mentioned already is as a solid

starting point. Toni Kroos remains the host’s best player. The Real Madrid midfielder will retire at the

end of the tournament. Germany are a work in progress but they are an intriguing prospect and if

Kai Havertz can bring his recent goals-scoring knack into the tournament they should be fancied.

As opposed to their World Cup group in Qatar, the draw looks kind to them. They have the potential

to overcome some of the more fancied nations and Julian Nagelsmann's team are strongest in

transition which may surprise a few teams who like to dominate the ball. Most of all, that well-worn

cliché should never be far from anyone’s lips in tournament football: never write off the Germans!

Portugal represent one of the most exciting teams but it is hard to know if they will be helped or

hindered by the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo. His 10 goals in nine qualifying games suggest there

should still be a place for the iconic 39-year-old but there are many who feel his presence diminishes

the qualities Portugal can display as a team. A first-hand experience of this opinion was forthcoming

from several Porto taxi drivers last week while on holiday in the Iberian peninsula. The inkling is that

the team can click far better without Ronaldo in it.

Head coach Roberto Martinez has so much talent to call upon and it will surely irk many Wolves fans

if Vitinha is to the fore. From Chorley to Paris Saint Germain to the Euros, it is not a well-trodden

path but he could well establish himself as Joao Palhinha’s midfield partner; two players whose path

could well have seen them established at Wolves by now had there been more clarity in recruitment

strategy when the opportunities to buy them arose. Further forward there is an absolute abundance

of talent to choose from, and Portugal are definitely in the mix for this competition.

At 25, Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world at the moment. The newest Real

Madrid Galactico, he will be the talisman for France and is one of the reasons why many observers

believe Didier Deschamps’ side should win this tournament. He has everything you could want from

an attacker.

France are probably the favourites and should go far, but without sounding contradictory there is

every chance that the group stages will provide a tricky hurdle. Austria, Netherlands and Poland will

provide a stern test and it would not be a shock to see France slip up early on.

But they possess a squad with huge talent and depth, a great mix of experience and youth, and

options up front that could be the key to breaking down a variety of opposition. France have

pedigree too, having reached the final in three of the past four major tournaments. They know what

it takes to go far on these occasions.

Italy are the defending champions, but the loss of head coach Roberto Mancini has not helped and

they have hardly been convincing leading up to the tournament. That said, they are really solid in

defence and midfield and have the tactical awareness to see games out. It is further forward that

concerns lie, given Federico Chiesa’s injury record and Gianluca Scamacca';s obvious inconsistency.

Spain have a tough group, but can progress with a side that appears to be showing some signs of

gelling. A quarter-final appearance will be the minimum expected from Luis De la Fuente's team.

They won the UEFA Nations League last year and are capable of beating anyone on their day. Rodri is

their world class performer but wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have the ability to change

games. If everything comes together in Germany, they are among the candidates to lift the trophy.

I love watching Croatia at international tournaments. Despite a tough group that includes Italy and

Spain, they have the best team spirit and work ethic of any tournament team in recent years and

Luka Modric is still a talisman for them.

Finally, England have been written about at length elsewhere. It is probably a tournament too soon

for some of their younger players. The genuinely world class ones - namely Phil Foden and Jude

Bellingham - will need to be at their very best if Gareth Southgate’s man are to stand a chance.

In summary, there is no obvious favourite for a tournament that will surely throw up some surprises

along the way.