Euro 2024: group-by-group analysis

03/12/2023 10:00

Both the holders, Italy, and hosts, Germany, are struggling for form while the favourites, France, must negotiate a tricky group

Scotland will feel entitled to scent blood when they kick off the tournament against a Germany side under huge pressure to deliver. The start of Julian Nagelsmann's tenure has been clouded by friendly defeats against Turkey and Austria; he is presiding over a team in transition and Scotland, a well-oiled machine under Steve Clarke, will feel capable of landing an early blow. It is not a stretch to suggest Hungary, who qualified commandingly, will fancy their chances of competing for top spot. They drew with Germany in Munich at Euro 2020 and only 18 months have passed since they outplayed England at Molineux in the Nations League. Switzerland complete the quartet but will need to garner some momentum. After storming through the early stages of the qualifiers, Murat Yakin's side stumbled to draws against Belarus, Israel and Kosovo before losing to Romania. Their tournament expertise means, though, that they cannot be discounted.