THE Euro 2024 group stage draw has taken place and it’s good news for England.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have been drawn against Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia in Group C.
England’s first fixture will be on June 16 against Serbia.
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Follow ALL of the updates from the big draw below…
Grand unveiling in Hamburg draw
Aside from all the excitement of the draw itself, we were introduced to somebody else who will play a big part in the tournament.
Albärt the Euro 2024 mascot was revealed in the showpiece event.
“As a parent, I know how important it is to stimulate children’s imagination,” explained Phillip Lahm, EURO 2024 tournament director.
“With the launch of our tournament mascot, we hope to create a fun and likeable character that will inspire them to enjoy playing football.”
Credit: AP The question on everyone’s lips
Before any major tournaments, pundits up and down the country often wax lyrical about how England are one of the favourites to win the competition.
Having seen the draw, which is favourable to the Three Lions, the same question now rears its head.
We will have to wait to see if Gareth Southgate can get hold of his first major trophy as a manager, or whether selfies will be as close as he comes.
Credit: Getty Euro 2024 draw in full
Here is how the groups will look in Germany next summer:
Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
Group D: Play-off winner A, Netherlands, Austria, France
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Play-off winner B
Group F: Turkey, Play-off winner C, Portugal, Czech Republic
Southgate confident of England’s class
After having a draw that seems to favour the Three Lions, Gareth Southgate said it was a group that ‘on paper’ his team would be favourites for.
While he did say that football never pans out as it seems, they would have to work hard to ensure they achieve their aims.
Between now and then, it will be interesting to see if he continues with his current plans with the group of players he has.
Scots focussed on task at hand
Speaking from the draw in Hamburg, the Scotland manager spoke about how he felt:
Nice to open the tournament, nice to be involved in that first game and hopefully we can set the tournament off with a good match. We’ve got to make sure it’s not about the occasion and it’s about the match. We look forward to it, it’s an exciting draw. I don’t think it mattered who we were going to get, it was always going to be exciting for us.
Steve Clarke
Spain handed tough task in Euros
Having topped their group ahead of Scotland, Spain will face Albania, Croatia and Italy.
That throws up the potential of one big side being eliminated in the group stages.
After having had an awkward qualifying thanks to the Scots and Norway, it gets no easier for the three-time champions.
Wales set mammoth task for Euros
Robert Page’s side must beat Finland in their playoff, then beat the winner of Poland versus Estonia.
Should they manage to navigate the playoffs, they will be in a tough group in the tournament itself.
Wales would be in Group D along with France, Austria and Netherlands.
Scots kick-off Euro 2024 tournament
Scotland will play in the first game of the competition as they face hosts Germany.
They also have Hungary and Switzerland in their group.
It holds no fears for Steve Clarke’s side who must fancy they could upset an underperforming Germany.
Three Lions get favourable group draw
England will face Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia in their group.
It is a draw that will see Gareth Southgate’s side as heavy favourites to top the group.
The draw also means that should they prosper and win the group, they will not face another group winner until the semi-finals.
Southgate’s side will open their campaign against Serbia.
Credit: Getty
Group F
Portugal, Turkey, Czech Republic, Playoff Winner C
Group E
Belgium, Romania, Slovakia, Playoff Winner B
Group D
France, Austria, Netherlands, Playoff Winner A
Group C
England, Denmark, Slovenia, Serbia
Group B
Spain, Albania, Croatia, Italy
Group A
Germany, Hungary, Scotland, Switzerland
Group F
Portugal, Turkey, Czech Republic
Group E
Belgium, Romania, Slovakia
Group D
France, Austria, Netherlands
Group C
England, Denmark, Slovenia
Group B
Spain, Albania, Croatia
Group A
Germany, Hungary, Scotland
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
