THE UNDERDOGS POLAND HAVE THEIR OWN HOTSHOT STRIKER IN ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI’
IT WOULDN’T BE THE FIRST TIME AN UNFANCIED NATION HAS SHOCKED THE CONTINENT TO WIN THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. DAVID WHITWORTH LOOKS AT SOME OF THE MORE INTERESTING OUTSIDERS…
croatia
Croatia are not at the level they were three years ago, when they went to the final at World Cup 2018. And yet, Croatia still have enough quality to cause a stir. The elegant veteran midfielder Luka Modrić remains the standout, the go-to guy to raise his nation’s fortunes.
sweden
Belgium to No 1 in the FIFA World Rankings remains in place, perhaps for a victorious final push. Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard [fitness permitting] and Romelu Lukaku head up the all-star cast but there is plenty of support too, with Youri Tielemens coming to the fore in recent months. And under Martinez, Belgium will be well-drilled and flexible too. Belgium do though have to be at their sharpest, which they weren’t in Euro 2016 when they were beaten by surprise package Wales at the quarter-final stage. That was their warning shot, to take nothing for granted. Have the lessons been heeded five years later?
SPAIN Although Spain hammered Germany 6-0 in the Nations League last autumn, Luis Enrique’s side have produced some distinctly disappointing performances since then. It’s hard to know which Spain will show up. La Roja were held to a 1-1 draw by a stoic Greece side, and could only sneak a narrow 2-1 win in Georgia, the decisive goal not coming until injury time. It’s possible the weight of the previous generation is causing some talented players to shrink when wearing national team colours. It’s a heavy burden. Legendary figures such as Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres are naturally a hard act to follow but Spain are not convincing despite having a squad that still contains record appearance holder, World Cup winner and captain Sergio Ramos, veteran Sergio Busquets and the excellent Alvaro Morata. Much rests on prodigies such as 18-year-old starlet Pedri, and Ansu Fati. Pedri, the Barcelona midfielder, has been in great form all season and received his first call-up to the national team in March for the World Cup 2022 qualification fixtures. Fati, meanwhile, has struggled with injuries but is a livewire who should be included, if he can get back on the pitch in time. For his part, Enrique has to stop chopping and changing the XI. A return to a clear philosophy is needed and without it, it’s hard to see Spain repeating past glories.
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SOCCER360 MAY • JUNE 2021
GERMANY
ABOVE: Poland are outsiders but the goals of Robert Lewandowski mean they could spring a shock ABOVE (SMALL): England captain Harry Kane will be central to the Three Lions’ chances of a first trophy since 1966 BOTTOM: Gareth Bale and Wales were the surprise package of Euro 2016 – is a repeat beyond them? TOP RIGHT: Luka Modric for Croatia BOTTOM RIGHT: Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates with his teammates on team Sweden
This will be Joachim Low’s final international tournament after 15 years in charge of the Germany national team, and it’s 25 years since Die Mannschaft’s last European Championship trophy. That final was also staged at Wembley, so it’d be fitting if that drought was ended by a coach who rejuvenated the squad he inherited a decade-and-a-half ago. That fairy tale ending seems a long way away, however. Germany suffered a shock home defeat to North Macedonia in the spring internationals, their first home World Cup qualification defeat since losing to England in 2001, some 35 fixtures prior, and there were calls for Low to step down early. Some may argue the 2014 World Cup winner has earned the right to go on his own terms, but at what cost? The fact is, Germany don’t have the depth they used to. But there is nevertheless a strong starting XI, and this is Germany – it’s in their DNA to reach the latter stages of tournaments when the odds are against them; the side that almost won the 2002 World Cup was one of the weakest in decades. This is a youthful squad, but with experience too. It’s a difficult blend that Low has gotten right before. Will he go out on a high?
Any team with Zlatan Ibrahimović is a dangerous one. The evergreen 39-yearold recently came out of international retirement after a five-year absence to represent his country. His strike partner is Alexander Isak who is performing well in La Liga with Real Sociedad. The Swedes have every chance to progress from a group including Spain, Poland and Slovakia.
denmark
In the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Denmark have won impressively away in Austria, 4-0, 8-0 against Moldova and have taken victory in all three games in their group. They have the veterans of Kasper Schmeichel and Christian Eriksen as well as strikers Martin Braithwaite and Kasper Dolberg. Their group of Belgium, Russia and Finland gives them hope of progressing to the next round.
poland
Similar to the Swedes with Zlatan Ibrahimović, Poland have their own hot-shot striker in Robert Lewandowski. Coach Paolo Sousa was only appointed in January and will be aiming to harness the talents of his main man and some good supporting players to safely progress through their Group E matches.
wales
Wales were the standout team at the last European Championships – impressively making the semi-finals stage, where they were beaten by Portugal. Although they have peaked since that golden summer, Wales can still rely on the quality of winger Gareth Bale and midfielder Aaron Ramsey to spring a surprise.
