Belgium remains the favorite of this group but will have to be wary, after falling by the wayside in a group that was apparently within its reach during the last World Cup.
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Group E is perhaps the most open in this Euro. If Belgium is undefeated since Domenico Tedesco took charge of the team in February 2023, and seems favorite on paper, the other three teams remain on good momentum and are capable of annoying the Red Devils.
During qualifying, Romania finished first in its group ahead of Switzerland, quarter-finalist at the last European Championship, then Slovakia only lost two matches against Portugal. As for Ukraine, Andriy Shevchenko’s men came very close to finishing ahead of Italy, the defending champion. The Ukrainians had to go through the play-offs and ultimately beat Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland to qualify.
The player: Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian player finished top scorer in qualifying for Euro 2024 with 14 goals in eight matches. In the national team since 2010, the AS Roma player has taken part in all major international competitions since the 2014 World Cup. He is therefore part of the “cursed” team, with players like Kevin De Bruyne who have never won anything with their selection despite one of the best generations in their history. In a rather affordable group, Romelu Lukaku and his teammates will perhaps succeed in creating a sensation in an edition where they are less expected.
The number: 31
Since its independence in 1993, Slovakia has been one of the youngest nations in this Euro with the Czechia. The two teams have only been playing on their own for 31 years after being part of Czechoslovakia for 73 years. The union of the two countries had also won the competition in 1976, against West Germany. Another era.
The surprise: Romania
Not qualified during the last European Championship, Romania finished first in its qualifying group for Euro 2024 ahead of Switzerland, with zero defeats. If the team does not have any stars in its squad, it still has good players with potential like central defender Radu Dragusin, who joined Tottenham this winter. Edward Iordănescu’s team could also play the Ianis Hagi card, son of the legend Gheorghe Hagi, who took his selection to the quarter-finals of the Euro in 2000.
The anecdote: Ukraine intractable on German soil
Ukraine almost at home. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the Ukrainian selection has played its matches outside its borders. To play its matches, Germany therefore welcomed it several times. In four trips, Andriy Shevchenko’s men have never lost. Almost two and a half years after their first “home” match away from home, Ukraine remains unbeatable on German soil. Perhaps a sign before starting the Euro, in Germany.