After the preliminary groups of the European Championships are over, it’s time to highlight the champion favourites. Urheilu’s experts shared their options. There was also a surprise.
European Football Championships on channels 14.6.–14.7. Go to the competition website from this link.
The tickling initial group stage of the European Championship is over and the 16 best countries have made it to the playoffs.
The group matches have given a picture of the teams of the Games. Some of the champion favorites have progressed convincingly, while others have progressed to the next round in a pinch. Surprising champion candidates have also been included.
We asked four of ‘s football experts about their championship candidates after the games of the first groups and especially the reasons for their choice.
Miika Nuutinen: Spain
Why? I am a supporter of good football, and not of any individual national team. If I approach this as which football will win these games, then based on the starting group, the choice is even between Spain and Germany. I still say Spain.
What has convinced you? They have found a new “winning formula”, which I think is a modern way to play football. I think they can cause that many teams trouble. They have fixed the question marks on the defensive end by collectively looking like a team and improved over the course of the Games.
Spain has actually already been tested. Italy and Croatia were already real big tests in this tournament. The same cannot be said about many other favorites for the tournament.
Essi Sainio: France
Why? I stick to my Futistietäjä selections. I had chosen France and Spain for the final, I also stand by the fact that France is the champion.
What has convinced you? I trust the very physical, assertive and skilful play that France is capable of. However, they are not yet fully convinced. During the tournament, however, the game and its players blossom. I trust that with them.
Antti Pohja: English
Why? England has been my champion favorite since the beginning. They have great potential to grow as a team and as individuals. I also see it as an advantage that they come from the easier side of the chart and only face a real challenge in the finals. I still believe in my Futistietäjä bet: England will win the Germany-England final.
What has convinced you? Nothing yet, and you don’t need to. They have been playing with “bar-crossing” performances. I think their game is still developing quite a bit. After the crisis meeting, we will get a kind of England on the field that has not been seen before in these scrimmages.
One thing is that much praised Jude Bellingham finds his own role on the field, and is not eating up other people’s living space. His bally role has now been even too big in relation to other players. That’s why they don’t perform at their level, but I believe a balance can be found. The situation is with both Bellingham and the head coach Gareth Southgate reason. I believe that they will still have a heated discussion about this when the playoffs start, but I also believe that solutions will be found.
Heidi Kivelä: Switzerland
Why? I would really like to say, for example, Germany or France, which many certainly say. I look at the games of the initial group and the playoff schedule modified by them. Even looking at them, Switzerland’s road to the championship is convincing. They are very capable of putting England and Italy together. I trust that Switzerland will surprise everyone and win, a versatile package and a breath of fresh air in the Games.
What has convinced you? They have been successful both defensively and offensively. They have been able to play with high pressure and then against Germany they showed their ability to pull back and play close. They also have versatility and options in attack.
In addition to this, their head coach Murat Yakin is a tactical genius in my opinion. He increases his team’s championship chances, having done well tactically in the tournament so far. He has acted by Michel Aebischer mixed Manuel Akanjin nicely and adjusts the shape of his team. Yakin has also made excellent substitution choices at the right moments, such as making use of the experienced Xherdan Shaqiri.