With UEFA Euro 2024 set to kick off this week, we bring you the lowdown on Group A, which houses Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, and Scotland.
It has been nearly three years since football fans braced themselves for a major international competition in the summer. After all, the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a rare winter event, with Qatar hosting the quadrennial tournament. We are back to the summer tradition with UEFA Euro 2024, with Germany hosting the event.
Spread across June and July, the showpiece event in Germany has six groups, with the Group Stage being the opening phase of the tournament. The knockout rounds kick in after that before the competition culminates on July 14 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
The countdown has gone into overdrive this week, with the first match coming our way from Munich, with hosts Germany welcoming Scotland to Fußball Arena München on Friday. 24 teams will then wage a battle for the 16 spots in the knockout stages.
The margin of error will be slim to none, and every point will matter for all 24 teams. With that in mind, The Hard Tackle discusses the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A, which consists of Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, and Scotland. Here’s our assessment of what might transpire in the six clashes featuring these four sides.
Group A: Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Scotland
Matches
June 14: Germany vs Scotland
June 15: Hungary vs Switzerland
June 19: Germany vs Hungary; Scotland vs Switzerland
June 23: Switzerland vs Germany; Scotland vs Hungary
Germany
One of the biggest underachievers in world football in the past decade, Germany’s fortunes have dwindled since winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. A team capable of blowing away any and every opposition has withered away due to a few systemic issues plaguing the nation’s footballing diaspora.
Not since Miroslav Klose has Germany produced a world-class striker, which has hurt Die Mannschaft in every major international tournament since winning the World Cup a decade ago. That has contributed to successive Group Stage exits in the two World Cup editions since then. They did not fare any better in UEFA Euro 2020 either, bowing out of the round of 16.
While the country has yet to produce any striker anywhere close to Klose’s pedigree, the options in the current squad provide some cause for optimism. Deniz Undav enjoyed an excellent campaign with VfB Stuttgart, while Kai Havertz has come a long way since being written off in his early days at Arsenal, although we argued for the contrary.
The German squad for UEFA Euro 2024 features world-class prospects like Florian Wirtz, fresh from winning the Bundesliga Player of the Year award, and Jamal Musiala. In addition, Toni Kroos is back for his final swansong.
The veteran playmaker came out of retirement a few months ago before calling time on his career last month. The 34-year-old has left a lasting legacy at Real Madrid and will hope for a last hurrah with his national side at Euro 2024. Meanwhile, the defence packs a punch, with Antonio Rudiger marshalling the troops at the back.
Some players have a point or two to prove, with Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan, and Thomas Muller heading into the competition on the back of frustrating 2023/24 campaigns due to a myriad of reasons. Meanwhile, Manuel Neuer will aim to lead by example, even if he is on his last legs as a professional footballer. But wait, we haven’t even talked about the man at the helm.
Julian Nagelsmann is taking charge of his international tournament after replacing Hansi Flick. While the Flick experiment did not work, Nagelsmann has shown positive signs in his short stint thus far. His eye-catching brand of football has won many fans and can transform Germany into a powerhouse European giant again.
Key Players: Toni Kroos and Kai Havertz
Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are the next big things in German football and will likely be pivotal figures for Die Mannschaft at UEFA Euro 2024. However, we have picked Toni Kroos and Kai Havertz for this section for specific reasons.
Kroos will be eager to bow out of football on a high, just like he did at the club level. The 34-year-old won his final club game as Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final. The veteran playmaker has a winning mentality and should transform the dressing room with his presence.
As for Havertz, the former Chelsea attacker has been on a redemption tour in 2024. He was instrumental in Arsenal running Manchester City close for the Premier League title and comes to UEFA Euro 2024 brimming with confidence and renewed vigour. If he rises to the occasion, Germany can go deep and perhaps stake a claim to win the competition.
Notable Omissions: Julian Brandt and Serge Gnabry
Julian Nagelsmann is stamping his authority as Germany’s head coach, and he has overlooked many high-profile names in 2024. Mats Hummels, Leon Goretzka, Jonas Hofmann, and Niklas Sule have not featured in the German squad since November 2023. However, the two most notable omissions are Julian Brandt and Serge Gnabry.
While Hummels has been excellent for Borussia Dortmund, Brandt has been the creative force for the Black and Yellows. So, his absence from the squad for UEFA Euro 2024 raises some eyebrows. That might not be the case with Serge Gnabry, who endured a sub-par 2023/24 campaign with Bayern Munich. However, the 28-year-old has a high ceiling and could have been a handy contributor in the final third.
Switzerland
Switzerland will be the favourites alongside Germany to clinch a top-two finish in Group A of UEFA Euro 2024. That is not without reason, as they, along with France, the only European team to reach the knockout stages in each of the last five major international tournaments.
They have been a picture of consistency, a unit capable of springing a surprise. Ask France, who Nati booted out of UEFA Euro 2020 in the round of 16 after coming from two goals down before triumphing during the penalty shootout.
However, the generation that has created countless memories on the international stage in the past decade is on its last legs. However, the familiar names remain in Murat Yakin’s squad as Switzerland, and the travelling fans hope for another long run at the Euros.
Granit Xhaka now knows what it feels like to win a ‘big five’ European league after Bayer Leverkusen enjoyed a historic Bundesliga campaign. He will aim to lead Switzerland by example from the middle of the park with his commanding displays.
Xherdan Shaqiri is also in the squad, although his role has reduced in the last few years. Other familiar names include Yann Sommer, Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Schar, and Manuel Akanji. The old warhorses will be eager to make another deep run.
The squad also features a few young prospects, including Leonidas Stergiou, Ardon Jashari, Fabian Rieder, and Zeki Amdouni. Yakin will bank on their youth exuberance to provide the final push in the game’s dying moments. As for the head coach himself, UEFA Euro 2024 will be his first assignment at the Euros with Switzerland, and he will hope to guide Nati as far as possible, hoping the team’s typical never-say-die attitude shines the brightest.
Key Players: Granit Xhaka and Yann Sommer
It is hardly surprising that two of the most experienced players in Switzerland’s squad will likely be the two most pivotal figures for Nati at UEFA Euro 2024. Manuel Akanji was also an option for this section but has missed the cut by the barest of margins.
Xhaka has been a man reborn since joining Bayer Leverkusen, adding facets to his game to provide a dominant presence in the middle of the park. He will not only bring his tough-tackling ways to the midfield but also release the pressure with line-breaking passes and long-range shots.
As for Sommer, the veteran goalkeeper maintains a dependable presence between the sticks. He often delivers the goods in the goal, and his exceptional shot-stopping abilities will keep Switzerland in the game for long periods instead of collapsing like a pack of cards.
Notable Omission: Kevin Mbabu
Once a promising right-back, Kevin Mbabu’s career has not panned as well as he would have liked. The 29-year-old has become a journeyman, struggling to find a stable footing in his career. That has perhaps been his undoing, compelling Murat Yakin to overlook him from the Swiss squad for UEFA Euro 2024.
Hungary
Once a powerhouse of European football, Hungary’s stock on the international stage has fallen. However, the country is enjoying a slow resurgence due to the emergence of a few world-class prospects.
Marco Rossi, who has been in the job since 2018, remains at the helm and has overseen impressive progress despite failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, the Magyars bowed out of UEFA Euro 2020 in the Group Stage. However, Rossi’s men have still produced some memorable performances.
Hungary might feel the 2024 edition presents a golden opportunity to progress to the knockout rounds and try to spring a surprise. With Group A being arguably the trickiest to negotiate, it will not even be surprising if Rossi’s charges topple the hosts and finish on the summit.
For that to happen, several players must step up, none more so than captain Dominik Szboszlai. The 23-year-old endured a rollercoaster ride in his debut season with Liverpool but was a creative force for the Merseyside club. How Szoboszlai fares in the middle of the park will go a long way in determining Hungary’s fortunes.
However, Marco Rossi has a few more pivotal figures in his squad, including the comeback man, Peter Gulacsi. The experienced goalkeeper battled hard to return to action and regain the rhythm to be ready for Hungary’s campaign at UEFA Euro 2024. He will be a critical player between the sticks.
Others like Adam Nagy, Andras Schafer, Willi Orban, Milos Kerkez, and Roland Sallai will play their parts to help Hungary go as deep as possible at the quadrennial event. Expect a combative team not to leave anything on the pitch to progress from Group A in the coming weeks.
Key Players: Dominik Szoboszlai and Willi Orban
Like Peter Gulacsi, Willi Orban has battled hard to regain the rhythm and sharpness to become a handy contributor to his team. However, the experienced defender is back to his best and will be a powerhouse defender for Hungary.
The other pick is the most obvious choice from Hungary, with Dominik Szoboszlai being a talismanic figure for the Magyars. The 23-year-old might not have bags of experience, but he possesses the vision and tenacity to deliver the goods in most games. Marco Rossi will look towards the captain to make the difference in the final third.
Notable Omissions: None
Managers tend to spring a surprise with their squad selections ahead of a major international tournament. However, that is not the case with Marco Rossi, who has picked his strongest unit and not left anything to be desired. So, there will be no excuses if his charges do not deliver on the pitch in the coming weeks.
Scotland
Winds of optimism are blowing through Scottish football after an exciting qualification campaign for UEFA Euro 2024. Steve Clarke continues making positive changes to the setup and has guided his unit back to the quadrennial competition.
The 60-year-old will be raring to go for Friday’s curtain-raiser, hoping for a positive result to spark a historic campaign and make it past the Group Stage for the first time. There are many reasons to be optimistic heading into UEFA Euro 2024
The Tartan Army produced many eye-catching performances during the qualification campaign, trumping Norway and Georgia to the second spot in Group A. They also beat Spain once and finished only four points behind La Roja.
Scott McTominay has been a breath of fresh air with his goalscoring exploits, finding the back of the net seven times during the qualifiers. Meanwhile, John McGinn will be the driving force in the midfield after a brilliant campaign with Aston Villa.
Captain Andrew Robertson will aim to lead by example again, while Kieran Tierney will have a point to prove amid uncertainties surrounding his future at the club level. Finally, Che Adams will share goalscoring responsibilities with McTominay after a productive final season with Southampton.
Key Players: Andrew Robertson and Scott McTominay
Andrew Robertson remains a class apart on the international stage, even though he has blown hot and cold with Liverpool in the last 12 months. The 30-year-old often leads by example from the left flank and will be the creative force for Scotland in the UEFA Euro 2024 Group Stage.
As for Scott McTominay, the Manchester United midfield sprang a surprise with his productive displays in the final third during the qualification campaign. The 27-year-old had only one goal before the qualifiers but found the back of the net seven times, the joint most by a Scottish player in a Euros/World Cup qualifying campaign, to guide Scotland to Euro 2024.
Notable Omissions: Nathan Patterson and Lewis Ferguson
Granted, Ferguson is injured and a long-term absentee. However, we have not named him in this section due to Steve Clarke’s decision to leave him out. The decision was out of Clarke’s hands, but Ferguson will still be sorely missed in the middle of the park after an exceptional 2023/24 campaign with Bologna.
As for Patterson, he has grown in stature on the international stage, racking up 21 appearances for Scotland. The 22-year-old could have utilised his youthful exuberance on the right flank with top-notch marauding runs.
Potential Underrated Difference Makers
Deniz Undav
Undav heads into UEFA Euro 2024 on the back of an excellent 2023/24 campaign. Serhou Guirassy hogged all the limelight, but the German international also played his part in VfB Stuttgart finishing second in the Bundesliga standings.
The 27-year-old amassed 19 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances across all competitions this season. While Undav might not be the first-choice striker for Germany in the early phases of UEFA Euro 2024, he has the quality and potential to force his way into contention for the position. Expect him to make an impact off the bench before potentially becoming a starter.
Noah Okafor
Okafor is in the same boat as Undav, although he does not have the numbers to prove his case. The youngster has not been prolific thus far for Switzerland, and he was in and out of the starting lineup at AC Milan this season.
However, with no Swiss player being productive or prolific, Okafor can potentially make a telling impact, first with his outings off the bench before becoming a first-choice starter. Expect the 24-year-old to rise to the occasion with aplomb.
Likely to Qualify: Germany, Switzerland, Scotland
We predict Germany and Switzerland to occupy the automatic qualification berth, with Scotland reaching the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams. Die Mannschaft might have blown hot and cold on the international stage in the past decade but should move in the right direction under Julian Nagelsmann.
The young manager will use modern methods and style of play to turn things around for Germany. And the hosts might even go all the way if things fall in place for them. As for Switzerland, they should use their experience to good effect to continue their streak of reaching the knockout phases of a major international tournament.
Granit Xhaka will lead by example and guide Nati to the round of 16. After that, it is anybody’s game. Finally, the Tartan Army will continue the momentum to garner enough points to reach the next round, with Hungary being unlucky to finish fourth for a second successive campaign at the Euros.