PITA's Euro 2024 predictions

Sure, Arsenal are cool, but there's nothing quite like a major international tournament.

Euro 2024 beckons in Germany with 24 nations convening in Central Europe this summer vying for glory. Italy are the holders having broken English hearts at Wembley three years ago, and expectations are once again high for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions given the talent at the manager's disposal.

Europe certainly isn't bereft of heavy-hitters, and the combination of juggernauts and novices, including first-timers Georgia, should make for a captivating tournament.

Here's how the PITA team envisages Euro 2024 playing out.

Winner

James Cormack: Germany - They've struggled on the big stage since claiming World Cup glory a decade ago, but I love their coach and the Germans head into a home tournament with plenty of momentum. Toni Kroos won't be going out with a whimper.

Adam Schultz: France - Have so many weapons and with Mbappe leading from the front coupled with their stellar defence, they should go deep into the tournament.

Kenneth Daly: France - Sorry England. Les Bleus have an unstoppable force up front (Kylian Mbappé), an immovable object at the back (William Saliba- even if he does not play) and a manager who knows how to win the big trophies. Furthermore, recent final losses will only give them extra incentive.

Jak Netting: France - While I would love to back England, it is difficult to look beyond France for Euro 2024, and frankly the quality that they possess is frightening for any team. For me, if any team beat them in the knockouts then they automatically become the favourites.

Charlie Sturtivant: France - I don’t think that there is a clear favourite going into the tournament. However, if there was one team that could win a match when they don’t really deserve to I think it would be France.

Lennie Teague: France - They are by far the best team in the world and with Mbappe up top, they're just too lethal for anyone else to beat

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Golden Boot

James Cormack: Romelu Lukaku - The quarter-finals are the ceiling for this Belgium team, but their group is relatively tame and there's a chance for Lukaku to make up for a dire 2022 World Cup in Germany this summer. The Belgians are blessed with a litany of exciting creators in wide areas.

Adam Schultz: Kylian Mbappe - If France go deep into the knockout rounds, Mbappe will be a major reason why

Kenneth Daly: Harry Kane - Oh, I might give him some sort of trophy! Kane is surrounded by a vast array of attacking talent and has just enjoyed another record-breaking year in front of goal at Bayern Munich, so expect him to fight until the end here.

Jak Netting: Kane - With easier group games than France (and Kylian Mbappe), and a potentially easier first knockout round too, I think the stars are aligned for the prolific Bayern Munich man.

Charlie Sturtivant: Kane - He doesn’t always perform immediately at the big tournaments for England but with the form he has been in this season I think he has a great chance of winning the Golden Boot.

Lennie Teague: Mbappe - Ahead of his summer move to Real Madrid, he will light up yet another international tournament and will pick up the top scoring award.

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Best Arsenal player

James Cormack: Declan Rice - England's holding midfielder has a huge role to play for his country this summer given that he'll likely be partnered by an international novice. Rice must provide stellar protection for England to enjoy a deep run given the question marks that surround their defence.

Adam Schultz: Bukayo Saka - Of all the Gunners stars, Bukayo looms as the one who could be the biggest difference maker. Did think of Odegaard, but going with Saka.

Kenneth Daly: Saka - It is a toss-up between Saka and Declan Rice here, and Gareth Southgate’s conservative approach might particularly help the latter stand out. However, we all know about the magic Saka can produce in almost every facet of play and I’m backing that spark to make a difference when it matters.

Jak Netting: Rice - Unlikely to be rotated and has everything that you could want for a midfielder and, in a squad with very inexperienced midfielders, will no doubt be England’s standout, and of vital importance to the Three Lions.

Charlie Sturtivant: Saka - Saka is consistently one of England’s best players and I think that will continue into this tournament. I think he will provide both crucial goals and assists. Potentially he may even make a push for the Golden Boot.

Lennie Teague: Saka - He is one of England's best players and should be one of the first names on the lineup at the tournament. He will have an immense tournament.
4. England will make it to the semi-finals of the

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How far will England go?

James Cormack: Semi-finals - This should be another promising tournament for the Three Lions, but I wouldn't back them in a one-off encounter against the French. They're yet to prove that they can win these sorts of games against the very best.

Adam Schultz: Quarter-finals - They have enough talent to get out of their group, but I don't see them going too deep into the knockout rounds. Happy to be proven wrong.

Kenneth Daly: Semi-finals - After a brief look at the permutations, it seems there is a good chance England will meet France at this stage. Therefore, by default, I will pencil the Three Lions in for some semi-final heartbreak.

Jak Netting: Semi-finals - I believe that, although faith in the national team is never particularly high, England will reach the last four. So long as they top their group, which they should, the path at least in the round of 16 should be a clear one, with the first real test coming in the quarterfinal, possibly a rematch against Italy! (Which I think we can overcome)

Charlie Sturtivant: Quarter-finals - I really hope we go further and on paper we have the players to do so. However, the matches over the past few months have hardly filled me with confidence about our chances.

Lennie Teague: Semi-finals - It'll be another close one for Gareth Southgate and his team but they just won't get across those final hurdles yet again.

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Dark Horses

James Cormack: Austria - Ralf Rangnick has evolved this gifted Austrian side from a drab, counter-attacking unit into one bursting with life. Expect them to overwhelm opponents with their intensity this summer and they could go as far as the quarter-finals

Adam Schultz: Ukraine - They have the talent all over the pitch and could easily make life uncomfortable for the tournament's big guns.

Kenneth Daly: Serbia - They only had an ‘average’ qualifying campaign (14 points from eight matches) and lost a pre-tournament friendly to Austria on Tuesday. However, Serbia still possess a few good players like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Nikola Milenkovic and several fine forwards who can hurt any defence. It will be tricky to get a second-place group finish in Group C but, if they do, they might spring a knockout surprise.

Jak Netting: Austria - A side who have looked completely transformed under their new (ish) manager. While I’m not suggesting that they will go all the way, and they have a very tough group, I think there is a real world in which Ralf Rangnick’s side shock a lot of people.

Charlie Sturtivant: Hungary - It was tough to choose between Hungary and Turkey but I think that if Hungary can make it out of their group, they will use that momentum to push on further into the tournament.

Lennie Teague: Netherlands - Not necessarily a dark horse but they're a side not many would expect to have an outstanding tournament but I can see them making it to at least the semi-finals.

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