What are the odds for the British teams in next year’s tournament?

After a disappointing World Cup semi-final exit in the summer of 2018, England will try to better Croatia this time around in the Euro 2020 group stages, while Wales will aim to replicate their astonishing semi-final run from the previous instalment of the tournament.

 

Will England finally win a major tournament again?

England will play against Croatia, who were runners-up in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Czech Republic and the play-off winner of path C – one of Scotland, Israel, Serbia or Norway, which will be decided by a knockout tournament in March 2020.

The Three Lions will be looking forward to come up against familiar opponents, Croatia and Czech Republic, both of which they have beaten previously this year at Wembley during the UEFA Nations League and the Euro Qualifiers respectively.

Former England striker and current sports broadcaster Gary Lineker seemed to be optimistic about the team’s chances next summer, saying that “it’s coming home” on his Twitter account.

However, England Manager Gareth Southgate, who did not need to be reminded of the World Cup semi-final defeat against Croatia and the 2-1 away loss in Prague against the Czech Republic this October, told the UEFA that “there is no room for complacency.”

“The fact that we’ve lost to both teams is important for our mentality – we know the quality that Croatia have and the Czech Republic were hugely improved,” he said.

Ever since Gareth Southgate’s takeover, England has improved drastically and are currently in record-breaking form. The team has scored 38 goals in 2019, a tally they have only bettered once in 1908 and won their last three matches by an aggregate score of 17-0.

Should England manage to come out top in the group, however, Southgate’s men would have to face the runners-up from arguably the toughest Group F that contains Germany, current World Champions France and the Euro title defenders Portugal.

It is to be seen whether the mixture of senior players like Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane and exciting youth such as Jadon Sancho and Mason Mount will be enough to challenge for next year’s European title.

Are Wales doomed?

Wales will face a massive task to progress to the knockout stages as they grouped up with Turkey, Italy and Switzerland.

Italy had a perfect run during the Euro Qualifiers, winning every single game in their group while Turkey have had the best defence of the entire qualification, only conceding three goals in ten games.

Manager of the Wales National Team Ryan Giggs gave his reaction on the official UEFA website to the difficult draw “Obviously, it’s a tough group: all the groups are tough. It won’t be easy.”

He believes that Italy will top the group and that Wales will battle it out with the other two nations for second place.

However, the official Twitter account of the Wales National Team took the draw with a sense of humour by referencing Bale’s recent flag celebration.

The Dragons will need to rely on all-time record marksman Gareth Bale and up-and-coming Daniel James to cause havoc across the wings, if they plan to make it through the group-stages.

What about the other British teams?

The rest of the British teams, which include Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland, need to make it through the play-offs from 26 March 2020 to 31 March 2020 to qualify for the final tournament.

Path B: Bosnia and Herzegovina v Northern Ireland, Slovakia v Republic of Ireland

Path C: Scotland v Israel, Norway v Serbia

The Republic of Ireland will be looking forward to play against Slovakia, a team they have never lost to, while in contrast Northern Ireland will need to travel to Bosnia Herzegovina, a team that have never won against.

Scotland will also favour their chances against Israel with a head-to-head record of four wins and only one loss.

If one of the Irish teams comes through they would join a tough Group E with Spain, Sweden and Poland while Scotland would join Group D with England, Croatia and Czech Republic.

How will the finals work?

The tournament this time is going to be held in 12 different cities across Europe to mark the 60th anniversary of the contest.

It opens in Rome at 21:00 CET on 12 June 2020. The group stage runs, with up to four matches a day, until 24 June.

The top two in each group and the four best runners-up progress to the round of 16. Wembley Stadium will host the semi-finals and final.