'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Euro 2024 will kick off in under a week, and the teams are well into their last-minute preparations before kick-off. With many big teams going through a transition phase, Euro 2024 is gearing up to be one of the most intense and unpredictable tournaments.
The European Championship has a history of being extremely unpredictable. For instance, Italy took home the Euros last time, but couldn't even qualify for the subsequent World Cup in Qatar. Moreover, who could forget Greece's unfathomable run in Euro 2004?
Top 5 darkhorses who could cause an upset in Euro 2024
Football tournaments have always been about unpredictability and underdog stories that have become immortal over the years. Here are the top five teams who have the potential to create such an immortal run in Euro 2024.
Trending
1. Denmark
Euro 2021 was a traumatizing tournament for Denmark, with Cristian Eriksen collapsing midgame against Finland in their opening game. The incident united the team, as they gave it their all and marched on until the semi-finals before being defeated by England.
Led by Eriksen, the team will look to repeat its past performance in Euro 2024. With other powerhouses like Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jensen, Rasmus Hojlund, and Jonas Wind, Denmark might go a long way in the upcoming Euros. In their group stages, they will face England, Serbia, and Slovenia.
2. Switzerland
The Swiss have always been a hit-or-miss team. Although they were inconsistent in the qualifiers with draws against Belarus and Kosovo, they still shone at times and managed to qualify for Euro 2024.
The team boasts an impressive offensive lineup with Noah Okafor, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Ruben Vargas. Moreover, Switzerland have two of the best goalkeepers of the tournament in Gregor Kobel and Yan Sommer. The former played in the UEFA Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund in the 2023-24 season.
Although they are placed in a tricky group with Germany, Scotland, and Hungary, the Swiss are expected to pull through and qualify for the knockout stages.
3. Turkey
Turkey have been one of the most impressive sides throughout the Euro 2024 qualifiers. The side topped their group, which contained Wales and Croatia, and also scored the most number of goals (14). However, the strongest aspect of this Turkish team is their defense.
The side conceded just seven times in their qualification games and goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir conceded just once in three starts. Their defense was also tested in their qualifying match against Croatia and they came out victorious with a 1-0 scoreline.
In the attacking department, the team has players like Karem Akturcoglu while Hakan Calhanoglu will orchestrate the midfield. Turkey are placed in Group F in Euro 2024 with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, Czechia, and Georgia.
4. Austria
Austria have been very unlucky recently, with key players like David Alaba, Alexander Schlager, and Xaver Schlager being injured. However, the team has an excellent manager in Ralf Ragnick, and he will know how to marshal his troops in the upcoming Euro 2024.
Austria boast players like Marcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer, and Christoph Baumgartner in the midfield, while Michael Gregoritsch is the perfect man to score goals upfront. However, Austria are in a very competitive group in Euro 2024 with France, the Netherlands, and Poland. Thus, they will need to play really well to get out of the potential group of death.
5. Hungary
Like Turkey, Hungary had an excellent Euro qualifying campaign and ended the qualifiers undefeated in their group. Their group had Serbia, Montenegro, Lithuania, and Bulgaria. The potential dark horses are stacked with game-changing talents like Roland Sallai, Peter Gulasci, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
However, Hungary are in a difficult group with teams like Germany, Scotland, and Switzerland. Thus, the players will need to be in their best form to go far in the tournament.
