Its the EURO’s LASS UNS GEHEN!
Alright everyone, gather round, grab your pints, and let’s talk about the one thing that’s going to make this summer absolutely brilliant: Euro 2024 is upon us, and it’s going to be an extraordinary journey. Willkommen to Germany, and welcome to the celebration of football!
Now, I don’t know about you, but here at Monde Sportif we can hardly contain our excitement. Just imagine it — a whole month of top-notch football, buzzing atmospheres, and, of course, the ultimate cultural exchange between us Brits and our German hosts.
First things first, Germany knows how to do football. We’re talking about a nation that’s given us the likes of Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, and of course, that infamous 7–1 thrashing of Brazil in 2014. But it’s not just the history; it’s the here and now. They’ve got the stadiums, the infrastructure, and, let’s face it, the sheer love for the game. From Berlin’s Olympiastadion to Munich’s Allianz Arena, each venue is a cathedral of football. Forget about football coming home, it’s already here!
Das Kaiser, the popular and great Franz Beckenbauer
And you know what’s great about ze Germans? They know how to throw a damn good party. The fan zones will be decked out with flags, there’ll be music blaring, and I can bet you there’ll be plenty of opportunities for a good old singalong. It’s going to be one big football carnival, and you’re all invited.
The Germans are renowned for their beer culture, and let me tell you, they take it to another level. Close your eyes. You’re in a massive beer garden, stein in hand, surrounded by fans from all over Europe. The atmosphere is electric, the banter is flying, and the beer is flowing. And it’s not just any beer — it’s that delicious, crisp German helles lager that seems to go down a treat every single time.
German Fans know how to do Football
And the food! Forget your bog-standard stadium hot dogs; we’re talking bratwurst, schnitzels, pretzels the size of your head, and those glorious currywursts. A juicy brat, mustard dripping down our chins onto an old football shirt, this is living.
Of course, the main event is the football itself. And it’s not just about England. The whole tournament is going to be filled with jaw-dropping goals, nail-biting finishes, and those incredible underdog stories that make football the greatest game on earth. Whether it’s a penalty shootout thriller or a goal of the tournament contender, we’ll have it all covered here at Monde Sportif.
Currywurst…we all love it.
So, here’s the plan: stock up your fridge, take a month off work, and get ready for the football experience of a lifetime. Euro 2024 in Germany is going to be an absolute belter, filled with unforgettable moments both on and off the pitch. It’s a chance to soak in the culture, revel in the football madness, and hopefully watch your team lift the title. You can follow all the action on Monde Sportif socials. Prost!
Now it cant all be BEER, SAUSAGES and LEDERHOSENS without a MONDE SPORTIF team prediction article. Who’ll be the tops scorer, who’ll rise from the ashes of EURO 2020 and who will be your surprise package of the tournament.
Without further ado…before any STEINS have been downed here are our predictions, suggestions and more!
@alexleboxe ALEX
…so the summer of Football begins, the squads have been filtered and tears remain on desolate runways across Europe of the players who didn’t make the cut. Football is a brutal sport.
When we talk of winning this competition, one nation remains on the lips of most supporters. England.
The ingredients are all there like a well crafted, well mixed and baked to perfection Victoria Sponge. The sponge being the raft of experience, the Jam a gifted and now UEFA Champions League winner Jude Bellingham, and of course the cream currently reliant on faithful’s in Kane, Saka, Rice and Foden. The question unfortunately rears it ugly head now with every tournament that England grace, have they got the minerals to see it to the end.
If 2021 is the blueprint, then questions marks must still remain upon a certain Mr. Southgate to up the ante, up the stakes and lift a trophy.
However, if Football know-how is a mysterious beast then no other nations possess that power more than the likes of serial tournament football winners France, Germany and Italy. If you had me scrounging upon the London streets with my last 5 pounds in my pocket, I’d place it firmly on France. A quick glance of their squad is enough to convince any hardened punter of their charm and offensive qualities.
I don’t remember a stronger French squad, it has all that “Je ne sais quoi” of Vieira, Petit, Henry and Desailly. Its all there. Winners.
But…you just can’t write off the host nation. What a year its been for German Football and with players like Toni Kroos, Kimmich, Gundogan and Wirtz...they’ll go deep in this competition on home soil.
Top of the score charts will be the one and only Kylian Mbappe, the grace of a Gazelle, the power of a Rhino and the goal prowess to match any striker past & present. Sensational.
A Gallant Georgian side are my take to be a surprise package, with match winners like Kvaratskhelia, Kiteishvili, Kababadze & Shengelia they’ll be the team I’ll be hoping to cause a stir on their debut at the tournament.
Georgia qualify for their first Euros
Ultimately we have a hell of a tournament ready to explode in a country perfectly poised to welcome Europe. However an opening gambit against Serbia should provide us England fans with a clear vision of just what to expect.
Is it Coming Home…I’ll keep the Vuvuzela locked in the cupboard for now.
@chuckdavie CHARLES
It’s finally here! My beloved Scotland have qualified once again, and it’s hard to feel anything other than optimistic as the Tartan Army make their way to Germany to have a party.
Champions: France are here to win it – Mbappé and Saliba in the same team, yes please. The depth in their squad is next level and most of the players look fresh and injury free. Top Goalscorer: Although I’m tempted to put McTominay on my list, it’s hard to look beyond the goal machine that is Romelu Lukaku. The big Belgian put 14 goals in to top the charts in Euro qualifying – I fully expect him to continue in a fairly easy group for Belgium.
In form Romelu Lukaku
Dark horses: It feels odd to name a Pot 1 team as my dark horses, but I think Belgium will surprise a few and go deep into this tournament. Elsewhere, expect Scotland to make it out of the groups for the firs time in their history. Flop of the Tournament: They might be the reigning champions, but I expect Italy to struggle. A phenomenal domestic display in Europe saw Italy secure an extra champions league spot, but I think they’ll be slow out of the blocks and not make it out of a competitive Group B. Players to Watch: It’s all about young right wingers for me. I fully expect Lamine Yamal to step up on the international stage. The 16 year-old prodigy has been a breath of fresh air for Barcelona and for those who haven’t seen him play, you’re in for a treat. Closer to home, I think this will be Bukayo Saka’s tournament. Considering he’s only 22, it feels like the Arsenal star boy has been around for years. With the likes of Kane, Foden and Bellingham around him, I think this will be the breakthrough tournament where he firmly plants himself in the world class category for the first time.
@DanTheRam84 DAN
Top Goal Scorer;
I can’t see much beyond the usual candidates in Kane or Mbappé. I’ll go with Mbappe as I think the tournament will be his first as the undeniable best player in the world.
Rising from the Ashes;
Scotla…JOKING.
England have their final hurrah under Southgate but the warm up games have shown his approach is going to be all about shape, defensive resilience and relying on taking chances. I don’t think it’s coming home. For me Germany on home soil will bring it home for their first trophy in 14 years.
Serbia are a genuine force to be reckoned
Dark Horses;
I’m going to pick Serbia to get out of the Group with England are reach the Quarters. A solid core of experienced players I believe will cause a few upsets.
@duffyouup HARRY
England’s loss to Iceland could be interpreted as a positive, as it means the new blood isn’t weighed down because of the usual hysteria surrounding the Three Lions. Still, I see us losing fatally to a big nation.
The nation I feel could be our No.1 arch enemy, a Portugal side with Ronaldo still stinking the gaff up. Despite that last sentiment, they are my loose pick for the trophy because it’s tight, as in recent tournament winners, experience is key.
Plus as we’ve discussed on Monde Sportif, their squad low key slaps.
Biggest prediction is Ronaldo to fall out and make up with Roberto Martinez in real time, as they win the final in a tempestuous thriller triangulated by a topsy-turvy psycho-drama.
A winning combination for Portugal?
Ronaldo on one side, Portugal’s future on the other.
Meeting at the climax of the Selecao’s historical peak as one of the G.O.A.T’s reaches his Everest for the final time.
Player of the tournament will be Florian Wirtz. Perfect platform for his obvious genius to be showcased to his homeland and the watching masses.
@tobygmf TOBY
Winners: England! This is our year! The centre of that defence looks as shaky as it has done in a decade but who needs defenders when you’ve got what we have in attack? If Southgate can find a balance with Kane, Saka, Foden and Bellingham on the pitch there’s no defence that ‘s stopping that!
Top goalscorer: It might be the boring thing to say but how can you look beyond Kylian Mbappé? His missed penalty saw France knocked out by Switzerland 3 years ago but they’ll go further this time and their talisman will once again have a system crafted around him meaning goals galore for Kylian.
The stage is set for Kylian Mbappe
Flops: Portugal it’s you I’ve gone for. Ronaldo lovers look away now… he’s FINISHED and you’ve got to move on. An abundance of talent being held back because cry-baby Cristiano won’t call it a day. He may well score a few in the group stages with their favourable draw but they’ll be out to the first decent side they face you mark my words.
Surprise package: I fancy Hungary to pull up a few trees in Germany. They were just 6 minutes away from progressing from the group of death last time out and I fancy them to make it out this time around. They’ve become a tough nut to crack and showed England up big time in the Nations League. Three Lions fans won’t be wanting to see them in the knockout stages that’s for sure.
Ones to watch: In terms of emerging talent my eyes are immediately drawn to Group F where Real Madrid’s teenage sensation, Arda Güler and Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 23, will face off. The Turk should be fresh having had relatively little football since signing for the European champions last summer while the Georgian winger starred in a struggling side in Serie A. The latter will certainly be in the gossip columns with rumours of a big money move this window. One man who won’t be is Benjamin Šeško, 21, who looks to be staying put at Leipzig for the time being, despite strong rumours he could be on his way to the Premier League. The Slovenian could be a thorn in England’s side having finished the Bundesliga season on fire, scoring in his each of his final 7 appearances.
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