IT’S called Euro 2020, although it starts Friday (June 11, 2021) and will take place in 11 cities across Europe.
It promises mouth-watering clashes from the very start, and may prove to be one of the best tournaments ever.
From Rome to Wembley, which teams will arrive in the final.
My pick – France vs Germany.
There will be six groups of four teams each- without doubt Group F is the group of death. Imagine France, Germany, Portugal and Hungary battling it out.
Very early in the tournament we will see a magical matchup- Christiano Ronaldo vs Kylian Mbappé.
Each city will be host to at least three group-stage games and a knockout game.
The first match will be held in Rome’s Stadio Olympico, giving Italy a significant advantage.
Host cities:
Wembley Stadium –London, England
Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany
Stadio Olimpico – Rome, Italy
Olympic Stadium -Baku, Azerbaijan
Krestovsky Stadium – Saint Petersburg, Russia
Arena Nationala – Bucharest, Romania
Johan Cruyff Arena – Amsterdam, Holland
Estadio de la Cartuja – Sevilla, Spain
Puskas Arena – Budapest, Hungary
Hampden Park – Glasgow, Scotland
Parken Stadium – Copenhagen, Denmark
What a tournament to come, who will win the golden boot? Can Antoine Greizman repeat as top scorer this tournament? Will the phenomenal Ronaldo overtake the great Michel Platini as the all-time leading scorer? Both are tied at nine goals apiece with Platini only needing five games for his nine in 1984, while Ronaldo has played 21 games for his goals. Surely he will pass Platini this time, I will put some bitcoins on it (if I had any). Or is it the time of Mbappe to be the new golden boot winner? Time will tell.
Some of the best players in the world will be showcasing their talent in the most competitive of all the continental crowns. Euro 2020 promises to provide some of the best football we can see and after a pandemic layoff we are rearing to go. It will be great to actually hear a live crowd in the venues and to feel the excitement of all the wonderful goals and glory to come.
Apart from the golden boot there is the player of the tournament, Silver boot, bronze boot and young player of the tournament awards to be won.
It will be fantastic to see who walks away with these awards. We look forward to see the emerging talents that seek to displace Ronaldo as the best European player.
Ultimately the prize is the cup and below is a look at the last four winners.
Year
Winners
Runners-up
2004
Greece
Portugal
2008
Spain
Germany
2012
Spain
Italy
2016
Portugal
France
So as we look forward to this tournament starting today the June 11 with Italy vs Turkey at 3pm local time. Tune in for the start of a wonderful festival of football.
Belgium is the top ranked team and should not be overlooked as a possible winner of the tournament.
England will host the final and will dearly love a good cup of tea and an English champion.
Italy with an unbeaten 27 games are no pushovers and Spain can always be a threat as three-time champions. Interestingly Spain and Germany share the record for the most championship wins at three.
Follow football enthusiast Gerald Lutchman who will provide insight into Euro 2020 as well as the Copa America exclusively on AZPNews.com.
EURO 2020 Kicks Off
By Gerald Lutchman
IT’S called Euro 2020, although it starts Friday (June 11, 2021) and will take place in 11 cities across Europe.
It promises mouth-watering clashes from the very start, and may prove to be one of the best tournaments ever.
From Rome to Wembley, which teams will arrive in the final.
My pick – France vs Germany.
There will be six groups of four teams each- without doubt Group F is the group of death. Imagine France, Germany, Portugal and Hungary battling it out.
Very early in the tournament we will see a magical matchup- Christiano Ronaldo vs Kylian Mbappé.
Each city will be host to at least three group-stage games and a knockout game.
The first match will be held in Rome’s Stadio Olympico, giving Italy a significant advantage.
Host cities:
What a tournament to come, who will win the golden boot? Can Antoine Greizman repeat as top scorer this tournament? Will the phenomenal Ronaldo overtake the great Michel Platini as the all-time leading scorer? Both are tied at nine goals apiece with Platini only needing five games for his nine in 1984, while Ronaldo has played 21 games for his goals. Surely he will pass Platini this time, I will put some bitcoins on it (if I had any). Or is it the time of Mbappe to be the new golden boot winner? Time will tell.
Some of the best players in the world will be showcasing their talent in the most competitive of all the continental crowns. Euro 2020 promises to provide some of the best football we can see and after a pandemic layoff we are rearing to go. It will be great to actually hear a live crowd in the venues and to feel the excitement of all the wonderful goals and glory to come.
Apart from the golden boot there is the player of the tournament, Silver boot, bronze boot and young player of the tournament awards to be won.
It will be fantastic to see who walks away with these awards. We look forward to see the emerging talents that seek to displace Ronaldo as the best European player.
Ultimately the prize is the cup and below is a look at the last four winners.
So as we look forward to this tournament starting today the June 11 with Italy vs Turkey at 3pm local time. Tune in for the start of a wonderful festival of football.
Belgium is the top ranked team and should not be overlooked as a possible winner of the tournament.
England will host the final and will dearly love a good cup of tea and an English champion.
Italy with an unbeaten 27 games are no pushovers and Spain can always be a threat as three-time champions. Interestingly Spain and Germany share the record for the most championship wins at three.
Follow football enthusiast Gerald Lutchman who will provide insight into Euro 2020 as well as the Copa America exclusively on AZPNews.com.