No weak teams in EURO 2020

The UEFA European Football Championship, commonly known as the UEFA Euro or simply the Euro, is a quadrennial international football championship contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments in international football. The Euro 2020 edition, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finally kicked off on June 11, 2021, in Rome, Italy.

One of the most notable aspects of this year's tournament is the fact that there are no weak teams in the competition. In the past, the group stages of the Euro could feature a few easy fixtures for the top seeds, but the current format is different. The quality of football across the continent has improved dramatically, and the rise of several so-called minnows means that every team has a chance of making an impact at Euro 2020.

The emergence of underdogs

Gone are the days when Europe's traditional powerhouses could expect to cruise through the group stages without breaking a sweat. In recent years, several smaller nations have emerged as genuine threats to the established order, thanks to improved coaching, better infrastructure, and an influx of new talent.

Countries like Iceland, Northern Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden have all shown that they can compete with the best on the international stage. Iceland famously knocked out England in the Round of 16 at Euro 2016, while Northern Ireland reached the same stage at the UEFA Euro 2016 edition. Denmark won the 1992 Euro, and Sweden was a semi-finalist at the 1992 Euro and the 2018 World Cup. This shows that these emerging nations have the potential to make their presence felt on the big stage.

Top seeds have their work cut out

The lack of weak teams in Euro 2020 puts added pressure on the tournament's top seeds. Teams like France, Portugal, and Germany will need to be at 100% to navigate their way through their groups and into the knockout stages.

France, the reigning World Cup champions, will undoubtedly be one of the favorites to win Euro 2020. However, their group features Germany and Portugal, both of whom have the quality to pose a significant challenge to Les Bleus. Portugal is the defending Euro champion and features one of the best players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, while Germany has a proud history of success in international football.

The other top seeds, such as Belgium and Spain, also face tough opening fixtures that will test their mettle. Belgium, the FIFA-ranked number one team in the world, is in a group alongside Denmark, who have already shown their capability to bleed the best teams. Meanwhile, Spain will face Sweden, a team that has historically given them a lot of trouble.

Tournament favorites and dark horses

Given the strength of the field this year, it's not easy to pick out a clear favorite to lift the trophy. However, some teams stand out due to their star-studded lineup, recent form, and history of success in major international tournaments.

At the top of this list is France, who have a squad brimming with world-class talent. They also have the experience of winning the World Cup in 2018, which makes them one of the most formidable teams in the competition. Portugal, despite their tough group, is still a team to watch, thanks to their talismanic captain, Ronaldo, and their solid defense.

Dark horses for the tournament include Italy, who have had a perfect run of 10 victories in their qualifying matches. Additionally, teams like Denmark, Poland, and Turkey cannot be written off due to their recent performances and the quality of their squads.

Conclusion

Euro 2020 promises to be an exciting tournament, thanks to the quality of every team involved. The lack of weak teams means that every game should be fiercely contested and could go either way. For the top seeds, this means that there can be no complacency, and they will need to be at their best to progress through the competition. The emergence of smaller nations as genuine contenders means that there is always the possibility of a surprise result, which only adds to the drama and excitement of international football.