European Championship 2024 Group C Preview
England, Denmark, Serbia, and Slovenia, the teams that makeup Group C will all fancy their chances of qualifying for the last 16. Like always, England hopes to go all the way in the tournament, but carrying the weight of being the favourites has seen them struggle in crucial moments. However, standing in their path are the 2020 semi-finalists Denmark, the Balkan challengers Serbia, and Slovenia, meaning qualification is far but guaranteed for the pre-tournament favourites.
You can expect Group C to deliver nail-biting encounters. This group is one of the most challenging groups in the Euros. But who will top the group, and which teams will face early heartbreak?
England
After an impressive and dominating qualification campaign, England qualified for Euro 2024 with six wins, two draws, and no defeats. Topping their group meant this was their ninth qualification in the last ten editions of the tournament. Despite hosting the competition twice, in 1996 and 2021, the Three Lions have never claimed the European Championships title. England, for many years now, has entered major tournaments with seemingly an excellent opportunity to win, but they have gone so long without lifting a major trophy. 2021 was a great opportunity, but they are likely to go deep in this tournament again.
Denmark
Denmark topped Group H in qualification with an impressive record of seven wins and one draw from 10 games. Led by coach Kasper Hjulmand, the Danish team, also known as the "scarlet guard”, boasts an impressive lineup of players, including Simon Kjaer and Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund. While a repeat of their 1992 European Championship win is unlikely, Denmark remains a formidable opponent that no team should take lightly, especially considering how well they performed in 2021.
Serbia
Serbia made it to Euro 2024, finishing second in Group G behind Hungary after winning half of their eight qualifying games. They aren't expected to win the group, but a runner-up finish is within reach and would be welcomed by fans. Serbia's squad combines experience with young talent and features players like Aleksandar Mitrović, their top scorer in the qualifying stages. This is Serbia's first European Championship appearance since competing as Serbia & Montenegro in 2000. With players like Dušan Vlahović, Dušan Tadić, and Luka Jović, Serbia hopes to make a strong impression.
Slovenia
Slovenia secured their place at Euro 2024 by finishing second in Group H behind Denmark. They managed seven wins, one draw, and two defeats. Slovenia aren't expected to go far, and their qualification itself is a success, as they return to the European Championship for the first time in 24 years. Despite a lack of star power beyond goalkeeper Jan Oblak and striker Benjamin Sesko, Slovenia aims to give it their all, though advancing past the group stage will be challenging.
Biggest Game/Deciding Game
Denmark vs England is set to be the big match in Group C. With top stars like Christian Eriksen for Denmark and Phil Foden for England, this game looks set to be a tough fight. Many predict that the outcome of this fixture will likely determine the group's winner, which could give them a favourable opponent in the knockout stage.
Influential Players
- Phil Foden: Born and bred in Manchester, Phil Foden is the rising star of English football and has established himself as one of the most promising talents on the global stage. The 23-year-old plays as a midfielder for the England national team and Premier League club Manchester City.
Foden has made over 200 appearances and won six premier leagues, the Champions League, and Premier League Player of the Season. In 2022–23, he was a crucial part of the Manchester City team that won the historic treble, and he has only improved this season as City won their fourth league title in a row.
Christian Eriksen: One of the biggest names in Danish football, Eriksen is known for his incredible vision and precision on the field. At only 18 years old, he kicked off his career with Ajax, where he became an instant hit and helped them win three Eredivisie championships and the KNVB Cup.
By 2013, he had been acquired by Tottenham Hotspur for a whopping £11 million and had been named their Player of the Year twice. Then came his tenure at Inter Milan, where he added a Serie A title to his collection. After a health scare during the UEFA Euro 2020, he returned to the game after months of recovery, rocking the Manchester United jersey.
Dušan Vlahović: The 24-year-old Serbian sensation is currently among one of the best strikers in the world. This talented forward caught his big break in 2018 when he joined Fiorentina, where his goal-scoring ability earned him recognition as one of the league's rising stars.
With an impressive tally of 21 goals in the 2020-21 Serie A season, Vlahović won the league's Best Young Player award and caught the attention of footballing giants across Europe. In January 2022, Vlahović made headlines again with his move to Juventus and has been among the league's most promising players.
Possible Final Standings
Group C sees England leading the group as favourites while Denmark follows closely behind, aiming for a solid spot in the knockout stage. We expect Slovenia and Serbia to engage in a thrilling bout for third place. However, considering Slovenia’s inexperience, they will likely finish bottom of the group.
1. England
2. Denmark
3. Serbia
4. Slovenia
List of other Groups Participating in The European Championship of 2024: