Europe’s prime groups look to rebound at Euro 2024 qualifying

MANCHESTER, England — Three months after the World Cup ended, qualifying for the subsequent European Championship begins this week with a number of of the most important groups trying to rebound.

France got here inside a penalty shootout of profitable back-to-back World Cup titles, shedding to Argentina within the remaining, however Spain, Germany and Italy all went by means of humbling experiences both earlier than or throughout final 12 months’s match in Qatar.

Spain has not gained a serious match since Euro 2012. While it reached the semifinals at Euro 2020, elimination within the spherical of 16 at the World Cup was a setback for a promising new era of gamers.

Germany‘s decline since profitable the World Cup in 2014 continued after being knocked out within the group stage final 12 months – for the second straight World Cup.

And defending European champion Italy didn’t even qualify for the match in Qatar.

Elsewhere, Belgium went into the match because the second-ranked FIFA staff however couldn’t make it out of the group stage; Portugal’s younger staff reached the quarterfinals however was eradicated by Morocco in what was doubtless Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup; and Euro 2020 finalist England endured its earliest elimination underneath coach Gareth Southgate after shedding to France within the quarterfinals.

ONE LAST CHANCE?

Southgate stated he wanted time to think about his future after shedding to France, however rapidly determined to remain. With his contract up in December 2024, it’s attainable that subsequent 12 months’s European match might be his final as England coach.

Despite the early exit in Qatar, there have been encouraging performances for England, together with the way during which the staff dominated giant spells even within the loss to France.

Expect Jude Bellingham to emerge because the central determine. Marcus Rashford is injured for upcoming video games in opposition to Italy and Ukraine, however is having one of the best season of his profession.

SHINING STARS

Barcelona is again on the prime of the Spanish league and Real Madrid remains to be the staff to beat within the Champions League. But the nationwide staff’s troubles go on.

It has been a humbling interval for a rustic that gained back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, with the 2010 World Cup title in between.

The loss to Morocco within the spherical of 16 in Qatar got here regardless of widespread hope that Barcelona midfield pair Gavi and Pedri may lead a brand new period of success.

Spain’s hopes of getting off to a profitable begin in opposition to Norway on Saturday in coach Luis de la Fuente’s first match have been aided by Erling Haaland’s withdrawal from his nationwide squad due to damage.

ITALY’S COMEBACK

One second, Italy coach Roberto Mancini is main his nation to the European Championship title. The subsequent, he’s enduring the humiliation of failing to qualify for the World Cup.

He has an opportunity to start out redeeming himself on Thursday in opposition to England, the staff Italy defeated on penalties within the Euro 2020 remaining at Wembley Stadium.

After failing to qualify for the final two World Cups, it’s laborious to know what to anticipate from Italy. But based mostly on latest years, it’s unlikely to be boring.

MARTINEZ IS BACK

After main Belgium’s golden era, Roberto Martinez now will get to take over an thrilling Portugal squad.

While Ronaldo is within the twilight of his profession on the age of 38 and taking part in his membership soccer in Saudi Arabia, Martinez has a number of stars to select from, together with Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix and Diogo Jota.

He didn’t win a serious trophy with Belgium, however he may have the instruments to steer Portugal to success, beginning with matches in opposition to Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.

BACK TO BASICS

Germany coach Hansi Flick steered the nationwide staff wanted a rethink after early elimination from the World Cup.

“For years we are talking about new goalkeepers and wingbacks, but Germany was always able to defend well. We need the basics,” Flick stated in Qatar.

With Germany internet hosting subsequent 12 months’s European Championship, it must put together for the match with out aggressive motion. But that additionally provides Flick the possibility to experiment.

He has picked 5 new gamers for the friendlies in opposition to Peru and Belgium.

MBAPPE’S MISSION

Not even a hat trick from Kylian Mbappe may cease Lionel Messi from profitable the one main trophy that had eluded the Argentina nice. But even in defeat in the World Cup remaining, Mbappe proved he’s the subsequent soccer nice.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker may make up for the frustration of shedding in Qatar by main his staff to the European title in Germany.

France will face the Netherlands and Ireland.