Once again, Portugal will be among the favourites to win Euro 2024. But Group F promises to be far-from straightforward with dark horses around every corner. Georgia are first-timers with nothing to lose, Czech Republic are Euros mainstays and Turkey have been regular wildcard picks every time they rock up to a major tournament. Turkey were many people’s dark horses for the last Euros because of their impressive qualifying campaign, but they froze once there. This squad is more talented but heads to Germany in wretched form, having lost to Hungary, Austria and Poland since March. Open their campaign against newcomers Georgia and must take maximum points. Manager: Vincenzo Montella Italian has had some big jobs in Italy but took the Turkey hotseat after managing Turkish side Adana Demirspor. Star player: Hakan Calhanoglu The Inter Milan midfielder is Turkey’s captain and best player. An expert long-range free-kick taker. One to watch: Arda Guler The 19-year-old winger got his dream move to Real Madrid last summer. Has six goals in 10 La Liga appearances and will feature this summer. Chances of winning it in three words: Simply will not. Georgia may have qualified through the backdoor via the UEFA Nations League, but they won’t care. They are at a major tournament for the very first time. Very little is expected from the worst team at this Euros, but that will suit them perfectly as they seek to cause a stir and make it out of a group featuring beatable opponents in Turkey and the Czech Republic. Manager: Willy Sagnol The former Bayern Munich stalwart has done a brilliant job since taking over in 2021. Spent a year as France Under-21s manager a year ago, back when Gareth Southgate was in the same role at England. Star player: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Shoulders the responsibility of being their one true star. Napoli’s superb left-winger and a scorer of 15 goals from 30 caps for Georgia at the age of just 23. One to watch: Giorgi Mamardashvili Wanted by Chelsea, the 23-year-old is Valencia No1 and the son of another professional goalkeeper. Will no doubt be kept busy this summer and could therefore show his ability. Chances of winning it in three words: Literally zero chance. No team has reached the knockout stages in consecutive editions of the Euros more times than Portugal, who have made it out of the group stage at every tournament since 1996. Plenty of people see the 2016 champions as the likely winners this year as well, owing to an incredible squad that seems to have the ideal blend of youth and experience. Score goals for fun. Manager: Roberto Martinez After failing to get over the line as Belgium manager, how fortunate that Martinez now gets to have a go with an even better generation of players. Star player: Bruno Fernandes Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 130th Portugal goal this week, but game-time could be limited aged 39. Manchester United’s Fernandes is now their best player and a natural leader – even if he does love a good moan. One to watch: Joao Neves Some rather extraordinary transfer fees have been rumoured this summer for the 19-year-old midfielder who, while definitely not worth £120million yet, is a star for Benfica and could shine in Germany. Chances of winning it in three words: Very high. Contenders. Euros regulars the Czech Republic will have been pleased to land in Group F alongside Turkey and Georgia. Five wins on the bounce show they are bang up for it, but their preparations were hit last week when midfielder Michal Sadílek dropped out the squad after an injury sustained by failing off his tricycle a day after captaining the Czechs in a 7-1 win over Malta. Manager: Ivan Hasek Showed his stern side when sending three players – including West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal – home from the squad in November after they went to a nightclub before a crucial qualifier. Star player: Patrik Schick Shared the Golden Boot with Ronaldo at Euro 2020. Now back for more after a Bundesliga-winning campaign with Bayer Leverkusen. One to watch: Adam Hlozek The golden boy of Czech football has fallen on hard times. Nothing better than a breakout tournament to get his previously rapid rise back on track, then. Chances of winning it in three words: Not this time.
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