The CSKA Euro 2020 Group Stage Preview Part I

The 2020 European Championship is here and I've decided to write a brief preview ahead of the group stage giving my thoughts on what I think could happen. It is set to be one of the most closely fought and fascinating international tournaments in recent memory so let's get stuck in!

Group A is the one all of us Welsh fans are interested in. It's arguably the toughest group after the Group of Death (more on that later). Italy will certainly be the favourites to top the group. Head coach Roberto Mancini has led the Azzurri to 8 wins in a row achieved with 8 clean sheets. The squad is packed with the ideal blend of young talent and experienced heads.

Turkey will provide stern opposition with a number of people backing them as dark horses. Head coach Senol Gunes was the man at the helm when they reached the 2002 World Cup Semi-Finals. The tournament being delayed by a year has given them a chance to get a number of players ruled out last summer back to full fitness including Yusuf Yazici, Ozan Kabak, and Merih Demiral.

We also have Wales, of course. 5 years on from the greatest summer in Welsh football history that saw the team reach the 2016 European Championship Semi-Finals. This squad undoubtedly has more depth but the unsettling court case surrounding head coach Ryan Giggs has meant Robert Page coming in as caretaker gaffer. Can he get the Dragons out of this group? One win could be enough but if they fail to get it in the opening game then will it come against Turkey or Italy? Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, and Kieffer Moore could be key to that happening.

Switzerland are the final team in this group and if there is one side at this tournament that encapsulate the ethos of a team unit then it's the Swiss. Head coach Vladimir Petkovic has done a sterling job in charge of the team but is the 7-game unbeaten run against very average opposition masking issues that might suggest the best years of this group of players are behind them?

Steve's Prediction

1. Italy

2. Turkey

3. Wales

4. Switzerland

Group B will see one of the tournament favourites Belgium open the action against a host nation in Russia. Belgium have thrived under Roberto Martinez but you feel time is running out for this "golden generation" to win a major tournament. The 3rd placed finish at the 2018 World Cup was admirable but they feel just short of achieving what many feel this set of players should. Can the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, and Romelu Lukaku finally deliver?

Russia will be hoping to spring a shock on Belgium in that first game. The nation reached the Quarter-Finals at the 2018 World Cup so showed how effective they can be with home advantage. If they're to do the business here then star striker and captain Artem Dzyuba needs to step up but could an inexperienced back-line be their undoing?

Denmark have been tipped by a number of people to go a long way in this tournament. Head coach Kasper Hjulmand has done a cracking job since coming in to replace Age Hareide. The Danes finished above England in their UEFA Nations League group and have taken 3 wins from their first 3 games in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. They are experienced, organised, and very hard to break down. Especially as a host nation.

The final team in this group are certainly the underdogs. Even so, Finland are yet another side that will be resolute and tough to grind down. In their first ever major international tournament appearance, Markku Kanerva will be keen to see his squad leave an impression. The head coach has been involved with the national team set-up since 2004 so he knows his players. In Teemu Pukki they have a striker who has bagged 30 international goals. If you have a player like that up top then you stand a chance of sucker punching any team. Sadly, I think Russia being a host nation will see them pip Finland to 3rd place.

Steve's Prediction

1. Belgium

2. Denmark

3. Russia

4. Finland

Group C undoubtedly delivers one of the more intriguing line-up of nations at this tournament. Netherlands have suffered some time in the international wilderness having failed to qualify for the last two major international tournaments of the 2016 European Championship and the 2018 World Cup. Their preparations for this tournament have been disrupted with injuries to Virgil Van Dijk and Donny van de Beek. If that wasn't enough, I feel they have a head coach in Frank De Boer who is failing to get the best out of this talented group of players. Results have been inconsistent at best but failure to beat the likes of Scotland, Turkey, and Bosnia-Herzegovina over the past year shows that winning this tournament seems like dreamland and even getting out of this group could be a struggle.

Ukraine head into this tournament under a cloud of controversy after the team's kit displayed an image of Ukraine including the disputed territory of Chechnya. Whatever your political views, it's caused a stir. Will that distract them from the task at hand? Head coach Andrei Shevchenko has surprised a lot of people by taking this team forward in a lot of ways. Results recently have drifted off but they have played a lot of tough teams including Germany, France, and Spain. They are unbeaten in 6 matches though including holding France to a 1-1 draw in their 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Paris back in March. They are certainly one to watch.

Austria are a team I saw Wales play a few years back and they struck me as a side that are very disciplined and will provide stern opposition for anyone. Head coach Franco Froda has been at the helm since 2018 and the national team boasts a win ratio of 58.82% with him in charge. This is an experienced and settled team but they are struggling for wins recently with just 1 victory in their last 6 matches and qualification for the 2022 World Cup already looking in doubt after a dodgy start to their campaign. Froda's tactical nous could see them navigate their way through this group though.

North Macedonia will be another side playing in their first major international tournament and it's great to see. They are a side that might have benefited from the new play-off system that gives so-called "lower-ranked" teams a chance to qualify but they shouldn't be written off. Experience comes in the evergreen captain Goran Pandev but they also boast one of the most exciting prospects in European football in Elif Elmas who has thrived at Napoli this season. I'd be amazed if they didn't take points off someone and they are even worth a cheeky bet to reach the last 16 if you're feeling brave.

Steve's Prediction

1. Ukraine

2. Austria

3. Netherlands

4. North Macedonia