Page 19 - Soccer360 Issue 106

NICKNAME: THREE LIONS S360 PREDICTION | 6TH PLACE
GROUP C - UEFA EURO 2024
FACTFILE
POPULATION:
56 million
EURO FINALS APPEARANCES: 10
BEST FINISH:
Runners-up, 2020
MOST MEMORABLE EUROS MOMENT: Agonising penalty shootout defeats at Euro ’96 and Euro 2020.
HOW THEY GOT TO EURO 2024: Unbeaten winners of a group containing Italy and Ukraine.
LAST EUROS APPEARANCE: 2020 - Reached the final before losing on penalties to Italy at Wembley.
MOST CAPPED PLAYER: Peter Shilton, 125 caps
LEADING INTERNATIONAL SCORER: Harry Kane, 62 goals
HOW TO FOLLOW:
HARRY KANE
VS SERBIA VS DENMARK VS SLOVENIA JUNE 16TH JUNE 20TH JUNE 25TH 3:00PM | EST 12:00PM | EST 3:00PM | EST
FIF4A RANKING TH
ENGLAND
With a boundless array of attacking talent at their disposal, England are under pressure to end their major trophy drought. Stephen Donovan asks if it is finally coming home.
EURO APPEARANCES: 10
EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
THEIR BEST THREE EUROS
2020
1996
1968
2ND
3RD
3RD
UEFA EURO OVERALL RECORD PLD:38 W:15 D:13L:10
THE COACH:
GARETH SOUTHGATE
England have reached impressive heights during Gareth Southgate’s lengthy spell
at the helm, but with the quality he has available, it’s time he led them to victory at a major tournament and he might not get
a better chance than at Euro 2024. There are sections of Three Lions supporters who feel he is too cautious, but if he can find
the right balance and allow the forwards to express themselves, there is every chance of success.
KEY PLAYER:
JUDE BELLINGHAM
The signs were there already, but Jude Bellingham’s performances in his first season with Real Madrid proved beyond all doubt that he is the ultimate midfielder. His drive, determination, leadership, and above all his goalscoring set him apart from the rest in La Liga, and if he can have anything like the same effect at Euro 2024 it could take England all the way.
TIME TO DELIVER
The time for excuses, near misses, and
hard luck stories is over. If England are
to regard Euro 2024 as a success, they simply must be the ones who are lifting
the trophy at the Olympiastadion on July 14. After decades of falling short at major tournaments, a squad possessing a plethora of world class talent in midfield and attack couldn’t be more ideally placed to fulfil their limitless potential and go all the way. This England side has evolved since the agonising penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020. Jude Bellingham has gone from a highly promising young midfielder to one of the best players in the world; few in the Premier League have more influence on their team than Arsenal star Declan Rice, while Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka have also developed into relentless, proven matchwinners who frequently
make the difference at the highest level. And of course, Harry Kane is banging in
the goals like never before. Together,
this makes a truly fearsome frontline, and that only covers the names expected to make the starting XI. In a tournament where substitutes could make a telling contribution, England are blessed with outstanding options. The only serious question marks about this team lie in defence, with concerns over the left-back position and ongoing debate over coach Gareth Southgate’s continued faith in centre-back Harry Maguire. England should reach the knockout stages with minimal fuss. Then the true test will begin. On paper only France can rival the Three Lions.
PROBABLE STARTING XI
BELLINGHAM
KANE
FODEN
PHILLIPS
MAINOO
WALKER
SHAW STONES
PICKFORD
MAGUIRE
RICE
SOCCER360 SUMMER 2024 17