Euro 2024 Preview: Group E - Ukraine to surprise Belgium?
With Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D covered, we turn our attention to Group E of Euro 2024. We take a look at the key player, young player to watch and make a tournament prediction for Belgium, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine.
How they reached Euro 2024
Belgium breezed to Euro 2024, securing top spot in Group F having claimed 20 points from their eight games as they qualified unbeaten. Domenico Tedesco's side scored 22 times and conceded just four to boost hopes of a first European Championship in their history. While not quite the Golden Generation, this Belgium side still has plenty of talent to cause problems.
Key Player - Kevin De Bruyne
Despite missing the first half of the season due to injury, Kevin De Bruyne still finished the Premier League campaign second for big chances created (21) and joint-third for assists (10) having proven key once more in Manchester City's title triumph. Now fully fit and firing on all cylinders, the 32-year-old should feel confident of prying apart defences in Germany this summer.
Young Player to Watch - Johan Bakayoko
Belgium's defence may be questionable, but in attack; Domenico Tedesco has an abundance of talent to call upon. Johan Bakayoko gave backlines nightmares in the Eredivisie last season as PSV eased to the title. The 21-year-old scored 12 and provided nine assists for the Dutch champions, all the while ranking second for successful dribbles (91), and he could prove to be Tedesco's wild card at the Euros.
Tournament Prediction - Quarter-finals
If 23/24 ratings in Europe's top seven leagues decided Belgium's starting XI and 26-man squad for #Euro2024... 🇧🇪
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 30, 2024
Which players were unfortunate not to have been selected by Domenico Tedesco? 💭
How they reached Euro 2024
Romania were excellent in booking their Euro 2024 spot having finished top of Group I, beating Switzerland into first by five points. The Tricolorii secured a place in Germany having gone unbeaten, winning five of eight, while Edward Iordanescu's side conceded just five times across their 10 matches.
Key Player - Nicolae Stanciu
While he now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, Nicolae Stanciu is expected to captain Romania in Germany this summer. The 31-year-old was Romania's best rated player in qualifying having returned a WhoScored rating of 7.34. If Stanciu is on form, then this boosts their chances of progressing beyond the group stages for just the second time in their history.
Young Player to Watch - Radu Dragusin
Radu Dragusin struggled for minutes following his January move to Tottenham yet started their final two league games of the season and gave a fine account of his ability with a pair of assured displays. At just 22 years old, there is more to come from the former Genoa man, who'll seek to build momentum ahead of his first full season in England.
Tournament Prediction - Group stages
How they reached Euro 2024
Drawn in the same group as Portugal, Slovakia were aware they were likely to qualify for Euro 2024 in second place, and did so having collected 22 points from their 10 matches. No prizes for guessing who their two defeats came against. A three-game winning run to see out their qualifying campaign effectively sealed their spot in Germany this summer.
Key Player - David Hancko
Having shone at centre-back for Feyenoord last season, playing a key role in a defence that shipped just 26 league goals, David Hancko may feature at left-back for Slovakia to help keep things tight at the back for the Falcons. The 26-year-old has the ability to get the ball rolling, so to speak, for his country having finished the Eredivisie top for passes per game (86.5) and this distribution will ensure Slovakia are no mere pushovers.
Young Player to Watch - Leo Sauer
Hancko isn't the only Slovakia international plying his trade for Feyenoord. Leo Sauer enjoyed a solid debut campaign for the senior side in 2023/24 having been directly involved in five goals across just 275 minutes of league action, all of which came off the bench. Only a handful of players contributed to more goals than Sauer when starting as a sub in the Dutch top tier last term and head coach Francesco Calzona will hope the 18-year-old can prove to be Slovakia's super sub at Euro 2024.
Tournament Prediction - Group stages
How they reached Euro 2024
Having finished behind England and Italy in Group C, Ukraine needed to navigate their UEFA Nations League playoff to book their Euro 2024 spot. Ukraine did well to get the better of both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland to make it to Germany, where they were drawn in a fairly favourable group.
Key Player - Artem Dovbyk
Girona exceeded expectations to secure a top-four finish in La Liga last season and spearheading their successful push for Champions League football was striker Artem Dovbyk. The 26-year-old moved to the Spanish side from Dnipro-1 and made an immediate impression, landing the Pichichi award as he netted 24 league goals and provided a further eight assists. The Euros will be the perfect chance for Dovbyk to really make a name for himself.
Young Player to Watch - Georgiy Sudakov
Georgiy Sudakov is set to be a player in demand this summer. The 21-year-old has attracted interest from London trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham and Shakhtar are aware they face a potential bidding war for one of their prized assets in the off-season. Operating in the final third, the youngster netted six times in the Ukrainian Premier League to help Shakhtar to the title and he's certainly one to keep a close eye on in Germany.
Tournament Prediction - Round of 16
Group prediction
1. Belgium
2. Ukraine
3. Romania
4. Slovakia
