Euro 2024 Preview: Group C - Is it England's time to shine?
Having run through Group A and Group B, we preview Group C ahead of Euro 2024. We pick out the key player, the young player to watch and make a tournament prediction for Denmark, England, Serbia and Slovenia.
How they reached Euro 2024
Denmark booked their place at Euro 2024 having qualified from Group H. The Danish Dynamite did so as group winners owing to their superior head-to-head record with Slovenia.
Key Player - Christian Eriksen
After a solid first season at Manchester United, Christian Eriksen struggled for minutes for Erik ten Hag's side in 2023/24, starting just 12 league matches. Nevertheless, one of the most decorated players in Danish football history, Eriksen will often be one of the first names on the Danish Dynamite teamsheet if available to head coach Kasper Hjulmand.
Young Player to Watch - Rasmus Hojlund
Remaining with Manchester United, Rasmus Hojlund enjoyed a commendable debut campaign for the Red Devils as he scored 10 league goals for Erik ten Hag's side. The 21-year-old was excellent in qualifying for Denmark as he scored seven goals with his nation looking to Hojlund to maintain that goalscoring form this summer.
Tournament Prediction - Round of 16
How they reached Euro 2024
England went through qualifying unbeaten as they won six of eight games to pick up 20 points. They scored more (22) and conceded fewer goals (4) than any other team in their group, which included fellow Euro 2024 qualifiers Italy and Ukraine. They are one of the favourites to secure glory in Germany.
Key Player - Harry Kane
England's captain will be crucial in Germany this summer. Harry Kane ended the campaign trophyless but scored more goals (36) and earned a better WhoScored rating (7.82) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues last season. On familiar turf, Kane will be out to end England's lenghty wait for silverware.
Young Player to Watch - Jude Bellingham
The second best rated player in Europe's top five leagues last season, Jude Bellingham heads into the Euros on the back of a memorable debut campaign in Spain that saw him win La Liga and the Champions League. 19 goals and six assists was a fine haul for a 20-year-old well on his way to superstardom.
Tournament Prediction - Semi-finals
How they reached Euro 2024
Serbia won only two of their final six qualifying matches to book their Euro 2024 spot, pipping rivals Montenegro to second in Group G. The Eagles flattered to deceive yet they have quality personnel all across the pitch. They remain a tough proposition for their Group C rivals this summer.
Key Player - Dusan Tadic
Now 35, Dusan Tadic is unlikely to continue on the international stage beyond Euro 2024. Nevertheless, Serbia's skipper still has a huge role to play if the Eagles are to make it beyond the group stages. Tadic was one of only two player to register double figures for both goals (10) and assists (14) in the Super Lig last season and ranked fifth for key passes (86) in the division.
Young Player to Watch - Lazar Samardzic
Despite playing for lowly Udinese, don't let the Italian side's league position fool you into thinking midfielder Lazar Samardzic won't cause problems. The 22-year-old has high-profile admirers and he'll aim to prove why at Euro 2024. If given the space to run into, then the youngster can cause all sorts of problems for opponents.
Tournament Prediction - Round of 16
How they reached Euro 2024
Slovenia were pipped to top spot in Group H of Euros qualifying by their 2024 Group C rivals Denmark as Matjaz Kek masterminded an impressive campaign. Slovenia scored more goals (20) and conceded fewer (9) than any other team in their qualification group and they may prove something of a surprise package in Germany.
Key Player - Jan Oblak
Jan Oblak's stock has fallen in recent years. The Slovenia captain was once considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world but the 31-year-old is rarely mentioned in the same breath as his peers nowadays. Nevertheless, Oblak still kept the fourth most clean sheets (13) in La Liga last season as Atletico claimed a top-four finish with the fourth best defensive record.
Young Player to Watch - Benjamin Sesko
A man in demand this summer. Benjamin Sesko ended his debut Bundesliga campaign strongly. The 21-year-old may have struggled for game time in the first half of the season but really shone after the Winterpause, ending 2023/24 with 14 league goals to his name, a fine haul for a player who registered just 1532 minutes of game time in Germany's top tier.
Tournament Prediction - Group Stages
Group prediction
1. England
2. Denmark
3. Serbia
4. Slovenia
