The 2024 UEFA Euro Championship has kicked off with a big surprise as Belgium suffered a 1-0 loss to Slovakia. This unexpected defeat caused Belgium’s odds of winning the tournament to drop from +1600 to +2000, marking it as the biggest upset in Euro history. Despite being ranked No. 3, Belgium fell to Slovakia, ranked at No. 48 in the FIFA rankings.
The betting odds have also seen a shift, with France emerging as the new favorite to win it all. Previously, England held the top spot in the pre-tournament betting odds, but France has now taken the lead with odds of +380 compared to England’s +400. However, France will be missing key player Mbappé in their upcoming match against the Netherlands due to a broken nose sustained in a previous game against Austria.
The tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 14, will be hosted at stadiums across Germany, and fans can catch all the action on FOX Sports, FS1, FS2, and FuboTV. The updated odds from DraftKings Sportsbook show France as the frontrunner, followed by England, Germany, Portugal, and Spain.
Looking ahead, experts like Chris “The Bear” Fallica and Doug McIntyre have made their picks for the tournament. Fallica believes that the Netherlands, with their strong midfield and defense, have a good chance of making a deep run as a dark horse team. McIntyre, on the other hand, sees Croatia as a potential contender, given their experience and talent.
In terms of past champions, Italy emerged victorious in the 2020 tournament, defeating England in a penalty shootout. Germany and Spain lead the pack with three Euro titles each, followed by Italy and France with two each. Notable players like Gianluigi Donnarumma and Cristiano Ronaldo have also made their mark in past tournaments.
As the tournament progresses, teams like Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands will be ones to watch, each bringing their own strengths and histories to the competition. The UEFA Euro Championship promises to deliver thrilling matches and unforgettable moments as teams battle it out for the coveted title. Stay tuned for more updates, analysis, and predictions as the tournament unfolds.