Description:
With the confirmation of Croatia as the last of the 21 direct places for Euro 2024, the stage is set for the draw on December 2. The qualifying phase has come to an end, leaving only three places to be determined in the play-offs and generating unprecedented expectation to find out the rivals in the group stage of the European competition. Croatia, after overcoming its own challenges in qualifying, joins the distinguished group of teams that earned a direct ticket to the tournament. However, eyes are now focused on Italy, the Netherlands and the three places that will be decided in the play-offs, adding an extra dose of excitement and uncertainty to the draw. Spain, which is among the seeds along with Germany (host), France, Portugal, England and Belgium, already has a privileged position in the draw. This distribution ensures that La Roja does not face these football powerhouses directly in the group stage, thus promoting greater diversity in the initial matchups. Reigning Euro champions Italy are in Pot 4, meaning they could be a formidable opponent for any team fortunate or unlucky to face the defending champions in the early stages of the tournament. Serbia and Switzerland also wait in this hype, increasing competition and uncertainty. In pot 2, Denmark presents itself as a considerable risk, remembering its outstanding performance in reaching the semifinals in the last Euro Cup. On the other hand, Croatia and the Netherlands emerge as the biggest threats in Pot 3, despite the difficulties experienced by the Croatians in the qualifying phase. The combination of tough opponents in each pot could result in highly competitive and challenging groups. An example would be the presence of Denmark, the Netherlands and Italy in the same group, a combination that would be considered a real "bomb" in the group stage. Euro 2024 promises to be an exciting competition with almost the entire European elite, including teams like France, England and Portugal, who stand out as the most powerful in the group stage. With dates scheduled from June 14 to July 14, 2024, the tournament promises strong emotions and a fight for the title that looks as open as the previous edition, when Italy surprised by becoming champions at Wembley in 2020. The draw on December 2 will be crucial to shaping this top-level football spectacle.