Group B is definitely one to keep an eye on and we expect this group to be fireworks all the way and it is not not difficult to see why. Group B contains 3 of the the Top 10 Men’s team according current FIFA ranking. You also have multiple World Cup and Euros’ winners in this group; so it’s not difficult to see why fans are excited about Group B.
Don’t forget that 3 of these teams were involved in the semi-final of the 2023 Uefa Nations league with one of them coming out as winner and now they face off in Group B
What To Expect From Group B
Spain
It is not difficult to see why Spain are tagged slight favorites ahead of the other teams in the group. Apart from their history (with the golden period between 2008 and 2012 coming to mind), previous successes in the Euros as winners in 1964, 2008 & 2012, there is also the recency bias considering that La Roja defeated Italy and Croatia to be crowned the 2023 Uefa Nations league.
To be fair, Luis de la Fuente has brought new belief to this Spanish side and they can count on the mixture of young talents like Barcelona duo, Lamine Yamal & Pedri as well as experienced legs like Dani Carvaja, Rodri, Nacho in the squad
Yamal turns 17 the day before the EURO final but he already has more senior caps than most of his age-mates. He already has six caps, two goals and two assists for Spain. He is a massive threat for Spain especially on the left wing and he would be one of the players to watch out for.
Predictions: Well, anything other than the top spot would be disappointing for Spain. However, there’s a reason why this is referred to as the group of death. We wouldn’t be surprised by any ‘surprises’.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya (Arsenal).
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona).
Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Joselu (Real Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ayoze Perez (Real Betis), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
Croatia
It is quite unfair that Zlatko Dalić, often referred to as the greatest coach in Croatia’s national team history, is yet to pick up a winners’ medal with this Croatian side despite getting to finals of different competitions. He has led this team to the FIFA World cup final in 2018, third place at the 2022 World Cup and the final of the 2023 Uefa Nations league and is yet to place his hand on any of these trophies.
The Euro 2024 doesn’t look like it would be any easier seeing that they are drawn in the same group as Spain; the team who denied them the last time they were in a final and also the team that handed them their worst defeat; a 6-0 drubbing in 2018.
However, with the caliber of experienced player in this side, you can expect that they would put all that behind them and forge ahead to give this golden generation a trophy it badly deserves.
Again, Croatia would look to the experience and leadership of Real Madrid star, Luka Modrić. Despite concerns about his age, Modric has proven over and over again that age is just a number and that he is able to turn up when needed.
Despite Modric’s industrious play, other teammates need to match up the output of their captain. Player’s like Manchester City duo, Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic as well as Brozovic, Pasalic and Ivan Perisic must show up to make Croatia have a fruitful outing at the Euros.
Prediction: We could see Croatia finish second in the group but there is also the possibility that they finish top of the group. They should have enough fuel in them to finish ahead of Italy and Albania
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Fenerbahce), Nediljko Labrovic (Rijeka), Ivica Ivusic (Pafos).
Defenders: Josip Stanisic (Bayer Leverkusen), Marin Pongracic (Lecce), Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Borna Sosa (Ajax), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Josip Juranovic (Union Berlin), Josip Sutalo (Ajax).
Midfielders: Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Luka Ivanusec (Feyenoord), Luka Sucic (Red Bull Salzburg), Martin Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb).
Forwards: Ivan Perisic (Hajduk Split), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Marko Pjaca (Rijeka), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Rijeka).
Italy
Traditional European powerhouse, Italy are set for yet another Euros and this time, not much is expected from them given how the team has fared in recent years but you do not want to underrate the Italians more so seeing that they are the defending champions of this competition.
Head coach, Luciano Spalleti has said his team are in a battle to prove a point to themselves. “We are facing ourselves, not the outside world”, Spalleti said, and understandably so. He is tasked to repeat the feat of his predecessor, Roberto Mancini and he would need all the help he can get.
Spalleti led Napoli to their first league title in a generation in 2022/23 and he would hope for similar feats with the national team. He can count on the likes of Gianlugi Donnaruma, Jorginho, Federico Chiesa among others.
Prediction: Italy should be able to do enough to come out of this group; they might end up coming 3rd but they would do enough to go to the next stage.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham).
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Gianluca Mancini (Roma).
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Nicolo Fagioli (Juventus), Michael Folorunsho (Verona), Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan), Jorginho (Arsenal), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma).
Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio)
Albania
Albania could count themselves unlucky to have been drawn in this group of heavyweights but they would also be out to prove a point that they could get something out of this group and probably go one step better than their group stage at their last Euros competition in 2016.
Led by former Arsenal and Barcelona left back, Sylvinho who took charge of the team in January 2023, will be counting on the likes of Berat Djimshiti, Ernest Muci, and co to help them have a good outing at only their second ever Euros appearance
Berat Djimshiti defensive solidity and leadership, with his aerial prowess, tactical intelligence and strength in the tackle will be needed if Albania are looking to get anything from this group.
Beşiktaş’ forward, Muçi is also one to watch-out for with his impressive skillset, pace, technical ability and eye-for-goal.
Prediction: Albania are expected to finish bottom of the group. The experience and weight of the other teams might just prove too much for them. However, you can expect to see exciting moments from them.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Empoli), Thomas Strakosha (Brentford), Elhan Kastrati (Cittadella).
Defenders: Berat Djimsiti (Atalanta), Elseid Hysaj (Lazio), Ivan Balliu (Rayo Vallecano), Ardian Ismajli (Empoli), Arlind Ajeti (CFR Cluj), Naser Aliji (Voluntari), Mario Mitaj (Lokomotiv Moscow), Enea Mihaj (Famalicao), Marash Kumbulla (Sassuolo).
Midfielders: Amir Abrashi, Kristjan Asllani (Inter Milan), Nedim Bajrami (Sassuolo), Medon Berisha (Lecce), Klaus Gjasula (Darmstadt), Qazim Laci (Sparta Prague), Ernest Muci (Besiktas), Ylber Ramadani (Lecce).
Forwards: Jasir Asani (Gwangju FC), Armando Broja (Fulham), Mirlind Daku (Rubin Kazan), Arber Hoxha (Dinamo Zagreb), Rey Manaj (Sivasspor), Taulant Seferi (Baniyas).
