Euro 2024 kicks off this week and we’re hoping for a summer feast of football with 51 games to enjoy between now and the final next month.

It’s the first time the tournament has been hosted in Germany since 1988 and they will be looking to become the first host nation to win the Euros since France did it in 1984.

One of the teams everyone will be looking to is England, after missing out in the final in 2021 to a penalty shootout. Gareth Southgate’s team have been named as favourites along with France and the team is full of quality in the attacking positions, with arguably the best players in the Bundesliga, La Liga and Premier League this season in Kane, Bellingham and Foden. 

This attacking trio along with the likes of Saka and Palmer is a scary proposition for any defence. Defensively there are a few injuries but you would feel that if Southgate can keep the defense tight as he usually does in major tournaments, England will have a good chance of going far.

France also have a great team on paper and similarly, the attacking players are enough to give defenders nightmares. They made it to the final of the World Cup two years ago and will be hungry for the trophy this time after missing out to Argentina.

Italy are looking to do what Spain did in 2012 by retaining the title after they beat England at Wembley in 2021, while Cristiano Ronaldo will be aiming to add to his already record-breaking tally of goals at the European Championship and help Portugal to another Euros title.

But remember as a Dutch boy I hope the Netherlands will still be bringing the surprise no one is expecting them to do.  Come on, or kom op oranje as we say in Dutch!

We’re not far off kick off now and more than anything we’re hoping for an exciting tournament with plenty of great football.