The UEFA Euro 2024 is just around the corner, and 24 nations will battle it out for crowning glory across June and July.
The UEFA Euro 2024 kicks off on June 14, with Germany hosting the tournament. The 24 teams have been divided into six groups, with 16 of them making it to the knockout stages of the competition. Here at The Hard Tackle, we bring you an overview of Group D which comprises the Netherlands, France, Poland and Austria.
Group D: Netherlands, France, Poland, Austria
Matches
June 16: Poland vs Netherlands
June 17: Austria vs France
June 21 : Poland vs Austria; Netherlands vs France
June 25: Netherlands vs Austria; France vs Poland
Netherlands
The Oranje were quite impressive during the qualifiers, and they picked up six wins from eight matches, scoring 17 goals in the process. However, they have been drawn in a daunting group that also contains France, Poland, and Austria.
It will be interesting to see if the Netherlands can translate these performances when UEFA Euro 2024 gets underway. In terms of quality, they are right up there with the very best, and it remains to be seen whether they can live up to the expectations and compete at a high level this summer.
The Netherlands have a squad packed with talent, but they have a history of underperforming in major events. In addition, the Dutch will be missing many key players due to fitness issues, with Frenkie de Jong, Teun Koopmeiners, and Maarten De Roon unavailable. It will be interesting to see if Ronald Koeman can get the best out of his squad in Germany this summer.
Key Players: Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay
Virgil van Dijk will have to play a key role throughout the tournament if the Netherlands are to go all the way at UEFA Euro 2024. The 32-year-old is undoubtedly the best central defender in the world, and he was outstanding for his club last season.
The Liverpool captain will look to carry that form into the international tournament as well, and it remains to be seen whether he can guide Netherlands to glory with his qualities as a footballer and his leadership skills. Netherlands have a talented unit at their disposal, but they need experienced players like van Dijk to guide them through crucial stages of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Memphis Depay is expected to lead the line for the Netherlands, and he will be crucial for the orange. The 30-year-old is capable of starting as the centre forward as well as a wide forward. He will add goals and creativity to the Netherlands attack. In the absence of a clinical finisher, his dynamism, technical ability and athleticism could make all the difference for the Netherlands in the final third.
Notable Omissions: Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners
We usually pick players who did not make the cut. However, such is the impact that these players will have with their absence that we could not overlook them from this section. We are talking about Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners.
Frenkie de Jong is a top-class central midfielder who would have been an invaluable presence for the Netherlands during the Euros. However, he has had to leave the international camp as he could not recover from his injury. The Barcelona midfielder will take no part in Euro 2024, and his absence will be a devastating blow for the Netherlands.
The Oranje are currently lacking a central midfielder who can add creativity, control and drive to the side from the heart of the midfield. The Barcelona star would have been a game changer for them. It will be interesting to see how the Netherlands fill his void.
On the other hand, Koopmeiners enjoyed an impressive 2023/24 campaign at the club level, and he is set to miss out due to a calf issue. The 25-year-old would have added goals and creativity to the side in the final third. He is capable of operating as the attacking midfielder as well as an advanced central midfielder. Netherlands are currently lacking in goals and creativity from the midfield, and the Atalanta midfielder would have been a useful option for them.
France
Les Bleus are undoubtedly one of the favourites heading into the tournament, and they will be expected to win the competition this summer. They had an impressive campaign at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, finishing as the runners-up.
France will be hoping to win a major tournament once again, and this is a golden opportunity for them. Didier Deschamps has a well-stocked squad in every department, and he has an array of world-class talents at his disposal. If France can hit top form during the tournament, the 2018 World Cup winners will be very hard to stop.
Key Players: Kylian Mbappe Antoine Griezmann
Mbappe is one of the best players in the world, and his track record in major international tournaments is outstanding. The newly announced Real Madrid attacker has been impeccable in the last two World Cups, and he will look to make his mark in the European Championships as well.
The France captain is very much at the peak of his powers, and he will look to guide his country to international glory ear. France will need Mbappe’s clinical presence and explosive pace to break down opposition defences. The newly signed Real Madrid attacker has the ability to conjure up moments of brilliance all by himself, and he will be a game changer for his country.
Antoine Griezmann has been an exceptional performer for club and country over the years. His experience, dynamism, versatility, and technical ability has been invaluable for France in the major tournaments. He will look to make a defining impact once again at UEFA Euro 2024.
Griezmann is unlikely to be around for the next World Cup, and this is a golden opportunity for him to sign off with a major international trophy. He has had a glittering international career, and he will look to round it off by winning the trophy in Germany this summer. Griezmann will add creativity and goals to the side. His ability to slot into multiple roles in the attack will also proved to be very useful for France.
Notable Omissions: Jean-Clair Todibo and Christopher Nkunku
Todibo has had an impeccable campaign with OGC Nice in Ligue 1, and his omission was frankly quite surprising. France have picked Dayot Upamecano ahead of him, but Todibo has certainly outperformed his compatriot this past season. He could have been a key presence for France at the heart of their defence.
Meanwhile, Nkunku has struggled with injuries since the move to Chelsea, and his lack of game time has resulted in his omission. Regardless, he is an exceptional player with tremendous attributes, and he could have been a very useful option to have. The Chelsea attacker has the ability to change games with his pace, movement, flair, and goalscoring ability. He could have been a super-sub for France this summer.
Poland
Poland were largely unconvincing during the qualifiers and barely managed to get through with just four wins from 10 matches. The Eagles were quite vulnerable defensively, and they will have to tighten up at the back if they want to do well in the main event this summer.
Poland have quality players at their disposal, but the overall strength of the squad could be an issue here. They have been regarded as the underdogs in most international competitions recently, and Euro 2024 is unlikely to be any different. It will be interesting to see if they can punch above their weight and surprise a few.
Key Players: Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski
Lewandowski is undoubtedly one of the best strikers of his generation, and he has proven pedigree at the highest level. Poland will look to him to bail them out during the Euros. Poland do not have the strength in depth to dominate games, and they will rely on their star striker’s clinical presence to grind out results.
The experienced striker can score goals and create them as well. He has the ability to find the back of the net against the run of play and his experience could prove to be invaluable as well. Meanwhile, Zielinski has been a reliable performer in the Italian league over the years and he will be a key player for his country this summer.
He will be expected to control the tempo of the game and add creativity to the side from the middle of the park. The technically gifted central midfielder will be expected to carry the Polish midfield this summer, and it remains to be seen whether he can step up and deliver.
Notable Omissions: Arkadiusz Milik
Milik has been a reliable goalscorer for club and country, and his absence will be a blow for Poland. They will have to be overly dependent on Robert Lewandowski this summer. Having more depth in that department would have been very useful for the Polish outfit.
Lewandowski is likely to miss the opener with an injury, and having Milik as the alternative could have made a huge difference. Milik misses out with an injury.
Austria
Austria have a talented squad, and they did quite well in the qualifiers by winning six and drawing one of their eight matches. They were quite proficient in front of the goal, scoring 17 times as well.
It will be interesting to see if they can perform at a high level during UEFA Euro 2024. In a group containing France and the Netherlands, there is no room for error, and Austria will have to be at their best if they want to progress through to the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Key Players: Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic
Sabitzer has managed to regain his form and confidence since his return to Germany once again, and he will be one of the leaders of the Austrian dressing room. He will be expected to add drive and physicality in the middle of the park. He will look to make a difference in the engine room and help drive Austria forward here.
Arnautovic has the experience and the quality to make a big difference in the attack. He will be expected to create goalscoring opportunities and find the back of the net. The attacker is in the twilight stages of his career, and this is probably the final opportunity for him to make a mark in a major international event. It will be interesting to see if the former West Ham star can help his side qualify for the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Notable Omissions: David Alaba and Stefan Lainer
Alaba has been ruled out with a long-term knee injury, and Austria will certainly miss his defensive qualities and distribution skills from the back. The Real Madrid utility man has a wealth of experience, and he could have made a huge difference for them at the back.
Meanwhile, Ralf Rangnick decided to leave out Lainer as well, and the Borussia Monchengladbach defender has the experience and quality to make a difference for them. He was a key player for his country in the last Euros, and the decision to leave him out of the squad was certainly a surprise.
Potential Underrated Difference Makers
Xavi Simons
The in-demand Dutch playmaker had an impressive 2023/24 campaign in the Bundesliga, and the 21-year-old managed to score ten goals and pick up 15 assists across all competitions.
He is capable of operating in the wide areas as well as a central attacking midfielder. He could make a big difference for the Netherlands going forward. His creativity and goalscoring ability could prove to be valuable for the Oranje in the absence of our recognised goal scorer.
N’Golo Kante
The French international was a world-class defensive midfielder during his time at Chelsea. But he is bit of a forgotten hero now. He has helped his country win the World Cup with exceptional performances in 2018.
Although he is no longer plying his trade in Europe, he still remains an experienced and quality player. His experience and mentality could make a big difference for France in Germany. He could help his side close out games and grind out important results in the face of adversity.
Likely to Qualify: France, Netherlands, Austria
France will be one of the favourites to win the tournament, and it seems highly likely that they will make it through to the knockout rounds as well. Les Bleus have a wealth of options at their disposal, and they should be able to come out on top as the group winners.
Similarly, the Netherlands have enough quality to get past Poland and Austria here. Despite the injury blows that have crippled their midfield, they have enough quality to grind out important results here.
As for Austria, they have a more balanced squad compared to Poland, who will be hugely dependent on Robert Lewandowski’s brilliance. The collective strength should see them through. In addition, Ralf Rangnick is an experienced manager who has proven his quality in the past, and he should be able to guide them through to the next round of the competition.