Football: The underdogs that could become dark horses at UEFA EURO 2024
Learn about the teams that could spring a surprise at the 2024 UEFA men's football European Championship in Germany.
Football
UEFA EURO 2024 is well underway across Germany, with the first round of group stage fixtures now done.
All 24 have played one game, as they fight to be crowned men's football champions of Europe. The pre-tournament favourites have all got off to winning starts. Hosts Germany produced an emphatic 5-1 win against Scotland, while France, England, and Spain all recorded victories while keeping clean sheets.
However, there are many nations who have potentially gone under the radar, and whose potential has started to shine after their opening match.
Get to know the potential underdogs of Euro 2024 and who could emerge as a dark horse.
Romania
Few people were speaking about Romania before the tournament kicked off on 14 June, despite the fact that they topped their qualifying group ahead of Switzerland, who reached the quarter-finals at EURO 2020 held in 2021. Only six teams qualified for EURO 2024 unbeaten: Romania were one of them.
They opened their Group E campaign against another recent quarter-finalist in Ukraine, and they sent quite the statement in Munich. Nicolae Stanciu’s stunning strike set them on their way, before a quickfire second-half burst from Răzvan Marin and Denis Drăguș put Romania in cruise control as they completed a 3-0 victory.
One of the standout performances of the tournament so far has shown Europe that they mean business. With another strong opponent in Belgium next up on Saturday (22 June), a good result for Romania would put them in pole position to enter the knockout stages in style.
Slovakia
Romania are not the only potential underdog to come out of Group E, as Slovakia also got off to an impressive winning start. Competing in their third consecutive European Championship as an independent nation, Ivan Schranz’s early strike guided Slovakia to an impressive 1-0 win over Belgium in Frankfurt.
They have a solid squad, led by Italian manager Francesco Calzona and supported in his backroom staff by Slovak football legend Marek Hamšík. Standout players include the experienced Juraj Kucka, the powerful Stanislav Lobotka, and stalwart captain Milan Škriniar, who make up the backbone of this Slovakia side.
An opening day win in a competitive group puts Slovakia in a strong position to progress, with Ukraine next up on Friday (21 June). There is even the scenario that both Slovakia and Romania secure their place in the round of 16 before they meet in Frankfurt in the final round of group fixtures.
Slovenia celebrate their equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Denmark at UEFA EURO 2024.
Slovenia
Back at the EUROs for the first time in 24 years, Slovenia have a point to prove in a group containing England, Serbia, and Denmark. They came into this tournament with less expectation than their Group C counterparts, but with as much of a desire to progress to the knockout stages and even go deep into the competition.
Their opening match against Denmark saw Slovenia earn a 1-1 draw against the EURO 2020 semi-finalists, coming from behind to earn a point thanks to Erik Janža’s 77th minute strike. Their squad includes Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, resurgent forward Josip Iličić, and starlet Benjamin Šeško.
A solid opening performance has put Slovenia in a good position, and their next game against Serbia on Thursday (20 June) will be crucial should they want to progress. The foundations and talent is there, all that remains is to do the talking on the pitch.
Serbia players line up during the national anthems before the match against England at UEFA EURO 2024.
Honourable mentions
Despite being drawn into a tough group, Austria come into the tournament in decent form and revitalised by new manager Ralf Rangnick. They were unlucky to lose to France with an own goal in a 1-0 defeat, but their solid defensive organisation and tactical prowess means that they should not be ruled out of contention.
It feels unfair to call Czechia an underdog, considering they reached the quarter-finals at EURO 2020 and are previous finalists. Nonetheless, they can certainly cause an upset and will be keen to perhaps go even further into this year’s tournament, albeit in the same group as one of the tournament favourites in Portugal.
Finally, Serbia have always had a strong squad and will hope that this is the year they are able to capitalise on that. They made life difficult for England amid opening day defeat, and with the likes of Dušan Tadić, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Saša Lukić among their ranks, Serbia should not be underestimated.