Introduction

The UEFA Euro 2020 championship is just around the corner, and football fans all over Europe are eagerly anticipating the start of what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable tournament. With 24 teams competing for the title of European champions, the Euro 2020 promises to be a showcase of the very best that the continent has to offer in terms of football talent. In this article, we'll take a closer look at what fans can expect from this year's tournament and who the favourites are to emerge as champions.

Format

For the first time in its history, the UEFA Euro 2020 championship will be played across multiple countries. This unique format has been designed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the tournament and will see matches hosted by 12 different cities across Europe, from Dublin to Baku. Despite the logistical challenges posed by this format, fans are eagerly anticipating the diverse and exciting matches that it promises to deliver.

The tournament features six groups, with each group consisting of four teams. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stages, along with the four best third-placed teams. The knockout stages will culminate in the final, which will be held at Wembley Stadium in London on July 11th.

Favourites

With so many talented teams competing for the title, it's difficult to say who the favourites are to emerge as champions. However, there are a few teams that are currently considered to have the best chance of lifting the trophy.

France, who won the last World Cup in 2018, are seen as one of the top contenders. They have a formidable squad that includes the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and Paul Pogba, and they will be keen to add to their impressive trophy cabinet.

England are another team that will be hoping to do well at this year's tournament. They have a talented squad that includes the likes of Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and Raheem Sterling, and they will be eager to replicate their success at the 2018 World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals.

Other teams that are worth keeping an eye on include Spain, who won the tournament in 2008 and 2012, and Belgium, who are currently ranked number one in the world by FIFA.

Potential Dark Horses

While the favourites are certainly worth keeping an eye on, there are also several teams that could spring a surprise and go far in the tournament.

Italy are a team that many are tipping to do well this year. They have undergone a resurgence under the guidance of Roberto Mancini and are currently on a 27-match unbeaten run. They have a strong defence and a midfield that boasts the likes of Marco Verratti and Jorginho.

Portugal are another team to watch out for. They are the reigning European champions, having won the tournament in 2016, and they have a strong squad that includes the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and Ruben Dias.

Finally, the Netherlands are a team that could also spring a surprise. They have a young and talented squad that includes the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, and Memphis Depay.

Conclusion

The UEFA Euro 2020 championship promises to be an exciting and unpredictable tournament that showcases some of the best footballing talent that Europe has to offer. With so many teams vying for the title, it's difficult to predict who will come out on top. Will it be one of the favourites or will a dark horse emerge victorious? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure, fans all over Europe are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an unforgettable tournament.