Euro Cup 2020: Group B Preview
If Kevin De Bruyne is fit to play, Belgium have to be considered among the favorites for this tournament, in search for their elusive major trophy.
Denmark
FIFA Rank: #10
Qualified as: 2nd place in Group D
The Skinny
After spending the better part of the 21st century either missing out on the World Cup and Euro Cup altogether, or failing to progress past the group stage in the few occasions they qualified, the Danes made a splash in the 2018 World Cup by progressing to the Round of 16, where they took eventual runners-up Croatia to a penalty shootout. Looking at the talent they have on their squad currently, it's a little hard to imagine how De rød-hvide didn't make a splash before then. This is a team with playmakers at every position on the field, and as they showed in 2018, as well as through this qualifying campaign in which they never lost, they will be a tough out, especially when all group matches will be played at home in Copenhagen.
The Best XI
As mentioned above, there is talent at every level for Denmark; Leicester goalie Kasper Schmeicel will be between the sticks, and could feasibly have a back line in front of him that consists of starters at Udinese, Southampton, Milan, Chelsea and Atalanta. With midfield players who star at Dortmund, Tottenham, and Inter Milan, the supply lines to Yussuf Poulsen and Martin Braithwaite, of RB Leipzig and Barcelona respectively, should be very much flowing.
Russia
FIFA Rank: #38
Qualified as: 2nd Place in Group I
The Skinny
Two years ago, Russia entered the World Cup as hosts, but also as one of the lowest-ranked teams in the tournament. They proceeded to pull off a stunning (save for the cynical who, perhaps understandably, suspected some bribery may be afoot) run to the quarterfinals, where only a shootout loss to eventual runners-up Croatia prevented them from an appearance in the semifinals. Here, Russia once again enters as one of the lower-ranked teams in the tournament but also as co-hosts, getting to play two matches at home in St. Petersburg. Can they pull off another surprise run? It's possible, but their draw is not as fortuitous this time; they'll be expected to finish a perhaps distant 3rd place, at best.
The Best XI
Russia's squad is very Russian Premier League-heavy, which is not the worst thing; Russia's league is rated among the 8 best in Europe. Still, it makes it easy to pay special attention to the players that have broken out in the other, more-respected leagues; players such as Valencia's Denis Cheryshev, Monaco's Aleksandr Golovin, and Atalanta's Aleksei Miranchuk. Otherwise, the lineup is Russia through-and-through, with special emphasis on domestic champions Zenit St. Petersburg. Zenit boast two wily veterans and key players for this Russian team in left-back Yuri Zhirkov and striker Artem Dzubya.
Belgium
FIFA Rank: #1
Qualified as: 1st Place in Group I
The Skinny
When your national team has never won a major trophy and yet is ranked #1 in the World according to FIFA, that tells you something both about the quality of FIFA's rankings and about the quality of this generation of talent. Belgium is a clear-cut favorite in this tournament, particularly when factoring in the motivation to win their first trophy. Only two things prevent the Red Devils from being a slam-dunk pick to top this group and make a deep run beyond: the fact that two of their group matches will be in hostile environments in Denmark and Russia, and the questionable status of Kevin De Bruyne, who suffered an eye and nose fracture in the Champions League Final.
The Best XI
This was one of the hardest "Best XI"'s to select out of the entire tournament, simply because Belgium has so quality. Some no-brainers were Thibaut Courtois, and the rejuvenated Romelu Lukaku and always-reliable Dries Mertens. Belgian fans will hope the electric Eden Hazard can rediscover his form of old, amidst a horrid start to his Real Madrid career. Assuming De Bruyne is a go, there is no question that arguably the World's best midfielder will lead the line, likely joined by Dortmund's Axel Witsel and Leicester City's Youri Tielemans. If there is one Achilles heel in this team, it's a back line whose mainstays Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld are all north of 30. Still, with options from Atlético Madrid, Tottenham, Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain, it's hard to see them complaining too much.
Finland
FIFA Rank: #54
Qualified as: 2nd Place in Group J
The Skinny
Finland's stunning 2nd-place finish in qualifying behind Italy secured the nation's first-ever major tournament appearance. The Eagle-Owls (what a great and confusing nickname) will hope to mark their debut with a shocking Cinderella run akin to that of their Scandinavian neighbors Iceland four years ago. For a squad short on proven international talent, and the lowest-ranked in the tournament, expectations are low. But if the last few major tournaments have taught us anything, it's to expect the unexpected.
The Best XI
Finland's squad isn't exactly chock full of household names, but their Best XI is bookended by two absolute no-brainers: Norwich City star Teemu Pukki up front, and Bayer Leverkeusen starter Lukáš Hrádecky in goal. Their back line options are a bit iffy, but there's a sneaky amount of quality ahead of them. The midfield consists of Rangers mainstay Alvin Kamara and attacking mids Frederick Jensen and Robin Lod, who have made a splash at Augsburg and Minnesota United, respectively. And alongside Pukki, the Fins have solid options in Brentford's Marcus Forss and Union Berlin's Joel Pohjanpalo.
Group Prediction
Belgium not winning this group may raise some eyebrows, as it did in 2016. But between the injury to De Bruyne and Denmark's quality and host status, I think the Danes might fare better in this round. Russia is certainly a level behind those two, but I think they might sneak a point off Belgium in that first match in St. Petersburg, and that plus a win over poor Finland should be enough to see them through to the Round of 16 as one of the higher-ranking 3rd-place teams.
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