Who are the top five dark horses of Euro 2024

After several months of preparation, the 2024 European championship is almost upon us, with just a few days away. 

The coaches of the 24 teams that have booked their tickets to Germany have begun announcing their squads, and we are beginning to have a feel for what to expect in the showpiece event.

This year’s edition is one of the most hotly anticipated tournaments in years, and fans are already buying their Euro 2024 tickets with the hope they will get premium entertainment in the event. 

Indeed, we expect drama and excitement when Germany and Scotland kick off the event on June 14. 

However, before a ball is even kicked, teams like France, England and Portugal are considered clear favourites to go the distance and win the tournament. But the favourites do not always win. 

The Greek class of 2004 and the Portugal team of 2016 are examples of 21st-century teams that have defied the odds to win the European Championship. 

Morocco’s success in the 2022 World Cup is another example of unfancied nations shocking the best teams in a competition.

Therefore, all 24 teams in the tournament will come with the hopes of making history. In this article, we look at the top five teams that can actually make history this summer: the dark horses that can mount a surprise run to the final and shock Europe this year.

Belgium

Belgium may be ranked third in the FIFA rankings, but many punters do not consider them one of the favourites to win this year’s tournament. 

There was a time when the Red Devils were always among the favourite teams to win any major tournament when they had the Golden Generation, with peak Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen, Yannick Carrasco, Axel Witsel, Mousa Dembélé, Dries Mertens, Marouane Fellaini, and Toby Alderweireld the stars of that team. 

However, with much of the famed Golden Generation now retired from international football and the coach that managed them during that period, Roberto Martinez, now gone, this current team is quietly considered by many as not being as strong.

But it would be foolish to rule out this current Belgium team. They may not have the star names their predecessors had, but they are still a very solid side that can beat anyone on their day. 

The team is blessed with several talented stars like Jeremy Doku, Lois Openda, Leandro Trossard, Romelu Lukaku, Amadou Onana, Thibaut Courtois, and the ever-green Kevin De Bruyne. 

Under the tutelage of Domenico Tedesco, these players have the potential to mount a surprise Euro title challenge.

And in case anyone is doubting their ability, the Red Devils have shown they should be taken seriously with a flawless qualifiers campaign. 

Tedesco’s men won eight out of their ten qualifier games (D2), scoring 22 times and conceding just four goals. Such form puts them in a good position to mount an unlikely Euro 2024 quest, six years after their best-ever finish in a major tournament–a third-place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Croatia

2018 World Cup finalists Croatia are another team to look out for in this year's European Championship.

The Vatreni have developed the reputation of being a 'tournament team' after recent success in the last two editions of the FIFA World Cup, reaching the finals in 2018 and finishing third in the 2022 edition. 

However, they have yet to have much success in the continental stage, as they have fallen at the last 16 stage in their last two Euro outings, so they will expect to improve on those performances as they target another strong run in a major tournament.

Zlatko Dalic's side qualified for the showpiece in Germany by narrowly finishing second in their qualifiers group, one point behind Turkey after recording five wins in eight games (D1, L2). They have been drawn in what looks like a tough group alongside Spain, Italy and Albania in Germany. 

However, Croatia should get good results against Italy and Spain, while the Albanians will be awkward yet beatable opponents.

Should they progress past the group stage, Zlatko Dalic's side could mount a title challenge. They have proven themselves to be masters of knockout football and have the confidence to take sides to penalties, having beaten Japan and Brazil in the last World Cup.

However, Vatreni’s major hindrance may be their lack of star names and a prolific striker. But their strength has never been about star names but collective effort anyway, with Luka Modric the only big name in the squad. 

It is their cohesion and ability to manage games and handle big occasions that make Croatia one of the lesser-known teams that can do big things.

Watch out for them!

Turkey

After several years of mediocrity in the world and continental stage, this could be Turkey’s year.

Vincenzo Montella’s side may not have the history or players other teams listed in this group have, but they deserve to be mentioned as one of the tournament’s dark horses after a brilliant run in the qualifiers. 

Türkiye finished top in a group comprising Croatia, Wales, Armenia and Latvia, showing they deserve some more respect.

That said, it is understandable why they are not shown as much respect as most of their players ply their trade in the Super Lig. 

Yet, this could be the year the Crescent Stars will finally exceed expectations or at least match their Euro 2008 record when Türkiye reached the semifinal, finishing in third place.

This year, they have been drawn in Group F alongside Portugal, Georgia, and the Czech Republic. The toughest challenge there is Portugal, which is likely to finish as group winner, while the Czech Republic and Georgia are beatable opponents. 

Should they qualify from this group, they could go a long distance in the competition, considering that they have an energetic and improving squad. They will also be one of the most supported teams in the competition, with a good chunk of the Turkish diaspora in Germany ready to support them.

Scotland

Despite being the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, Scotland’s football heritage is not fanciful.

The Tartan Army have never done well in major tournaments and is still looking for an elusive medal in both the World Cup and Euros. 

But this could be the year the nation comes home with a medal, finally fulfilling the promise Ally MacLeod famously made to the nation in the 1978 World Cup.

Although Steve Clarke’s men have been drawn into a tough group alongside Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland, they have good reason to believe they can qualify from this group and go the distance. 

They proved their quality during the qualifiers for this tournament by winning their first five qualifier games, including beating Spain and finishing second in their group behind La Roja.

Their only criticism is that they have not performed well since qualifying for the Euros, with zero wins from their last five games (D2, L3). 

However, most of those games held little significance, so Steve Clarke’s men should be judged by their attitude when it mattered the most. They have proven to be a disciplined and hardworking side that can trouble any team on their day.

Hungary

After a brilliant qualifying campaign, Hungary has emerged as one of the teams to watch in the 2024 European Championship.

The Magyars became one of the first teams to book their ticket to Germany after finishing top of their group with an unblemished record (W5, D3). 

Led by Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboslai, this new generation of Hungary is showing signs of producing the kind of magic their predecessors of the 1980s produced. 

Marco Rossi’s side is stubborn and aggressive, and their performance in the 2022/23 Nations League proves they can not only compete but can also beat Europe’s best clubs.

Hungary has not lost a game since a 2-0 loss to Italy in September 2022, winning ten and drawing four of the 14 games they have played since. 

With Germany, Switzerland, and Scotland in their Euro 2024 group, the Magyars have a big chance of qualifying from their group and going the distance.