The 2024 UEFA Euros kick off on June 14th and of the six groups, Group D may be packed with the most star power. Each team has at least one elite player who can create magic. We break down the 2024 Euros Group D along with giving you our predictions and best bets to make for the group stage.
2024 Euros Group D
Team Overviews
Poland
Although many teams in the Euros have aging rosters and star players on their way out, none may be as big of a difference-maker as forward Robert Lewandowski. The 35-year-old has the most goals (82) and appearances (148) in Polish national team history. The next closest player in goals had 48 and the next closest in appearances had 109. To say Lewandowski is the best Polish player of all time is an understatement but he has yet to see success in major international competitions. The furthest they’ve gone with Lewandowski in the Euros was in 2020 when they got to the quarterfinals and in the FIFA World Cup they’ve only gotten to the round of 16 once in 2022.
This is the “last dance” for Lewandowski and likely this Polish team. Although they have some solid players outside of Lewandowski, it’s unlikely any of them can carry Poland like Lewandowski has during his career. They have a really tough group and will have their hands full. They’ll need Lewandowski at his best and need some help as it’s likely their only chance of qualifying is as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage.
Major USA Sports Team Comparison: Pre-2017 Washington Capitals
Netherlands
Although they had plenty of success in the early to mid-2000s, since 2014, the Netherlands has been stuck in the mud. They made the semifinals in the 2000 and 2004 Euros and finished in second and third respectively in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Since then, it’s been rocky, to say the least. They didn’t qualify for the 2016 Euros or the 2018 World Cup and, lost in the quarterfinals in the 2022 World Cup and the round of 16 in the 2020 Euros. With the talent they have, that is simply unacceptable.
The good news for the Netherlands is that their team is as good as ever. They have one of the best defenses in the world with Matthijs de Ligt, Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Aké and Stefan de Vrij. On top of their stacked defense, they have Frankie de Jong and Xavi Simons in the midfield along with Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo at forward. This team is absolutely stacked and few teams are as complete as they are. Can they overcome their recent struggles, or will they again blow a great chance at international glory?
Major USA Sports Team Comparison: New York Rangers
Austria
While Austria probably has the weakest team on paper of the four, they are a textbook example of a team being more than the sum of its parts. There isn’t necessarily a household name on this team for the newer soccer fans, but midfielders Marcel Sabitzer and Christoph Baumgartner along with forward Marko Arnautović are not to be underestimated.
The majority of the Austrian players play club football either in Germany or Austria. They know how to play the game the right way and excel at the little things that make teams great. They won’t get beat tactically and they won’t lose the game, other teams will have to take it from them. The team hasn’t accomplished anything of note since taking third in the 1954 World Cup, but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous. They likely won’t qualify, but don’t be surprised if they take a few more points from their group than expected.
Major USA Sports Team Comparison: Tennessee Titans
France
Simply put, there is no team as talented on paper as France and it looks like it’ll be that way for a while. Defenders Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, midfielders Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and forwards Randal Kolo Muani and Kylian Mbappé are all under 25 and are absolute studs. Mbappe is likely the best player in the world right now and being surrounded by this much talent only makes him even more dangerous.
France has won and placed second in the last two World Cups, but has only made it past the quarterfinals once in the Euros since 2004. There is no excuse for this French team that is arguably the best team in the world. Will they continue their dominance on the world stage or be upset in shocking fashion?
Major USA Sports Team Comparison: Early 2000’s New England Patriots
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Group D Predictions
This group is surely France’s to lose. The Netherlands are likely their biggest competition, and in two games against the Netherlands in the Euros qualifying, France won both games by a combined score of 6-1. There is likely no scenario in which they don’t at least qualify for the knockout rounds, but the question is who will join them.
The Netherlands should take second in this group so the question becomes who takes last between Austria and Poland. Austria has a solid team, but Poland has Lewandowski which should be enough for them to take third. Unfortunately for the Polish, it seems unlikely that they can capture enough points to qualify for the knockout rounds as one of the better third-place teams.
2022 UEFA Euros Schedule – Group D
Here is the 2024 UEFA Euros schedule for Group D matches.
Sunday, Jun. 16
9:00 AM ET: Poland vs Netherlands
Monday, Jun. 17
3:00 PM ET: Austria vs France
Friday, Jun. 21
12:00 PM ET: Poland vs Austria
3:00 PM ET: Netherlands vs France
Tuesday, Jun. 25
12:00 PM ET: Netherlands vs Austria
12:00 PM ET: France vs Poland
Group D Best Bets
Outright Euros Winner (France): +400
Austria Not to Advance: -120
France and Netherlands Top 2 in Exact Order: +140
