UEFA Euro 2024: Everything you need to know about it

UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany: Favorites, Venues, and Safety Measures

The ongoing men's European Football Championship, hosted by Germany, is the country's largest sporting event since the 2006 FIFA World Cup. As preparations ramp up, questions remain around which national teams are best poised for success, where the key matches will occur across Germany, and what security precautions will be implemented to ensure player and fan safety. Experts weigh in on the favorites to lift the trophy, the stadium venues that will welcome fans from across Europe, and the security strategy in place to conduct a safe and enjoyable event.

According to the top bookmakers monitoring the odds, England has emerged as the early favorite to win Euro 2024. The Three Lions finished as runners-up in 2020 and will be motivated to go one step further on German soil. Close behind are World Cup champions France, who many see as possessing the talent to finally win at the Euros. As hosts, Germany will have the formidable 12th man of home support behind them in their quest for a fourth European title. However, Italy, who defeated England in the final just two years ago, have seen their stock fall significantly and are sixth in the betting odds.

When considering the FIFA rankings, France, in second place globally behind Argentina, has the strongest pedigree on paper. Belgium, England, and Portugal, ranking 3rd, 4th, and 6th respectively, also have the world rankings to back up their status as serious title contenders. Germany sits 16th but will hope home advantage can improve on its current form. Among the competitors, Georgia has the furthest to go, placing 75th and as the lowest FIFA-ranked nation participating in Euro 2024. Albania, Slovakia, and Georgia will need miraculous runs to avoid long-shot status.

Just as we saw in 2020 and 2022, Euro 2024 will employ the now standard 24-country format for the group stage. The six groups will each feature four teams playing a round-robin within their group. The top two finishers from each group will move directly to the knockout round of 16. Joining them will be the four best third-place teams overall when comparing records across all groups.

If two or more teams are level on points after their three group matches, head-to-head results between those teams will be used first to separate them. For teams finishing third that are level on points in different groups, goal difference across the initial group matches will serve as the tiebreaker.

Following the round of 16, proceedings will continue through the quarterfinals and semifinals before reaching the final. Should scores be level after 90 minutes in any knockout match, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played, with a penalty shootout if still required to settle a winner. This format provides an appropriate balance of teams while keeping the intensity high throughout the tournament.

Euro 2024 will be spread across 10 different stadiums in Germany, with the three largest venues shouldering the bulk of the hosting duties. Berlin's magnificent Olympiastadion (capacity 71,000), along with the Allianz Arena in Munich (66,000) and Signal Iduna Park of Dortmund (62,000), will each stage six matches.

The German capital's Olympiastadion is the venue for the final on July 14th, and it hosts a quarterfinal, round of 16 clash, and three group games. Euro 2024 gets underway on June 14th as Germany faces Scotland in Munich. Five matches will be held in each of Stuttgart (51,000), Hamburg (49,000), Düsseldorf (47,000), Frankfurt (47,000) and Cologne (43,000). Rounding it out are four matches apiece in Leipzig (40,000) and Gelsenkirchen (50,000).

Robust Security Measures in Place

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has stressed that ensuring a safe and secure Euro 2024 tournament is the top priority for security authorities. A massive police presence will be felt at all stadiums and large fan gathering areas. Stricter border controls will also be temporarily implemented. The goal is to prevent any threatening individuals like terrorists or violent football hooligans from gaining access to Germany during the competition period.

For example, the UK government has proactively issued travel bans for around 1,600 domestic fans with existing records of disorderly or dangerous conduct at matches. Their exit from Britain will be restricted for the duration of Euro 2024.

It's clear German and European security forces will be leaving nothing to chance when it comes to monitoring points of entry and maintaining safe conditions everywhere matches are played and fans congregate. A successful hosting of football's third biggest international tournament will depend on upholding the highest security standards.