UEFA EURO 2020

EURO 2020 & COVID-19

Europe’s most prestigious international tournament, which was scheduled from 12 June to 12 July 2020, was postponed to 2021 because of the drastic rise in COVID-19 cases in Europe. The pandemic brought a lot of bad news for football fans, but the delay of Euro 2020 was maybe the worst of them all.

UEFA’S PLANS FOR EURO 2020

The fans waited anxiously for the news about Euro 2020. It was confirmed by UEFA on 17 June 2020 that the tournament will be held in 2021 from 11June to 11 July. Even it’s happening the next year, the tournament will still be called ‘UEFA EURO 2020’. However, this special edition of EURO is different from the previously held editions, as it will be played in 12 cities across 12 different UEFA countries, due to the 60^th anniversary of the historic competition.

The quick list of 12 hosting countries goes as:

• England
• Germany
• Italy
• Azerbaijan
• Romania
• Russia
• Ireland
• The Netherlands
• Denmark
• Hungary
• Scotland
• Spain

THE TOURNAMENT’S INFRASTRUCTURE

In the past couple of seasons, the VAR has created ripples in European Football. FIFA World Cup 2018 was the first tournament where VAR was used in all matches. The mass opinion about VAR isn’t very positive but it’s an important step towards ensuring fair refereeing in football world. Consequently, UEFA has decided to use VAR in Euro 2020.

There will be 24 countries fighting for the glory, all of them will be sorted into 6 groups, each containing 4 teams, in the group stage. The top 2 teams of each group and also the 4 best 3^rd placed teams across all groups will advance to the Round of 16 of UEFA European Championship.

20 teams have already qualified for the tournament, while the other 4 teams will be decided in October and November 2020, after the play-offs will be completed. The famous and historic Wembley Stadium in London will host the semi-finals and final of the Euro in 2021. Also, the likes of Allianz Arena, San Mames, Johan Cruyff Arena and Olympic Stadium lead the list of 12 venues of the competition.

So far, the qualified teams are placed in groups as follows:

GROUP A:

• TURKEY
• ITALY
• WALES
• SWITZERLAND

GROUP B:

• DENMARK
• FINLAND
• BELGIUM
• RUSSIA

GROUP C:

• NETHERLANDS
• UKRAINE
• AUSTRIA
• PLAY-OFF WINNER

GROUP D:

• ENGLAND
• CROATIA
• PLAY-OFF WINNER
• CZECH REPUBLIC

GROUP E:

• SPAIN
• SWEDEN
• POLAND
• PLAY-OFF WINNER

GROUP D:

• PLAY-OFF WINNER
• PORTUGAL
• FRANCE
• GERMANY

That’s how the tournament, which will start from Olympic Stadium, Rome, will eventually evolve into the Grand Finale in The Wembley, London, where the 16^th edition Euro Championship will be concluded.Europe awaits!

HEAVY-WEIGHTS OF UEFA EURO 2020:

Europe is the home of football, many legendary figures and teams have risen from Europe in the history of the beautiful game. And when we have a tournament, solely for European teams? It’s a treat to watch and an event not to miss. The tournament contains many hot teams, which have got quite ahistory on International stages.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are the defending champions, after lifting the Euro trophy in 2016, and as long as they have the likes of Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo? They are the favourites to win it again, but it won’t be easy this time. As always, there are more names to talk about, the 2018 World Cup Champions and 2016 Euro Runner-ups; France AKA Les Blues are eyeing for the European Glory. Also, the Three Lions might turn the tables around as England will host crucial knock-out stages of the tournament, the home crowd of England won’t go easy on the rivals of their national team.

How can we forget Germans? The 2014 FIFA World Cup winners are always a dangerous side to face, after their fallout in 2018 World Cup, they have reinstated themselves and might take the European glory home.

However, all the magic ingredients are there, but only time will decide the one ultimate winner of Europe!

Click for the full schedule of the European Championships 2021