As the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament progresses in Germany, several underdog teams have made surprising impacts in their opening matches, challenging the dominance of traditional football powerhouses.
While pre-tournament favorites such as hosts Germany, France, England, and Spain have secured victories in their initial games, lesser-known teams have begun to turn heads with impressive performances.
Romania Stuns with Emphatic Victory
Romania, often overlooked in pre-tournament discussions, made a strong statement with a 3-0 win against Ukraine in Group E. Nicolae Stanciu’s stunning strike set the tone, followed by goals from Răzvan Marin and Denis Drăguș. This performance has put Romania in a favorable position as they prepare to face Belgium in their next match.
Slovakia Upsets Belgium
In another Group E surprise, Slovakia secured a 1-0 victory over Belgium, thanks to an early goal from Ivan Schranz. Led by Italian manager Francesco Calzona and boasting experienced players like Juraj Kucka and Milan Škriniar, Slovakia has positioned itself well for advancement to the knockout stages.
Slovenia Returns with Promise
Making their first Euro appearance in 24 years, Slovenia held Denmark to a 1-1 draw in Group C. Erik Janža’s late equalizer demonstrated the team’s resilience. With talents like Jan Oblak and Benjamin Šeško, Slovenia looks to build on this result in their upcoming match against Serbia.
These unexpected results have added excitement to the tournament, suggesting that the path to the Euro 2024 title may not be as straightforward for the favorites as initially thought. As the group stage continues, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if these underdogs can maintain their momentum and potentially create more upsets in the coming weeks.