With just over two weeks before the 2024 UEFA European Championship gets underway, South African coach Roger De Sa has made a surprise prediction as to who could win the tournament.
The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund this coming Saturday will close the curtain on yet another eventful season in European club football.
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After that, all eyes will be on international football, with both the Euros and the Copa America, as well as 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, set to take centre stage for the months of June and July.
Many European nations have already confirmed their final and provisional squads for the continental tournament, with Spain being the latest to do so on Monday, joining the likes of England, Netherlands, and France.
With the showpiece set to take place in Germany, the hosts are not clear favourites to win the competition, with the Three Lions and Les Bleus seemingly leading the race in this regard.
However, De Sa, who is currently an assistant coach for the Qatar national team, believes Die Mannschaft will clinch the title on home soil.
"I would definitely go for the hosts Germany, I think they're going to be red-hot," he told KickOff.
Germany are the joint-most successful team in Euro history with three titles, a record matched only by Spain.
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Notably, though, Germany's last Euro title came almost three decades ago, in 1996.
Jullian Nagelsmann's side will play the opening match of the tournament against Scotland on 14 June, and will finish their group with fixtures against Hungary and Switzerland.
They will also be looking to make up for their disappointing showing at Euro 2020, when they were dumped out of the tournament at the round of 16 stage.
The last time they reached the final was in 2008, and that was followed by back-to-back third-place finishes in 2012 and 2016.
Euro 2024 is also set to be the last time Toni Kroos will play competitive football, with the midfielder having confirmed he will retire after the tournament.
His coach Nagelsmann has insisted Kroos will play an important role in his team at the competition, having come out of international retirement in March this year.
"I expect him to be a support for all players," the tactician said, per Bavarian Football Works.
"He helps other players extremely with his calmness on the ball and the awareness that everyone can give him the ball at any time.
"I've known him for a long time, but I only had a real personal impression of him in March. I said back then that on the street you wouldn't tell that he was one of the most successful players in the world.
"He's totally normal, down to earth and also speaks to young players. He was always there and only stood out for his good performances."
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