Euro 2024 hasn’t disappointed SBOTOP football fans from all over the world, as we’ve all been treated to numerous Euro 2024 highlights from all 24 countries that have competed in the quadrennial tournament.
After three group stage matchdays, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Spain, Italy, England, Denmark, Slovenia, Austria, France, and the Netherlands have moved on to the next round, while there’s still more to play in Groups E and F.
All of them made it this far because of their key players, although there are some whose performances caught most people by surprise.
Marcel Sabitzer, Austria
Austria’s improbable rise to the top of Group D is mainly because Ralf Rangnick’s players bought into his system, with an emphasis on creating chaos for their opponents through Gegenpressing.
Their Euro 2024 campaign got off to a poor start when they lost 1-0 to France in the opener despite their valiant stand, but they picked it up with back-to-back victories over Poland and the Netherlands, where they scored six goals while conceding three on the other end.
Marcel Sabitzer has regained his mojo, especially under Ralf Rangnick in Austria. Once a Bayern Munich and Manchester United outcast, Sabitzer was a key player for Borussia Dortmund, having recorded five goals and eight assists this year.
Sabitzer can play multiple roles for Das Team. But he has excelled the most in his No. 10 role in Euro 2024. The 30-year-old scored, arguably, Austria’s most important goal to date, the match-winner in their 3-2 upset of the Netherlands, when he converted Christoph Baumgartner’s through ball with a powerful drive.
Ivan Schranz, Slovakia
The frontrunner of the Euro 2024 Golden Boot race is not Euro 2024 odds favourites Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Kylian Mbappe, but it’s Ivan Schranz, a guy from Bratislava, Slovenia.
The Slavia Prague striker has scored two goals so far in Germany, which is level with Niclas Fullkrug, Cody Gakpo, Georges Mikautadze, and Jamal Musiala.
Slovakia got off to a dream start when they defeated Group E favourites Belgium in the opening match, as Schranz found the back of the net in the seventh minute after volleying in the ball from a rebound following Koen Casteels’ save from Juraj Kucka.
Ivan Schranz almost gave Slovakia their second win of the tournament when he scored via a header in the 16th minute following a well-executed throw-in routine by Lukas Haraslin and David Hancko that caught Ukrainian defenders off guard.
Unfortunately for Slovakia, they couldn’t pull out the win, as Mykola Shaparenko and Roman Yaremchuk scored twice in the second half to give Ukraine the three points.
Two matchdays in, and Group E suddenly became the most competitive group in the competition, as Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine have one win and one loss apiece, and all of them have a realistic chance of advancing to the next round.
Riccardo Calafiori, Italy
With Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci no longer around, there were valid concerns about Italy’s backline, but now it seems they’re set for the future with Riccardo Calafiori growing up in front of our eyes.
The 22-year-old centre-back has had an up-and-down run so far, but he showed up when it mattered most, especially in their 1-1 draw against Croatia yesterday that sent Luka Modric and co. home.
After notching an own goal in their 1-0 loss to Spain, Calafiori was a rock at the back for Italy, and he was the one who assisted Mattia Zaccagni for the stoppage-time equaliser.
Other than that, the Bologna defender also recorded two more chances created, five clearances, and 73 touches. Calafiori also went 75-per cent in long ball accuracy, 93-per cent in pass accuracy, 100-per cent in aerial duels won, and 100-per cent in cross accuracy.
Unfortunately for the Azzurri, Riccardo Calafiori will have to serve his one-match suspension against Switzerland in the Round of 16 after picking up his second yellow card when he took one for the team to stop a dangerous Croatian counter-attack late in the game.
Nico Williams, Spain
Nico Williams was named Man of the Match in Spain’s 1-0 victory against Italy because of his threat to attack every time he touched the ball. It didn’t matter who was guarding him, as he would use his blistering speed to get behind the defence.
Even if he has yet to score a goal, Nico Williams showed exactly why he’s one of the best young wingers in the world here in Euro 2024. He has been so good to the point that he has slightly outshined Lamine Yamal.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
