Dense and spicy. Here are adjectives that are perfect when describing a competition like the Euro. The French team has already paid the price, eliminated in the round of 16 by Switzerland during the last edition of the competition, in 2021.
This year, the Blues will travel to Germany with the label of favorites in Group D and the desire to avoid the traps. Even if they did not negotiate well their last rally before the event, with a defeat against Germany, Saturday March 23 in Lyon (2-0), and a narrow victory against Chile, this Tuesday March 26 in Marseille (3-2).
At the Euro, Kylian Mbappé and his partners will face Austria in turn (June 17, at 9 p.m.), the Netherlands (June 21 at 9 p.m.), then Poland (June 25, at 6 p.m.). Less than three months before the start of the competition, an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each of these teams.
Euphoric Poland
The youngest, freshly arrived after qualifying on penalties, this Tuesday against Wales (0-0, 5-4 on the tab). The Polish selection, led by its pillars like Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona), Wojciech Szczęsny (Juventus) and Piotr Zieliński (Naples) snatched its ticket to Germany.
This opponent, eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup by the France team (3-1), finished 3rd in its qualifying group for the Euro, behind Albania and the Czech Republic. His results fluctuate and Fernando Santos, who took charge of the team after the World Cup, was replaced last September by Michal Probierz.
The latter achieved his objective, that of sending his nation to the Euro. He was delighted about it in the columns of L’Équipe: “I immediately called my family after the match but it’s not me that’s important, it’s the team, and I’m very happy for them. Now I’m going to enjoy a little, go play golf, drink a glass of whiskey and smoke a cigar. »
The selection, however, suffers from the less flashy performances of Robert Lewandowski, author of 3 goals in his eight qualifying matches. A total much lower than those of Cristiano Ronaldo (10), Kylian Mbappé (9) or even Harry Kane (8). Players with whom the Pole once competed. The striker was nevertheless supported by his coach: “There are very few players like him who can sacrifice themselves for the team like he does. I am very satisfied with it. »
Before the start of the competition, the Poles, whose first match is scheduled against the Netherlands on June 16, will play two friendly matches. They will first face Ukraine, then Turkey.
Austria in good shape
She finished 2nd in her group during the qualifiers, a small point behind Belgium. Austria, victorious in its last five meetings (including one against Germany in November), dominated Turkey this Tuesday in a friendly match (6-1).
Absent from the 2022 World Cup, the Austrian selection was eliminated from Euro 2021 by Italy (2-1), future champion, in the round of 16. Since then, Ralf Rangnick has taken over as head of the team and is recording positive results. A renowned tactician, the father of counter-pressing – which he developed during his coaching career in Germany – won 10 matches at the head of the selection, for 3 draws and 5 defeats.
During the Euro, however, Austria should be deprived of its best player, David Alaba, victim of a cruciate ligament rupture last December with Real Madrid. Ralf Rangnick also did without Guido Burgstaller, Marco Grüll and Niklas Hedl during the last rally, due to homophobic chants sung by the Rapid Vienna players: “This is something I will not tolerate in a team where I am a coach – whether at club or here with the national team. »
The selection can still rely on experienced elements like Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund) or Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich). But also Ligue 1 players: Kevin Danso (RC Lens) and Muhammed Cham (Clermont Foot). Before its first meeting of the European Championship (June 17 against the France team), it will challenge Serbia and Switzerland in friendly matches.
The Netherlands frustrated
He left the selection in the heart of the summer of 2020, without being able to play in the Euro, postponed due to the pandemic. A little over a year later, Ronald Koeman was ousted from FC Barcelona. Helpless, he observed the Dutch eliminations in the round of 16 of the 2021 European Championship (2-0 against the Czech Republic) and in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup (2-2, 4-2 on the tab against Argentina). ). The Netherlands coach returned to his position in 2023 and wants to make up for lost time.
During the qualifiers, the Oranje finished second in their group, behind the Blues. They had lost twice against Didier Deschamps’ gang (4-0 in France, 2-1 in the Netherlands). The Dutch selection once again showed its limits against big teams, with its 2-1 defeat against Germany on Tuesday.
Ronald Koeman particularly pointed out the lack of aggressiveness of his team: “We gave Toni Kroos too much freedom. Players like him are great, they have good vision. France had no response to that either. » Last June, his team failed in the semi-final of the League of Nations against Croatia (4-2), then in the match for 3rd place against Italy (3-2).
The Dutch team is made up of experienced players, like Memphis Depay (Atlético de Madrid), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) or Daley Blind (Girona), but also young players, like Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig). Before its first Euro match against Poland (June 16), it will face Canada and Iceland in friendly matches.
