Euro Shot!
Why Maddison and Hojbjerg Offer Spurs Fans a Shot at Summer Glory
When the draw for EURO 2024 was made, there would have been plenty of laughter around the camp at the Enfield training ground.
It has paired James Maddison’s England with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s Denmark, who will take their places in Group C alongside Serbia and Slovenia.
Opportunity knocks for both then, with serious ramifications for the knockout phase of the competition based upon their Group C meeting.
Date with Destiny
Those that bet on EURO 2024 are backing England in such volume that Gareth Southgate’s men have now been shortened to 3/1 favourites to lift the trophy.
The football betting guides may focus on France’s pedigree in big tournaments, or the perks of being hosts – which hands Germany something of an edge, but punters are adamant, whether betting with heart or mind, that England’s near 60-year wait for a major win is coming to an end.
But the jury is still out on the depth of the Three Lions’ squad in certain areas, particularly in defence and defensive midfield. Does Southgate have the resources here to make a genuine bid for the title?
One department in which he isn’t lacking is attack, with Harry Kane leading the line and a galaxy of talent behind him. Southgate is awash with creative left-footed stars, but right-footed forwards – one of whom he will presumably pick to cut in from the left-hand side – are rather thinner on the ground.
Eberechi Eze had a fine end to the season with Crystal Palace, while Anthony Gordon drew plaudits for his performances at Newcastle. Jack Grealish, despite struggling for minutes at Manchester City, is another that occupies the role.
But wouldn’t you put James Maddison at the head of that class? He served up 13 goal involvements for Spurs in an injury-hit campaign, including two assists in the last three games of the season.
He can play as an inverted winger off the left, so to restore some balance to Southgate’s probable 4-3-3 shape, Maddison could yet gatecrash England’s starting eleven.
And as tournament favourites, that means he could get his hands on the EURO 2024 trophy this summer.
Great Danes
European champions in 1992 and semi-finalists in 2021, this tournament has been a happy hunting ground for Denmark over the years.
Their current squad perhaps isn’t the strongest in the annals of Danish football, but if they can finish second in Group C that would be a considerable feat – not only would they progress to the Round of 16, they would be placed in the top half of the draw… probably away from England and France, depending on how the groups play out.
And then, well, knockout football has a habit of being remarkably unpredictable.
Hojbjerg will be a central figure in the Denmark midfield alongside Christian Eriksen, while the likes of Andreas Christensen, Simon Kjaer and Yussuf Poulsen will offer continental class around them.
The Danes took four points off Slovenia in EURO 2024 qualifying, which bodes well, and while England will prove daunting opposition, Hojbjerg and co will surely fancy getting a result against Serbia.
That would sweep them into the knockout phase, where at least two Tottenham stars are likely to have a chance of international glory this summer.
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