Ranking Euro underdogs: Could Ukraine, Austria, Turkiye and others pull of a 2004 Greece?

The UEFA 2024 Euro is about to begin and will feature the most important European teams such as France, England, Germany, Spain, Portugal among others who will try to repeat Italy’s success in 2021. However, in recent decades, the Euro has been a tournament full of surprises, like in 2016, when Portugal managed to beat hosts France. The choice of surprising editions was 2004, when Otto Rehhagel led Greece to glory, defeating hosts Portugal in the final. Who could be next?

We ranked the top five underdogs:

5. Hungary

Hungary already surprised in the last edition of the competition, when in 2021 the team led by Italian coach Marco Rossi played against Germany, France and Portugal in the group stage of the tournament. Despite the tough teams they faced, Hungary drew twice with Germany and France, but then lost to Portugal in the final game of the initial group stage. The talented players, led by star Dominik Szoboszlai, can improve this summer as they face Switzerland, Germany and Scotland and could potentially attempt to qualify for the last 16.

4. Ukraine

Definitely a team to watch out for this summer, as Ukraine will play in Group E against Belgium, Slovakia and Romania in one of the most balanced groups of the tournament. Ukraine can count on players like Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Artem Dovbyk, a talented squad and, most importantly, a nation that, despite the current situation, will support its team throughout the tournament. The players will certainly do everything in their power to achieve the maximum and they have the talent to make that happen. Furthermore, considering the teams they will face, they have a great chance of qualifying for at least the knockout stage.

3. Serbia

Serbia was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2022 World Cup, as the team failed to win a single game and finished in last place in the group stage, after losing to Switzerland and Brazil, and only drawing with Cameroon. Coach Dragan Stojkovic will count on players such as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Dusan Vlahovic, Lazar Samardzic among others and will face England, Slovenia and Denmark in the group. Although the Three Lions will likely end up winning the group stage, Serbia will likely fight for second place in the table.

2. Austria

Ralf Rangnick’s team is one that we need to keep an eye on this summer due to its potential and also the quality of football demonstrated during the qualifying phase. The former Manchester United coach was called to rebuild the team and create a new cycle that could be successful in the coming years, and that was also why he decided to turn down the Bayern Munich job after the Euros. Austria will face a challenging group stage against France, Poland and the Netherlands. However, none of these big teams should underestimate the potential of Rangnick’s team.

1. Türkiye

Lastly, Turkey. The Turkish team will face Portugal, Georgia and the Czech Republic in the group stage and will have a chance to impress. Vincenzo Montella’s team is full of talent: Arda Guler, from Real Madrid, Hakan Calhanoglu, from Inter, and Kenan Yıldız, from Juventus, are just some of the names that will be present. Turkey have the opportunity to become serious underdogs in the tournament, and the group stage sees them most likely to finish second behind Portugal. After that, anything is possible.