The Four Underdogs Who Could Send Shockwaves Through Euro 2020

The 2020 European Championship is scheduled to kick off on Friday with the game between Italy and Turkey at the Stadio Olimpico and fans will tune on to watch a tournament where France are considered to be the ultimate favourites to clinch the trophy.

However, all supporters are secretly fond of teams which may not have the quality of the frontrunners, but could take the rest by surprise by eliminating powerhouses, especially in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Let’s take a look at the four underdogs which are talented enough to send shockwaves through Euro 2020.

Denmark

Unbeaten in their last five matches, the Danish national team have gained momentum ahead of the Euro 2020. Denmark are in Group B along with Belgium, who top the FIFA rankings, Finland and Russia.

Having talented players such as Yussuf Poulsen, Kasper Dolberg , Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel in the squad, Denmark are a compact side with a solid defence and skilled midfield which could make the difference and go far in the tournament.

Turkey

Another team which have thrived lately, Turkey are unbeaten in their last six games, in which they registered four victories and two draws.

They attracted attention and where hailed by the media after their impressive 4-2 victory over Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers back in March, but have been building a strong and youthful side for some time now.

Boasting the second youngest squad in the competition, Turkey marry the experience of Lille striker Burak Ylmaz and AC Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu with the spark of prodigious defenders Caglar Soyuncu and Ozan Kabak.

Being in Group A along with Italy, Wales and Switzerland, Turkey may be regarded as underdogs, but are talented enough to clinch qualification to the next round and go even further.

Ukraine

Coached by former Chelsea and AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko, are another in-form underdog which have not been beaten in six games.

Featuring in Group C along with Netherlands, Austria and North Macedonia, the Ukrainian side could even finish top if they start the tournament in style against the Dutch side, which have not impressed recently.

West Ham midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko, Manchester City youngster Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gent’s Roman Yaremchuk are some of the players who stand out in a solid Ukraine side.

Wales

After reaching the semi-finals in the 2016 European Championship, Wales are set to compete for qualification to the knock out stages against Italy, Switzerland and Turkey.

Robert Page’s side may not boast the experience of the 2016 Euros team, but undoubtedly possess talented and enthusiastic youngsters in Neco Williams, Harry Wilson and Ethan Ampadu.

Can Gareth Bale rediscover his form and take this Wales team far in the tournament?