It's finally arrived. Euro 2024! A Euros without Covid restrictions or one sprawled out over the continent. Europe's finest are heading to Germany instead to battle it out to be champions. France and England are the early favourites for glory, but Spain, Belgium, reigning champions Italy, The Netherlands and the hosts Germany will all fancy their chances. Scotland and the tartan army are joining the party too - can they spring a surprise?
So what better to celebrate this feast of football with a mini-survey! We surveyed 125 UK fans to have their say on the tournament. And these are the results!
Top Findings
The big nations to win their groups but Scotland tipped to crash out at the first hurdle
Germany, Spain, England, France, Belgium and Portugal are all tipped to win their groups with Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, Ukraine and Czech Republic to qualify in the runner up spots. Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia and Turkey will have to try and claim a 3rd place qualifying spot but Scotland, Albania, Slovenia, Austria, Romania and Georgia are set for an early exit.
2. England predicted to win and Kylian Mbappe to get The Golden Boot
Hosts England are predicted to win (42%) their first European trophy. France are second favourites at 30% followed by Spain where almost 1 in 10 think Yamal & co. will take the title. Despite the majority of fans tipping Scotland to finish bottom, 4% believe they can go the whole way - Andy Robertson will be pleased!
Cristiano Ronaldo claimed Euro 2020's Golden Boot with 5 goals but it is the 2018 World Cup Winner and Real Madrid bound Kylian Mbappe (35%) who is tipped to take the Golden Boot ahead of Harry Kane (26%). Other players in the mix include Ronaldo (10%), Jude Bellingham (10%), Scott McTominay (3%) and Robert Lewandowksi (2%).
3. Defence could scupper England's chances
Fans were asked to look over the provisional England squad and pick out players/areas of the team they were happy with and then those they were not so happy with.
What are Fans happy with?: Fans seem happy with the goalkeepers (Pickford), midfielders (Mainoo and Rice) and forwards particularly (Foden, Kane and Grealish - the latter now dropped). The midfield and attacking contingent is one of the strongest in Europe.
What are Fans unhappy with?: Defence is a key area of concern although it seems the experienced Trippier and Walker have been spared. The inexperienced Adam Wharton has been identified as a player of dispute, despite a fine run of form for Crystal Palace. Some fans are unhappy with the attackers including Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins. Perhaps the omission of Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling and Callum Wilson has made some fans unhappy (42% wanted Rashford in the squad).
First image: Happy with click map
Second image: Unhappy with click map
4. A welcome boost for pubs as 1 in 2 intend to watch the Euros at their local
We asked fans where they were going to watch Euro 2024 and with the news that pub opening hours would extend if either one of the home nations made the semi-finals... it is perhaps unsurprising 1 in 2 are planning to watch from the pub. The vast majority are planning to watch games at home though (80%), 2 in 5 around friends and family, 1 in 3 at a sports bar and 1 in 10 at BoxPark. 1 in 3 (36%) are planning buying and drinking German beer especially for the tournament.
5. UK fans would prefer to watch the Euros on the BBC than ITV
BBC and ITV have the hosting rights this summer but there is a clear winner as to which channel is preferred to watch coverage. BBC with the team of Lineker, Shearer and Micah Richards are favoured (54%) over the likes of Mark Pougatch (formerly BBC), Roy Keane and Gary Neville (25%).
5. VAR continues to divide opinion - 1 in 3 want VAR to be banned
VAR has played its part in plenty of controversy in the Premier League this season with fans of other divisions relieved that VAR hasn't reached the lower leagues as of yet. Over 1 in 3 (37%) agree they want it banned from this year's Euro 2024 tournament. But just as many disagree (35%) and want to keep it in place, the remainder are undecided. Are you VAR IN or VAR OUT?
6. 1 in 2 fans agree that buying unofficial England shirts is acceptable
You can buy the official England kit for £124.99 from Nike - well it is now sold out so it is clearly still a price fans are willing to pay. The Scotland kit is more reasonable at £64.99 but it is hardly an inexpensive outlay either. So it is unsurprising that over half of fans (55%) agree it is acceptable to buy an unofficial kit (I picked up mine from a local Car boot sale!). 1 in 6 disagree (17%) and are willing to pay the price!
7. Sentiment is positive towards Southgate - fans are happy with what he had to say pre-tournament and would like him to stay on even if he doesn't come home with the trophy
A World Cup quarter final and semi-final and a European final. Expectations are clear and this time realistically a trophy is achievable. But if Southgate can't bring the Henri Delaunay trophy home, should he stay on as manager. He already has intimated tat he won't speak about his future until after the tournament but 43% of fans think he should stay anyway but 1 in 4 (27%) would want a change in the hotseat.
We tested Southgate's reaction to the group draw and no negative sentiment was recorded - if anything it got more positive...
8. Scotland fans share similar sentiment towards Steve Clarke
A lot of spectators and pundits suggest Scotland would be doing well to get out of a tricky group that contains the hosts but if the Scots don't make it, almost half of fans (47%) think he should stay on regardless while only 8% disagree. Almost half were unsure.
9. Scottish fans placed a lot of faith in Ben Doak - injury has meant he is now out the squad
332 minutes of senior football. But the winger/forward's inclusion has perhaps come as a leap of faith as Scottish attacking players lack that cutting edge. So much so that 43% of fans think he should start against Germany while only 8% disagree. Born in 2005 (yes, you read that correctly) the 18 year old is hoping to kick off his career much like Wayne Rooney or Michael Owen.
Source: Getty Images
10. A wildcard team entry for Europe's talent that missed out - this splits fans...
A team with Erling Haaland, Dejan Kulusevski, Martin Odegaard, Evan Johnson, Brennan Johnson & Alexander Isak. Could be some team. But we put to fans would they welcome a wildcard team such as this to ensure all of Europe's top talent make the major tournament. Or should the competition stick to qualifying nations?
Almost half (45%) say it is a great idea but 55% say stick to tradition - a penny for your thoughts UEFA?
Do you want a survey for your business, to generate content or just about anything? Get in touch elliot@ferninsight.com