All eyes on EURO 2024: Everything you should know before kickoff

The highly anticipated EURO 2024 tournament is only a few weeks away. So we're bringing you all the latest insights, like who's made the cut, which star players will be hitting the field, and who's likely to win. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or a casual viewer, here's everything you need to know before the first whistle blows.

Guide to the UEFA EURO Championship

This year's UEFA European Championship hosted by Germany marks the 17th edition of the prestigious competition, bringing national teams from across the continent together to compete for the coveted title. The EURO qualifying rounds were held throughout last year, with the playoffs to decide the last three spots concluding in March this year. Here are all 24 teams that made the cut:

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D	Group E	Group F
Germany	Spain	Slovenia	Poland	Belgium	Turkiye
Scotland	Croatia	Denmark	Netherlands	Slovakia	Georgia
Hungary	Italy	Serbia	Austria	Romania	Portugal
Switzerland	Albania	England	France	Ukraine	Czechia

The final tournament is due to start on June 14th. As usual, the format includes group stage matches followed by several knockout rounds. The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four, as shown in the table above. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16. From there, it's a straight knockout format leading up to the grand final on July 14th at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. A total of 51 matches will be played across ten cities in Germany, including Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.

Who to watch out for, and who to bet on?

The tournament is set to showcase Europe's best talent, from France's Kylian Mbappe with his electrifying pace and clinical finishing to England's prolific goal scorer Harry Kane, looking to lead his team to their first European Championship victory. Pedri of Spain is another star attraction. Despite his young age, his feats at Barcelona have already shown he can control the midfield against the best in the world.

Teams like Belgium, led by the talented Kevin De Bruyne, and Portugal, with the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, are also expected to make a big splash. Italy have a mix of seasoned players and exciting new talent that'll be looking to defend their title as current champions. Playing at home, Germany will also be eager to put on a great show.

According to Sportytrader's euro 2024 picks, England is the favorite to win, with France a close second. These are definitely the strongest teams so you'll want to put your money down on any of them potentially winning the competition. However, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium have solid teams as well, so you may also want to keep an eye on those as they progress through the competition.

The EURO 2024 aims to promote the spirit of togetherness and shared love for the sport, hence its slogan, "United by Football - Vereint im Herzen Europas." So mark your calendars for June 14th and get ready to witness the passion, joy and footballing excellence that only the European Championship can deliver.