France

The World Champion, the French national team, last won the European Football Championship in 2000, and if successful this year, this team would finally silence all skeptics and once again prove that it is the best team in the world. Group D, in which these teams play, is considered the “group of death” because, in addition to France and Germany, Portugal and Hungary also play in the group. Despite this, the French national team is considered not only the favorite to win the group, but bookmakers also believe in the French team's chances of winning the entire tournament.

In this tournament, we will also see the team's veteran Karim Benzema in the French national team. However, Benzema suffered a minor injury last week, so if he cannot play in the first match, he may be replaced by another well-known face – Olivier Giroud. Adding Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe to one of these players, we have an impressive attacking lineup that will be incredibly difficult to handle even for the strongest teams.

The French national team plays quite pragmatic football, aiming to break down opponents with a confident and effective strategy rather than individual actions. The team plays disciplined football, so it is difficult to find flaws in this team's game. Of course, the German national team is a serious opponent for the first match of the tournament, but the World Champions, aiming to triumph in the group, are likely to demonstrate why they are considered the tournament favorites.

Germany

For the German national team, this is the last tournament with Joachim Low as the coach. Of course, the team will do everything to say goodbye to their long-time strategist in the best mood and with a successful tournament, but the qualifying stage raised many questions about this team's game. A 1-1 draw at home with the Danish national team, a 1-2 loss to North Macedonia. Although North Macedonia is not known for great defense, the German national team hit the target only twice in that match. Nevertheless, the team somewhat rehabilitated itself just before the championship by defeating the Latvian team 7-1 in a friendly match.

This year's German national team is not lacking in either talented young players or experienced team veterans. The team's goal will be defended by one of the best goalkeepers in the world, M. Neuer, and in the defense, we will see M. Ginter, M. Hummels, and A. Rudiger, who had excellent seasons with their clubs. On the right side, we will see J. Kimmich, and Toni Kroos and I. Gundogan will take positions in the front. T. Muller also returned to the team, who, together with K. Havertz and S. Gnabry, should take the forward position.

Expected Starting Lineup

France (4-3-1-2): Hugo Lloris; Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez; N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot; Antoine Griezmann; Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema.

Germany (3-4-2-1): Manuel Neuer; Matthias Ginter, Matts Hummels, Antonio Rudiger; Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gundogan, Robin Gosens; Kai Havertz, Thomas Muller; Serge Gnabry.

Prediction

There is no doubt about the talent and capability of the German national team, so it is very likely that although the French national team is one of the best defending teams in the tournament, Germany will score their goal. However, it is not even worth talking about the attacking capability of the French national team – the team has some of the best players in the world, so against the German defense, which was scored against by both North Macedonia and Latvia, France is likely to score more than once.

Predicted result – France 2:1 Germany