OT: International Summer Soccer Thread

[Kyle Cactus]

It's a busy summer for international soccer: the Euros, Copa America, and the Olympics

For those that don't follow soccer, the Euros is the tournament for teams for the European federation and Copa America is the tournament for the South American federation. These are by far the two best federations in international soccer.

If that isn't enough, the Olympics will also host a tournament for qualifying women's teams and U-23* men's teams. ... *mostly U-23


Euros
Kicks off tomorrow! Hosted by Germany.

Germany and Spain have both won it 3 times and have a legitimate shot at a 4th. England have NEVER won, but they have a very talented squad. Italy are the defending champs (2020) despite not even qualifying for the last two World Cups (2018 and 2022). France and Portugal are two other heavyweights.

There are tons of big names, Mbappe and Ronaldo (though he's well past his prime) being the two biggest. Norway didn't qualify, so we won't get to see Haaland.

I'll probably be pretty selective about which group stage games I watch since 16 of the 24 group teams get through, but I'm excited for the knockouts.


Copa America
Welcome (back) to the USA! .. we also hosted the 2016 centennial edition

Kicks off June 20.

Since the South American federation only has 10 teams, they usually invite 2 teams from other federations to create a 12 team event. This year's event in the US will feature 16 teams, including the US, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, and Jamaica ... so it's basically an "Americas" tournament this time around. It's a sort of dry-run for the 2026 World Cup in the US and also probably a money grab for both federations. But it, like the Euros, will feature some excellent teams, and I'm super excited.

I like the format a little better than the Euros. The Copa America starts with a 16-team group stage and whittles down to an 8-team knockout. This should make for more meaningful group stage matches.

Argentina and Uruguay have both won it 15 times. Brazil has only won it 9 times despite the same number of finals appearances (21) as Uruguay. Mexico reps the northern continent with 2 runner-ups.

Argentina are the defending champs (2021), but that was their first win since 1993, and so their only win with Messi.

Argentina and Brazil are the 2 big favorites. As with the Euros there are plenty of big names to watch, including Messi and Vinni Jr.


Women's Olympic Soccer
France host the event. Women's soccer starts on July 25th, so it'll pickup a little more than a week after the Euros and Copa Americas finish up.

12-team group stage, 8-team knockout

Go USA! We're coming off a terrible world cup and our new coach Emma Hayes has had verry little time with the team. But Hayes is well regarded and we have some very talented young players emerging in the pool. I expect Hayes to lean into the prime talents rather than relying too much on veteran players (which was part of our problem at the World Cup). Olympic rosters are very tight (only 18 players), so the final roster announcement will probably give some clues as to who Hayes intends to rely on most.

The women's edition has only happened 7 times before. The US have won 4 of those. I think it will be challenging to repeat, but this group should at least be more fun to watch than the last World Cup group.


Men's Olympic Soccer
This is primarily a U-23 event. Each team is allowed 3 exceptions.

Hosted in France (obvi). Kicks off July 24th.

16-team group stage, 8-team knockout stage

There isn't really a team that has dominated this event, in part because it's primarily been a U-23 event since 1992 and had various other restrictions prior to that. Hungary and Great Britain have each won 3 times. Brazil are the defending champs.

This is the first time the US has qualified since 2008. Walker Zimmerman was the only older player included in the preliminary roster. As with the Women, the competition requires an 18-man final roster, which is pretty tight.

I'm looking forward to watching the kids compete!

[The Excellector]

I'm rooting for the Netherlands and my guy Koeman.

[Ravenswarrior19]

Looks like the Euros are airing on Fox. Sweet!

[HotInHere]

USMNT managed a draw against Brazil. At least SOME sign of life getting ready for Copa America, after being pimp-slapped by Columbia.

They got lucky -- their group contains Panama and Bolivia. Getting out of group shouldn't be hard. But I doubt they'll get past Uruguay, which means they'll likely be second in the group, and playing Brazil again in the quarterfinals.

[Jam31]

Looking forward to some kickass football this summer. Copa will be great and I'll enjoy the Olympics but the Euros have my heart having lived there a couple years.

I've been a Croatia guy since their inception (mom's side of family). Last go around for Luka Modric and don't love that they've managed to put them in the group of death alongside Spain & Italy. There are some really weak groups on paper but not for the Vatreni.

They typically perform much better in WC then the Euros so I won't get my hopes up but they are a pretty deep and talented side as usual.

Croatia plays Spain Saturday at noon on Fox. Super stoked I can get a lot of matches with my trusty antenna.

Huge one out of the box. Anything less than a tie will be disappointing.

[The Excellector]

De Jong is out for the Netherlands. Yamal was not called up for Spain to keep another 'Pedri' situation from happening. Lewandowski is out for the Poland opener against the Netherlands.

[leachisabeast]

As an England fan, anything is possible when you have Jude Bellingham. We unfortunately have some injuries defensively, but we have never been more talented upfront... Including since 1966 when we actually won a tournament.

[leachisabeast]

My second team will be Austria.... Only because I unfortunately landed them at work in my euro sweepstake draw.

For all the English on the board here, it's that time of the summer again where you get mega excited only to have your heart broken in the quarter/semi finals.

[Valhain]

De Jong is out for the Netherlands. Yamal was not called up for Spain to keep another 'Pedri' situation from happening. Lewandowski is out for the Poland opener against the Netherlands.

Yamal is in the squad for the Euro 2024. The Olympics side hasn't been named yet.

[Jam31]

As an England fan, anything is possible when you have Jude Bellingham. We unfortunately have some injuries defensively, but we have never been more talented upfront... Including since 1966 when we actually won a tournament.

Love Bellingham. Him, Kane, and Foden are a BEAST up front. I know England always screws the pooch but I could actually see them doing what they're "supposed" to do this time around.

[Jam31]

My second team will be Austria.... Only because I unfortunately landed them at work in my euro sweepstake draw.

They're a fun side that might be able to do some damage. Sucks that Alaba is out, however.

[The Excellector]

Yamal is in the squad for the Euro 2024. The Olympics side hasn't been named yet.

Okay, so they switched their decision. Originally, they were going to omit him, because they wanted him in the Olympic squad. I see now that he's included in the Euro squad and is even bringing his homework with him.