Euro 2024 Group E: As predicted by VAVEL writers
Photo by Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Euro 2024 is just days away and the team's have finished their final warm-up games before heading to Germany, hoping to return home with their name engraved onto the trophy.

Group E is set up to be an interesting one, consisting of a transitioning Belgium squad, an ageing Slovakia, a politically-overshadowed Ukraine, and a largely unknown quantity in Romania.

They may have taken different routes to get here but in less than seven day's time, they will all go face-to-face on the biggest of European stages.

Here are how the Group E writers at VAVEL see it panning out:

  • Group Winner: Belgium

The Belgium National side posing for their team photo - (Photo by Kenzo TibouIllard/AFP via Getty Images)
The Belgium National side posing for their team photo - (Photo by Kenzo TibouIllard/AFP via Getty Images)

Written by Joshua King

With this being the only group that hosts two teams outside of the top 40 according to FIFA's rankings, Group E is seen as Belgium's to lose.

A lot has changed since their last outing at a major tournament, starting with their newly appointed manager Domenico Tedesco, who looks to have been a shrewd appointment from the Belgian Football Association as they breezed through qualification undefeated.

They ended with six wins and two draws, becoming one of only six teams to qualify unbeaten, joining the likes of France, England, Hungary, Romania and Portugal.

Belgium seem to be in somewhat of a transition period as they begin to phase out the legends of the 'Golden Generation' that earned them a third place finish at the 2018 Russia World Cup.

However, up-and-coming stars, such as Amadou Onana and Jeremy Doku, now represent a new generation of Red Devils and signal a bright future, one that could come sooner than most think.

Lukaku celebrates scoring for Belgium - (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Lukaku celebrates scoring for Belgium - (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Written by George Calver

There was only going to be one man for this category, wasn't there?

Romelu Lukaku has been an ever-present in a free-scoring Belgium team, netting six times in European Championships since his first tournament in 2016.

The AS Roma-loanee has been in fine form during the 2024 qualifiers, scoring 14 of Belgium’s 22 goals, making him the top scorer out of all 58 teams. 

The striker's left foot is nothing short of a weapon, wielding huge amounts of power in his strikes on goal, a key reason why he has racked up 85 throughout his national team career.

The attacker has more to his style of play than just shooting and he thrives on passes into feet, allowing him to roll and bully defenders to get in behind them. 

Having developed his game throughout his career, Lukaku still offers great movement in and around the box and is an asset in the air too.  

Not only is he favourite to become the top goalscorer within Group E, but the 31-year-old will be looking to take home the Golden Boot as well.

  • Surprise Package: Romania 

Romania players singer the national anthem - (Photo by Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty Images)
Romania players singing the national anthem - (Photo by Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty Images)

Written by Freddie Dorman

Romania is a team with little expectation but has the chance to shock the footballing world, something they started to build towards during qualifying and are more than capable of finalising on the biggest European stage.

Topping their group with an unbeaten record, ahead of the likes of Switzerland who often get placed in this category, Romania barely broke sweat in qualifying, securing a place at their sixth European Championship.

While finding the back of the net may not be their forte, they only conceded five goals en-route to Germany, while keeping the second most clean sheets with six - level with France.

Spurs defender Radu Drăgușin is one of the key reasons for this and is their big name at the back, while the likes of Ianis Hagi and George Pușcaș are the individuals going forward that have played at the higher level of European football.

By no means is anyone expecting a run similar to Denmark's in 1992 or Greece's in 2004, but Romania have certainly shown signs of producing an upset and with the likes of Slovakia and Ukraine in their group, getting out of it seems a high possibility - with the squad being more than good enough to produce further upsets.

  • Standout Fixture: Ukraine vs Belgium

STUTTGART, GERMANY - JUNE 10: A general view of stadium ahead of the UEFA EURO 2024 Germany at Stuttgart Arena on June 10, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
STUTTGART, GERMANY - JUNE 10: A general view of stadium ahead of the UEFA EURO 2024 Germany at Stuttgart Arena on June 10, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Written by Joshua King

The standout tie of Group E is undoubtedly the final group game between Ukraine and Belgium, with so much likely being on the line.

Both sides come into the tournament in tremendous form with Belgium undefeated throughout qualification, while the Ukrainians made it through the play-offs after finishing third in the 'Group of Death', behind the two Euro 2020 finalists Italy an England.

While Romania and Slovakia are viable competitors to both sides, you would imagine they will be battling it out for one of the third place qualification spaces, making this one a battle for top spot.

This fixture may very well define just how far these two go, with the table toppers facing the third-placed side from any of Group A, B, C or D, whilst the second-placed finisher will meet the runner up of Group D. This will likely be either Netherlands or France, making this fixture potentially tournament defining.