The absence of a summer World Cup in 2022 means European football lovers had a mere 18 months to wait before major tournament football returns to mainstream prominence.

That's right, Euro 2024 is around the corner and the tournament may well prove to be one of the last of its kind with Germany, and only Germany, playing host.

We've known for quite some time how the group stage will shape up after the draw took place in December, although three spots at the tournament are still up for grabs and will be decided via the play-offs in March.

A festival of footballing brilliance awaits and here's how 90min is predicting Euro 2024 to pan out.

Julian Nagelsmann would have been pleading for a tame group on home soil, but the German manager was instead dealt a mightily competitive one.

Switzerland are consistent performers at tournaments, almost always progressing into the knockouts, while Hungary and Scotland enjoyed stellar qualifying campaigns.

A lack of firepower could cost the Scots despite their defensive resolve and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Germany, emboldened by home support and a returning Toni Kroos, edge out a tight Group A with Hungary progressing in third as one of the best-performing third-place finishers.

Spain and Italy have seen plenty of each other in recent years and they'll face off yet again this summer in a blockbuster Group B fixture.

Holders Italy overcame a superior Spain on penalties in the semi-finals at Euro 2020, but the Iberians have won three of the last four meetings. While Spain are without midfield star Gavi, there are more questions surrounding the Italians, who are still evolving under Luciano Spalletti.

Luis de la Fuente has done a fine job since succeeding Luis Enrique and the two-time winners are likely to be one of the most watchable teams in the group phase.

Croatia exceeded expectations at the 2022 World Cup by knocking out Brazil and advancing into the semi-finals. They've still got their Golden Generation core at their disposal, but they could struggle this summer.

Albania are blessed with a couple of stout defenders and won't be a walkover, but they're certainly the weakest team in Group B.

All eyes are on England in Group C and the Three Lions are poised to perform impressively in the group stage yet again this summer.

There are no standout weaklings in this group, with each of the other nations boasting prolific centre-forwards. Slovenia, however, are more reliant on their star striker, Benjamin Sesko, than the other two. 20-year-old Sesko is competing at his first major tournament.

Denmark's meeting with Serbia will likely decide who qualifies in second and, while the Danes are unlikely to repeat their Euro 2020 magic, Serbia so often disappoint under the bright lights despite their impressive personnel.

France came within a penalty shootout of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend their World Cup crown.

Didier Deschamps' squad is overwhelmingly talented and led by the world's best player, Kylian Mbappe. The French are more than capable of an internal bust-up and a swift exit, but this harmonious group of players look like they're beyond that.

Les Bleus toppled the Netherlands twice in their recent UEFA Nations League meetings and it's hard to trust a Dutch side led by Ronald Koeman. As a result, they face a challenge to progress out of this group with Ralf Rangnick's Austria set to emerge as one of the dark horses of the tournament.

Play-off winner A, likely Poland or Wales, are poised to finish bottom.

Domenico Tedesco has so far astutely managed Belgium's transition away from its Golden Generation and into an era led by youthful ebullience.

Some of the old guard remain and their presence will be pivotal for the Red Devils this summer. They've been blessed with a tame group and anything but a comfortable standing at its summit should be considered a disappointment.

The addition of Ukraine from the play-offs would perhaps shuffle around our prediction, with the remaining three teams set to compete for two potential spots in the round of 16. Slovakia and Romania are two nations laced with youth that lack experience at the highest level. Ukraine, should they make the tournament, will back themselves to finish second.

Portugal worked a mini miracle in 2016 to win the Euros having finished third in their group and, although they endured a disappointing title defence last time out, they're bound for a prosperous campaign this summer.

Roberto Martinez has enjoyed a bright start to life as Portugal's manager and is a coach more suited to the demands of the international game. His side should progress as group winners, although both Turkey and Czechia will be competitive.

Having flopped miserably at Euro 2020, Turkey should enjoy more success in Germany given the reduced expectation. Czechia's duel with Vincenzo Montella's side will be decisive in deciding who progresses in second, with the loser facing a battle to advance in third.

The final play-off winner will likely emerge as bottom dwellers.

The expansion of the Euros to 24 teams, starting in 2016, means the four best-performing third-place finishers also advance into the round of 16 alongside the group winners and runners-up.

90min predicts Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and the Netherlands to be these four nations, with just one progressing beyond the first knockout phase. Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai will inspire an aggressive Hungary to victory over a Spain side that may have issues picking the Hungarian lock. They're also historically poor in penalty shootouts.

France and Belgium should bypass Turkey and Serbia with relative comfort, while England, who will be out for revenge, and Portugal are poised to advance from their blockbuster ties against Croatia and the Netherlands respectively.

Euro 2020 Denmark would've toppled the vulnerable hosts, but their current iteration are unlikely to be up to the task against hosts Germany. Dark horses Austria overcome likely qualifiers Ukraine, while Italy and Switzerland's duel reeks of a penalty shootout. The Italians' recent history from 12 yards gives them the edge.

Okay, now we're getting into the really good stuff.

Eight nations remain and the scent of Euros glory will start to linger.

Unfortunately, this is where the journeys of two up-and-comers end. Hungary, who faced the hosts in Group A, are downed by a Germany side that are suddenly exceeding expectations. Portugal, meanwhile, have far too much talent for a plucky Austria to handle.

Having avenged their 2018 semi-final defeat in the previous round, England, who are undoubtedly superior but might make the contest closer than it needs to be, win the Euro 2020 final repeat to advance into the last four of a major tournament for the third time in six years.

Belgium would've been content with their journey thus far and will produce a spirited and spritely performance in their quarter-final tie, but France have found their imperious groove and will prove to be too much to handle.

A bunch of proud Germans will cry that nothing short of victory would constitute as success for the national team. However, given the turmoil that's surrounded the historically supreme footballing nation over the past couple of years, a semi-final berth should undoubtedly be regarded as more than respectable.

The Germans are blessed with an array of talent in attack but are short in some areas, particularly at full-back. Perhaps such weaknesses will prove the difference against a Portugal side led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who'll be determined to match Lionel Messi's Qatari swansong this summer.

Ah, and then two familiar foes meet again. France and England, the two favourites to triumph, collide. Les Bleus dashed England's World Cup hopes in Qatar and, although an optimistic nation will be pleading for a different outcome this time around, Gareth Southgate's side are yet to prove they can overcome one of the elites when it matters most.

France win.

90min is predicting a repeat of the Euro 2016 final this summer. Eight years ago, an unfancied Portugal broke French hearts in Paris when unlikely hero Eder struck from distance in added time.

Thus, this final should have a bit of an edge.

Sure, it'll be cagey and tense with two pragmatists marauding the touchline. It could go either way, but we'll back the current best in the world in Mbappe to inspire his country to silverware over the once world's best.

France are 90min's Euro 2024 winners.

Deep runs from France, Portugal and England means Mbappe, Ronaldo and Harry Kane should all be close to topping the scoring charts.

Perhaps Bukayo Saka will continue his prolific club form in Germany as well, but Jude Bellingham's role in the England set-up means he's unlikely to be quite as free-scoring.

Ronaldo has been prolific in Saudi Arabia, but can the superstar veteran still deliver on the grand stage? A few penalties will certainly help him out, but Kylian Mbappe, having topped the scoring charts at the 2022 World Cup, is set to repeat his heroics in Germany.

France have a few contenders with teenager Warren Zaire-Emery poised to make the squad and Bradley Barcola likely to be considered by Deschamps. Both could play key roles for 90min's expected Euro 2024 champions this summer.

Highly-regarded midfielder Joao Neves as well as defenders Goncalo Inacio and Antonio Silva could also stand out for Portugal. Box-crashing midfielder Davide Frattesi could snag a few goals off the bench for Italy, while Belgium's Johan Bakayoko and Turkey's Kenan Yildiz enter the tournament having enjoyed promising club campaigns.

However, a more unfamiliar name to keep an eye on is Maximilian Beier. The 21-year-old Hoffenheim star could emerge as the host nation's new hero this summer having enjoyed a fine season in the Bundesliga. Given Germany's lack of high-quality #9s, Beier might get the chance to lead the line.

If you haven't gauged it already, 90min is not bullish on the Netherlands. After reaching the quarter-finals in Qatar, the Dutch endured a miserable 2023 with Koeman at the helm and have questions surrounding their goalkeeper and striker positions heading into the tournament.

There's seemingly always a team that pops out from nowhere at a major tournament, embarking on a run very few foreshadowed. Think Turkey in 2008, Iceland in 2016 and Denmark in 2021 (Euro 2020).

There's some hype surrounding both Austria and Hungary given their impressive qualifying campaigns, but very few will expect them to do much damage at Euro 2024. Not 90min. We're backing them to not only advance from their respective groups, but progress into the quarter-finals.

Ralf Rangnick has re-energised a nation that hasn't exactly been short of talent over the past decade, while Hungary's ruggedness and collective cohesion will serve them well in Germany.

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