EURO 2020, as almost every major sporting event planned for this year, fell prey to the coronavirus outbreak. It was a real kick in the guts for fans, teams, and businesses around Europe. However, when the dust settles, there will likely be some winners emerging from this crisis. STATSCORE analyses who could benefit the most.

EURO 2020 has become EURO 2021 – and there will surely be winners and losers of this delay. Let’s take a deeper look!

Which players and teams will benefit from EURO delay?

The most obvious examples of who could benefit from it are the players who are currently injured or not in the best form. Pushing the tournament back by a year can surely make them hopeful for recovery.

Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford

England’s manager Gareth Southgate had some difficult choices before him about who should be in his team for EURO 2020. When Harry Kane tore his hamstring back in January, it seemed that Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford would be the one to take his place. Unfortunately, Rashford then suffered a back injury, and he would probably not be completely fit to take part in this year’s competition. In the summer of 2021, both players will (again: probably) be in much better shape than they are now!

Eden Hazard

Belgium can surely expect to benefit from the delay of the competition, as their star Eden Hazard will have more time to fully recover from the fibula injury and to find his best form.

Nicolò Zaniolo

Italy’s young star is expected to be out of play until the end of August because of cruciate knee ligament damage he suffered in Roma’s clash with Juventus in January. Now, Italians can hope that this promising youngster will lead them at EURO 2021.

The players discussed above are just some of the most notable names. In fact, the participation of numerous players in EURO 2020 was in danger, and the delay can give them some hope. These include:

• Ousmane Dembélé (France);
• Hugo Lloris (France);
• Niklas Süle (Germany);
• Robert Skov (Denmark);
• Kasper Dolberg (Denmark);
• Marco Asensio (Spain);
• Tammy Abraham (England);
• Daniel James (Wales);
• Jasper Cillessen (Netherlands);
• Cenk Tosun (Turkey).

It’s important to note, however, that the postponement could also diminish the hopes of some older players to take part in the tournament.

These could include Luka Modric, who will turn 35 next year, Olivier Giroud (34 years old in 2021), and Manuel Neuer (35).  Who knows, maybe it will be a moment for some rising stars, such as Norway’s Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, to take their place?

Some young players will sure look forward to using the additional year before the tournament to their advantage!

Who else will benefit from EURO 2021?

It could be argued that there will be some advantages from the delay of the tournament. When the EURO finally takes place, it may turn into a true celebration of all the most wonderful aspects of the game. And for all of us – who now know what it means to live without football on the top level – it will be a great reminder of the most cherished emotions related to the game!

When the competition finally takes place it will be seen by many as a sign of rebirth after the devastating pandemic. We can expect that football fans will support their teams even more eagerly and will celebrate their victories louder than ever before!

Moreover, it will certainly give a huge boost to the economy, which has already been adversely affected by the pandemic, and which will crave such events.

Let’s just recall that EURO 2016 provided €1.22 billion to the French economy, €596 million through the organization of the event and €625.8 million thanks to tourism (according to a study from the French Ministry of the City, Youth and Sports).  When EURO 2021 finally takes place, it will be seen as a glimpse of hope for the future, and if everything goes right, it will be bigger than any other event in the history European football!

It will also be a great opportunity for a real restart for bookmakers, as fans will be more than happy to bet some money on their teams.

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In fact, it’s possible that EURO 2021 will be a symbolic event for the reborn football, and a true celebration of all that matters in football!

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