Euro 24 is wide open

MUNICH, Germany (AP):

A returning Cristiano Ronaldo, a rampant Kylian Mbappe and a resurgent Germany.

Throw in a Harry Kane-powered England and defending champions Italy and Euro 2024 is wide open.

That's without mentioning three-time winners Spain.

The unpredictability of the European Championship, which begins in Munich on Friday, is what makes it such compelling viewing. Even in its expanded format of 24 teams, there is always the potential for a surprise.

This is the tournament, after all, that was won by rank outsiders Greece in 2004. In 1992, it was won by Denmark, a team that hadn't even qualified for the finals but was granted entry at the 11th hour when war-torn Yugoslavia was banned.

Hosts Germany hope to create a welcoming and festive atmosphere for millions of fans who will watch the games in stadiums or fan zones across the country - like they did when they hosted the 2006 World Cup.

However, this tournament will be played in a different political context. Europe's biggest sporting event since the Russian invasion of Ukraine is taking place in the shadow of the most devastating conflict in Europe since World War II.

German authorities are stepping up border controls during the tournament. More than 20,000 police officers will be on duty.

Given the tensions surrounding the Gaza war, UEFA and Germany avoided even higher security concerns when Israel were knocked out in the playoffs for Euro 2024.

On the field of play, there is reason to expect an exciting tournament, without the COVID-19 restrictions that were in place during the previous Euros in 2021.

England and France are among the favourites.

Three years ago, England were just a penalty shootout away from winning their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup but lost the final to Italy. Since then, manager Gareth Southgate has seen the emergence of Jude Bellingham as one of the top talents in world football while Phil Foden is living up to the hype he generated when first emerging at Manchester City. Meanwhile, Harry Kane scored 44 goals in 47 games in his first season at Bayern Munich.

France also suffered the heartbreak of a shootout defeat when they lost the World Cup final in Qatar to Argentina. Mbappe remains their star attraction, but he is surrounded by top class talent throughout the French squad.

Ronaldo will be back competing in Europe after heading to Saudi Arabia to play his club football. Even at the age of 39 he is still a goal machine -- scoring 10 during Portugal's perfect qualifying campaign.

Germany are a question mark after a string of disappointments at recent major tournaments, but new coach Julian Nagelsmann has lifted the mood of the host nation just in time for Euro 2024, with morale-boosting wins in friendlies against France and the Netherlands.

It's a dangerous game to make predictions about Italy after the traditional powerhouse of international football failed to qualify for the last two World Cups but won the Euros in between.

In a tournament that has produced some of international's biggest shocks - anything seems possible.