EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank Center|Euro 2024 predictions: Picks for final winner and Golden Boot award

UEFA Euro 2024 kicks off Friday when host nation Germany plays Scotland in Munich and EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank Centerin 30 days will crown a new European champion at Berlin's historic Olympiastadion.

At the last Euro, played three years ago, Italy was a surprise champion after upsetting England at Wembley Stadium in a dramatic final.

England returns as a favorite to win Euro 2024. It would be a historic achievement for England, which hasn't won a major international tournament since the 1966 World Cup.

There are plenty of squads that could play spoiler, most notably France — the 2018 World Cup winner and 2022 World Cup runner-up — and Germany — the host nation, which is looking to put aside recent tournament disappointments to return to prominence in European football.

Will France add a Euro title to its 2018 World Cup win? Will the home fandom help boost Germany to European glory? Or, will England finally end its international tournament drought?

USA TODAY Sports experts predict the Euro 2024 winner, as well as which player will take home the Golden Boot:

UEFA EURO 2024: Who are favorites to win European soccer championship?

Nancy Armour, USA TODAY Sports:

• Winner: France over Germany
• Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé

Jim Reineking, USA TODAY Sports:

• Winner: France over Spain
• Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé

Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY Sports:

• Winner: France over Germany
• Golden Boot: Kai Havertz

Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire:

• Winner: France over Portugal
• Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé

Erick Smith, USA TODAY Sports:

• Winner: Germany over England
• Golden Boot: Romelu Lukaku

Carrie McDonald, USA TODAY Sports:

• Winner: England over Germany
• Golden Boot: Harry Kane