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Szilard Nemeth Gives his Predictions EURO 2024
Szilard Nemeth shares his Euro 2024 predictions, from likely winners and standout players to Slovakia’s prospects and personal highlights.
🏆 Szilard Nemeth's Euro 2024 Predictions! 🏆
🏆 Euro 2024 Winner Predictions: France 🇫🇷 or Germany 🇩🇪, with France slightly favored.
⚽ Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe 🇫🇷, with Harry Kane 🏴 as a second favorite.
🌟 Golden Ball: Jude Bellingham 🏴 or Phil Foden 🏴.
🌌 Dark Horses: Albania 🇦🇱 and Serbia 🇷🇸.
🔮 Match Predictions:
- vs Belgium 🇧🇪: Belgium wins 1-0.
- vs Ukraine 🇺🇦: Ukraine wins 1-0.
- vs Romania 🇷🇴: Slovakia wins 1-0.
Q: Who will win Euro 2024?
SN: “For me it's France or Germany, the host. Germany are not in the best form in the last two years but they are playing a home tournament and France are always a very good team with very high quality players so I think these two teams can go to the final or win the tournament.
“If I had to pick one team, I’d go for France. They are very strong and have lots of players playing for the biggest clubs with so much experience, so I would go for France.”
Euro 2024 Betting Odds
All odds tables on this page are sourced live from the displayed betting sites. Once the market is closed, no odds box will appear.
Q: Who will win the Golden Boot at Euro 2024?
SN: “I would go for Kylian Mbappe. France created many chances in the last Euros and World Cup, and he has scored many goals already.
“My second favourite is Harry Kane for England, he has already scored so many tournament goals.”
EURO2024 Golden Boot Betting Odds
All odds tables on this page are sourced live from the displayed bookmakers. Once the market is closed, no odds box will appear.
Q: Who will win the Golden Ball at Euro 2024?
SN: “Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid or maybe Phil Foden who had a very good season with Manchester City.”
Q: Who are your dark horses for Euro 2024?
SN: “I saw Albania in qualifying and they have a very good team but they had a very difficult group with Italy, Spain and Croatia.
“Another dark horse is Serbia. Also a very good team with lots of talented players and if they are in good form, they can go far.”
Q: How will Slovakia perform at Euro 2024?
SN: “I think it will be very difficult for Slovakia. I have to say we didn’t have a difficult qualification group and we still had some problems.
“We have problems with the last third of the pitch, in attack but we have a very good defensive unit so I think all the games will be very close, but I think we are going to finish at the group stage. Unfortunately.”
Q: Who are Slovakia’s key players at Euro 2024?
SN: “Milan Skriniar and Stanislav Lobotka, they have been the leading players in the last two, three years, but Skriniar has been injured and I don’t know what his form will be like.
“But for me, the best player for Slovakia would be David Hancko from Feyenoord. He had a very good season and everybody is talking about his move to England. I think Hancko will be one of our best players.”
Q: Who are Slovakia’s promising young players at Euro 2024?
SN: “One of our most promising young players is Leo Sauer, who I hope will get to the Euros and I hope he gets a chance to play for the national team.
“He has had very good performances for Feyenoord and played in the Champions League. He's training with the first team so I think he's ready to get a chance and I think he's one for the future for Slovakia, but he needs to play.
“He didn't play a lot for Feyenoord this year so I hope next year he will play regularly and maybe go out on loan.”
Q: How will England perform at Euro 2024?
SN: “I think England always have one of the best teams in Europe. Gareth Southgate is my former team-mate, so I have my fingers crossed for him.
“I think England will get to the semi -final and after that anything can happen. It's always difficult. Maybe they just need a little bit more luck than in previous years.
“Harry Kane is always the top scorer. Phil Foden had a very good season and Jude Bellingham has had a very good season at Real Madrid.
“I have my fingers crossed that England can get to the final or win the tournament.”
Q: Were you surprised when the Slovakia manager took the Napoli job?
When I heard he took over Napoli, I was against it. Managing a national team & a top Italian club is tough. At Napoli, daily work is essential. He wasn't successful, winning just 3 games. Now, he's done at Napoli & can focus on Slovakia.
SN: “When I heard that he had taken over the Napoli job, I was against it. I think it's very difficult to manage the national team and also at the same time manage a top club in Italy.
“At Napoli you need to work every day. You have to prepare the team, you have to watch your opponents and also after the weekend you have to watch the Slovakian players and think about the Euros.
“So it wasn't easy and he wasn't successful in Italy. I think he won just three games and Napoli didn't qualify for Europe. It was also difficult for him and I think in the future he will think twice about doing the same job for two teams.
“I think he has now finished at Napoli and he can concentrate for Slovakia and we will see how he will do it.”
Q: What will Slovakia fans bring to Euro 2024?
SN: “Everybody is happy in Slovakia just to have qualified. Francesco Calzona has changed their style of football and pushed our defensive line higher so it’s more exciting for the fans.”
Q: What do you make of the new Slovakia kits?
SN: “I couldn’t find my old shirts so I’m wearing my son’s shirt from the under 17 European Championship.
“The shirt is very nice. I like the simple design of the new one. Everybody has different tastes but I think it's very nice and very simple.“
Q: What is your prediction for Slovakia vs Belgium?
SN: “I always think the first game is very important at the tournament but Belgium are the favourite of the group. It will be a very difficult game. If I have to say my prediction, I think Belgium will win by one goal. 1-0.”
🎤 Emile Mpenza Euro 2024 Interview and Predictions
Q: What is your prediction for Slovakia vs Ukraine?
SN: “It will be very difficult. I saw Ukraine playing against Italy and they were a better team, they have lots of quality.
“It will also be very difficult and I think Ukraine will beat Slovakia also by one goal. 1-0.”
🎤 Yevhen Levchenko Exclusive Interview and Euro 2024 Predictions
Q: What is your prediction for Slovakia vs Romania?
SN: “Romania, they have a very good defensive team so it will be another tight game. I think Slovakia will win 1-0 and hopefully have enough to get out of the group.”
🎤 Costel Pantilimon Exclusive Interview and Euro 2024 Predictions
Q: What was it like to play for your country?
SN: “I think the national team is the highest level for any player. Everybody wants to play for their country. I played lots of beautiful games for Slovakia and also some bad games.
“But of course, I scored lots of goals and was so proud.”
Q: Are you hoping that your son will soon be playing for Slovakia?
SN: “My son is in the under 17 national team and playing for Slavia Prague at the moment. We know it's not easy to reach the high level, but hopefully he will play for the national team and maybe someday in England. You never know.”
Q: What was it like to score against England in Euro qualifying?
SN: “It was incredible to score against England because I was also playing for Middlesbrough at the time and my coach Steve McLaren was on the bench.
“I played against Gareth Southgate and when I scored the first goal of the game it was just amazing. The full stadium was happy, everybody was shouting so it was really nice
“Unfortunately we lost this game but scoring the first goal against England was just fantastic.”
Szilard Nemeth Profile
Szilárd Németh (born 8 August 1977), also known as Szilárd, is a former Slovak professional footballer renowned for his role as a striker.
Early Career
Németh began his career with Slovan Bratislava and later moved to 1. FC Košice, showcasing formidable talent which led to a move to Czech giants Sparta Prague for a record €1.3 million fee. Returning to Slovakia, he joined Inter Bratislava, where he won consecutive Slovak Super Liga titles in 1999-2000 and 2000-01, finishing as top scorer each season before moving to the Premier League.
Middlesbrough
In April 2001, Németh signed for Middlesbrough in the Premier League for £2.1 million. Over five seasons, he scored 23 goals in 117 appearances, earning nicknames like the "Lizard King of Teesside." He was part of Middlesbrough's 2004 League Cup-winning squad and played a role in their UEFA Cup campaigns.
Later Career
Németh joined France's RC Strasbourg in January 2006 but left after their relegation from Ligue 1. He subsequently signed with German Bundesliga club Alemannia Aachen in August 2006. Persistent health issues, including a pulmonary embolism, led to his retirement in early 2011.
International Career
From 1997 to 2006, Németh was a pivotal player for the Slovakia national team, scoring 22 goals in 58 matches. He made his debut in a 4-0 win against Belarus and scored his first international goal against Costa Rica. He was Slovakia's all-time top scorer until surpassed by Róbert Vittek and is their seventh most-capped player.
Summary
Szilárd Németh's career spanned across prominent clubs in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, England, France, and Germany. Renowned for his goal-scoring prowess, he left an indelible mark on Slovak football, both at the club and international levels.
Szilard Nemeth Interview May 2024
Speaking exclusively to OLBG, former Middlesbrough striker Szilard Nemeth has stated that Gareth Southgate is the right manager to take over at Manchester United and bring major honours.
The Slovakia hero has also backed Liverpool target David Hancko to be ready for Premier League football and follow Arne Slot from Feyenoord to Anfield this summer.
Nemeth has also backed Michael Carrick to lead Middlesbrough back to the Premier League next season - as long as they are in the top four after 10 fixtures of the new season.
Q: Would Gareth Southgate be a success as the new Man Utd manager?
SN: “Gareth Southgate would be a success at Manchester United, he has had lots of experience from being the England manager, which is huge pressure.
“They always need results and there is always pressure to win so he is used to that. Manchester United also need to pick a coach that can rebuild what they had under Sir Alex Ferguson and I think Gareth Southgate is the right manager to do that.”
Image: Shutterstock/Ivica Drusany
Q: What was Gareth Southgate like as a player and friend?
SN: “Gareth Southgate as a player was fantastic. He joined at the same time as me from Aston Villa and he was an excellent captain. We had five years together and he was so professional.
“I was surprised when he became England manager because he had only been the England under 21 manager after leaving Middlesbrough, it went so quickly. But I think he's doing a brilliant job with England and I hope he will be successful this summer.”
Q: Is David Hancko ready for a move to Liverpool?
SN: “David Hancko is ready for a move to Liverpool. He went to Italy and didn’t play regularly but since going to the Czech Republic and then Feyenoord he has been very good and has also impressed with the national team.
“Arne Slot went to Liverpool so I think he has a very good chance of following him there, he is a great age at the moment so I think this summer he can make the move to the Premier League.”
“He has played in difficult games in Holland, also in the Champions League. I think he's playing for a very good team and the next move will be to a top club.”
Q: Does Gareth Southgate have what it takes to lead England to Euro 2024 glory?
Maybe when the game is going to penalties or extra time, he should play a bit more attacking... these players can put some pressure on the opponents in the last 20 minutes and score the winning goals.
SN: “I think each manager has his own way of working. Some managers like to attack, some like to hold the ball and some like to defend and play for a counter-attack.
“I think Gareth has a very good team and very good players. I think they are always playing good football, losing the last final on penalties was all about luck.
“Maybe when the game is going to the penalties or to the extra time, he should play a little bit more attacking because they have lots of quality players and full of energy in the English team.
“They play very hard games in the Premier League and the Champions League. So I think these players can put some pressure on the opponents in the last 20 minutes and score the winning goals. It should be a time to attack at the end of the game.”
Q: Can Michael Carrick lead Middlesbrough back to the Premier League?
SN: “I think Michael Carrick is doing a very good job. They got to the semi-final in the Carabao Cup and lost against Chelsea and played really good football but Chelsea had too much quality.
“I hope next year they will get promoted. It's always very difficult, very tight, but I believe Michael has what it takes to get them over the line.
“I think it will be very important to get a good start next season, in those first ten games. If you are in the top places then you’ll have the form to push on and a great atmosphere in the dressing room to work with.”
Q: Is it true that you turned down Inter Milan to join Middlesbrough?
Image: Michael715/Shutterstock
SN: “I read that in the newspaper but Inter Milan weren't trying to sign me, I was talking to Udinese in Italy and also Sunderland.
“But I felt like Middlesbrough wanted me so it was an easy decision for me, but the first six months were very difficult. I came to a completely different world.
“Slovakia is a small country, also the football isn’t the same, so I came to the Premier League. Everything was different. I didn't speak very good English at the time.
“But I met lots of very good players in the dressing room and played against the top players, so for me these five years in Middlesbrough was just amazing. I will never forget those times.”
Q: Were you a fan of your nickname at Middlesbrough? The Lizard King?
SN: “I liked my nickname, I think it was because my name was quite hard to pronounce correctly. But it was a nice nickname and I enjoyed it. I loved the fans and they loved me even though we had bigger stars in the team.”
Q: Who was the best player you ever played with?
SN: “If I had to pick the best player I ever played with then it would be Juninho Paulista. We were very good friends and the fans loved him. When he was out for six months with a knee injury, me, 10 other players and 20,000 fans went to watch his comeback with the reserve team.
“So it was amazing. He was really a very good player and a very good friend.
“Also in my top four would be Bolo Zenden, Gaizka Mendieta and Alen Boksic, he was a quality striker. So yeah, I played with lots of players, but I have to pick up one.
“Bolo was also a fantastic player with lots of experience from Barcelona, from Holland, from the national team. Juninho was a very good friend. We had the celebration two months ago in Middlesbrough, so I met him and we had a nice talk.
“Unfortunately there were only seven players there, but I was happy to see players like Massimo Maccarone, Franck Queudrue, Gareth Southgate and Stuart Downing. It was a very nice reunion and a very nice three days with old friends.”
🎤 Bolo Zenden Exclusive Interview and Euro 2024 Predictions
🎤 Gaizka Mendieta Exclusive Interview and Euro 2024 Predictions
Q: Do you have any crazy dressing room stories from the Riverside Stadium?
SN: “Steve McLaren's assistant coach was Steve Harrison and he was really the funny guy. He always tried to come up with something new every day. And what I remember was we had a little fight at the training ground. Two players, I won’t say their names.
“And the next day we had the meeting so Steve McClaren wanted to talk to us and tell us that it's not acceptable to fight on the training ground.
“Steve Harrison came like a boxer with the Rocky song playing. So it was really funny and he tried to make every day some fun. So I really enjoyed it.”
Q: Who was the best manager you ever played under?
SN: “I had a difficult time with him at the beginning because when I signed the contract with Middlesbrough, because I had signed it with Terry Venables and Bryan Robson in April.
“When I came in July, Middlesbrough changed the coach to Steve McLaren who told me that he didn’t know who I was so he had to sit and watch videos of me.
“So I had a very difficult time in the first year, but I think day by day it got better and better. He was a good manager. He always tried to put the team in a good mood.
“He got very good players into the team. We won the League Cup and got to a Uefa Cup final.”
