Supercomputer Predicts: A Shock Winner of Euro 2020

Rosemary June 25, 2021 | 10:26

Ahead of the knockout stages of Euro 2020 kicking off this weekend, a Super Computer has predicted a shock winner of the tournament: Belgium - 9.9%, Spain - 10.2%, Portugal - 10.6%, Germany - 12.2%, France - 23.3%.

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The group stages of Euro 2020 are now complete and we now know the remaining 16 nations and their respective paths to the final.

England have been paired against Germany at the Round of 16 stage in what appears to be the so-called favourable half of the draw, with the winners to face either Sweden or Ukraine in the quarter finals.

The other teams in that half of the draw include Wales and Denmark, the winners of which will take on the side who progresses from Czech Republic’s clash against the Netherlands.

The other half of the route to the final groups together FIFA’s number one ranked team Belgium, defending European champions Portugal, current world champions France along with Spain, Croatia and Italy.

Which team is predicted to win Euro 2020?

Sportradar's innovative Simulated Reality solution has tipped the Czechs to secure a stunning victory since before the competition commenced but had predicted them to oust Denmark in the final.

According to the Euro 2020 simulation done by the supercomputer, the Czech Republic will beat the likes of Spain, Germany and Portugal before winning the final against Denmark by 3-2.

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Czech Republic beat Scotland 2-0 in their opening game at Hampden Park, before drawing 1-1 against Croatia and being edged out 1-0 by England.

Jaroslav Silhavy’s side have four England-based players in his squad for the tournament including West Ham United duo Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, alongside Burnley forward Matej Vydra and defender Tomas Kalas of Bristol City.

Of course, the European Championships is known to throw up plenty of surprise winners and finalists - most recently when Greece lifted the trophy in 2004.

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The prediction may come as a surprise to many, but the European Championship has had many shock winners in the past. Greece were the winners in 2004, while Denmark won Euro 1992, despite not qualifying for the tournament in the first place.

The Czechs won the 1976 edition of the tournament when they were known as Czechoslovakia.

Czech Republic Euro 2020 squad: Who is the Czech Republic's best player?

Tomas Soucek

A year ago it would’ve been Patrik Schick, with Soucek one to watch, but after the tireless midfielder’s stunning 12 months, it had to be him. The 26-year-old covers every blade of grass, wins aerial duels and scores regularly, netting his first ever hat-trick in March. His never-say-die spirit is as vital to the Czechs as it is the Hammers.

Czech Republic Euro 2020 squad: Who is Czech Republic manager?

Jaroslav Silhavy

Calm, diligent and respected, 59-year-old Silhavy has reversed the team’s freefall under predecessor Karel Jarolim. In charge since 2018, Silhavy has restored his players’ pride in the shirt, and fans no longer die of boredom watching their country.

Czech Republic Euro 2020: When is the next match?

Sunday, June 27 - Netherlands vs Czech Republic (5pm) - Budapest

Noon ET, ESPN

The Netherlands ran rampant over Group C. The Dutch scored the most goals of anyone in the group stage (eight) and posted shutouts in their last two games after beating Ukraine 3-2 to open the tournament. The Czech Republic got through as the third-place team in Group D thanks to a tie against Croatia and an opening win against Scotland.

The Supercomputer has now backed teams in the group of death including Portugal, Germany, and France as favourites to lift the continental showpiece.

Other teams listed among favourites to emerge champions are Spain and Belgium despite the latter picking just two points from their opening group fixtures. Italy, who have been the most impressive thus far have been given a 6.8% chance of carting home the prestigious trophy.

Supercomputer Predicts: A Shock Winner of Euro 2020

Ahead of the knockout stages of Euro 2020 kicking off this weekend, a Super Computer has predicted a ...

Here are the chances of teams that will win the Euro 2020 as predicted by the Supercomputer:

24. North Macedonia - 0%

23. Turkey - 0.01%

22. Hungary - 0.04%

21. Scotland - 0.04%

20. Slovakia - 0.1%

19. Finland - 0.2%

18. Austria - 0.3%

17. Czech Republic - 0.3%

16. Poland - 0.6%

15. Ukraine - 0.6%

14. Croatia - 0.9%

13. Sweden - 1.4%

12. Russia - 1.6%

11. Switzerland - 1.6%

10. Wales - 1.9%

9. Denmark - 4.0%

8. England - 5.8%

7. Italy - 6.8%

6. Netherlands - 7.7%

5. Belgium - 9.9%

4. Spain - 10.2%

3. Portugal - 10.6%

2. Germany - 12.2%

1. France - 23.3%

How does the Supercomputer all work and how are the outcomes predicted?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning drives the Simulated Reality, drawing upon Sportradar’s historic database to create a huge number of different game situations, outcomes and game plays.

This Simulated Reality played out five correct scores and ten correct results across the group stages.

The AI system nailed it by predicting that Belgium would beat Russia 3-0, France would secure a 1-0 win over Germany with Austria triumphing by the same score against Ukraine.

Furthermore, the AI also correctly predicted that Wales and Switzerland would play out a 1-1 draw while stating that Spain would draw by the same score line against Poland.

Werner Becher, Sportradar’s regional chief executive officer for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, said: “Using advanced AI and machine learning capabilities, Simulated Reality taps into twenty years’ worth of historic football data to provide fans with an experience as close to real life as possible.

“This summer’s tournament is proving just how accurate our simulations can be with several results reflecting the real-life outcomes. Those fans who thought Czech Republic winning the tournament outright was a long shot may now want to reconsider based on our track record in the Group stages.

Simulated Reality football matches reflect team form and normal match conditions, using more than a decade’s worth of historic and statistical data to produce an immeasurable number of data points.

“We have created a product that truly reflects the fan experience when watching and betting on a real game. It is completely new and unique to the industry.

“Simulated Reality gives us the opportunity to model how real games would take place as they would happen in real stadiums. It’s all so fan-friendly.”

The Supercomputer reckons England's chances of winning the Euros have actually improved since the start of the tournament, despite the draw with Scotland.

Supercomputer predicts yet another heartbeark for England at Euro 2020

England are among the favorites for the upcoming Euro 2020. However, according to the simulation, the Three Lions will be knocked out of Euro 2020 by Denmark at the semifinal stage, despite topping their group which also has eventual winners the Czech Republic.