It has not been the calmest start to the summer in Europe. An attempted assassination in Slovakia. EU elections that saw far-rightA range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents. parties make sweeping gains and drove the French and Belgian governments to collapse. And a bruising UK election campaign full of televised slanging matches.

Yet the season can still be saved. Europe may be politically divided. But there is something with the power to bring billions of people back together: football.¹

On Friday evening, Euro 2024 kicked off in Munich, as host nation Germany faced Scotland. A spate of games followed over the weekend. Last night, England beat Serbia 1-0.

Ahead of the tournament, the bookiesShort for bookmakers, people who take bets on sporting and other events, calculate odds and pay out winnings. had England as narrow favourites to win, with odds of 3-1 - a 25% likelihood of victory. France follow close behind at 4-1, then Germany at 5-1. Title-holders Italy are not expected to repeat their success, with 12-1 odds to win.

England's predicted success is thanks to a team of internationally renowned players. There is captain Harry Kane, who the Daily Mirror calls "the best striker in Europe". There is midfielder Phil Foden and winger Bukayo Saka. And then there is Jude Bellingham, "arguably the best player in the world".

Southgate has controversially side-stepped some of England's biggest names - including Jack Grealish, a favourite in previous tournaments.²

While England has overall star power, France has the megastar striker Kylian Mbappe, who frequently pips Bellingham in lists of today's greatest players. Former France player David Ginola says of Mbappe : "he can change the entire game with just one move".

The 25-year-old Parisian scored a breathtaking hat trick in the 2022 World Cup finale, almost propelling France to victory against Argentina after a game spent playing catch-up. Mbappe lost the cup by a hair. This time he will want to take it home.

While the odds favour these star-led teams, some think that a more balanced approach will carry the day. A game-changer can only function if the team around them is strong. As German former professional footballer Philipp Lahm says: "Football is teamwork, unity, defence, assists, sacrifice."

Football is also bruising. Players get exhausted and injured. Relying too much on a few individuals might work in the short-term. In the long-haul it is the strength of the overall squad that matters. As basketball legend Michael Jordan says: "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships."

Yet while teamwork might be best in a league, star players might shine over a shorter tournament. The winning team has to play just seven games across a month. Argentina won the World Cup with a relatively unheralded team led by Lionel Messi, seen by many as the greatest player in history.

Conversely, the stars might matter less than they seem to. Game theoristAn expert in game theory, a branch of mathematics that provides tools for analysing situations in which parties, called players, make interdependent decisions. David Sally calls football a "weakest-link sport". Mistakes and errors have more impact on the result than top-flight work.

Are teams more important than stars?

Yes: Football is a team sport. No one individual is greater than the whole. Look at Portugal's last World Cup, where even Cristano Ronaldo's undeniable talent was unable to push them past Morocco.

No: Teams thrive off leaders. A big star has a galvanising effect. The presence of a Mbappe or Bellingham can propel their teammates to play their very best in an attempt to match the star's skills.

Or... It is not the star players that matter, it is the star managers. England's Gareth Southgate and France's Didier Deschamps have pushed their teams to the finals before, and they can do it again.

Far-right - A range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents.

Bookies - Short for bookmakers, people who take bets on sporting and other events, calculate odds and pay out winnings.

Game theorist - An expert in game theory, a branch of mathematics that provides tools for analysing situations in which parties, called players, make interdependent decisions.