For two straight editions, Europeans reigned supreme. And while the perceived frontrunners aren’t necessarily from this continent, it’s still a formidable roster.

However, controversy erupted days after the opening, when England‘s original candidate, Milla Magee, suddenly withdrew from the contest citing a family emergency. Before that, the lifeguard made waves as the country’s first plus-sized representative and had participated in the opening ceremony dressed in a My Fair Lady-inspired number. Following her abrupt departure, then came reports of her accusing the organization of exploitation, which contradicts her initial reasons. The organization was quick to refute the claims and posted video clips of Magee seemingly enjoying her stay. That only makes her motives feel sketchy, considering no other candidate came forward to testify.

And in a historic move, preceded by one known instance in the 1950s, another candidate was immediately fielded. Much as that girl’s chances are inevitably reduced, it’s an interesting plot twist. Guess there was no way they’d leave the Morleys’ homeland unrepresented. So, with England back in the running, here’s my take on Team Europe:

ALBANIA – Elona Ndrecaj. Alphabetically the first, but never among the first in mind: That’s always been this country’s struggle here. Perhaps they can finally give this one a shot. Her BWAP project, “Caring is Loving” is broad, but it caters to multiple vulnerable groups.

BELGIUM – Karen Jansen. This wholistic health advocate has a fair shot with her Sports and Top Model placements. Granted that doesn’t earn her the Blue Crown, we’ll at least expect to see her in Thailand for Miss Universe this November.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – Ena Adrović. The former Yugoslav republics sure love sending ingenues and, while this medical student fits the bill, she hasn’t been getting enough attention.

BULGARIA – Teodora Miltenova. 30 years since the Land of the Roses placed here (or anywhere, for that matter), and this cybersecurity expert’s making a strong impression. Her unique BWAP project empowers children through the art of dance, which might earn her nods, in addition to qualifying for Sports.

CROATIA – Tomislava Dukić. Ironically, this physiotherapy student’s more competitive than her Sports-winning predecessor, yet she’s the one without Challenge placements. It’s frustrating how this game goes sometimes, but, remember, Fast Tracks are but just a fraction. Hopefully, she won’t be ignored altogether, as she calls to mind her country’s runner-up finishers of the 90s.

CZECH REPUBLIC – Adéla Štroffeková. For the second straight year,the reigning country sent a former Miss Earth placer. While more striking as a blonde, there’s enough buzz to indicate that she can keep the streak, even with just a Sports placement to her credit.

DENMARK – Emma Heyst. With a living Barbie currently holding the Miss Universe title, it feels inevitable that they’d send the same prototype here. This sociology student may lack Challenge placements, but she seems on track to making it on sheer merit. 

ENGLAND – Charlotte Grant. Obviously, her late arrival already puts her at a disadvantage. But it takes a lot of fighting spirit to finish what Milla Magee started and even show up in Top Model with a Designer Dress prepared. That in itself is already its own honor. 

ESTONIA – Eliise Randmaa. Four years after competing virtually in Miss Earth 2021, this software developer crosses over with a unique BWAP project, which enables people to assist orphanages online. That’s icing on the cake, at this point. Her Sports win now makes her the first Estonian to place here since 1999’s Karin Lassmae. It’s a strong start for this cute veteran.

FINLAND – Sofia Singh. It was a clever move for the country’s new license holder to field a delegate of Indian descent. That could be this marketing professional’s ace, even if she’s hardly mentioned. Consider New Zealand’s bet last year.

FRANCE – Agathe Cauet. As of this writing, the country holds the second longest active streak, next to Indonesia. Now, this cancer warrior stands to maintain that record. Aside from her Sports and Multimedia placements, she also stole hearts with her own survival story in Head to Head. Safe to say, she’s more than equipped to go far. 

GERMANY – Silvia Dörre Sánchez. This half-Spaniard’s styling is a bit on the raw side, isn’t always a deal-breaker here.Her rhetoric earned her a slot in Head to Head and she was also briefly up for Talent. Should she make the cut, she’d only be the second German to do so since 1980.

GIBRALTAR – Shania Ballester. Ignoring this tiny territory is so pre-2010s. They have a titleholder now, plus, they did make the cut last year. That makes this cute youngster still worth a second look, especially with her Talent placement.

GREECE – Styliani Michailidou. Again, the first Greek winner was crowned in the first Indian staging. Much as there’s no guarantee of history of repeating itself, this content creator did place in Talent and Multimedia. Her inventive BWAP project, Emotions in Motion, also makes her worth the shot.

HUNGARY – Andrea Katzenbach. This real estate agent was ignored in the Challenges, but her work with the Amigos for Children Foundation might just earn her points.

IRELAND – Jasmine Gerhardt. From the get-go, this paralegal was already among Europe’s top bet, so that Head to Head placement was well-earned. And, with her Top Model win, she has now vindicated her predecessor who was unjustly shut out. She might even take a shot at continental queen, unless France beats her to it.

ITALY – Chiara Esposito. Her advocacy involves healing through dance, which is also obviously what earned her that 2nd Runner-Up finish in Talent. Earning a slot shouldn’t be a shocker. For one thing, her predecessor placed out of nowhere.

LATVIA – Marija Mišurova. Her country was recently an Oscar darling, thanks to Flow. This Talent-placing teen doesn’t enjoy the same level of hype, though she sure could use more.

MALTA – Martine Cutajar. While Michele Galea did end the drought in 2017, it’s been back to the usual for this island nation. It’s unclear if this school teacher can power through, but her efforts in rehabilitating inmates deserves praise.

MOLDOVA – Anghelina Chitaica. 25 years since this landlocked nation’s first appearance, with one placement to boast, and this stunning model isn’t standing out outside of that Talent nod. Going for her, though, is her powerful campaign against domestic violence.

MONTENEGRO – Andrea Nikolić. Nine years into the country’s independence, and this law student finally secured her country’s breakthrough, thanks to her Multimedia Challenge win. Prior to that, she also advanced in Talent and her BWAP project promotes empowerment for the disabled.

NETHERLANDS – Jane Knoester. The two-time champ hasn’t placed past 2015, but perhaps they can give this figure skater a shot. Apart from placing in both Sports and Talent, she also empowers vulnerable communities with her BWAP project.

NORTH MACEDONIA – Charna Nevzati. After a decade-long absence, the former Yugoslav republic returns under its new name. This dog lover is a decent comeback entrant, but is so far overshadowed.

NORTHERN IRELAND – Hannah Johns. This renal nurse placed in Sports and came close to winning Multimedia. One can only hope her BWAP efforts pass muster. If they do, UK and Ireland would have one more placer.

POLAND – Maja Kladja. Bear in mind that Karolina Bielawska nabbed the title three years ago with only just a Top Model placement. So, this psychology student’s Talent and Multimedia nods aren’t to be undermined. She might just put her country back in contention after missing the cut last year.

PORTUGAL – Maria Amélia Baptista. This law school graduate may not be mentioned much, but her BWAP project focusing on refugees and women’s health is bound to earn praise. 

ROMANIA – Alexandra-Beatrice Cǎtǎlin. This management student is gorgeous enough to turn heads, but doesn’t really expound much on her eco-themed BWAP project. As such, she’s overshadowed.

SCOTLAND – Amy Scott. It seems the country has followed Miss England 2024’s lead in fielding this gorgeous red-head. Despite her Challenge non-placements, she did earn huge praise for designing her own dress in Top Model. That might just give her added buzz.

SERBIA – Aleksandra Rutović. Outside of her Talent placement, not much is said about this international tourism student, who’s involved in coral restoration. Perhaps, she should consider crossing over to Miss Earth as well.

SLOVENIA – Alida Tomanič. This architect advanced in Sports and Talent, but isn’t really mentioned much outside of that. A breakthrough still feels less than certain.

SPAIN – Corina Mrazek. Her surname suggests Czech lineage, which gives the reigning queen one more compatriot to root for. She’s a talented Canarian dancer, who earned placements in both Head to Head and Beauty with a Purpose. With more weight placed on the latter, she seems well on her way to earning a slot.

SWEDEN – Isabelle Åhs. Much as this country’s back-to-back win in the 1950s is why we’re having all this, it hasn’t been figuring much in pageantry lately and it isn’t expected to change just yet. To this army volunteer’s credit, though, teaching self-defense to women is a useful cause. Hopefully, she gets nods for that. 

UKRAINE – Maria Melnychenko. This finance student may not be as buzzed as her BWAP-winning predecessor, but she was a revelation in her winning Designer Dress. That might just earn her last-minute points. 

WALES – Millie-Mae Adams. Her dragon-inspired opening costume wasn’t exactly the most rave-worthy, but she’s now made it for the Brits, thanks to both her Head to Head and Beauty with a Purpose Challenge wins. The only question that remains is if she’ll make another round.  

SUMMARY:
ALREADY QUALIFIED: Estonia (Sports), Wales (Head to Head/Beauty with a Purpose), Ireland (Top Model), Montenegro (Multimedia)
TOP 40 PICKS: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Northern Ireland, Poland, Spain
ALTERNATES: Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland, Slovenia, Ukraine
DARK HORSES: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, England, Finland, Gibraltar, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Moldova, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sweden