Euro 2016 is one of the most competitive soccer tournament’s since most of the countries have well-structured soccer frameworks which is evident courtesy of their youth systems and soccer leagues which are not only the best but also competitive.
Group A
It might appear as the easiest on paper but in football anything happens if you think am lying ask any sports betting investors to explain using diagrams how Slovakia whitewashed Germany 3-1 at WWK Arena, Augsburg,Germany.
Albania: is the weakest team on paper the only player who is ‘known’ is FC Nantes star defender/defensive Midfielder who doubles up as the skipper Lorik Cana the rest are ‘just’ 10 players who managed to put together a magical show so as to qualify for EURO for the first time.
France: they double up as the tournament favorites and group favorites. Have a huge pool of talent in all playing departments which gives Coach Didier Deschamps endless nightmares on who to field in his star studded squad. With the likes of Tottenham Hotspurs shot stopper Hugo Lloris who also doubles up as the skipper for both club and country, midfield play maker Paul Pogba, Midfield maestro Blaise Matuidi (PSG) set piece specialist Dimitri Payet and mercurial forward Antoine Griezmann one would say EURO is theirs to lose.
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| Inset: French foward Antoine Griezmann |
Romania: well-known their it’s either we draw or we win strategy which they effectively deployed during the qualifiers that saw them go unbeaten hence seeing off one of Europe’s formidable soccer powerhouse Greece to end their eight year wait thus qualify for the tournament. Forcing draws seems to be their specialty having done so against Italy and Spain who are 2006 and 2010 World Cup Winners in friendlies. All their standout players happen to be players in the defensive position from star Fiorentina FC shot stopper Ciprian Tatarusanu to defenders Vlad Chirches (Napoli), skipper Razvan Rat (Espanyol) and Cristian Sapunaru thus conceded a single goal in the qualifiers
Switzerland: also favorites to qualify from this group courtesy of their stand out players such as Juventus defender and team skipper Stephan Lichtsteiner, Granit Xhaka (Borussia Monchengladbach) Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City), Admir Mehmedi(Bayern Leverkusen) shot stopper Roman Burki (Borusia Dortmund) and Eren Derdiyok (Kasimpasa)
Verdict: France and Switzerland to qualify as number 1 and 2 respectively.
GROUP B
Another group which appears to be easier in paper but either Wales or Russia might surprise the three lions. The only team guaranteed direct qualification is Slovakia who have perfected the art of team work which have made them beat World soccer powerhouses such as Germany and Spain and are on an eight match unbeaten run which does not seem to end anytime soon. Arguably the dark horses in the tournament qualifying for the first time as an independent nation though the former Czechoslovakia won the 1976 European championship.They boast of standout individual talent such as double skipper Marek Harmsik who captains both club, Napoli and country, Liverpool star defender Martin Skrtel and Viktoria Pilzen hitman Michal Duris.
Wales: They are the underdogs by default in the group. Viewed as a one man show team courtesy of their stand out, world class, Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale. With most of their players plying their trade in the second tier league, Championship in England not much is to be expected from them.Other notable players include in form Crystal palace shot stopper Wayne Hennessey, Swansea City skipper and star defender Ashley Williams, Tottenham hotspurs defender Ben Davies and Liverpool’s defensive midfielder Joe Allen.
Russia: Having one of the oldest squad with an average age of 30.The youngest member of the squad being CSKA Moscow instrumental young midfielder Aleksandr Golovin who is doubtful to be given a starting role ahead of experienced Roman Shirokov (CSKA Moscow) and Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow).It is also one of the three squads which has two brothers, Vasili and Aleksei Berezutski. All their players apart from Shalke 04 center back Roman Neustader play in the top flight Russian premier league thus know each other well a factor that has made the players to jell together easily.Other instrumental players include experienced CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akineev and Zenit St Petersbrough talisman Artem Dzyuba.Their pool of seasoned player will play a role to ensure their qualification to the next round.
England: The three lions always have a relatively star studded squad year in year out but always fail to rise up to the occasion at international competitions. All eyes will be on skipper and country’s top scorer Wayne Rooney who was inconsistent at club level due to injury issues and dip in form. Newcomers such as Leicester City hitman Jamie Vardy, Tottenham hotspurs midfielders Eric Dier and Bamidelle ‘Dele’ Alli alongside talismanic striker Harry Kane are expected to steer the three lions to glory.
Verdict: Slovakia to qualify as number 1 England and Russia to fight for the second slot.
Group C
Germany: are obviously the as group favorites due to their pool of talent and individual brilliance. Having recovered from a 3-1 humiliation at the hands of Slovakia by hammering Hungary 2-0 to built confidence levels among players. Key players include Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos and Bayern Munich trio of Manuel Neur,Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller.
Northern Ireland: If the number of teams in this competition hadn’t been increased to 24 from the previous 16, they would have never qualified for the competition. The most notable thing is the squad has two brothers Corry and Johnny Evans. The weaklings in the group with most of their players plying their trade in Scotland, second and third tier leagues in England. Their notable players include Manchester United bench warmer Paddy McNair, West Bromwich defender Johnny Evans,former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy carroll and Watford defender Craig Cathcart.
Poland: Having exited the tournament at the group stages at the 2012 tournament which they co-hosted alongside Ukraine. They have a pool of talented players more so in the final third courtesy of last season Bundesliga and Eredivisie top scorer Robert Lewandoski(Bayern) and Arkadiusz Milik(Ajax), Arsenal-As Roma loanee shot stopper Wojciech Szczesny,,Borussia Dortmund star defender Lukasz Piszczek and skipper Jakub Blaszczykowski (Fiorentina)
Ukraine: Their counter attacking type of play plus their defensive tactics that ensures all the ten players are behind the ball. Their 4-3 win against Romania, which forced draws against Spain and Italy shows they are no pushovers. Notable players include former Bayern Munich defendensive midfielder Anatoliy Tymoschuk and Sevilla Midfielder Yevhen Konoplayanka.
Verdict: Germany to qualify as number 1, Poland and Ukraine square it out for number 2.
Group D
It also appears to be a straight forward group with Croatia and Spain being seen as automatic candidates for the two slots due to the big names in their ranks. Turkey and Czech Republic will not be easy pushovers.
Croatia: Having big names in their ranks in all playing departments from mercurial Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic, Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramaric, Fiorentina forward Nikola Kalicinic,Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic,Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric, Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic and As Monaco shot stopper Danijel Subasic.
Czech Republic: Are viewed as the underdogs in this group due to fewer big name players compared to their rivals in the group. Their stand out players happen to be Arsenal players, goalkeeper Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky.Other instrumental players are Sparta Prague attacker David Lafata, Bursaspor forward Tomas Necid and Werder Bremen fullback Theodor Gebre Selassie.
Spain: Their possession style of play courtesy of the vast number of Barcelona players in their ranks seems to be their major strength, however, it might backfire if they play against counter attacking opponents such as Turkey. Their backline seems to be their major headache but they expect cushioning from the midfield. Influential players include playmakers Cesc Fabregas(Chelsea).Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Andres Iniesta(Barcelona) David Silva (Man City),forwards Alvaro Morata (Juventus) and Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea)
Turkey: Are expected to put up a fight for the second their counter attacking kind of play and set piece execution techniques make the dangerous against any opponent. Instrumental players include midfielders Arda Turan (Barcelona), Hakan Calhanoglu (Bayern Leverkusen),Yunus Malli (Mainz 05),Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund) and lethal Beijing Guoan attacker Burak Yilmaz.
Verdict: Croatia and Spain to qualify
Group E
The most unpredictable group in the tournament making it the group of death. Belgium has the golden generation of players who are both young and versatile, Italy have a pool of experience in international competitions, Republic of Ireland has one of the best teamwork which saw them miss 2014 World Cup qualification by a whisker courtesy of poor match officiating whereas Sweden plays the most physical yet skillful game.
Belgium: Has one of the youngest squads in the tournament with a few experienced players in their ranks. Arguable the golden generation of players the country has ever produced. Standout players include Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Tottenham Hotspurs defending duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen,As Roma defensive midfielder Radja Nainggolan,Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne,Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, Everton front man Romelu Lukaku,Liverpool Divock Origi and Christian Benteke.
Italy: has a pool of experienced players from 2006 world cup winners including keeper and skipper Gianluigi Buffon(Juventus),defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli both of Juventus and As Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi. Southampton striker Graziano Pelle and Torino forward Ciro Immobile will lead the frontline.
Sweden: Their captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic is their stand out player who is out to prove why he is among the highly rated strikers in the World by guiding the team to the finals.Other notable players include Norwich City right back Martin Olsson,Torino centre back Pontus Jansson, Sunderland midfielder and set piece specialist Sebastian Larsson, Hamburg SV midfielder Albin Ekdal and Celta Vigo forward John Guidetti.
Republic of Ireland: Might be viewed as underdogs but poses a great threat due to the well coordination in their playing units. Standout players like Southampton striker Shane Long ,LA Galaxy talisman Robbie Keane, Everton right back Seamus Coleman, Aston Villa centre back Ciaran Clark, Sunderland centre back John O’Shea,Everton midfielder James McCarthy and West Bromwich Albion winger James McClean.
Verdict: Anyone can qualify and anyone can fail to qualify.
Group F
The easiest group in the tournament with two definite minnows, Hungary and Iceland. However in football everything is possible.
Austria: Having big names in European football such as Bayern Munich wingback David Alaba, Stoke City talisman Marko Arnautovik, Stuttgart’s Martin Harnik and Tottenham Hotspurs Kevin Wimmer. The second qualifying spot seems to be a guarantee.
Iceland: With most of their players plying their trade with Scandinavian clubs they have few players who ply their trade in mainland Europe. Their notable players include Nantes striker Kolbein Sigthorson and Swansea City set piece specialist Gylfi Sigurdsson who will need to pull up something special to ensure they qualify.
Hungary: Their only standout player being Hannover’s Adam Szalai, qualifying for the knockout stages will require a combination of self-belief among players, teamwork, magic and luck.
Portugal: Seen as a one man team due to the shadow effect of two time Ballon d’Or winner and Real Madrid Talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. The squad has other influential players such Pepe (Real Madrid), Eder (On loan to Lille from Swansea) and As Monaco midfield anchor Joao Moutinho.
Verdict: Portugal and Austria to qualify as position 1 and 2 respectively.
