This year’s European Championship, simply known as Euro 2016, will be played in France from June 10 to July 10. For the first time, 24 countries are in contention to win the European crown. Split in six groups, these teams will first aim to progress to the round of 16 by finishing in the top two of their group or by ranking among the four best third-placed teams. Impact Media counts down to the start of the tournament by featuring one group a day until kickoff.
GROUP F
Austria
Manager: Marcel Koller (Switzerland)
Last participation: 2008 (group stage)
Qualifying: 1st, group G
Nickname: Wunderteam (Super team)
Player to watch: David Alaba, left back/midfielder (Bayern Munich)
FIFA rank: 11
Six clean sheets and five goals allowed in ten qualifying games: this is Austria’s impressive defensive record. They also scored 22 goals on their way to an unbeaten campaign. Don’t be surprised if Alaba, Arnautovic, Fuchs, Janko and co. finish first in this relatively weak group.
Hungary
Manager: Bernd Storck (Germany)
Last participation: 1972 (semifinals)
Qualifying: 3rd, group F (won the play-off against Norway)
Nickname: Nemzeti Tizenegy (The national eleven)
Player to watch: Balázs Dzsudzsák, winger (Bursaspor)
FIFA rank: 18
The Hungarians’ golden era is well and truly over – it has been for over 50 years. In the 50s, lead by Ferenc Puskás – who would later give his name to FIFA’s goal of the year award –, Hungary revolutionized the sport by opening the door to versatility and frequent permutations for wingers. For this edition of the Euro tournament, the national eleven can thank Lady Luck for this favourable draw: they can hope to progress to the round of 16. They will need a striker to stand up, though, as none of their forwards scored more than two goals in qualifying (Böde, Németh, Priskin).
Iceland
Managers: Heimir Hallgrímsson (Iceland) and Lars Lagerbäck (Sweden)
Last participation: first appearance
Qualifying: 2nd, group A
Nickname: Strákarnir okkar (Our guys)
Player to watch: Gylfi Sigurðsson, midfielder (Swansea City)
FIFA rank: 35
The only presence of Iceland at the Euro is remarkable: with a population of only 323,000, they were able to progress from a tough qualifying group, winning against Turkey, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic on their way to France. Sigþórsson, Sigurðsson, Guðjohnsen and co. score a lot and do not give many goals away, but can they do it on the biggest European stage?
Portugal
Manager: Fernando Santos (Portugal)
Last participation: 2012 (semifinals)
Qualifying: 1st, group I
Nickname: Selecção das Quinas (The team of shields)
Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo, winger (Real Madrid)
FIFA rank: 8
This could be Portugal’s year. For once, the defence looks to have depth and will not rely solely on Pepe (they have allowed only five goals in ten games); young midfielders William Carvalho and Renato Sanches, freshly acquired by Bayern Munich for the small sum of 35 million euros, will join João Moutinho; the forward line is in good hands with Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s two best players. Watch out, the Selecção is coming.
Group schedule
Tuesday, June 14: Austria – Hungary, noon | Portugal – Islande, 3pm
Saturday, June 18: Islande – Hungary, noon | Portugal – Austria, 3pm
Wednesday, June 22: Islande – Austria, noon | Hungary – Portugal, noon
GROUP E
Belgium
Manager: Marc Wilmots (Belgium)
Last participation: 2000 (group stage)
Qualifying: 1st, group B
Nickname: Les Diables rouges in French, Rode Duivels in Flemish (The red devils)
Player to watch: Eden Hazard, winger (Chelsea)
FIFA rank: 2
Belgium’s golden generation has to do better than at the last World Cup, where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals, to really earn those credentials. The offense is already taken care of, with Hazard, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Mertens and Ferreira-Carrasco finding space to punish opposing defences. The midfield exceeds requirements with Nainggolan, Witsel, Dembélé and Fellaini. In the back, losing Kompany to another injury was a big blow, but the Diables rouges have enough depth at the moment to deal with it: Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Vermaelen and Ciman will play in front of Courtois. Let’s hope for the best for our Lolo in this “group of death”.
Italy
Manager: Antonio Conte (Italy)
Last participation: 2012 (final)
Qualifying: 1st, group H
Nickname: Gli Azzurri (The blues)
Player to watch: Gianluigi Buffon, goalkeeper (Juventus)
FIFA rank: 15
It had to happen one day, but we did not expect it to come so early: Andrea Pirlo will NOT be a part of the Squadra Azzurra. Sure, at 37, his best playing days are behind him, but we thought he still had a lot to offer the Italian squad. Antonio Conte does not agree with us, obviously, and will have to cope without talismanic Pirlo, but also without Verratti and Marchisio, both injured, and without Balotelli and Giovinco, both left out. The defence will still be tough with general Chiellini and immortal Buffon, but the attack is unproven to day the least: none of the five forwards called have more than 12 caps or more than 5 goals in the sky blue uniform. And Giovinco does not deserve a spot?
Republic of Ireland
Manager: Martin O’Neill (Northern Ireland)
Last participation: 2012 (group stage)
Qualifying: 3rd, group D (won the play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Nickname: Boys in Green
Player to watch: Shane Long, striker (Southampton)
FIFA rank: 31
All eyes will of course be on Robbie Keane, captain and Ireland’s lucky charm. Shane Long will have to be efficient in front of goal and the same goes for Jon Walters (Stoke City), who has taken a habit this season of scoring important goals for club and country. Defensively, John O’Shea and Seamus Coleman are sure value, but who will play with them? The Irish will hope for a little help from the four-leaf clover.
Sweden
Manager: Erik Hamrén (Sweden)
Last participation: 2012 (group stage)
Qualifying: 3rd, group G (won the play-off against Denmark)
Nickname: Blågult (The blue and yellows)
Player to watch: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, striker (Paris Saint-Germain)
FIFA rank: 36
The Sweden team lives and dies with Zlatan: 19 goals scored in qualifying, 14 of them coming from Ibra. Kim Källström and Seb Larsson should be paired in the midfield, but an uncertain defensive unit could sink the Swedish ship (12 goals allowed in 12 qualifying games). One last but: Zlatan.
Group schedule
Monday, June 13: Republic of Ireland – Sweden, noon | Belgium – Italy, 3pm
Friday, June 17: Italy – Sweden, 9am
Saturday, June 18: Belgium – Republic of Ireland, 9am
Wednesday, June 22: Sweden – Belgium, 3pm | Italy – Republic of Ireland, 3pm
GROUP D
Croatia
Manager: Ante Čačić (Croatia)
Last participation: 2012 (group stage)
Qualifying: 2nd, group H
Nickname: Kockasti (The checkered)
Player to watch: Luka Modrić, midfielder (Real Madrid)
FIFA rank: 23
Modrić (Real Madrid) and Rakitić (Barcelona): the two metronomes of the biggest teams in Spain – in Europe? In the world? – will have to think as one in the heart of the Croatian team. We also can’t forget midfielders Perišić, Brozović (Inter Milan) and Kovačić (Real Madrid). Mandžukić will take care of an attack that will benefit from loads of scoring chances and that scored a bunch in qualifying (two goals per game on average). Croatia promises exciting, offensive games.
Spain
Manager: Vicente Del Bosque (Spain)
Last participation: 2012 (champions)
Qualifying: 1st, group C
Nickname: La Roja (The reds)
Player to watch: David Silva, attacking midfielder (Manchester City)
FIFA rank: 6
The Spanish red star, having previously won three international tournaments in a row (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012), lost a bit of its shine at the last World Cup: not exactly a black hole, but their group stage exit was a disaster. Whatever. La Roja still has a top quality squad lead by Iniesta, Busquets, Piqué and Ramos. Wake not a sleeping lion.
Czech Republic
Manager: Pavel Vrba (Czech Republic)
Last participation: 2012 (quarterfinals)
Qualifying: 1st, group A
Nickname: Nároďák (The national team)
Player to watch: Tomáš Rosický, attacking midfielder (Arsenal)
FIFA rank: 29
The Czech have enjoyed little success on the international scene since their Euro 2004 semifinals appearance. Midfield dynamo Rosický many injuries have not helped the Nároďák, even though they progressed from their group in 2012. The unimpressive defence can rely on one of the top keepers in the world in Petr Čech.
Turkey
Manager: Fatih Terim (Turkey)
Last participation: 2008 (semifinals)
Qualifying: 3rd, group A (best third-ranked team)
Nickname: Ay-Yıldızlılar (The Crescent stars)
Player to watch: Hakan Çalhanoğlu, attacking midfielder (Bayer Leverkusen)
FIFA rank: 13
The Turks don’t always go to international tournaments, but when they do, beware: they have finished third in the 2002 World Cup, one of their only two appearances, and have gotten to the European semifinals in 2008, in Austria and Switzerland, their only appearance at the Euro since 2000). Even though they got in through the back door, dodging the play-offs by only a point, Fatih Terim’s men will pose a threat: Arda Turan (Barcelona) will lead the attack along with Hakan Çalhanoğlu, while Borussia Dortmund’s Nuri Şahin takes care of transition. But the whole squad will have to up their game compared to their level in qualifying to hope progressing from this tough group.
GROUP C
Germany
Manager: Joachim Löw (Germany)
Last participation: 2012 (semifinals)
Qualifying: 1st, group D
Nickname: Die Mannschaft (The team)
Player to watch: Mesut Özil, attacking midfielder (Arsenal)
FIFA ranking: 5
The defending world champions have a squad with undeniable quality and depth. Losing leaders like Phillip Lahm and Per Mertesacker to international retirement after the triumph in Brazil should not have a big impact on this team. Meanwhile, Mario Gomez is back in the manager’s good books and the striker will be supported by some of the best playmakers in the game: Özil, Müller, Götze…
Northern Ireland
Manager: Michael O’Neill (Northern Ireland)
Last participation: first appearance
Qualifying: 1st, group F
Nickname: Norn Iron
Player to watch: Kyle Lafferty, striker (Birmingham City)
FIFA ranking: 26
The Northern Irish (who are British, as opposed to the Irish from the Republic) topped their qualifying group to the surprise of many and only by a hair. Now, time for the real stuff: they will face powerful opponents. The defence, built around veterans Baird, McAuley and Evans, will need to be tough. The forward line is an uncertainty with Lafferty (Birmingham, Championship) and McGinn (Aberdeen, Scottish Premier League). But one Will Grigg, author of 25 goals in England’s League One (third level in the league pyramid) with Wigan Athletic this season, could find his name on the Norn Iron game sheets more often than not.
Poland
Manager: Adam Nawałka (Poland)
Last participation: 2012 (group stage)
Qualifying: 2nd, group D
Nickname: Biało-czerwoni (The white and red)
Player to watch: Robert Lewandowski, striker (Bayern Munich)
FIFA ranking: 27
Lewandowski. Learn how to pronounce this name. Lay-one-daw-ski. The qualifying campaign’s top goalscorer could wreak havoc in this group, in which the second spot will be up for grabs. Opposing defenders will also have their hands full with Milik, who scored 24 goals this season with Ajax. On the wings, Kuba and Grosicki will drive forward; in midfield, Krychowiak, recently crowned Europa League champ with Sevilla, acts as a wall in front of the defence, which coincidentally is the Polish’s greatest weakness (one goal conceded per game during qualification).
Ukraine
Manager: Mykhaylo Fomenko (Ukraine)
Last participation: 2012 (group stage)
Qualifying: 3rd, group C (won the play-off against Slovenia)
Nickname: Жовто-Сині (The yellow and blues)
Player to watch: Yehven Konoplyanka, midfielder (Sevilla)
FIFA ranking: 22
The Shevchenko era is dead. Now is the time of defensive efficiency (five goals allowed in 12 games). Shevchuk, Fedetskiy and Khacheridi are the leaders of this defensive back four protected by Konoplyanka. Further forward, Yarmolenko will do his best to help his country achieve success in their first Euro qualification (in 2012, they were invited as one of the host countries).
Group schedule
Sunday, June 12: Poland – Northern Ireland, noon | Germany – Ukraine, 3pm
Thursday, June 16: Ukraine – Northern Ireland, noon | Germany – Poland, 3pm
Tuesday, June 21: Ukraine – Poland, noon | Northern Ireland – Germany, noon
GROUP B
England
Manager: Roy Hodgson (England)
Last participation: 2012 (quarterfinals)
Qualifying: 1st, group E
Nickname: The Three Lions
Player to watch: Harry Kane, striker (Tottenham Hotspur)
FIFA ranking: 10
Will England be true to its habit in international tournaments or surprise us this time? For once, we are tempted to climb aboard the English train: Jack Wilshere’s newfound health – however short it may be – will bring greater assurance to the midfield; Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy have risen to the occasion in their recent league season and will bring bite to the Three Lions’ attack; the defence looks to have stabilized with Smalling and Cahill. A first title since 1966? What did you put in your tea?
Russia
Manager: Leonid Slutsky (Russia)
Last participation: 2012 (group stage)
Qualifying: 2nd, group G
Nickname: Sbornaya (The national selection)
Player to watch: Artem Dzyumba, striker (Zenit St. Petersburg)
FIFA ranking: 27
Manager – and CSKA Moscow coach – Leonid Slutsky will be spoiled for choice on the offensive side of things, with talented players competing in Russia and all across Europe: Shatov on the wing, Dzyumba and Kokorin (Zenit) as finishers, as well as young Cheryshev (Valencia, on loan from Real Madrid). Russia has the tools to go through to the round of 16.
Slovakia
Manager: Ján Kozák (Slovakia)
Last participation: first appearance
Qualifying: 2nd, group C
Nickname: Repre (Representation)
Player to watch: Marek Hamšík, midfielder (Napoli)
FIFA ranking: 32
Second-placed team of a relatively easy qualifying group and victors of Spain by the score of 2-1, the Slovaks have their work cut out for them in this challenging Group B. Marek Hamšík will have a lot on his shoulders after five goals in ten qualifying games. Martin Škrtel must be as sharp as ever in the defensive department: the Repre has conceded eight goals in qualifying.
Wales
Manager: Chris Coleman (Wales)
Last participation: first appearance
Qualifying: 2nd, group B
Nickname: Dreigiau (The dragons)
Player to watch: Gareth Bale, forward (Real Madrid)
FIFA ranking: 24
The Welsh have a nice squad, with high energy and good work rate, but two world-class players raise the quality of the group: Aaron Ramsey ignites the attack from midfield and Gareth Bale drives forward with the speed of a dragon. Chris Coleman’s team could burn through their group, but also burn their wings because of a shaky defence lead by Swansea captain Ashley Williams.
Group schedule
Saturday, June 11: Wales – Slovakia, noon | England – Russia, 3pm
Wednesday, June 15: Russia – Slovakia, 9am
Thursday, June 16: England – Wales, 9am
Monday, June 20: Slovakia – England, 3pm | Russia – Wales, 3pm
GROUP A
Albania
Manager: Gianni de Biasi (Italy)
Last participation: first appearance
Qualifying: 2nd, group I
Nickname: Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
Player to watch: Lorik Cana, defender (Nantes)
FIFA rank: 45
The mere fact that Albania will be at Euro 2016 is surprising: up against powers like Portugal, Serbia and Denmark in their qualifying group, the Eagles were far from being favourites to get a ticket to the play-off games, and even less so to earn direct qualification. The secret to manager Gianni de Biasi’s sauce? A 4-5-1 putting forth a solid, almost hermetic back four (five goals allowed in ten qualifying games) and efficiency in front of goal. The Albanians could benefit from a favourable draw to progress from one of the tournament’s weakest groups.
France
Manager: Didier Deschamps (France)
Last participation: 2012 (quarterfinals)
Qualifying: host country
Nickname: Les Bleus (The Blues)
Player to watch: Antoine Griezmann, forward (Atlético Madrid)
FIFA rank: 21
As well as having home turf advantage, France probably called up the deepest roster of all selections at this year’s Euro. Between the posts, Lloris has a ton of experience and is more than up to the task; in the middle of the park, Pogba, Matuidi and Kanté are talented, dynamic and physical; the forward line poses danger for any opposing defence, with an array of tactical possibilities with Griezmann, Payet, Coman or Giroud. The only question mark: who will replace Varane in the heart of the defence alongside Koscielny?
Romania
Manager: Anghel Iordănescu (Romania)
Last participation: 2008 (group stage)
Qualifying: 2nd, group F
Nickname: Tricolorii (The Tricolour)
Player to watch: Gabriel Torje, winger (Osmanlıspor)
FIFA rank: 19
Here is the best defence of the qualifying campaign: only two goals allowed in ten games and a record of five wins and five draws. Can (or will) the Romanians hold up against the French and the Swiss attackers? This will be the key to qualification for Romania, who has scored only one goal per game on average.
Switzerland
Manager: Vladimir Petković (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Last participation: 2008 (group stage)
Qualifying: 2nd, group E
Nickname: Nati Suisse in French, Schweizer Nati in German (The Swiss Nationals)
Player to watch: Xherdan Shaqiri, winger (Stoke City)
FIFA rank: 14
Having missed the last continental competition, the Swiss squad will hope to progress from their group for the first time in history. They certainly have the required ammunition to get a round of 16 berth: a well-oiled but somewhat porous defence in qualifying (eight goals shipped in ten games), a solid and physical midfield with Xhaka and Behrami and dangerous forwards with the young Shaqiri and Seferović. The Alpines have had higher mountains to climb.
Group schedule
Friday, June 10: France - Romania, 3pm
Saturday, June 11: Albania - Switzerland, 9am
Wednesday, June 15: Romania - Switzerland, noon | France - Albania, 3pm
Sunday, June 19 : Romania - Albania, 3pm |Switzerland -France, 3pm
