Euro 2016 Group Stage review! Who shall prevail!

Euro 2016 Group Stage Review

Euro 2016 begins tonight! The tournament will last for 1 month, from 10th June to 10 July. The UEFA European Championship is held once every 4 years, and France will be hosting the 15th edition this year, the 3rd time they will be hosting this prestigious event.

24 countries will take part in Euro 2016. They were divided into 6 groups, Group A to F. Top 2 from each group will qualify automatically to the next stage, the knockout stage and 4 best 3rd placed teams will join them as well.

So who shall prevail and advance to the knockout stage? Let's do some analysis of each group and find out whose chances of advancing are bigger, shall we?

Click any group below for their review:
Group A    Group B    Group C     Group D    Group E    Group F

Group A

France's Olivier Giroud

Group A consisted of debutante Albania, alongside Switzerland & Romania, and of course, the host, France. 

France: With their home advantage and with excellent players, such as Payet, Pogba, Martial, Matuidi, Giroud, in their team. It's easy to see why they are hot favorite to not only advance to the next stage but to win the whole tournament itself! 

Switzerland: Switzerland came into the tournament as runner up of their qualifying group just behind England, they missed out on Euro 2012 and will be aiming to make a big comeback. Their players to watch out for included Watford's Behrami, Genoa's Dzemaili and of course, Stoke City's Shaqiri.

Romania: Romania, like Switzerland, also missed out of the last tournament. They also qualified as runner up of their qualifying group despite not losing any qualifying games and let in only 2 goals, reason being they drew a lot game. So obviously, defense is their strength. Their players to watch out for included Torje, Stanciu and their defensive unit.

Albania: The seemingly whipping boys of Group A. This is the first time ever they qualified for Euro. It's already a huge achievement for them to qualify in a qualifying group consisting of Portugal, Serbia and Denmark. It came as a shock to many people but will they continue to surprise us? The hope is not high but let's see, let's see.

My verdict, France to qualify as Group Winner, Switzerland will qualified as runner-up, and Romania to qualify as 3rd best placed team.

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Group B

England's Harry Kane

Group B consisted of Russia, debutantes Slovakia, Wales and England, who will be aiming to win their first ever Euro's tournament and I do think they have an excellent chance.

Russia: Russia 4th consecutive Euro's tournament. Russia recent friendly games' results aren't really morally boosting , a 1-1 draw with Serbia, 2-1 defeat to Czech and 4-2 defeat to France. They could be in for a tough and bumpy tournament.

Slovakia: Euro's debutante Slovakia qualified as runner up to Spain in their qualifying group. Their recent 3-1 friendly victory against a weaken Germany will slightly give them some much needed confidence. Their star player is Adam Nemec.

Wales: Another Euro's debutante Wales came into the tournament as runner up to Belgium in their qualifying group. All eyes will be on Garreth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. Will they be enough to help them advance? Odd isn't in their favor, but anything can happen in a big tournament, ya?

England: Another hot favourite to win Euro 2016. 100% record in their qualifying group and with stars power in Rooney, Kane, Vardy, Smalling, Hart. It's their tournament to lose!

My Verdict: England to advance easily, Russia will struggle through as group's runner up.

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Group C

Germany's Thomas Müller

Group C consisted of Debutante Northern Ireland, Poland, Ukraine and tournament's favorite Germany.

Northern Ireland: Debutante and Surprise team to qualify for Euro 2016, and they qualified spectacularly, finishing first in their qualifying group ahead of Romania. But will their astonishing run continue? It will be tough but why not? 

Poland: Playing in their 3rd consecutive Euro, they certainly have the experience. They qualified as runner up to Germany but only 1 point away. With Bayern Munich's Lewandowski in their team, their confidence level will be really high, Also, keep an eye on Fiorentina's Blaszczykowski.

Ukraine: Only the second time they qualified for Euro after hosting it 4 years ago with Poland. Qualified via a playoff victory against Slovenia. They have won all their last 4 friendly matches against Albania, Romania, Walea and Cyprus, so obviously, confidence is not an issue! Look out for Yarmolenko and Konoplyanka.

Germany: 3 times Euro's Champions Germany will once again be the tournament hot favourite to become Champion, it doesn't came as a surprise with top players like Gotze, Muller, Ozil, Kroos, Boateng and Neuer in their team, 

My verdict: Germany to qualify as group winner, Lewandowski helping Poland to 2nd and Ukraine to qualify as 3rd best placed team.

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Group D

Spain's Cesc Fabregas

Group D consisted of Czech Republic, Turkey, Croatia and defending champion Spain!

Czech Republic: Winner of their qualifying group that included Netherlands and Turkey, and with star players like Rosicky, Necid and Cech, they can very well be one of the surprise teams of Euro 2016.

Turkey: Turkey qualified as the 3rd best placed team in their qualifying group, beating Netherlands, Czech Republic and Iceland along the way. They could be another surprise package. Look out for Calhanoglu and Arda Turan.

Croatia: Their 4th consecutive Euro, qualifying in their group 2nd to Italy. Confidence on a high after demolishing San Marino 10-0 in a recent friendly, watch out for them and their top players in Mandzukic, Modric and Perisic.

Spain Spain came in as defending champion and champion of the last 2 Euros! Undoubtedly, a hot favourite to win it 3 times in a row! A few of their many top players to watch out for included, Fabregas, Aduriz, Nolita, Silva, Iniesta and many more.

My verdict: Spain to qualify as group winner, Croatia 2nd and Turkey as 3rd best placed team.

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Group E

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Group E consisted of Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Dark horse Belgium and playing in their 5th consecutive Euro, Italy.

Sweden: Sweden qualified via a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory over Denmark in a qualifying playoff. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and company will aim to continue making a scene in Euro 2016, it won't be easy though with Italy, Belgium and Ireland alongside them in this group.

Republic of Ireland: Ireland also qualified via a qualifying playoff victory against Bosnia & Herzegovina. Southampton Shane Long will be their main man, along with other Premier League players like McClean, McGeady, Walters and Given.

Belgium: Some say this is the golden generation of Belgium, and the Belgium players will be eager to prove them right! They finished first in their qualifying group with players like Hazard, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Dembele, Fellaini causing havoc, and with their defensive unit of Alderweireld, Vertonghen and Courtois, it's not hard to see why they are deemed to dark horse of Euro2016.

Italy: Italy have qualified for Euro a total of 9 times but have only won it once in 1968. Qualified top in their qualifying group with an unbeatable qualifying record, they came into Euro 2016 on a high. Look out for top players such as Southampton's Pelle, Lazio's Candreva, El Shaarawy and the defensive until of Bonucci, Chellini, Barzagli and the living legend himself, Gianluigi Buffon,

My Verdict: Italy to advance as group winner, Belgium to qualify as a close runner up.

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Group F

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo

Group F consisted of debutante Iceland, Austria, Hungary after 44 years wait and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

Iceland: Iceland shockingly qualified for Euro 2016, finishing 2nd in their qualifying group, just 2 points behind Czech Republic and  consisting only 6 in 10 matches. Will they be the fairytale team of Euro 2016? It will be hard in a relatively difficult group but we can only wait and see.

Austria: Only their 2nd ever Euro tournaments, they qualified top of their qualifying group ahead of Sweden and Russia unbeaten. And they will aim to continue their good run in Euro 2016. Their star players included Bayern Munich's Alaba, FC Basel's Janko and Stoke City's Arnautovic.

Hungary: Hungary is back to the tournament after a 44 years wait! They made it to Euro 2016 after beating Norway in a qualifying playoff. Their top players included Nemeth, Gera and Dzsudzsak.

Portugal: Portugal qualified top of their qualifying group. With Cristiano Ronaldo on their side, they will be a force to be reckon with. Beside their star player, they have other impressive players like Nani, Quaresma, Carvalho and Moutinho to watch out for.

My verdict: Portugal to qualify as group winner, Austria to qualify as 2nd placed team, and Hungary to qualify as 3rd best placed team.

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And so, let the game begins...

Who do you think will be Euro 2016's Champion? Lt us know in the comment!