1) Wales
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1958 FIFA World Cup.
2016 Euro Cup.
Yeah, that’s right! They had not qualified for any major international tournament for 58 years. The world seemed to have forgotten them. A team ranked 117 four years ago is hardly considered to pose any kind of threat. Fast forward to 2016, and it boasts the world’s most expensive footballer along with an all-time highest ranking of 8 in 2015!
It doesn’t matter if they were not considered a force to reckon with some time back. It doesn’t matter if they haven’t played competitive football at the highest stage for 58 years. What matters is that they have a certain Gareth Bale on their side.
Finishing runners-up in their Euro Qualifiers group with 21 points from 10 matches, they finished just 2 points shy of group winners Belgium. But that’s not all. They had defeated Belgium at home and drew the away match in the Qualifiers.
Drawn with England, Slovakia and Russia, they will enter the tournament with nothing to lose. Their trump card will undoubtedly be Bale who had almost single-handedly helped Wales qualify with 7 goals and 2 assists. Along with Bale, they have Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen who can make notable contributions.
