Euro 2016: Predicting the group winners and who will qualify for the knockout stages

Euro 2016 kicks off in France on 10 June 2016.The 15th edition of the UEFA Euro Championships is coming even closer with the curtains falling on the qualifying stage and the Euro 2016 draw being made just a couple of days ago. The draw has been kind to many European powerhouses and has given a glimmer of hope to some of the nations who were simply expected to make up the numbers.However, there have been a couple of teams, including some of the top sides, who have been handed a tough group to deal with. But such groups will have some very exciting matchups at the start of the tournament.Here is a complete analysis of all six groups in Euro 2016, showing which teams are expected to have a long stay at France and which teams have to catch an early flight home along with some interesting matchups to look out for.

#1 Group A

Switzerland and France met in the 2014 World Cup group stages as well

Hosts France have been handed an easy draw with Switzerland, Romania and debutants Albania in Group A. Les Bleus have the possibility of missing star striker Karim Benzema for the Euro finals due to his ban from the national team, but with the presence of other star players like Mathieu Valbuena, Paul Pogba and Olivier Giroud alongside home advantage, France have the potential to go a long way.

Both Switzerland and Romania have the capability to pull off an upset. Romania have been really disciplined in defence during the qualifiers but a little shaky up front. Switzerland, on the other hand, have been decent in both departments during the qualifiers. The clash between Switzerland and Romania would be the deciding factor in this group.

However, Albania cannot be overlooked as they have had some really good results lately, beating Portugal in their own backyard during the qualifiers and drawing and later defeating France during two friendlies. So they could also become a surprise package in the finals.

Winner: FranceRunners-up: SwitzerlandMatch to watch out for: Switzerland vs Romania

#2 Group B

Impressive qualifiers England have also been handed a decent draw in the finals which includes neighbors Wales alongside Russia and Slovakia. The England-Wales match would possibly be one of the most intriguing local matchups in the competition.

In the past few major tournaments, England have had a good qualifying campaign but have always failed to perform well at the finals. However, this time, the Three Lions look in good shape and have found an inspiring leader in Wayne Rooney who has been in good touch with the national team recently. Russia have not been in very good touch but keeping in mind some of the talented players they possess, they can be considered tough opponents.

Wales could be one of the dark horses coming into the tournament despite the fact that this is their maiden European Championship as they have shown some really good performances during the qualifiers. If star players Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are in top condition during the course of the tournament then Wales could be a side to be wary of.

Slovakia might have had some good performances during the qualifiers but, considering the magnitude of their opposition, they look to be an underdog in this group. England look to be the outright favorite to take the group so it would be a three-way battle between Russia, Wales and Slovakia to take the second position.

Winner: EnglandRunners-up: WalesMatches to watch out for: England vs Wales, Russia vs Wales

#3 Group C

Last editions hosts Poland and Ukraine are in the same group alongside world champions Germany

Group C has World Cup champions Germany alongside last edition’s hosts Poland and Ukraine and debutants Northern Ireland. Germany are considered to be heavy favorites to win Euro 2016 and have a very strong team full of world class footballers. Die Mannschaft will be up against a very familiar Euro opponent in Poland whom they faced in 2008 and were in the same qualifying group for Euro 2016.

Poland have had a good run in qualifying with their captain and star striker Robert Lewandowski at his peak, scoring 13 goals in qualifying. They could pose a dangerous threat to Germany as they have already beaten them once in qualifying.

Ukraine have been handed a comparatively easier group compared to Euro 2012. However, looking at Germany’s powerful side and Poland’s attacking prowess, Ukraine’s only hope of reaching the knockout stages would be standing amongst the best four third-placed teams.

Northern Ireland have been one of the biggest surprises during qualifying as they won their group above Romania but qualifying from this group will definitely be a herculean task.

Winner: GermanyRunners-up: PolandMatches to watch out for: Germany vs Poland, Poland vs Ukraine

#4 Group D

Reigning champions Spain have been drawn in a tricky group

Group D is one of the trickiest groups in the tournament comprising two-time defending champions Spain, dark horses Croatia, Czech Republic and an improved Turkey. Reigning champions Spain are currently in a period of transition and are looking to redeem themselves in Euro 2016 following a disastrous campaign in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, Spain have some top quality footballers in a strong XI and bench.

Croatia are always a dangerous dark horse in any European championship and, this time, are strong contenders to get past this group. Croatia have always failed to deliver in major tournaments in the past few years but things look different now. They have matured as a team and, if they can continue their good form, they will definitely be a force to be reckoned with.

Both Czech Republic and Turkey were in the same qualifying group and have crossed paths earlier in Euro 2008. While Czech Republic have shown consistent form throughout the qualifiers, Turkey have improved immensely towards the end of the qualifiers.

Given Spain’s transition along with the current form of Croatia, Czech Republic and Turkey, this group could go either way. However, the most probable outcome of this group would be Spain winning the group and Croatia narrowly ending below them in second place.

Winner: SpainRunners-up: CroatiaMatches to watch out for: Czech Republic vs Croatia, Turkey vs Croatia

#5 Group E

Group E is the “Group of Death”

Group E is the “Group of Death” in Euro 2016. It comprises of last edition’s runners-up Italy, current FIFA world no.1 Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland. Even though the Irish have been resurgent lately with wins over world champions Germany and Bosnia & Herzegovina in the playoffs, they are an underdog in this group.

Which leaves Italy, Belgium and Sweden to battle it out for the first two spots. Belgium, with their new golden generation of footballers, have been playing some dazzling football in the past couple of years and will be among the favorites to win the tournament.

Italy have been improving ever since their disappointing showing at the 2014 World Cup. Captain Gianluigi Buffon has been in good form lately and will possibly be playing in his final European Championships. Italy’s opening match against Belgium will definitely be the most anticipated clash during the group stages.

Sweden will be another dark horse coming in the tournament with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in terrific form. Sweden’s best chance of qualifying for the knockouts will be by ending amongst the best third-ranked teams.

Winners: BelgiumRunners-up: ItalyMatch to watch out for: Italy vs Belgium

#6 Group F

Portugal have been drawn in an easy group

Group F is the most straightforward group in the tournament comprising Portugal, Austria, Hungary and debutants Iceland. The Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal side are the outright favorites to top the group.

The only team in the group which would pose some threat for Portugal would be Austria, who are another potential dark horse entering the tournament. The Austrians had an impressive qualifying campaign with nine victories and a draw out of their 10 games. They have been in consistent form in the past year and if they can maintain this form then they could be a formidable opponent to watch out for.

Iceland have a good opportunity to make an impact on their first major tournament as Hungary seems an opponent well within Iceland’s reach. Iceland will be counting for their star player Gylfi Sigurdsson to take them past the group stages. Hungary are potential underdogs in this group. However, they are capable of pulling off an upset or two.

Winner: PortugalRunners-up: AustriaMatch to watch out for: Hungary vs Iceland

#7 Teams who will qualify for the knockout stages

The expansion of the format has provided the platform for four third-placed teams to qualify for the round of 16. The best four third-placed teams (based on points) qualify for the newly introduced Round of 16.

Teams expected to finish third in each group

• Group A: Romania
• Group B Russia
• Group C: Ukraine
• Group D: Czech Republic
• Group E: Sweden
• Group F: Iceland

Final 16 teams

Out of these six teams, the four teams that could qualify for the round of 16 based on their current form and opposition in the group are Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic and Ukraine. Iceland have the best possibility to fall out of the race.

Romania might have a very good defence, but they need to be disciplined up front as well in order to beat the likes of France and Switzerland. So they could be the second third placed team to be eliminated.

Some impressive qualifiers have missed the cut whereas some surprises are there as well in the round of 16. With Ukraine, Russia, Czech Republic and Sweden joining the other group winners and runners-up in the round of 16, we have our final sixteen teams standing after the group stages – France, Switzerland, England, Wales, Russia, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Spain, Croatia, Czech Republic, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Portugal and Austria.