UEFA Euro 2016 Preview
The much anticipated Euros have just begun and all the 24 nations are geared up for a footballing fiesta which will culminate in the Grand Final in Stade de France on 10th July. The tournament looks to be well poised with some young dynamic talents looking to set the world on fire and players looking to make a final impression on the World Stage.
As is the norm with all tournaments we have the favorites who are tipped to win the trophy along with the dark horses ready to make a final charge for the title.
Obviously the hosts France go into the tournament as favorites and with the backing of their home supports they do pose a good chance of going all the way. One can also not simply ignore the World Champions Germany, with their wealth of International experience in the form of Schweinsteiger and Mario Gomez they also boast the likes of Muller and Neuer, and a otherwise strong team. Spain, the defending champs have a young, exciting squad and will be looking to get over their atrocious World Cup Campaign. However they do lack experience in some quarters of the pitch. They lack an Attacking Flair with Diego Costa, Mata missing out on the Flight to France. They are heavily reliant on a strong back-line and midfield which is heavily influenced by Barcelona. These 3 teams are the Pre-Tournament favorites and have the most impressive squads.
We also have a few dark-horses who may spring a surprise or 2 and make it to the Grand Showpiece. England have finally selected a young dynamic squad boasting the likes of Harry Kane, Delle Ali and the In-Form Jamie Vardy. If they can get their Squad Balance right, then with the leadership of Wayne Rooney they can certainly compete with the best on their day. Then we have the Dark Horses in Belgium who perhaps, along with France have the youngest, most exciting squad available to them. Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Radja Nainggolan are all coming of the back of Fantastic Seasons and if we get the Hazard of 1 year ago then we may have a new champion!!!
The likes of Italy also have a fairly decent shout with perhaps the best defense along with the Germans in the form of Chiellini, Barzagli and Buffon to compete with Boateng, Hummels and Neuer! However they will certainly miss their Midfield Stalwarts in Marco Verrati, Claudio Marchisio and the veteran Andrea Pirlo. Their hopes up-front all rely on Lorenzo Insigne to be the main creative force. The Tournament does promise to be an exciting spectacle with all the teams looking strong.
I predict the eventual champions to be Belgium with France, Germany and England making it to the Semi-Finals, but i just feel that they finally rise out of the shadows and set their mark on the world Stage. France do not have a strong enough defense with Raphael Varane and Aymeric Laporte missing out and they are also missing their Superstar Karim Benzema and seem reliant on Antoine Griezmann, Dimitri Payet and Paul Pogba up front. Belgium have a sturdy Defense with the Totenham duo of Alderweireld and Vertoghen compensating for Kompany's injury and Courtois one of the best goalkeepers. England will be England and fail when it matters most and Germany's Golden Generation seems to have passed with the losing both their warm-up games. It looks like Belgiums Golden Generation will finally come good and set the world alight!!!
