Host France will open Euro 2016 against Romania as the draw for the 24-team tournament was made Saturday in Paris.
Advertisement
The draw at Le Palais des Congres in the French capital was held amid tight security as the representatives of the participating nations learned their opponents for next summer’s finals. Spain is reigning European champion and though Vicente del Bosque is overseeing a change of generation throughout the team, with David de Gea close to usurping Iker Casillas in goal and the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Koke and Paco Alacer breaking into the side, it is still one of the strongest squads in France.
“To face France in the opening match, when the whole world will be watching, is something fantastic. For us it’s only an extra motivation”, he said.
With the draw for Euro 2016 set to take place today, we look at some of the teams, who have qualified and their chances in the competition, and we will provide some build up to the draw which is set to take to take place at 5:00 GMT. Their predecessors were France (1992 and 2004), the Czech Republic (2000), Spain and Germany (2012). “It is just a fact of life and whatever teams we get we will do our best to beat them”.
All of Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are in Pot 4 meaning that they can’t be drawn together and only one of the three teams has the prospect of facing England in the Group stage.
“We are the favorites and we want to win the group”, said German coach Joachim Low.
This is the toughest group to call, and also the strongest based on FIFA’s current world rankings.
Also let’s not forget the possibility of some fierce rival nations playing each other, with the potential of Germany, Russia and Poland being drawn in the same group, this would lead to some intense games if it were to happen.
What about the knockout stages? The case centres on FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s approval of $2 million of FIFA money that Platini got in 2011 as backdated salary.
Advertisement
Infantino is among the candidates to replace Blatter in the top job in world football, with the 60-year-old Platini still stating his intention to stand.
