France will like its chances of getting out of Group A. After the opening match against Romania, the host nation will play Albania – in the tournament for the first time – and finally Switzerland on June 19.
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FC’s Santi Solari feels Croatia have the best midfield at the Euro’s, but indicates Spain will still win the group.
Juan Mata and David De Gea are expected to represent Spain, the reigning European champions from 2012, who will go up against Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia in Group D.
The Euro 2016 draw on Saturday pitted England against Wales and Germany against Poland in two spotlight groups at the championships.
Albania and Switzerland will be joining the French and Romania in Group A – one of six with four teams apiece.
Although Spain is the only team to have won the competition consecutively, and won nine out of 10 games in qualifying, coach Vicente del Bosque remains cautious.
Speaking in the aftermath of the draw in Paris, Del Bosque said: ‘We have to give value to the opponents.
Saying “life is full of surprises” regarding match-ups, Terim said he was sure his players would create some “interesting performances”.
Sweden vs. Belgium looks like a mouth-watering final match in that group.
Group F sees Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal matched against Portugal, Iceland, Austria and Hungary. But Wales winger Gareth Bale perhaps has the edge on them after scoring seven goals in qualifying. He has been charged with conspiracy to blackmail in a case involving France teammate Mathieu Valbuena – who also scored against the Swiss – and Benzema is suspended pending the outcome of his case.
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Instead of taking centre stage, the leader of European football’s ruling organisation was banned under the terms of his provisional 90-day FIFA suspension that forbid him from any involvement in the sport, pending investigations into his financial arrangements with world football’s governing body.
