UCFB students think England will win Euro 2016 ahead of the tournament kicking off tonight.
A poll ran on Twitter found students think Roy Hodgson’s men will be lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy on July 10th, ahead of hosts France and World Champions Germany.
Chris Smalling is looking to continue his good form into Euro 2016
England came through their qualifying group with a perfect record of ten wins from ten games, conceding just three goals along the way. However, it’s the team’s defence which has fans concerned, with only three recognised centre backs in the squad.
Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy, neither of whom had even earned an England cap by the time of the World Cup two years ago, are expected to lead the line. The role, and even inclusion, of captain Wayne Rooney in the team is the hot topic of conversation. Despite being England’s record goal scorer, Rooney has scored only six in tournament competitions, four of which came during his first tournament at Euro 2004.
Marcus Rashford, looking to impress during England’s training session yesterday
France, who outside of the poll are many people’s favourites much like when they hosted and won the World Cup in 1998, kick off the tournament tonight in Saint Denis against Romania.
The following day is the turn of two of the three home nations to take to the field in the same group. Wales, who were lead through the qualifying stages by Gareth Bale, will take on Slovakia, before England begin their bid to make it to a major tournament final for the first time in 50 years against Russia.
Northern Ireland start their campaign, and first ever appearance at a European Championships, against Poland and will have to be on top of their game to stop Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski from scoring. It’s then the Republic of Ireland’s turn when they come face to face with one of the most feared strikers in world football – Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
For the first time, 24 teams will make up the competition. The top two teams from each of the six groups go through to the round of the last 16, plus the four best third-placed teams.
Group A – France, Switzerland, Romania, Albania.
Group B – England, Wales, Russia, Slovakia.
Group C – Germany, Poland, Northern Ireland, Ukraine.
Group D – Spain, Czech Republic, Croatia, Turkey.
Group E – Belgium, Italy, Rep. of Ireland, Sweden.
Group F – Portugal, Iceland, Austria, Hungary.
Group fixtures: June 10th – June 22nd
Round of 16: June 25th – June 27th
Quarter-finals: June 30th – July 3rd
Semi-finals: July 6th – July 7th
Final: July 10th
