by Colin Flynn
Although many are eyeing the start of the World Cup or the
finish of the Barclays Premier League, there are a few that are keen to see the
start of the qualifying rounds for the Euro 2016, which will take place in
France. On February 23rd, 54 countries from Europe were chosen at random
into 9 groups, most of which consisted of six countries.
Group A: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Turkey, Latvia, Iceland, Kazakhstan.
They were given only a slight challenge in Group A and are the favorites to win, but the Dutch will be tested by Iceland and Turkey.
Prediction: Netherlands and Iceland advance
Group B: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Israel, Wales, Cyprus, Andorra
Group B is a tough one to call, so expect it to be a tight race for the top two spots. Belgium are looking good, as they have recently qualified for the World Cup in Brazil. Expect a tight contest between Edin Dzeko’s Bosnia and Herzegovina and Israel to compete to the end, but don’t count out Wales, who have international superstar Gareth Bale.
Prediction: Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina advance
Group C: Spain, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, Macedonia, Luxembourg
Spain are the clear favorites to win this group. The number one team in the world will most likely be playing their substitutes for a majority of the games played. It will be a clash for second though between Ukraine and Slovakia whose squads both have young emerging players looking to make good impressions.
Prediction: Spain and Ukraine
Group D: Germany, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Poland, Gibralter
Poor Gibraltar, who were just accepted by UEFA this year, have been handed one of the toughest groups in the whole tournament. This group isn’t called the Group of Death for nothing. Germany, who are ranked number 2 and are said to be the favorites of the group, do have some competition on their hands. The battle of second place will be a fierce one: Poland, Ireland, and Scotland. All these teams know each other very well and it will be a fight to the death.
Prediction: Germany and the Republic of Ireland
Group E: England, Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, San Marino
England were also handed a fairly easy draw. They will be the massive favorites to advance. Second will be a shot in the dark as it could turn out to be anyone that claims it.
Prediction: England and Estonia.
Group F: Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands
Group F is another tough call as any of these countries could claim the top two spots. It will be tough but Greece and Finland are both relatively strong teams.
Prediction: Greece and Finland
Group G: Russia, Sweden, Austria, Montenegro, Moldova, Liechtenstein
This group has clear favorites in Russia and Sweden. The two will be battling each other for top spot, but also expect competition from Austria who has the capability to snag second place.
Prediction: Sweden and Russia
Group H: Italy, Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Malta
This group is extremely similar to Group G. Italy and Croatia are the favorites, but we cannot tell who will be the better side, and underdog Norway can be full of surprises and sneak in.
Prediction: Italy and Norway
Group I: Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia, Albania, France.
There is a slight twist to this Group, as France gets automatic qualification into the tournament, since they are the host country. All the matches played with France will not be counted and treated simply as friendly matches. Thus, it will just be Portugal and Denmark slugging it out for top spot.
Prediction: Portugal and Denmark
Group A: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Turkey, Latvia, Iceland, Kazakhstan.
They were given only a slight challenge in Group A and are the favorites to win, but the Dutch will be tested by Iceland and Turkey.
Prediction: Netherlands and Iceland advance
Group B: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Israel, Wales, Cyprus, Andorra
Group B is a tough one to call, so expect it to be a tight race for the top two spots. Belgium are looking good, as they have recently qualified for the World Cup in Brazil. Expect a tight contest between Edin Dzeko’s Bosnia and Herzegovina and Israel to compete to the end, but don’t count out Wales, who have international superstar Gareth Bale.
Prediction: Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina advance
Group C: Spain, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, Macedonia, Luxembourg
Spain are the clear favorites to win this group. The number one team in the world will most likely be playing their substitutes for a majority of the games played. It will be a clash for second though between Ukraine and Slovakia whose squads both have young emerging players looking to make good impressions.
Prediction: Spain and Ukraine
Group D: Germany, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Poland, Gibralter
Poor Gibraltar, who were just accepted by UEFA this year, have been handed one of the toughest groups in the whole tournament. This group isn’t called the Group of Death for nothing. Germany, who are ranked number 2 and are said to be the favorites of the group, do have some competition on their hands. The battle of second place will be a fierce one: Poland, Ireland, and Scotland. All these teams know each other very well and it will be a fight to the death.
Prediction: Germany and the Republic of Ireland
Group E: England, Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, San Marino
England were also handed a fairly easy draw. They will be the massive favorites to advance. Second will be a shot in the dark as it could turn out to be anyone that claims it.
Prediction: England and Estonia.
Group F: Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands
Group F is another tough call as any of these countries could claim the top two spots. It will be tough but Greece and Finland are both relatively strong teams.
Prediction: Greece and Finland
Group G: Russia, Sweden, Austria, Montenegro, Moldova, Liechtenstein
This group has clear favorites in Russia and Sweden. The two will be battling each other for top spot, but also expect competition from Austria who has the capability to snag second place.
Prediction: Sweden and Russia
Group H: Italy, Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Malta
This group is extremely similar to Group G. Italy and Croatia are the favorites, but we cannot tell who will be the better side, and underdog Norway can be full of surprises and sneak in.
Prediction: Italy and Norway
Group I: Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia, Albania, France.
There is a slight twist to this Group, as France gets automatic qualification into the tournament, since they are the host country. All the matches played with France will not be counted and treated simply as friendly matches. Thus, it will just be Portugal and Denmark slugging it out for top spot.
Prediction: Portugal and Denmark
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