European Championships 2016 – Our Favourites to Win!
// function the_post_thumbnail( $size = 'post-thumbnail', $attr = '' ) { echo get_the_post_thumbnail(); //} ?>The European Championships is less than 4 months away and already people are discussing the group games as well as who has the best chances to win. We at e-soccer.com have decided to analyse the top 7 teams who are favourites to win the tournament and discuss their chances.
1.Germany
Although Germany had to wait until the final match to confirm their place in the France they did have a more difficult group than most. Germany are the current World Champions having beat Argentina 2 years ago in Brazil to win the world cup. With this they go into the Euro 2016 tournament clear favourites to win. The current world champions have an amazing squad and with players like Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Gotze, Muller, Reus etc the names just roll off the tongue. Whilst to most they don’t play the most attractive football, they are full of great attacking players and ones who can dominate and control any game. Toni Kroos is now one of the best passing players in world football. Kroos was the only player to break four figures for passes attempted (1,058) and passes completed (1,007) during the qualification campaign.
2. Spain
Spain didn’t even qualify from the group stages at the 2014 World Cup in which their international dominance ended abruptly. However there is no reason that Spain cannot win the Euro 2016 tournament, let us not forget that they are the current champions of the European Championships. Players such as Xavi and Xabi Alonso have retired but they still have fantastic players such as midfielders: Busquets, Iniesta, Koke, Fabregas, Mata, Cazorla, Silva, Isco. Can they win?
3. France
Les Bleus would be second favourites to win the tournament in their own country but there has been a recent scandal in the team which is why they are our number 3 pick. Star striker Karim Benzema is currently being charged over an alleged blackmail plot against team-mate Mathieu Valbuena. Coach Didier Deschamps has removed Benzema from the squad while the police case continues, he could miss the tournament. France however have very talented young squad at his disposal with Raphael Varane and midfielder Paul Pogba the standout names. Other squad players include Hugo Lloris, Kingsley Coman, Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial and Patrice Evra bringing a perfect blend of experience and potential. The last major tournament in France was the world cup 1998 and guess who won?
4. Belgium
Currently the Top of the FIFA rankings in which they now have pone of the most talented generations of players to emerge from any country in any generation. Until they win a major tournament Belgium will not be number 1 favourites but they have to be considered possible winners at the Euros. With world class players including Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku they really do have a chance this summer. Will you be backing Belgium to win?
5. England
We have a slight bias as we all believe Roy Hodgson’s England can win the Euro 2016 tournament. They were the only team to enjoy a 100% record in qualifying, however this was against low competition so this is still a big ask. England have a new squad with individual talents such as Dele Alli, Harry Kane and of course Wayne Rooney. However Hodgson has not settled on his best XI in which he has changed his team for every game. Can England win the tournament, we still believe but are we thinking with our hearts instead of our heads.
6. Italy
The Italian national were unbeaten in the Euro qualifying games, winning seven and drawing 3 times from 10 matches. The defence is one of the best in world football with experts in Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, amongst others. The only issue for Italy is their striking options are limited to Southampton’s Graziano Pelle, he was their top scorer in qualifying with just three goals. Never discount Italy though, they always turn up at major tournaments and the beaten finalists from 2012.
7. Poland
An outside bet as the bookies don’t fancy them but Poland were the top scorers in qualification with 33 goals. Arguably the best striker in the world is Robert Lewandowski, his natural ability to score from any situation makes him a real force for Poland. During qualification Lewandowski was the leading scorer with 13. We feel that Poland will be able to beat anyone on their day and only finished one point behind Germany in Group D. Can they win the European Championships this year, we think it is worth looking into.
There you have it, our top 7 picks for the tournament.