UEFA Euro 2016 Fixtures & Time Table: France, Germany & Spain start out as favourites

The cup is old, most of the teams are too but the format is new and so is the tournament. Catch the schedule of Euro 2016 here.

Written by: India.com Sports Desk Edited by: India.com Sports Desk

Published: June 10, 2016, 6:41 PM IST

Share

Share Article

• Facebook
• WhatsApp
• X
• Email
• Telegram
• Linkedin

https://www.india.com/sports/uefa-euro-2016-fixtures-get-match-schedule-dates-groups-time-venue-details-for-euro-football-cup-2016-1210811/ Copy

The expectations have reached fever pitch for what will be the 15th edition of the European Championships.  For the first time, there will be as many as 24 teams playing in the tournament, who will be divided into six groups, with four teams each. As always, there is the age old ‘Group of Death’. Here, one can safely say that there are a couple of them. That is clearly because World Champions, Germany and Spain, who are chasing a third consecutive title, have slipped in the pecking order. Hosts France are one of the favourites and England have a young, attacking side at their disposal. Group E, comprising of Italy, Belgium, Republic of Ireland and Sweden look like one of the toughest of groups. Also Read: Euro 2016 – Complete list of teams & groups for 15th edition of tournament

There will be three countries from the British Isles playing in the tournament — England, Northern Ireland and Wales — and two of the aforementioned three are pitted against each other in the same group. France, on home soil, have won a Euro and a World Cup. There are plenty of expectations that the side may well go on to replicate the feat for a third consecutive time. Spain’s title defense has been on a shaky ground; the panache of Xavi, Xabi Alonso, and Andres Iniesta is clearly missing from the team. Nonetheless, they are two-time champions for a reason.

It remains to be seen what the likes of Italy, who were beaten finalists last time round, can do. Germany are power-packed as usual. Belgium are another side who are constantly on the rise. Group E, with Republic of Ireland, Italy, Belgium and Sweden have been labelled as the ‘Group of Death’. Teams like Austria, Hungary, Albania and Turkey make their way back in a big tournament. Iceland may well turn out to be a surprise package.