Amidst all the angst and impatience leading up to World Cup 2014 in Brazil, European teams have had their attentions diverted as the draw for Euro 2016 – France were announced earlier this week.
Group A sees consistently performing Netherlands, tricky Czech Republic and a spirited Turkey along with minnows Iceland, Latvia and Kazakhstan.
Group B provides decent competition with Edin Dzeko led Bosnia & Herzegovina along with Golden generation fuelled Belgium and Gareth Bale’s Wales with Israel, Cyprus and Andorra making up the group.
Current holders Spain will have Belarus, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Macedonia along with frustrated Ukraine who narrowly missed out World Cup qualifying for company in Group C.
Group D provides some mouth-watering clashes as Germany will have to face Martin Oneill’s Republic of Ireland, Gordan Stratchan’s Scotland, Poland and minnows Georgia and Gibraltar.
England have it easy in Group E with Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino.
Group F holds Greece, Finland, Hungary, Romania and Northern Ireland as also the pleasure of Faroe Islands.
Fabio Capello’s Russia face Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden, Mirko Vucinic’s Montenegro, Austria, Moldova and Liechtenstein in Group G.
Group H has Cesare Prandelli’s Italy facing Croatia, Norway, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and Malta. The last group – Group I has pitted Denmark and Portugal again along with Serbia, Albania and Armenia.
While there are no clear favourites, it will surely take something to stop Spain, Germany, Italy and Belgium as hosts France await the potential attendees to the football festival in 2016.
