My Euro 2016 Preview
The final quest for European Football glory begins!
Twenty-four teams from across the continent converge in France to compete in
the UEFA Euro 2016 finals. Some of the
biggest names in the football world are participating with their respective
national teams. Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gareth Bale, Wayne
Rooney, Eden Hazard will all be there; and those are just the most recognizable
ones. Albania, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Wales all qualify for
the first time. And with Bale playing, the Welsh might actually give some teams
a fright or two along the way.
FINAL FOUR CHOICE
Current cup holders, Spain and World Cup winners, Germany
lead the contenders for this year’s competition. La Roja is out to prove that
their humiliating debacle in Brazil two years ago was a fluke. Vicente del
Bosque is bringing in a solid team composed of battle-tested conquistadores
focused on reclaiming lost glory. On the German side, Joachim Low has kept the
core of his world champion team intact. Composed of top players from domestic leagues
all over, this is the team to beat.
In the piece I wrote before World Cup 2014, I labelled
Belgium as the darkhorse to win that tournament. But here, Belgium is a
favourite. The team has blossomed enormously since their last qualification to
this event in 2000. Their teamsheet looks formidable! This is probably one of
the most complete line-up in the history of this cup. You’d be intimidated too
if you went against a team led by Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian
Benteke, and Romelu Lukaku. If they go top of their group of death unscathed,
then I predict they can go all the way to the finals.
France also boasts a very menacing roster. Didier Deschamps
squad is a combination of ambitious youth and steady veterans. The midfield
unit of N’golo Kante, Dmitri Payet, Paul Pogba, and Morgan Schneiderlin is very
impressive. Having to host the tournament will definitely be a plus as well.
The defensive line made-up of aging and inconsistent players may well be its
weakness. Les Bleus should make it through the first round, though.
THE SPOILERS
England is my darkhorse for this tournament. Several years
after the golden generation of David Beckham, Steven Gerard, Frank Lampard, and
Michael Owen, the Three Lions have got a competitive team that can overachieve.
The main factor would be the fact that everyone in the squad plays in the
Premiere League. Every member has a good familiarity of each one’s strengths
and style. This is an England team strong enough to at least scare opponents.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE
Comments
Post a Comment