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The draw seems a lifetime ago and the tournament proper is now just around the corner - Mirror Football runs you through the sides
The wait is almost over - Euro 2016 is nearly here.
December's draw seems a lifetime ago and the tournament proper is now just around the corner. Excited? You should be.
There are some mouthwatering Euro 2016 fixtures straight out the gate with England drawing Wales in a marquee tie in the group stages.
Elsewhere, the Republic of Ireland are drawn in with Belgium, Italy and Sweden while Northern Ireland are in Group C with Ukraine, Poland and world champs Germany.
But who will triumph in France at the now 24-team feast of football? Here's Mirror Football's comprehensive team-by-team guide...
Group A
France
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Men to watch: Paul Pogba, Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud
In 1984, Michel Platini led Les Bleus to European success on home soil. Zinedine Zidane did likewise at the World Cup in 1998.
Now French hopes are pinned on the elongated gait of Paul Pogba, the brilliant Juventus midfielder, who is primed to be the star of the tournament.
Since walking away from Manchester United the uber-talented star - who will kickoff the tournament with the word 'Pogboom' shaved into the side of his head - has seen his career from strength to strength and now he's the man set to lead France's charge. Alongside him, Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman are both sensational precocious talents, while Antoine Griezmann enters the tournament after scoring 32 goals for Atletico Madrid.
However, while they remain among the favourites, widely expected to reach at least the semi-finals, they aren't without their problems.
Defensive duo Raphael Varane and Mamadou Sakho are both injured, as is first-choice holding midfielder Lassana Diarra, while Hatem Ben Arfa - after a standout season with Nice - and Real Madrid star Karim Benzema have both been controversially excluded.
But still the talent at Didier Deschamps' disposal is the sort that many managers heading to the finals would kill for. Now the France boss must decide how best to deploy his troops, and needs to find a way to solve their two major problems: scoring goals and stopping them.
Romania
Manager: Anghel Iordanescu
Men to watch: Vlad Chiriches, Ciprian Tatarusanu, Nicolae Stanciu
Romania do not arrive in France as the great entertainers.
Managed for the third time by veteran Anghel Iordanescu, their success in reaching their first major tournament since 2008 was based on defensive solidity.
They had three successive scoreless draws at one point and conceded only two goals as they remained unbeaten, although their 10 qualifiers produced just 13 goals.
The Tricolours finished second behind Northern Ireland despite winning 2-0 at home, but managed to finish above bitter rivals Hungary. Iordanescu, who played in the 1986 Steaua Bucarest team which won the European Cup, came out of retirement for the campaign.
He lifted his country to third in the FIFA rankings in 1997 after taking them to Euro 96 and to the knockout stages of France 98. He left football to become a politician in 2007 and sat in the country’s Senate before returning to the national cause in October 2014.
Romania play the opening match against hosts France at Saint-Denis on Friday. They would settle for a goalless draw now and will then try to nick wins off Switzerland and Albania.
Albania
Manager: Gianni de Biasi
Men to watch: Lorik Cana, Elrit Berisha, Shkelzen Gashi
Albania will play in their first major tournament under Italian coach Gianni De Biasi after scoring the fewest number of goals of any of the qualifiers.
The Eagles actually scored only seven times as they were awarded a 3-0 win for their abandoned clash with Serbia. And the potential group whipping boys have not beaten France, Switzerland or Romania in 18 competitive matches, although they beat the hosts in a friendly in Tirana last June.
Their ability to reach future big events is now under threat after neighbouring Kosovo was elected to FIFA last month. Five players, including captain Lorik Cana, are eligible to play for the former Serbian province and FIFA is expected to look at applications to switch nationalities on a case-by-case basis.
It will certainly affect future recruitment.
Only four of the usual starting team were born in Albania with Swiss-born Taulant Xhaka opting to represent Albania at international level while his younger brother Granit plays for Switzerland. Only the two reserve keepers play in the domestic league.
Switzerland
Manager: Vladimir Petkovic
Men to watch Xherdan Shaqiri, Ricardo Rodriguez, Granit Xhaka
Switzerland have never got out of the group stages in their three previous appearances at the European Championships, even when they were co-hosts in 2008.
But this time the team of creative talent coached by Vladimir Petković has a strong chance to qualify behind France in Group A.
Finishing second in the qualifying behind England, the Swiss have experienced players from top European leagues, like Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri and Valon Behrami of Watford, Juventus’ Stephan Lichtsteiner and new Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.
The defence is full of experience with former Arsenal centre-back Johann Djourou and Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez though they have no proven top-class goalscorer. The well-travelled forward Haris Seferovic, who was signed by Fiorentina in 2010 after his starring role in the Under-17 World Cup, is now with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Gokhan Inler meanwhile, so long a midfield mainstay and captain, failed to make the squad after his season with Leicester.
France beat Switzerland 5-2 in the World Cup in Brazil and their meeting in the final group game should decide the group winners.
Group B
England
Manager: Roy Hodgson
Men to watch: Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Joe Hart
Roy Hodgson has gone with an attacking outlook on paper, but hopefully he'll prove more restrained than two years ago, when effectively going with four forwards saw the Three Lions dumped out at the group stage by Italy and Uruguay.
It's strange that Hodgson, with his reputation for conservatism, was so gung-ho in Brazil, but now, he has a plethora of central midfielders and a genuine anchorman in Eric Dier which should ensure balance.
Still there are questions over formation - 4-3-3, the 4-4-2 diamond - not to mention the role of Wayne Rooney.
Harry Kane is the undisputed centre-forward and Jamie Vardy's form the Leicester and three international goals since March makes him very much his most likely partner - in most people's eyes. The England skipper however has been pushed into a midfield role at club level and now Hodgson has to figure how to shoehorn him into his starting XI again.
There's also the Jack Wilshere conundrum - having been called into the squad, should he start? - but in a group that England should *should!* roll through with at least seven points, his side can learn on the job and should improve as they go.
The path to the quarter-final doesn't appear too tricky, but that's when the acid test is likely to come, with a potential tie against Portugal or Italy. And that's where we'll see the crunch.
Whether all those recent failings still weigh too heavy on minds, whether the fear factor is still there. Because all too often it's when the first 'big' side comes knocking, that England tend to fail to answer.
However, with a lot of new faces in the squad, and a positive mindset throughout, the Three Lions are looking to impress, particularly with young stars like Dele Alli and Kane.
Russia
Manager: Leonid Slutsky
Men to watch: Fedor Smolov, Artem Dzyuba, Aleksandr Golovin
Russia boss Leonid Slutsky has got a strong reputation. He succeeded ex-England boss Fabio Capello and is nicknamed the Russian Mourinho.
The 45-year-old’s playing career was limited by injury but he has enjoyed an outstanding managerial career. He is still in charge of CSKA Moscow and has left people guessing what he will do after the Euros but is very popular after rescuing Russia’s qualifying campaign.
Slutsky has won seven titles, including this season, getting the entire squad onside and even the fans of Spartak Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg – fierce rivals of CSKA Moscow – are behind the national team. He is a very popular manager because he is smart, friendly and very media savvy.
Striker Fedor Smolov has scored 20 goals in the Russian Premier League and is fast with a very good shot. He is the main danger and though he is only 26 he is vastly experienced.
Artem Dzyuba is a tall, powerful striker, who may prove to be better than Roman Pavlyuchenko because he’s more technically skilled. He will almost certainly play against England.
And Aleksandr Golovin is a young midfielder they could rely on to replace Alan Dzagoev who is injured. It is his first season at the top level but his potential is huge – and he scored twice in his two first games for Russia.
Wales
Manager: Chris Coleman
Men to watch: Gareth Bale, Ashley Williams, Aaron Ramsey
This will be Wales' first bow at a European Championships and their first major tournament since 1958.
But confidence is high within the camp, after a qualifying campaign where they didn't concede against a much-fancied Belgium side and where Chris Coleman's side found a way of playing which suits them.
It chiefly involves defending deep, stringing five men along the back and being hard to play against. But when they have the ball, they're quick to hit the front, using the movement and hold-up play of Hal Robson-Kanu and looking to Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale to make the difference.
Often, he does just that. Bale scored or assisted nine of Wales' 11 goals in qualifying, making him the most influential individual anywhere across Europe. The 26-year-old loves playing for his country and Coleman will hope he thrives on the pressure in France.
If Bale is vital in attack, then skipper Ashley Williams is just as important in defence. The Swansea captain marshals his defence and puts his body on the line for the cause; he was instrumental as Wales conceded just four goals in 10 qualifiers, losing just once.
A 3-0 friendly defeat to Sweden in the buildup left Coleman disappointed and admitting his side must do better at the finals. But Bale and co. will be hard-to-beat, hard-working and will bank on the £85million man doing his stuff, as they aim for a place in the knockout rounds.
Slovakia
Manager: Jan Kozak
Key player: Jan Durica, Marek Hamsik, Martin Skrtel
Slovakia boss Jan Kozak has made Slovakia a force to be reckoned with - and a major danger in England’s Group.
They beat Spain in qualifying, finished ahead of Ukraine in their Group and are 24th in the FIFA world rankings.
Kozak has used a 4-2-3-1 system with star player, Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik, in a free role.
Up until recently, Hamsik has not produced his best form for his country but now is delivering for Slovakia as well. Hamsik, 28, is the biggest danger to England and will provide the assists and openings for Slovakia.
Sampdoria defender Milan Skriniar has been included in Slovakia’s 23-man squad for Euro 2016, despite only making his international debut last week.
But Kozak caused surprise by only picking two forwards, Viktoria Plzen’s Michal Duris and Willem II’s Adam Nemec.
They beat Georgia and Germany in warm-up games and won their qualifying Group.
Group C
Germany
Manager: Joachim Low
Men to watch: Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil
If there is one nation who can deny France a hat-trick of tournament wins, on their own soil, and Spain a European Championship treble, then it is Germany.
The Germans are the ultimate tournament team, as evidenced by their superb triumph in Brazil two years ago when they became the first side from outside South America to win the World Cup on that continent.
Their team is packed with proven big-game players, like Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze and Mats Hummels, not to mention the world’s best goalkeeper in Manuel Neuer and goal machine Thomas Muller. They also have one of the world’s top international coaches in Low and unrivalled big-tournament know how.
However all is not rosy in the German garden as they bid to emulate France and Spain by following up winning the World Cup by triumphing in the Euros and Low has major injury concerns.
He has left out Marco Reus because of fitness concerns, Ilkay Gundogan is out and skipper Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mats Hummels only returned to training days before the Euros big kickoff.
The influential Schweinsteiger, who is coming off an unimpressive season with Manchester United, has not played since March because of a knee injury, while Hummels has a concern over his calf.
The former is expected to rotate alongside Kroos with Juventus' Sami Khedira, but Low is banking on the latter being fit to partner Jerome Boateng.
Ukraine
Manager: Mikhail Fomenko
Men to watch: Andriy Yarmolenko, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Denys Garmash
Such is the pessimistic mood around Ukraine that many of their supporters do not think they will get out of their group. They failed to make it into the knock-out stages four years ago as co-hosts and their fans are still scarred by the memory.
Ukraine look set to battle it out with Northern Ireland for one of the four best third-place finishes up for grabs as a ticket into the last 16.
Coach Mykhaylo Fomenko has included veterans Vyacheslav Shevchuk and Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, both 37, and captain Ruslan Rotan, 34. But he has also picked 19-year-old Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Ukraine’s stand-out players are wingers Yevhen Konoplyanka, a Europa League winner with Sevilla, and Andriy Yarmolenko, who is their leading scorer with an impressive 24 goals in 58 internationals.
But Ukraine do not boast a huge goal threat and Dnipro striker Roman Zozulya, expected to lead their attack in France, only has two.
Zozulya gave money to Ukraine’s military fighting Russian separatists in the east and the squad will be keen to make their country proud in uncertain times.
Another man to look out for is Dynamo Kiev playmaker Denys Garmash, who reads the game well.
Poland
Manager: Adam Nawałka
Men to watch: Robert Lewandowski, Arkadiusz Milik, Kamil Glik
Poland will be driven by the memory of their woeful campaign as co-hosts of Euro 2012. It was supposed to be a showcase for a new, confident and emerging team, but instead they finished bottom of their group and without a win.
Coach Adam Nawalka and his squad will benefit from being under less pressure in France.
Their stand-out player is striker Robert Lewandowski – their best since the legendary Zbigniew Boniek – who scored 42 goals for Bayern Munich last season. He has been criticised for not replicating his domestic form for his country, but had little support in the past leading Poland’s attack.
Now he has help from Ajax’s Arkadiusz Milik, who contributed six goals and six assists in qualifying, while Lewandowski top-scored with 13.
Swansea’s Lukasz Fabianski is in goal, Torino provide centre-back Kamil Glik and in midfield there is Europa League winner Grzegorz Krychowiak of Sevilla and Liverpool-target Piotr Zielinski. Borussia Dortmund’s Jakub Blaszczykowski is a threat on the right.
Should make the quarter-finals at least.
Iceland
Manager: Lars Lagerback
Men to watch: Gylfi Sigurdsson, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson
Leicester City have shown what a group of less heralded players but bonded by a strong team spirit can achieve.
Back in their homeland, Iceland have been likened by some pundits to the new Premier League champions. Backing them to pull off a similar fairytale triumph might be taking it a bit too far.
But the smallest nation to ever qualify for the Euros – Iceland has a population of just 330,000 – are not there just to make up the numbers.
This will be their first major tournament and it has been a long time coming. The foundations of this successful qualifying campaign were actually laid in the previous one, when they reached the World Cup 2014
play-offs, losing to Croatia.
play-offs, losing to Croatia.
An Iceland FA drive started in 2000 to improve football facilities across the country has now paid off. Hopes are high that a squad considered Iceland’s ‘golden generation’ will progress from the group.
Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson is probably their star man, while, 20 years after making his international debut, 37-year-old Eidur Gudjohnsen, now at Norwegian club Molde, finally gets his chance on the big stage.
Austria
Manager: Marcel Koller
Men to watch: Marko Arnautovic, David Alaba, Aleksandar Dragovic
Austria are on the rise and determined to draw a line under almost two decades of underachievement.
Euro 2016 is the first tournament they have qualified for since the 1998 World Cup, also in France. They appeared at Euro 2008 but got there by virtue of being co-hosts. But there was nothing fortunate about how they got to Euro 2016.
Austria stormed through their qualifying group unbeaten, winning nine out of 10 games and drawing the other. They qualified with two games to spare with a 4-1 win in Sweden.
It is form like that that has helped Austria crack the top 10 of the world rankings, having been 70th when boss Marcel Koller took over in 2011, before slipping down to 11th.
A place in the last-16 is the minimum expected from this talented Austria squad. They boast plenty of experience with most of their squad playing in the top divisions in England and Germany.
A group of them have been playing together for years. The likes of David Alaba and Aleksandar Dragovic are among nine players who are products of a specialist training scheme launched in 2009 for the nation’s best 15 to 21-year-olds.
Hungary
Manager: Bernd Storck
Men to watch: Balazs Dzsudzsak, Zoltan Gera, Nemanja Nikolic
For Hungary, just getting to France is an achievement.
Their two-legged play-off victory over Norway earned them a place at a major tournament for the first time in 30 years, since the 1986 World Cup. Their absence from the European Championships has been even longer – 44 years.
Many of their followers can’t believe they have managed to end their long wait. Subsequently, they won’t be arriving at the Euros burdened by expectation.
They have only two players who ply their trade in one of the continents major leagues. And one of those is Liverpool backup keeper Adam Bogdan, who failed to impress when given a chance by Jurgen Klopp. László Kleinheisler, who has only made a handful of appearances since joining Werder Bremen in January, is the other.
They do have some names who may be past their best but are more familiar to English audiences such as experienced trio Gabor Kiraly, Zoltan Gera and Tamas Priskin.
But their biggest asset might be their meticulous, bold, risk-taker German boss Bernd Storck who took over halfway through their qualifying campaign and led them to a historic qualification.
*Reporting by John Cross, David Anderson, Adrian Kajumba, Neil McLeman, Ed Malyon and Alex Richards.
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