Who will win the Euros?

The Euros take place in France this year, with the first match kicking off on the 10th June.  It will be the biggest Euros in history, after it was decided that for the first time the tournament will be contested for by 24 teams, instead of the usual 16 teams.  With the excitement building and it being less than two months before the Euros take place, it's time to take a look at who the favourites are for this tournament.

     

5. Belgium

My fifth most likely team to win the Euros is Belgium.  The team is quite youthful, but the youth they do have in the squad are extremely talented, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, just to name a few.  They have at least one world class player on each part of the pitch, with Romelu Lukaku upfront who on his day can be unstoppable.  Eden Hazard in midfield, who even though hasn't had the greatest of seasons, is still a top player and can create magic with the ball at his feet.  Arguably the strongest part of their team is the centre back partnership of Vincent Kompany and Toby Alderweireld.  Alderweireld has had an incredible season this year with Spurs and could be a crucial part of Belgium's success at this tournament.  Kompany has proven himself at the highest level of football for years now, but after an injury hit season, the key is keeping him fit. Belgium reached the quarter finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, getting knocked out by finalists Argentina.  They seemed to be not quite at their peak at that tournament, so will this be the year they hit into gear and win the tournament?
Key player: Vincent Kompany.

4. England

Lying fourth is England.  Nearly every major tournament every English fan builds their hopes up, with the dream of repeating the 1966 World Cup win, but every year since then they have been disappointed.  Saying that England did do very well in the qualifying stages and in their recent friendlies.  England's squad seems to have a lot more energy lately with the likes of Jamie Vardy and Deli Alli breaking into the team.  If this season's domestic league performances are anything to go by, then England really do have some star performers turning up at these Euros.  Harry Kane is another player having an impressive season and if both he and Vardy continue their form into the Euros, then England will have a formidable strike force.  But if England do want to do well at this tournament then they need to replace players like Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and James Milner, with younger and more exciting players. While there's a case for Rooney being taken, Milner and Carrick bring very little to the team and stop young and promising players from getting the game time they need.  Joe Hart has been another player having an impressive season with Manchester City, being one of the key players in Man City's UCL campaign.  So maybe if all of England's players play like they have for their respective clubs, then this could be the tournament they reward their fans hopes with a trophy?
Key player: Harry Kane.

3. Spain

At third is Spain.  The current champions of the Euros in 2012 and winning other major tournaments in 2008 and 2010, Spain look to make it a hat-trick of Euros wins in France.  Everyone who watched the World Cup in 2014 know how poorly Spain performed, after they were knocked out of the tournament in the group stage.  After that people started to wonder if Spain's grip on the footballing world had gone, but after the disappointing effort at retaining the World Cup, they look to prove their doubters wrong and make a better effort at retaining the Euros.  No one can say that the team is lacking talent with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique among their impressive squad of players.  So each of these players will come into these Euros wanting to prove to people that they are still the world class players they once were, and maybe winning the Euros for the third successive year would be the perfect way to do that?
Key player: David De Gea

                                                        Spains 2012 Euros winning squad

 

2. Germany

At second is Germany.  At the 2014 World Cup Germany took no prisoners, beating every team they faced to go on and become world champions.  The semi finals showed just how ruthless Germany can be, when they hammered Brazil 7-1 in their famous encounter.  They have been favourites in the last few major tournaments they have appeared in, and since they've won the 2014 World Cup, it seems they could go on to replace Spain as the country to dominate football for the foreseeable future.  When you've got players like Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller in top form at your disposal, it's nearly impossible to stop the German machine.  With the majority of the German squad having incredible seasons at their respective clubs, if they can carry that form into the Euros then it will take a very good side to prevent them from going all the way and winning the Euros.  But is there a team out there who can stop Germany from dominating football for years to come?
Key player: Thomas Muller.

1. France

The team I believe will go on to lift the trophy is France.  They are the host nation and have the capability to go on and win the tournament.  With players like Dimitri Payet and N'Golo Kante breaking into the team, after having impressive seasons with West Ham and Leicester City.  Adding them to the amazing talent they already have cemented in their squad like Paul Pogba and Antoine Greizmann, they arguably have the most exciting squad coming into these Euros.  They last won the Euros in 2000 and look to end their 16 year drought without a trophy.  France were knocked out of the 2014 World Cup by a very strong German side in the quarter finals.  However if France meet Germany at this European championship, will they be the ones to get revenge and knock Germany out this time?
Key Player: Paul Pogba.

                                           Teams competing at this years Euros (Blue=Participating)

Even though the Nations listed in the top 5 are probably the most likely to win the Euros, there are a few other teams participating who also have a strong chance of winning.  Italy, Portugal and maybe even dark horses Wales, who are taking part in the Euros for the first time ever could be successful.  Whoever wins, Euros 2016 look like they have the potential to be the best one yet!