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Euro 2016’s Group E brings us what most pundits view as the tournament ‘Group of Death’.
Belgium
Belgium is now right in the middle of their so called ‘Golden Generation’. The Red Devils topped their qualifying group over Wales and Bosnia andamp; Herzegovina and are the top European side in the FIFA rankings – but are still not seen as tournament favourites.
There are big expectations though for this side and Euro 2016 is seen as somewhat of a now or never situation for Belgium, in what amounts to very nearly being a home tournament for them in neighbouring France, especially after underachieving at the last World Cup.
There are some concerns due to injuries to the likes of Vincent Kompany, and star man Eden Hazard having his worst season in recent memory, but Belgium has quality all over the park featuring Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
Group E is a potentially tricky group for Belgium, but if they want to stay true to the lofty expectations of their star-studded team and be a realistic chance of winning the tournament they must finish first.
Prediction: First
Sweden
Sweden without Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a completely different team to when the talisman is on the park. While this will be his last international tournament, the 34-year-old is still as deadly as ever bagging over thirty goals this season for Paris Saint-Germain and will be key for Sweden’s chances of getting to the knockout stages.
The Swedes scraped through qualification finishing third in their group behind Austria and Russia and defeating neighbours Denmark 4-3 on aggregate. They aren’t in the best of form having won only one of their last six games, but if the other ten players on the field can provide a solid team effort around him, Ibrahimovic can provide the spark to turn Sweden’s fortunes around.
Sweden could benefit from the new tournament structure by finishing third for a spot in the Round of Sixteen and will need to win their first game against the Republic of Ireland to remain on track.
Prediction: Third
Italy
The Euro 2012 finalists finished first in qualifying Group H over Croatia, but departing coach Antonio Conte will have his work cut out for him to take Italy deep into this year’s tournament.
The stars of 2012, Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo are not in the squad, and injuries have also kept out influential midfielders Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio.
There is still experience and quality in the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Thiago Motta, Daniele de Rossi, and Giorgio Chiellini, but this year’s Italian team will have to rely more on industrious team performances rather than individual brilliance.
The Azzuri should have enough to qualify for the Round of Sixteen and possibly even make it to the Quarter Finals, but expect their run to end there.
Prediction: Second
Republic of Ireland
The Irish finished third in their qualifying group behind Germany, who they beat at home, and Poland, eventually defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 on aggregate to make their second European Championships in a row.
The experience of players such as Robbie Keane, Shay Given and Seamus Coleman will be valuable for a squad that has no standout stars and like a lot of teams who have benefited from the new twenty four-team tournament, will rely on cohesive team performances to win games.
Ireland are a well drilled team under the leadership of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane, and will need to be at their best from the start of the campaign as they must get a result from their fixture against Sweden to have any hope of qualifying.
Prediction: Fourth
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