By Aneesh Chaudhuri
The coveted Euros as always promises to be a wide open battle for the title, and no pundit can predict lady luck is going to smile on which team. After many surprises and shocks, the tournament has reached the business end, and it is expected that every team will give its best shot. Here’s a closer look at some of the fancied powerhouses and their road to the knockout stages.
Gli Azzurri
Roberto Mancini took over this Italian side at their lowest. They failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and there was great resentment among the fans. Italy now top of Group A with a perfect record of three wins without conceding a single goal.
Mancini has fostered a winning mentality with this side who are now unbeaten in thirty games. Mancini has mixed the squad with experience and youth and the two have gelled perfectly. Italy has proved their critics wrong and has earned respect. The team certainly will start as favorites against Austria.
The Azzurris are strong contenders for the trophy, with the experience of Mancini and the likes of Chiellini, Verrati, Insigne, Immobile; the Azzurris can start believing again. Mancini’s biggest issue now is his team selection.
Chiellini is a major doubt due to a muscle issue. Mancini needs to decide on either Bastoni or Acerbi to fill in the experienced Chiellini’s absence.
The Dragons
Wales under caretaker manager Robert Page have done exceptionally well to make to the knockout rounds. Gareth Bale, Ramsey and Dan James have stepped up for the side. Wales’ biggest strength comes from their team spirit.
The team strives hard together and this has been their hallmark even in the 2016 Euros. In a tricky group, Wales showed character against Switzerland where they salvaged a point.
The Welsh beat Turkey 2-0 who was considered ‘dark horses’ by many, putting the Welsh in a comfortable position in the group. They qualify to the knockout rounds over the Swiss who finished third on goal difference. Wales will look to upset Denmark in the knockout stages. If luck is on their side, the Welsh can hope to go far.
Oranje
Netherlands, similar to the Italians failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. They revamped the side and were runner’s up in the inaugural UEFA Nations League.
Frank de Boer’s men finished top of Group C with a perfect three wins out of three. The Dutch with the absence of skipper Van Dijk needed players like Blind and de Ligt to take up responsibilities in the defense. Netherlands managed to defend a late surge from Ukraine in the opening day. What has definitely worked De Boer is the form of players like Depay and Captain Wijnaldum, the latter struggled with form throughout the season with Liverpool.
Netherlands are yet to face a tough opponent given the fact that they had a comparatively easy group, but the Dutch cannot be taken lightly and are definitely no pushovers. They will start favourites against the Czechs.
However, the Dutch will vary of the 2004 Euros when Czech Republic made a remarkable comeback to knockout the Dutch 3-2. De Boer’s men have abundant quality in all areas and have shown it so far in the tournament.
Three Lions
After disappointing in many InterAfter disappointing in many International events, England can definitely start believing again. Despite the uproar from fans against Gareth Southgate for not including many big names in the starting XI, the lack of support and quality upfront for Kane.
England has managed three clean sheets despite senior defender Maguire playing only one game. Mings, Stones and Goalkeeper Pickford have formed a solid partnership.
Last time England progressed without conceding a single goal was in 1966 when they lifted the World Cup. England play Germany in the round of 16 in Wembley, they definitely have home advantage. The squad has immense experience and quality.
The likes of Sancho who is yet to be used by Southgate, the Dortmund man can be used as a lethal weapon in the knockout rounds.
The Red Devils
FIFA’s no.1 ranked Belgium with their golden generation is one of the tournament favourites. Qualification was easy for the Belgians conceding only three, scoring forty and winning all.
Belgium is hopeful that this maybe the year their golden generation will succeed in lifting a trophy. Belgium has three wins out of three scoring seven and letting in just one. Belgium’s quality was tested against Denmark where the likes of de Bruyne, Lukaku, Thorgan Hazard showcased their experience and skills. Belgium came from behind to win 2-1.
Belgium faceoff defending champions Portugal in the round of 16. This will be their biggest test having had a pretty easy qualification and group stage fixtures this game will really test Roberto Martinez’s side. (To be concluded)