Euro 2016 begins
The 15th edition of the Euro 2016 began in France on Friday with the match between the hosts and Rumania. Twenty-four teams, an expansion of 16, divided into six groups of four will vie for the soccer world’s second most illustrious trophy in the month long tournament.
Albania, France, Rumania and Switzerland are in Group A; England, Russia, Slovakia and Wales in Group B; Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland and Ukraine in Group C; Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain and Turkey in Group D; Belgium, Italy, Ireland and Sweden in Group E while Austria, Hungary, Iceland and Portugal in Group F.
Top two teams from each group plus four best third placed teams will sail into the third round of 16.
World Champions Germany play their first match on June 12 and the opponents are Ukraine, while defending Champions Spain will be playing their first match on June 14 against Czech Republic. England face Russia on June 11.
It is hard to predict who will take the biscuit? But I can say that three times Champions Germany are the top favourites.
With the beginning of the European Championship, the world of football will now watch two top football tournaments at a time-one of them is underway in the USA and the other in France. In the USA, it is the 45th edition of the Copa America with 16 nations including Argentina and Brazil, an expansion of 10 teams.
Q.I. Chowdhury
Pabna
