The decision to change the format of Euro 2016 to 24 teams left many fans a little confused, how would it work for a start? And many experts claimed it would make the tournament weaker, with so-called ‘lesser nations’ able to qualify.
What it does mean however is there are a number of debutants this year, and we think that’s pretty exciting. Everyone loves an underdog and following Greece’s victory in 2004 anything could happen, Of course the likes of Wales, Albania, and Northern Ireland are all long shots, in fact many nations will know little about them.
But lucky for them, we’ve created this handy guide for both you and the likes of Roy Hodgson to enjoy. Keep an eye on that Icelandic centre half Roy…
Albania
Albania have never been the strongest country when it comes to football and have never qualified for a major tournament. So the qualifying campaign for 2016 has been a minor miracle. They beat some big teams to secure a place at the tournament, defeating Portugal and rivals Serbia during the campaign, reaching second spot and automatically qualifying.
Albania itself is bordered by Greece, so there’s a lucky omen there and they will go into a group containing France, Romania, and Switzerland in what will be one huge challenge for them.
None of the squad play in English football, with their captain Lorik Cana playing his trade in France. Much of the squad has relocated to Italy, and 19-year-old Rey Manaj a hot prospect at Inter Milan and Napoli’s Elseid Hysaj, a strong player at right back, could cause some problems for the opposition.
Iceland
In the last three years Iceland have climbed 109 places in the FIFA Rankings and have gone from strength the strength. Their qualification for Euro 2016 really was against the odds. They did the double over the Netherlands and beat the Czech Republic and Turkey to qualify for the tournament.
Since replacing his father as a substitute in 1996, Eidur Gudjohnsen has been the nation’s most celebrated player, and at 37-years-old it’s a dream come true for the former Chelsea man who has achieved everything in football bar playing at a major tournament.
The nation has become the first ever to qualify for the tournament with a population of under one million, and they’ll go into a group with Portugal, Hungary, and Austria, so qualification for the knockout stages isn’t entirely beyond them.
Most of the squad play in Scandinavia, with Gylfi Sigurdson being the standout player for Iceland, playing at Swansea City.
Northern Ireland
One of the greatest sporting achievements of 2015 was Northern Ireland qualifying for a major tournament. They haven’t done so since the days of George Best, and the likes of Chris Brunt, Steven Davis, and Kyle Lafferty will be hoping they can defy the odds in what is an incredibly tough group.
First up for the Green and White Army is Poland, followed by the Ukraine and Germany. But if there’s one thing that Michael O’Neill’s men have it’s spirit and as Leicester have shown in the Premier League this season, that can take you a long way.
None of the squad actually play in their home country with many plying their trade in England and Scotland, and experience of pressures in the top flight could prove to be vital this summer.
Slovakia
Slovakia go into Euro 2016 after beating holders Spain in qualifying, so they will be full of confidence. The nation won seven of their 10 games to secure their place in the tournament and will face England, Wales, and Russia in Group B.
It’ll be a tough tournament for the minnows, but we all know it might depend on which England turn up as to whether they get a result. Captain Martin Skrtel will be fully aware of most English and Welsh players, whilst Milan midfielder Juraj Kucka is making quite a name for himself in Serie A and could be one of the players to watch this tournament.
Wales
In the Valleys of Wales you’ll find clubs like The New Saints, Bala Town, and Carmarthen, most of whom semi-professional and certainly not international level. So for Chris Coleman’s men to reach Euro 2016, in a country as small as Wales is, is quite the feat.
Naturally all of their players play in either the English or Scottish league, as well as Gareth Bale of course playing for the Galacticos of Real Madrid.
Much of Wales’ hope will lie with Bale and Aaron Ramsey who are two of the best British players on the planet right now, and they’ll have to be in excellent form to surpass the likes of England, Russia, and Slovakia.
They do have a chance though. The Welsh have kicked on hugely since the late Gary Speed got the ball rolling in 2010 and will fancy their chances of progressing.
Thatsagoal.com Team
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