Euro 2016: Which nation has served to frustrate the most this summer?

Whilst several impressive nations have indeed served to excite rather heavily among Euro 2016 this summer, with the likes of Spain, France, Germany, Italy – and even Roy Hodgson’s England at times – looking relatively solid as the tournament plays out in timely fashion, a selection of somewhat less exciting and underwhelming nations have nonetheless failed to captivate their fans for the large part upon one of the most testing stages of all….

 

In light of such a notion, here a four formally hopeful sides who have sadly proven somewhat hopeless out on the pitch at Euro 2016…

 

 

Turkey:

Although much was certainly expected of Turkey with both Hakan Calhanoglu and Arda Turan looking to cause a stir or two up-top at Euro 2016, this once determined outfit have nonetheless failed to rekindle any form of dominance upon the European stage this summer.

 

Whether it be through giving silly goals away at the back or simply failing to put the ball in the back of the net time and time again at the other end, Turkey have arguably shot themselves in the foot more often than not at Euro 2016, with a great deal of work to carry out between now and those all-important World Cup qualification fixtures.

 

As the Turkish fans boldly served to boo their own side off the pitch last time out against an admittedly threatening Spanish outfit, the writing now seems to remain well and truly on the wall for Turkey and their under-fire manager.

 

 

Russia:

Let’s face it, as the notoriously boring Greeks haven’t been present to showcase their progressively tiresome tactics out on the field at Euro 2016 this summer, Russia must simply arrive as perhaps the worst all-round team on the eye operating in France when all is said and done.

 

Manager Leonid Slutsky has looked entirely frustrated down on the side-lines this summer truth be told, the lack of pace within his first team ranks has been abundantly clear for all to see, and with the likes of Yuri Zhirkov, Igor Denisov and Alan Dzagoev unavailable for selection among Euro 2016 – the Russians seemingly had it hard right from the very get-go.

 

As England famously failed to pick up all three points against Russia early on in the competition however, perhaps Russia aren’t quite as bad as initial appearances may admittedly allude to.

 

 

Ukraine:

Like their Russian counterparts upon the eastern European footballing scene, Ukraine have also served only to frustrate and disappoint within Euro 2016 thus far. After losing rather solidly to Northern Ireland last time out in Group C, manager Mykhalo Fomenko may indeed be forced to go back to the drawing board sooner rather than later.

 

The recent social unrest throughout several major Ukrainian cities may indeed have something to do with the nation’s sheer lack of success among Euro 2016 this summer, but such an outward take on the situation ultimately means little for Ukrainian fortunes upon the international sporting scene.

 

As both Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka have nonetheless failed to turn up for the most part at Euro 2016, Ukraine seemingly have very little going for them in the cold light of day – despite putting on a partially impressive spell in their match with Germany earlier on in Group C.

 

 

Portugal:

Whilst several opposing European nations have indeed proven somewhat worse than the Portuguese with everything fairly taken into account, no one can truly excuse Fernando Santos’ team for failing to pick up a single win in Group E with just one remaining fixture left to play.

 

After his unthinkable penalty miss last time out against Austria, Cristiano Ronaldo has ultimately failed to set Euro 2016 alight as much as some of his most ardent fans would have expected before a ball was even kicked this summer. He could nonetheless go on to represent a wise bet for that golden boot award if his nation do indeed manage to qualify for those all-importnat knock-out stages however, such is the nature of Real Madrid's superstar front-man. 

 

The likes of Iceland, Hungary and Austria arguably provided Portugal with the easiest group on paper within the grand scheme of things – but as the rest of Santos’ so-called stars have also clearly failed to give a full account of themselves alongside Ronaldo this summer – it remains to be seen whether or not the Portuguese will experience a much needed turnaround in fortunes any time soon.