Which nation could prove the surprise act of Euro 2016?

It won’t be long until Euro 2016 finally finds a place upon our television and laptop screens throughout the coming summer months. In line with such thinking we’ve decided to take a closer look at what the upcoming competition could really have in store for us sooner rather than later – with an all-important take on three ambitious nations who could ultimately prove the greatest surprise act of the entire tournament…

 

 

Croatia:

Whilst Croatia clearly failed to set the international scene alight during a largely forgettable campaign in Brazil two summers ago, genuine football fans should nonetheless keep a close eye on Ante Cacic’s team this summer as it seemingly includes some of the most talked about names in world football right in the here and now.

 

Croatia may indeed find themselves operating with a somewhat tried and tested defensive back-line when push invariably comes to shove at Euro 2016, but with the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric likely doing their thing just behind Mario Mandzukic this summer, relevant betting tips could easily see this outfit impress rather significantly when all is said and done.

 

Successfully traversing Group D could admittedly prove somewhat problematic with Spain looking to reassert their dominance upon the European stage, yet as both Turkey and the Czech Republic should nonetheless cause very few problems for the Croats on paper, confidence seemingly remains high within Cacic’s camp at this particular stage in the proceedings.

 

 

Austria:

Although the Austrians don’t exactly represent the most well-established outfit looking to impress at Euro 2016 this summer, this is one team who must certainly be given their due consideration alongside the rest of their international counterparts among the approaching competition.

 

With the Premier League’s Marko Arnautovic, Christian Fuchs and Sebastian Prodl all looking to stake their claim among their manager’s first team plans at Euro 2016 – and of course not forgetting a certain David Alaba of formidable Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich – Austria clearly have enough potential on board to cause one or two well-timed upsets this summer.

 

As Austria will nonetheless remain somewhat of a naïve bunch at Euro 2016 with all things fairly considered, in light of their sheer lack of international pedigree at previous competitions, perhaps the task of turning their undoubted potential into something more meaningful out on the pitch, may ultimately prove easier said than done in the long-run.  

 

 

Wales:

Let’s face it – yes Wales do in-fact portray something close to out-in-out underdogs at Euro 2016 on initial impressions alone, that much seemingly goes without saying – but does their admitted lack of success upon the international scene really mean that Wales will simply find themselves walked all over this summer? Absolutely not…

 

Chris Coleman’s team ultimately includes the most expensive footballer in world football after all, Real Madrid’s iconic figure that is Gareth Bale. The former Tottenham Hotspur man certainly has that talismanic status about him to really launch Wales into the big-time this summer, alongside a whole host of Welsh first-teamers currently plying their trade in the English top-flight.

 

Wales haven’t exactly shown themselves to be a serious force on the global stage before of course, yet with all the recent hype and sensation that has subsequently followed Welsh footballing success within the modern era, who’s to say that this team can’t prove all their initial doubters wrong when Euro 2016 finally comes around…