Which nation will prove the biggest disappointment of Euro 2016?

With this summer’s hotly anticipated international faceoff finally set to begin in just a short matter of days’ time, thoughts of Euro 2016 and all that will follow as a result of the much-awaited competition, understandably remain at the forefront of our collective mind-set right in the here and now.

 

Yet as only one team can seemingly do the business in no-nonsense style this summer, here are three major European outfits who could nonetheless provide Euro 2016 with it's biggest set disappointments among the entire tournament…

 

 

France:

Whilst France must obviously represent out-in-out favourites to really set this summer’s upcoming competition alight – on the back of their status as the host nation of Euro 2016, as well as the uncompromising range of talented stars already at Didier Deschamps’ disposal – it isn’t completely unfair to suggest that the French could also flop rather dramatically when push invariably turns to shove this summer. 

 

The likes of Albania, Romania and Switzerland should theoretically provide enough of an opportunity for France to survive the often troublesome group-stages in predictable fashion, but as France have nonetheless developed a certain notoriety for falling out amongst themselves and failing to display enough team spirit right when it really matters most, who knows if this team really have what it takes to successfully go all the way in the end.

 

Put in no uncertain terms whatsoever, Didier Deschamps’ star-studded outfit will certainly serve to disappoint rather significantly if France ultimately fail to reach the final in formidable style – regardless of how many individually talented players admittedly reside within the French first team squad at this particular stage in the proceedings. They may therefore fail to represent such a seemingly safe bet after all… 

 

 

Italy:

Although the Italians have traditionally proven something of a rather threatening outfit at previous international competitions, Antonio Conte seemingly plays host to a somewhat limited range of exciting options ahead of Euro 2016 this time around.

 

Each of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Angelo Ogbonna and Leonardo Bonucci certainly serve to provide their respective manager with enough defensive reliability with all things fairly considered this summer, but as Italy nonetheless seem to be experiencing somewhat of striking crisis among their first team squad right in the here and now, it remains somewhat difficult to imagine this side really doing the business in front of goal at Euro 2016 – regardless of Italy's burning desire to reclaim their once untouchable status upon the international scene after such a disappointing campaign in Brazil. 

 

The likes of Eder, Graziano Pelle, Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza hardly represent the greatest attacking quartet when all is said and done, even if each of the aforementioned strikers will likely view Euro 2016 as the perfect stage to really stake their claim for the Azzurri.

 

 

England:

After a less than successful stint at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil two summers ago – a rather tiresome tournament for England that eventually saw Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions finish bottom of their respective group behind the likes of Costa Rica, Uruguay and Italy – the English admittedly fail to arrive at Euro 2016 full of confidence and hope for what the upcoming competition will entail.

 

Whilst Hodgson will likely remain somewhat optimistic after finally registering his chosen selection of players for the approaching tournament, regular English football fans have nonetheless been left somewhat confused in regards to a certain few controversial inclusions among the final squad. The likes of Jack Wilshere, Raheem Sterling and Wayne Rooney himself have all received their fair share of doubt after largely failing to set the Premier League alight throughout the course of last season.

 

With Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy leading the line for England on the back of a truly formidable 2015/16 domestic campaign for both strikers however, perhaps renewed fortunes really could be on the cards for the Three Lions this time around, as opposed to the usual sense of deflation and hopelessness that usually follows England at major international tournaments…