Who are the dark horses of Euro 2016?

When the 2015/16 domestic campaign eventually reaches its final conclusion, with die-hard English sports fans left pondering on how best to spend their time without a reliable dose of weekly Premier League football waiting patiently on the horizon – the international scene will nonetheless see to any potential boredom this summer in the shape of Euro 2016.

 

It’s a tournament that’s bound to excite, captivate and enthral in equal measure, with each of Germany, Spain, Italy and hosts France, all facing off against one another in search of the ultimate triumph.

 

However, as Euro 2016 will also play host to a selection of nations with subtle outside hopes of winning the entire competition itself, here are four optimistic outfits who arguably represent the most significant dark horses of tournament…

 

 

BELGIUM

 

 

 

Well, although many have already tipped Marc Wilmots’ side for big things next summer, Belgium could theoretically still be seen as outsiders due to their lack of major success in previous international tournaments. This is a side that nonetheless impressed somewhat at the 2014 World Cup however, so maybe it seems only natural for Belgium to push on at Euro 2016.

 

With the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Vincent Kompany, Kevin de Bruyne – and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, if he finally decides to pull his socks up for the Blues this season – all fit and firing for Wilmots in France by the end of the current season, surely Belgium are bound to impress one way or another when all is said and done.

 

 

PORTUGAL

 

 

 

Another relatively strong footballing nation, who have admittedly failed to set the international scene alight in recent years, also arrives in the shape of Fernando Santos’ determined Portugal outfit. They are led by the man many consider to be the best player in the whole of world football at the moment after all, with a passionate fan base who will be desperate for success at Euro 2016.

 

Yes, the rest of the Portuguese national squad simply fail to compare with the notorious Cristiano Ronaldo in the cold light of day – but if the recently sacked Jose Mourinho decides to contribute to his nation’s cause at the hotly anticipated competition next summer – maybe Portugal will represent worthy winners of the tournament once proceedings finally get underway.

 

 

POLAND

 

 

 

Perhaps the nation most fitting of the ‘dark horse’ tag next summer invariably arrive in the shape of Poland. Adam Nawalka’s squad have been developing nicely over the past few domestic seasons it must be said, and with Robert Lewandowski firmly at the forefront of the Polish attack, this team will worry defences whichever way you look at it.

 

With Ajax’s Arkadiusz Milik also likely to do the business up-top for his manager at Euro 2016 next summer, it may very well be time for another surprise upset on the European scene, and Poland could certainly be the ones benefitting with all things considered.

 

 

ENGLAND

 

 

 

Finally we have England, a team utterly void of confidence on the world stage – both among their increasingly disheartened fan base, and seemingly within their own ranks as well. We’ve all had our collective expectations raised one too many times when it comes to the Three Lions of course – but hey – maybe 2016 really could prove Roy Hodgson’s year after all.

 

England now play host to a relatively young and hungry squad, much of the previous deadwood from the ill-fated golden generation has long since moved on by now, and although many still view Hodgson as the wrong man to be leading his nation at Euro 2016 next summer, now is the time for these up and coming stars to really prove their worth on the international scene.

 

We can all dream, can’t we…