Euro's my prediction for the groups?

So another season is over, what are we going to do over the summer?

Well in June is the start of the European Championships in France.

So I thought in this months column I'd go though and make some predictions on which teams will make it out the group stage...

Group A

Albania 

France

Romania 

Switzerland 

Prediction France (1st) Switzerland (2nd)

In this group, you can see France who are the hosts & Switzerland battling it out on who will finish first or second. But don't be fooled about Albania, to get here they qualified out of a group with Denmark, Serbia & Portugal to finish as runners up. They will be playing a very compact 4-5-1 and will be marshalled by former black cats player Lorik Cana on the defensive side. Romania in the past have had some tournament pedigree, who can forget Gheorghe Hagi bringing The World Cup to light with his goals in USA 94 & getting though to the knockout stages. Also most England fans will remember it was Romania that knocked us out of a dismal Euro 2000, that and Phil Neville giving away a last minute penalty. Watch out for when Switzerland face Albania, that looks to be a must see match as Xherdan Shaqiri plays for the Swiss, but was born in Gjilan which is primarily an Albanian speaking part of the world (don't want to get too bogged down in the politics of that part of the world).

Group B

England

Russia

Slovakia 

Wales

Prediction Russia (1st) England (2nd)

On paper people might say this should be an easy group for England to finish in. Yes Roy Hodgson's men qualified strong to get here. But when you're facing teams like San Marino, Lithuania & Estonia out of no disrespect to these countries you'd expect to finish strong. For our young lions to win this they'll have to play these 3 teams & get maximum points. Russia did have Fabio Capello, but inter his stewardship the team had won two, drawn two and lost two of the six qualifiers and Russia were third in Group G. But since then the Russians have been revived by Leonid Slutsky of late. In this group we have added interest with Wales entering there first international tournament from like ever (actually 1958 their last tournament). Chris Coleman has got himself a team of young dragons and I think they can do well. I'd like to say they would qualify but I'm sure people would think I'm going crazy, but a good 3rd place and this group going down to the final game with Slovakia added into the mix anything can really happen.

Group C

Germany

N. Ireland

Poland

Ukraine

Predictions Germany (1st) Poland (2nd)

This does look a Germany & Poland 1 & 2. But wouldn't it be great if Northern Ireland got to the knock out stages. Michael O'Neill's team have defied the odds, to get to their first tournament in 30 years and with their neighbours the Republic of Ireland this is going to be very special tournament indeed. I can't see the Ukraine doing well in this tournament, as Ukraine pair Andriy Yarmolenko and Taras Stepanenko may have settled their disagreement, but as the team are not picking players from the Russian leagues I do think they will struggle this time around.

Group D

Croatia 

Czech Republic

Spain

Turkey

Predictions Spain (1st) 

With Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, Diego Costa and Santi Cazorla all miss out on a place in Spain’s Euro 2016 squad. Del Bosque has gone for a different attacking line. Yes there will be the evergreen keeper Casillas and over familiar names, but will it be enough for the current winners to retain the title?

I'm unsure who will get the runners up in this one. I'm still drawn to Euro 96 nostalgia with both Croatia & Czech Republic, but I also think Turkey might do well. But I'll take a punt for Croatia to get though to the knockouts (fingers crossed)

Group E

Belgium

Italy

R of Ireland

Sweden 

Predictions Italy (1st) Belgium (2nd)

This is a very interesting group, as with all tournaments you get the dreaded 'Group of death' and this ladies & gentleman is that said group. You have Gli Azzurri, the Italians have a certain flair & a strong defence, then there is the resurgence of the Belgiums, with star players gracing most of Europe's top teams, they must be everyone's favourite dark horse team (I hope I get them in the sweep in the office). Then there is the one man army of Zlatan Ibrahimović, who has been Sweden's inspiration for more than a decade and last the Republic of Ireland, who have been though a transitional period of the years are back on the International scene their fans will add a certain colour of green to the air. It's another group that will have to play all there games before we get a winner & a runner up.

Group F

Austria

Hungary

Iceland

Portugal

Predictions Portugal (1st) Austria (2nd)

Here we are again just like group D, I'm struggling to guess who a runner up would be. I can't see any other team in this group surprising Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese team mates (I do love an underdog story though). If I was going to say anyone it could be Iceland, in qualifying they finished runners-up in their group and won 6 drawn 2 lost 2 and only conceded 6 goals. But when you have Eidur Gudjohnsen in your team anything can happen. Little might be know about Austria from myself, but finishing top of their qualifying group and a team that will consist of Players based in Germany they will also be no pushovers. Hungarian football has come a long way from Ferenc Puskás and if this team play well you could see new names appearing in the Premiership or other top leagues like Zoltan Gera (WBA & Hull City), Krisztian Nemeth (Liverpool) & Dimitar Berbatov (Fulham & Manchester United).

So there we go, that's my prediction for the group stages, but which team will take the top prize, I think the host France should get to the final, but I do think the efficiency of Germany might just edge it on the night. But hey what do I know?

In regards to England I think we can win it, but it's all down to the team working well as a team. I know Rashford has been named in the provisional school, but I think he should go as I think he has had a top debut season & can score goals & important goals to boot, he looks like he can handle the pressure so give him the chance. 

Come on England I do believe!!!