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Euro 2016 Group D Preview: Spain look to redeem themselves after World Cup woes

Group D contains fallen giants Spain, Croatia, Czech Republic and Turkey.

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David De Gea, Arda Turan, Petr Cech and Luka Modric
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Group D contains fallen giants Spain, Croatia, Czech Republic and Turkey.

Croatia

Team Croatia (Getty Images) 

Manager: Ante Cacic

Squad

Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic, Lovre Kalinic, Ivan Vargic

Defenders: Darijo Srna, Vedran Corluka, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic, Gordon Schildenfeld, Sime Vrsaljko, Tin Jedvaj

Midfielders: Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic, Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozovic, Marko Rog, Ante Coric

Forwards: Mario Mandzukic, Nikola Kalinic, Andrej Kramaric, Marko Pjaca, Duje Cop

Strengths: The squad does have some talented players like Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic in midfield but beyond that a little thin on talent.

Weakness: This is a tough group and the lack of world-class players makes it hard to see how they will go past the round of 16.

Star Player: Luka Modric

Past Performance: 2008 quarter-final

Prediction: Round of 16

Czech Republic

Manager: Pavel Vrba


Czech Republic (Getty Images) 

Squad

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech, Tomas Vaclik, Tomas Koubek

Defenders: Theodor Gebre Selassie, Pavel Kaderabek, David Limbersky, Marek Suchy, Michal Kadleck, Tomas Sivok, Roman Hubnik, Daniel Pudil

Midfielders: Borek Dockal, Jiri Skalak, Vladimir Darida, Daniel Kolar, Ladislav Krejci, Josef Sural, David Pavelka, Jaroslav Plasil, Tomas Rosicky

Forwards: Milan Skoda, Tomas Necid, David Lafata

Strengths: They had an impressive qualifying campaign in which knocked out former holders Netherlands. In Petr Cech, they have one of the best keepers in the world while his Arsenal teammate Tomas Rosicky will look to make amends for a miserable season.

Weakness: They’ve been unlucky to be drawn into a very tough group with Croatia, Turkey and Spain and will find it hard to mix it up with the big boys.

Prediction: Group Stage

Past Performance: Runners-up in 1996

Star Man: Petr Cech

Spain

Spain (Getty Images) 

Manager: Vincent Del Bosque

Squad

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, David De Gea, Sergio Rico

Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Dani Carvajal, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra, Cesar Azpilicueta, Mikel San Jose, Juanfran

Midfielders: Bruno, Sergio Busquets, Koke, Thiago, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas

Forwards: Aritz Aduriz, Nolito, Alvaro Morata, Lucas Vasquez

Strengths: While some might argue that Spanish team isn’t as good as it used to be, let’s not forget that clubs have absolutely dominated club European championships with Atletico and Real playing the Champions League final while Sevilla won the Europa league. Starting De Gea in goal, Ramos and Pique in defence and the likes of Busquets, Iniesta, Silva and Fabrgegas in midfield, they’ve some of the most talented players in their respective positions.

Weakness: The striking department lacks the quality of an in-form Fernando Torres or David Villa but that shouldn’t be a huge problem since Spain often play with a false 9 in Fabregas.

Star Man: David De Gea
Prediction: Runners Up

Past Performance: Winners of Euro 2008 and Euro 2012

Turkey                       

                 

Manager: Fatih Terim

Squad

Goalkeepers: Harun Tekin, Onur Kıvrak,  Volkan Babacan

Defenders: Gökhan Gönül, Şener Özbayraklı, Ahmet Çalık, Hakan Balta, Mehmet Topal, Semih Kaya, Caner Erkin, İsmail Köybaşı

Midfielders: Emre Mor, Volkan Şen, Hakan Çalhanoğu, Nuri Şahin, Oğuzhan Özyakup, Ozan Tufan, Selçuk İnan, Arda Turan, Olcay Şahan

Forwards: Burak Yılmaz, Cenk Tosun, Yunus Mallı

Strength: After looking like they were on their way out after a dismal three games in the qualifying rounds, Turkey rallied to make it to the championship. While Çalhanoğlu will be a threat from set-pieces, captain Arda Turan will want to make up for lost time after being forced to sit for six months of the 2015-16 season due to Barcelona’s transfer band. With Turan and Sahin, they’ve a formidable midfield.

Weakness: They are bit short on quality up front but should be able to make it through the group stages.

Prediction: Quarter finals

Past Performance: Semi-finals, Euro 2008

 

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