Every tournament throws up a Group of Death and this time in Euro 2016 it’s Group E which features the highest ranked team of the tournament Belgium, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden, former winner Italy and the Republic of Ireland.
Belgium
Belgium squad (Getty Images)
Manager: Marc Wilmots
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Jean-Francois Gillet, Simon Mignolet
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Laurent Ciman, Jason Denayer, Christian Kabasele, Jordan Lukaku, Thomas Meunier, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen
Midfielders: Marouane Fellaini, Radja Nainggolan, Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Mousa Dembele
Strikers: Michy Batshuayi, Christian Benteke, Yannick Carrasco, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Divock Origi
Strength: Belgium have inarguably the most talented squad in the tournament with Courtois in goal, Hazard, De Bruyne and Dembele in midfield and Lukaku and Benteke upfront. On paper they should beat most teams but as England very well know, just having players at the peak of their powers (Beckham, Gerrard, Scholes, Lampard, Terry) doesn’t always translate into results on the field.
Weakness: By the team’s stratospheric standards, they are weaker in defence and will miss captain Vincent Kompany who has had a start-stop season with Manchester City because of his injury problems.
Star Player: Eden Hazard
Past Results: Runner up in 1980
Prediction: Semi-final
Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland (Getty Images)
Manager: Martin O’Neill
Squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph, Shay Given, Keiren Westwood
Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, John O'Shea, Ciaran Clark, Richard Keogh, Shane Duffy, Stephen Ward.
Midfielders: Robbie Brady, James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Jeff Hendrick, Wes Hoolahan, Aiden McGeady, James McClean
Forwards: Shane Long, Robbie Keane, Jon Walters, Daryl Murphy
Strength: In manager Martin O’Neill and his assistant Roy Keane, Ireland have an extremely enigmatic duo on the bench who’ve given their fans hope. Often in trouble for their comments, the two don’t mince words and will be demanding that their players give everything.
Weakness: Striker Robbie Keane isn’t as good as he used to be but he’s still likely to start upfront. The lack of quality on the field could expose them against better teams.
Star Player: Robbie Keane
Past Results: Group stages in 2008 and 2012
Prediction: Group Stages
Italy
Italy (Getty Images)
Manager: Antonio Conte
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon, Federico Marchetti, Salvatore Sirigu
Defenders: Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Angelo Ogbonna
Midfielders: Federico Bernardeschi, Antonio Candreva, Matteo Darmian, Daniele de Rossi, Mattia de Sciglio, Stephan El Shaarawy, Alessandro Florenzi, Emanuele Giaccherini, Thiago Motta, Marco Parolo, Stefano Sturaro
Forwards: Eder, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Graziano Pelle, Simone Zaza
Strength: Buffon still remains one of the best keepers in the world, while Chiellini and Bonucci will provide a solid defence for the Azzuri.
Weakness: This is the least illustrious Italy squad ever sent to a major tournament in recent memory and opposing teams will look to put them to the sword after suffering against them over the years.
Star Man: Gianluigi Buffon
Past Results: Winner in 1960
Prediction: Round of 16
Sweden
Sweden (Euro 2016)
Manager: Erik Hamren
Squad
Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson, Robin Olsen, Patrik Carlgren
Defenders: Ludwig Augustinsson, Mikael Lustig, Andreas Granqvist, Erik Johansson, Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Martin Olsson, Pontus Jansson
Midfielders: Jimmy Durmaz, Albin Ekdal, Emil Forsberg, Oscar Hiljemark, Kim Kallstrom, Sebastian Larsson, Oscar Lewicki, Pontus Wernbloom, Erkan Zengin
Strikers: Marcus Berg, John Guidetti, Emir Kujovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Strength: Sweden have got so far on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s goals and the mercurial frontman still remains one of the best in the business. Seems to be getting better with age and will want to make a mark at his last major international tournament.
Weakness: Lack of quality in other parts of the field could prove disastrous, particularly since they’ve been drawn into the Group of Death.
Star Man: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Past Results: 1992 semi-final
Prediction: Group Stages
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