The Group Stage of Euro 2016 is done and dusted and the 16 qualifiers to the knockout rounds of the tournament are now known. The group stage will be remembered for exciting games, some great goals, and underdogs shining through. There was something for everyone.
Wales’ Gareth Bale and Dimitri Payet of France, were the two stand out players during the phase, and their teams will want them to carry their fine form into the Round-of-16. On the flip side, there were some star players like Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski, who were expected to light up the tournament with their goals, but have so far failed to live up to those expectations.
In many ways, the Group Stage of Euro 2016, was the story of the underdogs. Minnows Northern Ireland qualifying for the Round-of-16 was perhaps the biggest surprise of all. There was also plenty to celebrate for fans of Hungary and Iceland who overcame the odds to book their place in the business end of the tournament.
The knockout phase will begin on June 25, and the 16 teams that feature in it, will look to win and take another step to getting their hands on the Henri Delaunay Trophy.
Here is an early look at all the eight Round of 16 games and which teams are likely to advance to the Quarter Finals.
Switzerland vs Poland
Switzerland were a little disappointing in the group stages, they barely scraped past Albania and were unconvincing in their draw against Romania. Their draw against hosts and much-fancied France may seem like a good result, but it must be kept in mind that France, who had already qualified when they faced the Swiss, had chosen to rest many of their key players in that game.
Switzerland have looked very unconvincing in attack and its hard to see them breaking down a well organized Poland defence which kept a clean sheet against world champions Germany, and didn’t concede a single goal in any of their three group games.
The Swiss were also lucky that their somewhat fragile defense never got fully tested in the group stages.
Poland qualified from a much tougher group, with the same number of points as World Cup holders Germany. This is a testament to their teamwork and willingness to put in a tough shift. Their star striker Robert Lewandowski has had a very quiet tournament by his standards, but facing off against the somewhat shaky defense of Switzerland will be a great opportunity for him to fix that.
Prediction – It will be a game where both teams, especially Switzerland, are likely to adopt a defensive approach and look to play on the counter. Switzerland don’t really have the attack to trouble the well-organised Polish defence, and thus the only team that could realistically win it in 90 mins is Poland.
Poland to win, by a single goal. Most likely scoreline 1-0 for Poland. However don’t be surprised if this game goes into extra time after a 0-0 in the 90 mins.
Wales vs Northern Ireland
Wales surprised everyone by topping their group, which also featured heavyweights England, and a tough to beat Slovakia side. Going into the tournament Wales were widely labeled as a one man team, whose fortunes will depend on the performance of star man Gareth Bale.
While Bale has fully lived up to those expectations and has led from the front, scoring 3 goals in 3 games, it would be very unfair to call Wales a one man team. Bale has been very ably supported by his team-mates, especially Aaron Ramsey, who has chipped in with 2 assists and a goal.
Wales were the joint top scorers in the group stages, alongside Hungary, with 6 goals and its hard to see their goal scoring spree coming to a halt against Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland were the last of the 3rd placed teams to qualify for the Round of 16, just piping Turkey on Goal Difference in the 3rd place table. It’s hard to express in words just how big an achievement this qualification is for Northern Ireland, whose squad features players mostly from the lower tiers of English Football.
Northern Ireland have been plucky and tough to break down, and even world champions Germany, renowned for their attack, could only score once against them.
Prediction – It will a game of contrasting tactics. Northern Ireland don’t offer much going forward, and will thus look to keep things tight at the back and frustrate Wales. Wales, on the other hand, have thrived based on their attacking mentality and will look to attack from the off.
Wales to win comfortably by 2 goals or more. Most likely scoreline, 2-0 for Wales.
Croatia vs Portugal
Croatia are most experts’ dark horses for the trophy and they justified this tag by finishing top of their group ahead of 2 time defending champions Spain.
Portugal are the only team to feature in the Round-of-16 who did not win a single group game. The good news for Portugal is that Cristiano Ronaldo seems to have found his touch again, as underlined by his brace against Hungary.
Portugal’s defence has been sloppy so far and has gifted some easy goals to the opposition. Portugal have also been extremely wasteful in attack and have failed to convert a large portion of their chances.
It’s been a disappointing tournament for Portugal, who are very lucky to be in the Round of 16, despite being winless. Portugal will need to find their touch soon, because if they don’t then Croatia are a side that will punish them.
Prediction – Most likely scoreline 1-1, and thus Extra Time and perhaps even a penalty shootout.
France vs Ireland
France, playing at home, will be firm favorites against Ireland. France have been one of the in-form teams in the tournament and their players are in good form. Dimitri Payet has led the way in attack and star man Pogba showed signs of coming into his own too in their last group game, and this is welcome news for France.
Ireland were 5 minutes away from elimination before a late goal saw them through. While some may say this was pure Irish luck, the Irish team will tell you otherwise.
This game will feature two teams with contrasting ambitions in the tournament. While a place in the Round of 16 is in itself an achievement to celebrate for the Irish, for France, who have much higher ambitions, the round-of-16 isn’t even near par.
France possess just too much firepower in attack to be bogged down by the Irish defence.
Prediction – Ireland will set their stalls to defend, but the quality in attack that France have should see them through.
France to win by 2 or more goals. Most likely scoreline 2-0 for France.
Germany v Slovakia
This match is another potential mismatch. World Champions Germany have been at their creative best in the tournament with midfield maestro Mesut Ozil pulling the strings from midfield.
Germany scored only 3 goals in the group stage, and the finishing let the German side down a little bit. However, no side will mistake this aberration as a sign of weakness or lack of quality in attack.
Defensively the German outfit have been solid as ever and are yet to concede in the tournament, and its hard to see their defence being breached by Slovakia.
Slovakia are a solid unit and did well to finish 3rd in Group B, behind Wales and England. Against a tough German side, Slovakia will look to talismanic midfielder Marek Hamsik to once again lead the way in attack, but overall Slovakia don’t have the quality at either end of the pitch to really trouble this top German outfit.
Prediction – Slovakia have no option but to sit deep and deny Germany the freedom in attack. Germany will adopt their familiar passing game, which has won them so many fans over the years.
Easy win for Germany. Most likely scoreline, 2-0 for Germany.
Hungary vs Belgium
Hungary have been the biggest surprise package of the competition, topping their group ahead of Portugal, and also being the joint highest goal scorers of the tournament in the group stages with 6 goals.
Hungary let in 4 goals in their 3 group stage fixtures, which is the most among teams who made it to the knockout rounds.
Belgium were sluggish in their start but put 3 goals past Ireland in their second group game to give everyone a quick and lasting reminder of the abundant quality and talent in their squad.
Lukaku has led the line well for Belgium and is the type of player that no defence looks forward to facing. Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne are two very creative midfielders who can unlock any defense.
Prediction – Hungary are by no means pushovers as they have shown so far, however Belgium have the overall quality to send Hungary packing.
A hard fought Belgium win. Most likely scoreline 2-1 for Belgium.
Italy vs Spain
This fixture is undoubtedly the star attraction or the main event of the Round of 16. It’s two top teams facing off against each other.
Italy started off strong and made everyone sit up and take notice, however its fair to say their form has since declined. As always Italy have a solid defence, but they don’t really have as much to offer in attack.
Spain, on the other hand, seem to have put their 2014 World Cup debacle, where they failed to advance past the group stage, beyond them. More importantly, though Spain seem to have regained their passing and creativity in attack that made them the 2-time defending champions of this tournament.
The defeat against Croatia, where Spain let their guard down after taking the lead, came as a timely lesson for Spain, and no doubt Spain will have learned from that.
Prediction – This is really a contest between Italy’s defense and Spain’s attack.
Victory for Spain. Most likely scoreline, 2-1 for Spain.
England vs Iceland
England seem to have gotten the luck of the draw here, as they have a very favorable tie in the Round of 16, despite not topping their group.
England give the impression that they still don’t know what their best line-up or formation is. Their fans and pundits alike have been calling for England to find a way to start both Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy together, but there seems to be a reluctance on the part of their manager to do so.
There is an unsettled feel about the England side, and the general perception is that they are not playing their best XI, and have compromised too much in favour of a more traditional formation.
Iceland will themselves be surprised to be in the round-of-16, and its been a great ride for the team and their fans. However, the truth is that Iceland will have to produce a herculean effort to get past England. The gulf between the two sides is too large.
Prediction – Iceland are an adventurous unit who like going forward, and will continue to be adventurous against England. England, however, should have far too much for their opponents.
England to win. most likely scoreline, 3-1 for England.
