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Euro 2016 trophy. File Pic[/caption]Internet Desk: With the Euro 2016 bells ringing, fans of the continent's finest football nations are suspended in a state of supreme anticipation. More teams and more chances play like sweet music to the ears of underdog enthusiasts and it's sure to be one of the most open European Championships in a long time.
Put the champagne on ice though, for there's still the small matter of the group stages before any team can get carried away with themselves. Progression to the knockout phase is more accessible than ever, with 24 sides competing and the fact that, along with all the group winners and runners-up, the four best third-placed teams also advance to the first ever Euro last 16 stage.
The groups are tight though and the chances of qualifying for the knockout phases hinge on specific fixtures, here's a select five that could decide the final standings, which you should keep an eye out for.
England vs Wales (Group B): Sandwiched between England's opener with a stagnating Russia and their final group game against debutants Slovakia, this battle of the British will have added spice for a host of reasons. It is likely that these two will be favourites to progress; Russia are without key man Alan Dzagoev and the heart of their defence has a combined age elapsing seventy, while debutants Slovakia lack any real firepower from back to front.
Poland vs Ukraine (Group C): This iconic pair-up sees the hosts and co-hosts of Euro 2012 square up on match-day three in Group B. Both sides would've already locked horns with Germany and potential whipping boys Northern Ireland. The belief is that, having most likely both experienced defeats to group favourites Germany and victories against Michael O'Neill's side, this will be a straightforward battle for second spot and automatic progression to the last 16, so it carries a great deal of significance in both a historical and modern context.
Turkey vs Croatia (Group D): While many dub Group F as this year's "Group of Death", my thinking is that such a title lays with the fearsome foursome of Spain, Turkey, Croatia and Czech Republic in Group D. The middle two face-off in Paris in the group's opening tie, where tensions will be high after Croatia's Euro 2008 campaign was ended by the Turks in the quarter-final stage on penalties. Ante Cacic's men will seek revenge and defeat for either side on match-day one would leave them in a sticky situation.
Italy vs Sweden (Group E): Antonio Conte's last major tournament as manager of Italy could well be over before it's even started. The Azzurri's campaign kick-starts in Lyon against Belgium, who are among the favourites to progress and will be eager to rectify the disappointment of the years prior to the 2014 World Cup. That spells out danger for the Italians who could face up against the formidable Zlatan Ibrahimovic on match-day two knowing defeat would almost certainly boot them out of the competition. This game's outcome could even dent Belgium's chances of topping the group. Sweden lock horns with the Republic of Ireland in their opening group game, the oldest squad in the competition, who seldom navigate their way much further than the group stages.
Iceland vs Austria (Group F): Group F incorporates Portugal, Austria, Iceland and Hungary; not the toughest quartet by any means. With this lack of unprecedented quality though comes a group blown wide open. Even the favourites to top the group, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, have been inconsistent of late and will have to have their wits about them to hold of a trio of hungry underdogs. Iceland will be making their first ever appearance in a major tournament and will come up against Austria in the final round of group matches. Hungary are the weakest of the bunch, placing the most part of their hope in declining veteran Zoltan Gera, so Iceland's deadly duo of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Kolbein Sigthorsson should make light work of the lowest ranked team in the competition, after a narrow defeat to Portugal in their opener.
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