With a one week appetizer of the Copa America Centenario the Summer of Soccer is ready to get into full swing when France face Romania to kick off Euro 2016 on Friday. After breaking down all the different players, teams, and groups it’s finally time to play the games.
The expansion from 16 to 24 teams throws a few wrinkles into the format of the tournament as the top two teams from each group will advance, as well as the four best third place teams. This creates a whole bunch of different permutations for who could be playing who in the round of 16 and who could make it to the later rounds.
Here are the picks of the 32 Flags staff for Euro 2016.
Phillip Bupp (Managing Editor)
Group A: France, Switzerland
Group B: England, Wales, Russia
Group C: Germany, Poland
Group D: Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic
Group E: Belgium, Italy, Sweden
Group F: Portugal, Iceland, Austria
Quarterfinals
Switzerland, Spain, England, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, and Wales
Semifinals
Spain, England, Germany, France
Final: Germany over England
Phillip: This tournament is either going to be incredibly predictable or unpredictable and someone like Albania wins. The real tournament begins in the quarterfinals and the semifinal will be stacked with Spain/England and Germany/France. I have England going through against Spain (winning a penalty shootout) and Germany overcoming the host nation in a tough match. As far as the Final, it would be poetic for England to win their first major trophy since their World Cup win 50 years ago but it won’t happen. Germany will overpower England and continue their dominance in international soccer.
Andy Coppens (Associate Editor)
Group A: France, Switzerland
Group B: England, Slovakia, Wales
Group C: Germany, Ukraine
Group D: Spain, Croatia, Turkey
Group E: Belgium, Italy, Sweden
Group F: Portugal, Iceland, Austria
Quarterfinals
Switzerland, Spain, England, Italy, Germany, Belgium, France, Austria
Semifinals
Spain, England, Belgium, France
Final: Belgium over Spain
Andy: This expanded tournament hasn’t really produced a ton of groups that look very difficult for the top teams. Sure, Group E won’t be easy but the rest could be pretty straight forward. In fact, this tournament won’t get really fun until we hit the quarterfinals. Belgium vs. Germany? Yes Please. England vs. Italy should also be highly entertaining. While everyone who follows the EPL wants to fawn and fall over this young England squad, that is precisely the reason it won’t win. Youth will carry them far, but just not far enough. In the end, Belgium has the mix of youth and international experience on the big stage and same with Spain, who I believe are criminally underrated heading in to this tournament. No matter what happens, from the quarterfinals on we are likely to be highly entertained.
Jeff Snyder (Associate Editor)
Group A: France, Switzerland
Group B: England, Wales, Slovakia
Group C: Germany, Ukraine, Poland
Group D: Spain, Croatia, Turkey
Group E: Belgium, Italy, Sweden
Group F: Portugal, Australia
Quarterfinals
Switzerland, Spain, England, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, Wales
Semifinals
Spain, England, Germany, France
Final: Germany over Engalnd
Jeff: I think England can have a shockingly easy run to the semi’s, considering their luck in tournaments. That being said, there are plenty of stacked teams and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Germany or France (who I consider the two best teams in this tournament) get knocked out in a match. Germany and France are the two most complete teams in the tournament and I wouldn’t put it against Wales to shock everyone. Ultimately, the winner of the Semi game between France and Germany will win it all.
Randy Capps (Staff Writer)
Group A: France, Switzerland
Group B: England, Russia, Wales
Group C: Germany, Poland, Ukraine
Group D: Spain, Turkey
Group E: Belgium, Italy, Sweden
Group F: Portugal, Austria, Iceland
Quarterfinals
Switzerland, Spain, England, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, Austria
Semifinals
Spain, England, Belgium, France
Final: Belgium over England
Randy: This inflated event will be pretty straight forward – until the quarterfinals that is. England finally turns to its younger players and rides that exuberance all the way to the final where they meet a side with even more talented young players in Belgium. Along the way, Eden Hazard and company will have taken down mighty Germany and the host nation, France, making a date with the Three Lions seem almost relaxing. Belgium’s golden generation comes through and wins the European Championship.
Josh Espinal (Staff Writer)
Group A: France, Switzerland
Group B: England, Russia, Slovakia
Group C: Germany, Poland, Ukraine
Group D: Spain, Croatia, Turkey
Group E: Belgium, Sweden, Italy
Group F: Portugal, Hungary
Quarterfinals
Poland, Spain, England, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, Russia
Semifinals
Spain, Portugal, Germany, France
Final: Germany over Portugal
Josh: It should be an interesting tournament especially Group E with three teams vying for the top spot. But the big names will shine in this tournament with the young exciting France thrilling their home fans as I see them going into the Semis before bowing out to Germany. I think this can be a year that Portugal can be led by Cristiano Ronaldo, and call it a hunch, but I believe that Portugal has what it takes to go all the way to the final. But the defending World Cup champions are going to dominate these Euros and I think that the way Spain set up their domination of world soccer, the same is going to happen but with a German influence as it is going to be a German reign.
Pauly Kwestel (Staff Writer)
Group A: France, Switzerland
Group B: England, Wales, Russia
Group C: Germany, Poland,
Group D: Croatia, Spain, Turkey
Group E: Belgium, Sweden, Republic of Ireland
Group F: Austria, Portugal, Iceland
Quarterfinals
Poland, Croatia, England, Austria, Germany, Belgium, France, Wales
Semifinals
Croatia, England, Germany, France
Final: France over Croatia
Pauly: Despite the expanded format one of the big boys will still fail to get through, and I think that will be Italy – is two draws and a loss really out of the question for a team that doesn’t exactly have great attackers? With the expanded format everyone thinks a smaller country will make a deep run yet everyone has seemed to ignore a stacked Croatia side. Crazier things have happened in the Euros. I think both Spain is overrated and a slip up would set up a juicy round of 16 match with Belgium. At the end of the day though, when people think France’s only problem is “I’m not sure their center backs are as good as the rest of their unbelievable squad” that’s a team you can’t pick against.
Harrison Prolic (Staff Writer)
Group A: France, Switzerland
Group B: England, Russia, Wales
Group C: Germany, Poland, Ukraine
Group D: Spain, Turkey, Croatia
Group E: Belgium, Sweden, Italy
Group F: Austria, Portugal
Quarterfinals
Switzerland, Spain, England, Austria, Germany, Belgium, France, Portugal
Semifinals
Spain, Austria, Germany, France
Final: France over Spain
Harrison: I think it’s next to impossible to pick against France, not only because they are hosting, but mainly because they have such a complete squad. Germany will be typically German, but the lack of playing time together for most of the defense will be a detriment. Austria is a dark horse for me, and I feel with David Alaba they can make a deeper run than they ever have before. England, who has so many young and promising players, will do well but the team still needs to grow together a little more. Spain will make a run and make everyone forget about 2 years ago, but they won’t get past France in the final.
