We’ve already had a look at Group A.
So now it’s time to delve into Group B to profile England, Wales, Russia and Slovakia.
If every Euro 2016 country was a club team, who would they be? Here's our guide to Group A https://t.co/WXfry4kxH3
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 8, 2016
Group B
England
Star player: Harry Kane. The striker is like a cross between brawn of Alan Shearer and the brain Teddy Sheringham, with Robbie Keane’s movement, and the humility of a Galway hurler.
One to watch: Marcus Rashford. It’s an obvious one, but he scored on his European, Premier League and international debuts – what’s to say he won’t do the same in his first appearance at a major tournament?
Weak link: England used to be spoiled for central defenders, but there are just three in the squad, and two of them, in Gary Cahill and John Stones, are coming off the back of underwhelming seasons. There’s also the issue of where to play Wayne Rooney.
What they hope will happen: They’ll end fifty years of hurt by winning an international tournament, but would be delighted to reach the semi-finals
What will happen: They’ll lose to the first decent team they face, most likely in the quarter-finals and most likely on penalties.
If they were a club side: They’ve a dynamic, youthful frontline, disrupted by lumbering, once great forward, being shoe-horned into the team, and led by a manager at the tail end of his career. There’s also an expectant fanbase, dreaming of replicating past glories, but are generally just bored with proceedings. England are the Manchester United of Euro 2016.
Russia
Star player: Artem Dzyuba. He scored 15 goals in 30 league games for Zenit St Petersburg last season, and has nine in 18 caps for Russia. The 6’5 striker will be confident of exploiting Wales’ obvious weakness at defending set-pieces.
One to watch: Oleg Shatov. The 25 year old is a skilful winger, who owes his excellent close control to years playing futsal.
Weak link: Vasili Berezutski and Sergei Ignashevich are 33 and 36 years old respectively. Needless to say, they won’t be playing a high line against Jamie Vardy.
What they hope will happen: They reach the later stages of the competition after a disappointing showing at the World Cup two years ago, and set themselves up for hosting the tournament in two years time. Quarter-finals would represent success.
What will happen: The quarter-finals seems a possibly, but injuries on the eve of the tournament could restrict them to a last-16 exit.
If they were a club side: In terms of tactics, it could be argued they’re similar to Leicester City, minus a speedy striker. They don’t press the ball, preferring to sit off opponents, hoping to protect their immobile, no-nonsense central defenders, but have the skill to cut teams open on the break.
Wales
Star player: Hal Robson Kanu…. No, of course it’s Gareth Bale.
One to watch: Joe Allen. The Liverpool midfielder will be familiar to most viewers, but his impact off the bench for Jurgen Klopp’s side last season in European games, and against Arsenal at Anfield in January, shows he capable of influencing big games.
Weak link: Wales have conceded five goals from set-pieces in their last seven games. Chris Coleman seems unable to address the problem, which could cost them at their first international tournament since 1958.
What they hope will happen: They beat England and get out of the group. Anything after that will be a bonus.
What will happen: They’ll suffer narrow loss to Slovakia, draw with England and fail to beat Russia. An early exit could be on the cards.
If they were a club side: There’s no obvious comparison, as a player of Bale’s quality generally doesn’t feature alongside a player like Robson Kanu for very long. At a stretch we’re going to say the Jamaican relay team, with Bale in the Usain Bolt role, and the rest benefiting from being in his slipstream.
Slovakia
Star player: Marek Hamsik. The Napoli playmaker is by far Slovakia’s most talented player.
One to watch: Juraj Kucka. The 29-year-old is a tough tackling midfielder for AC Milan.
Weak link: Hopefully for Slovakia’s sake, Martin Skrtel has left his club form in Liverpool.
What they hope will happen: They match their feats in the 2010 World Cup and advance from a tight group.
What will happen: Slovakia didn’t look like formidable opponents against Ireland back in March, but they beat Spain in qualifying and Germany in a recent friendly. They might just have enough to beat Wales and advance to the knock-out stages.
If they were a club side: West Ham, a hardworking team lit up by the creativity of a playmaker, for Dimitri Payet read Hamsik.
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