UEFA’s confederation championships, last seen toiling deep in the wilds Eastern Europe, returns bigger, literally. Euro 2016 expands the field to 24 nations, which has led to some delightful surprise entries, including the likes of Euro first-timers Northern Ireland, Albania and Iceland. They all head to France, which reprises its hosting duties from the 1998 World Cup, an advantage for a talented French side that would seek to emulate the home-standing feats of Zidane and company.
SAFE BET
You don’t win a World Cup as convincingly as Germany did and not go in as favourites for the next big event. And after France and Spain backed up a global title with a continental one, the target is clear for die mannschaft, which still oozes midfield quality (Ozil, Muller, Kroos, Reus,…
