All eyes on France
The European Championship kicks off Friday in France, on alert for terrorism but still standing tall as a symbol of peace, unity,
The European Championship, or the Euros as they are internationally known, features soccer at its finest, the strongest members of its contingent bidding to prove their worth over the next month in France, starting Friday.
The last three world champs, Italy, Spain and Germany, are competing, and France is a solid favorite to capitalize on homefield advantage. Here is a group breakdown, plus games and players to keep on your radar. GROUP A Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba are expected to provide the attacking impetus for a France team that should be strong in this group. Switzerland will be favored to join it but might struggle to go deep, while Romania will rely on its fortresslike defensive powers and newcomer Albania will seek to capitalize on its dream run through qualification. GROUP B England’s clash with Wales is mouthwatering, and the English will look to turn the attacking power of in-form duo Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy into points. Wales boasts Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and will savor its first major tournament since 1958. Russia is building toward the 2018 World Cup at home but has limited young talent, and Slovakia is wildly inconsistent but occasionally inspired. GROUP C Joachim Loew’s Germany was magnificent in winning the 2014 World Cup and will be hard to stop. Poland forward Robert Lewandowski is one of the tournament’s most dangerous at- tackers. Ukraine was resilient in surviving a playoff to qualify, and Northern Ireland hopes to continue its remarkable underdog tale. GROUP D Spain’s invincible streak of three major tournament wins was shattered in the World Cup group stage. Better is expected here, with a talent-laden, newlook squad. The Spaniards will see familiar faces from Croatia, whose midfield thrives with Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic. Turkey scraped through, while the Czechs must rely on a tight and organized unit. GROUP E U.S. fans need no reminding of Belgium’s abilities after the World Cup Round of 16, and the Belgians might be even better. Italy coach Antonio Conte faces a tricky time in France. Ireland is a tenacious group featuring veteran Robbie Keane, and Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks to make a mark in surely his last big tournament. GROUP F Portugal is an overwhelming favorite to top a weak group, even with an injury cloud over Cristiano Ronaldo. Can Ronaldo finally add an international medal to his club collection? Austria is functional, not spectacular, but will like its chances of moving on. Iceland is a fun story — it defied the odds to qualify and will need to do so again. Hungary benefited from a poor qualifying group and might find it tough. SIX GAMES TO WATCH Friday: France vs. Romania; Sunday: Germany vs. Ukraine; Monday: Belgium vs. Italy; Thursday: England vs. Wales; June 18: Portugal vs. Austria; June 21: Spain vs. Croatia.