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Previewing Euro 2016 Group A

By Anthony Gallo

(R-L) Hugo Lloris of France and Patrice Evra of France after the international friendly match between France and Scotland at Stade Saint-Symphorien on June 4, 2016 in Metz, France. (Photo by Dave Winter/Icon Sport) (Photo by Dave Winter/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
(R-L) Hugo Lloris of France and Patrice Evra of France after the international friendly match between France and Scotland at Stade Saint-Symphorien on June 4, 2016 in Metz, France. (Photo by Dave Winter/Icon Sport) (Photo by Dave Winter/Icon Sport via Getty Images) /
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Here is a look at Group A for Euro 2016, and how the group will likely take shape.

The first group of Euro 2016 has the hosts France set to show that they have one of the most talented squads in all of Europe. Boasting such stars as Juventus’ Paul Pogba, Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and Manchester United’s young striker Anthony Martial, Les Blues have a team that can surely get them out of the group stage and beyond. The French are a good team and have a strong midfield that could be a taunting task for opposing teams. Could France win their first Euro since 2000?

With France likely winning the group, we have Switzerland in second, as they have a team that is capable of taking down some big nations. The Swiss will be led out by Juventus’ Stephan Lichtsteiner, Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez, newly signed Arsenal man Granit Xhaka and Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri. The Swiss look very good on paper and impressed many by winning seven of their last eight qualifying games to earn a spot in this year’s Euro’s. The Swiss will be a team to look out for in Group A.

They will be followed by Romania, who finished one point shy of first in their qualifying group and could cause some trouble for other teams in Group A. They will be led by midfielders like Stuttgart’s Alexandru Maxim and Turkish club Osmanlispor’s Gabriel Torje, and Napoli defender Vlad Chiriches. The Romanian’s will try to better their Euro 2000 quarter-final exit and show they can be a tough Eastern European power.

With the Swiss and France battling for first in the group, that could leave Albania to be a dark horse in Group A. The Eagles defied the odds by finishing second in their qualifying group, and defeated Portugal 1-0 in their first qualifying match. This will also be their first ever major international tournament. With the likes of Colorado Rapids midfielder Shkelzen Gashi, Nantes defender Lorik Cana, and striker Armando Sadiku, Albania could again show people that they can battle it out against Europe’s elite.

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Prediction:

  1. France
  2. Switzerland
  3. Romania
  4. Albania

For more Euro 2016 coverage, visit our Euro 2016 hub page.

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