Euro 2016 Predictions: Allez Les Bleus
By Ty Duffy
Euro 2016 kicks off on Friday, when hosts France take on Romania. Here is how I think the tournament will play out. Factor these predictions into your own reckoning as you will.
Group Stage
Group A: France, Switzerland, Albania, Romania
Group B: England, Slovakia, Russia, Wales
Group C: Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Northern Ireland
Group D: Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Czech Republic
Group E: Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Ireland
Group F: Portugal, Austria, Iceland, Hungary
Twenty-four teams play a group stage to eliminate eight. Not much intrigue here. Every team with a pulse reaches the knockout rounds. So do a few without one.
Round of 16
Switzerland over Poland
Spain over Sweden
England over Turkey
Portugal over Italy
Germany over Russia
Croatia over Belgium
France over Ukraine
Austria over Slovakia
Teams that should have been eliminated in group play get eliminated. There’s still a lot of disparity, so I stick with the chalk. Shifty, slick passing Croatia upsets the Belgians.
Quarterfinals
Switzerland over Spain
Portugal over England
Germany over Croatia
France over Austria
The Euros wouldn’t be official without a common team in the semifinal. Shades of the 2010 Group Stage in the first bracket. Tired legs get the better of Spain. A robust Swiss team with a mix of veteran professionals and youths guts out a 1-0 win.
Portugal over England. The Portuguese are dour and organized. I’ve bought into England before. Never again. Germany and France set up the semifinal all are waiting for.
Semifinals
Portugal over Switzerland
France over Germany
France edges the Germans. They can matchup man for man. Germany lost some stalwart leaders from the 2014 squad. The home nation, after an emotional year, rallies around Les Bleus and spurs them into the final. Apologies to Robot Arjen Robben. Portugal ends the Swiss dream, perhaps on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Final
France over Portugal
As in the 2014 World Cup Final, the best team beats the best player. France takes an early lead and cruises to a 2-0 win. Cristiano Ronaldo’s last, best hope for international glory is dashed. The French win for the third-straight major tournament on home soil. Allez Les Bleus.
Golden Boot: Antoine Griezmann
Player of the Tournament: Paul Pogba