The wait is almost over as Euro 2016 kicks off tonight with football fans preparing to feast on four weeks of action. For the first time, 24 teams will compete in the tournament which means only 8 sides will be going home after the group stages.
There’s no doubt the new format has worked in the Republic of Ireland’s favour as they secured qualification via a playoff after a third placed finish in their group.
Northern Ireland, Wales, Slovakia, Iceland and Albania will all take part in their first European Championship finals.
Northern Ireland have been given a really tough assignment with Germany, Poland and Ukraine in their group but Michael O’Neill’s side topped their qualifying group and go into the tournament unbeaten in 12 games.
What’s facing the Republic of Ireland?
Republic of Ireland v Sweden – Stade de France, Paris, June 13 KO 5pm (irish time)
Republic of Ireland v Belgium – Bordeaux, June 18 KO 2pm (irish time)
Republic of Ireland v Italy – Lille, June 22nd KO 8pm (irish time)
Who could Ireland face should they qualify for the last 16
If Ireland win their group they’d face the runners in Group D – Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Czech Republic.
If Ireland finish second they face winners of Group F - Portugal, Austria, Iceland, Hungary
If Ireland finish third they could face the winners of Group A – France, Romania, Switzerland, Albania
They could also face the winners of Group D – Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Czech Republic.
Monday night will be crucial for the Boys in Green but the new format means one win from three could earn a spot in the last 16 so I just wonder will that encourage teams to keep it tight or will it give them more freedom.
Who are the contenders?
Hosts France are the bookies favourites and history suggests they can cope with the pressure of playing on home soil.
The French won the European Championships in France in 1984 and their manager Didier Deschamps captained the country to World Cup glory in 1998 when they beat Brazil in the final in Paris.
They may be without Karim Benzema but they do possess a squad with Hugo Lloris, Paul Pogba, Dimtri Payet, Anthony Martial and Antoine Griezmann.
France have won 9 of their last 10 matches although they were all friendly internationals.
Germany are the world champions but as we know only too well they can be beaten and Ireland took four points off them in the qualifiers. However when it comes to a major tournament the Germans tend to be a different animal.
Spain are the reigning champions and are going for three in a row but the World Cup in Brazil was a disaster for them. They lost to Slovakia early in the qualifying campaign which was their first loss in the qualifiers in 8 years. However they responded with 8 wins in a row to top their group and they are still able to call upon the experience of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.
Who can challenge the top table?
Belgium – Irish fans know better than most at this stage just how impressive the Belgian starting 11 looks on paper but the number 2 ranked side in the world are yet to deliver and Wales took four points off them in the qualifiers.
England – there is usually a lot of hope for England heading into major tournaments but it doesn’t tend to end so well. Roy Hodgson has a young and exciting squad at his disposal but “ exciting “ is not a word you’d associate with the England manager. However they should score plenty of goals and they’ll certainly concede as well so that should make their matches very entertaining.
Croatia – They have some real quality in their squad with the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic. If they can progress from a group with Spain, Turkey and Czech Republic then they'll be a match for anyone in the knockout stages.
Austria – I got them in the Today FM office sweepstake so maybe it’s a case of me wanting to believe they could surprise a few in France. Austria won nine of their qualifiers and drew the other so they’re use to winning and they have Bayern Munich’s David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic of Stoke in their side.
What about the venues?
51 games will be staged at 10 locations across France.
The tournament starts in the Stade de France on June 10th and it also finished at the same venue with the final scheduled for July 10th.
The Republic of Ireland will play at the Stade de France in Paris which also has the Parc des Princes. Irish fans also have trips to Bordeaux and Lille to look forward to and the other games will be staged in Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Lens, Toulose, and Saint-Etienne.
Security at the tournament
I arrived into Paris on Monday and I didn’t notice too much difference from the last time I was here in October but as the week has gone on the amount of police on the streets has increased considerably.
More than 90,000 people turned out to watch David Guetta at the Fanzone beside the Eiffel Tower last night so security was very tight on street corners where bag searches are the norm.
The French government has extended a state of emergency imposed after the attacks last November so there will be over 90,000 police, soldiers and private security agents deployed during the tournament to make sure it all passes off safely.
