5 bold predictions for Euro 2016
With just one week until the opening whistle of Euro 2016, we peer into our crystal ball and make a handful of predictions for the fast-approaching competition in France.
Neither Germany or France will win the tournament
Widely regarded as the two best teams in the competition, Germany and France each boast envious squads that are surely making every other manager in the competition green. One is the defending World Cup champion, the other is the tournament favourite, boosted by its status as host.
And neither will be showered with champagne following the showpiece match come July 10 at the Stade de France.
Les Bleus will be undone by their quickly deteriorating defence, which seems to lose another body each day, to the point where one of Adil Rami or Eliaquim Mangala will be starting at centre-half. Not good.
Germany, meanwhile, is also hampered by injuries coming in; Marco Reus (not at the tournament), Ilkay Gundogan (not at the tournament), Mats Hummels (expected to miss at least one match), and Bastian Schweinsteiger (your guess is as good as mine) all come to mind. There's also the whole "taking Mario Gomez as your only recognized striker" thing. It's worked before for Jogi Low, but we're guessing lightning doesn't strike twice here.
Golden Boot winner will be under 24 years old
Thomas Muller and Cristiano Ronaldo are the betting favourites to take home this summer's honour as the most prolific scorer, but the pair will be usurped by one of a handful of blossoming superstars who are set to light up this tournament, and many to come.
Alvaro Morata (23), Romelu Lukaku (23), Harry Kane (22), and Anthony Martial (20) all have the advantageous combo of being supremely talented while playing for quality sides who are expected to make some noise. Hell, throw Marcus Rashford (18) in there the way things have been going for him of late.
Look for one of them to explode with a monster competition that not even Muller or Ronaldo can equal.
Italy will grind out a deep tournament run
Italy's squad is not good. It's objectively the opposite of good. Thiago Motta is wearing the No. 10 shirt. Yeah.
All signs point to the Azzurri making life difficult on themselves early, squeaking through the group stage by the narrowest of margins before face-planting when presented with the first obstacle in the knockout rounds.
Perhaps that perception is for the best.
Aside from the obvious counter that Italy always seems to perform well when expectations are at their lowest (see the 2006 World Cup), the presence of man-motivator extraordinaire Antonio Conte on the touchline could see the beleaguered side overcome its lack of talent with a series of workmanlike performances.
An airtight defensive quartet comprised entirely of Juventus' title-winning side will certainly help, too.
Gareth Bale will conquer England
Expectations are high for England. They always are, in fairness, but it's different now. This isn't a product of the English media machine trying to convince the world, and itself, that Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard can actually make it work, or that having Phil Jagielka and Glen Johnson comprise half of your defence will be totally fine and not a disaster.
There's legitimate reason for optimism. Roy Hodgson boasts arguably the best crop of forwards in the whole tournament. Dele Alli is a stud. Jack Wilshere is actually fit (for now). There are options aplenty at fullback. The Three Lions are ... good?
Gareth Bale won't care.
In one of the most anticipated group stage matches, the Welsh wizard will be a one-man wrecking crew, dominating en route to a victory that will long be remembered in Cardiff.
Ronaldo will lead Portugal to glory
His defining moment. Weeks after firing home the winning penalty in the Champions League final, the sculpted Madeira native will follow it up with the pinnacle of his career, captaining Portugal to its first major tournament crown.
Portugal has always been viewed as something of a one-man show, but with an exciting crop of young talent emerging, Ronaldo will have the necessary help to deliver the Iberian nation the title that so painstakingly slipped away on home soil in 2004.