Euro 2016 Draw: Live Stream, TV Info, Seedings, Pots and Start Time
Anticipation levels for next summer’s European Championships will be turned up a notch on Saturday as the group stages are drawn for the showpiece in France.
In what was a widely criticised move, UEFA decided to extend the competition from 16 teams to 24 from 2016 onwards. Subsequently, we were treated to a much more competitive qualification phase, and with some refreshing new names in amongst the sides to have made it, a brilliant major tournament is anticipated.
Naturally, the draw for the competition plays a critical role in determining which side will go all the way, and the process itself is one rife with tension and excitement. Here are the key viewing details for the occasion, all the important factors to consider as the nations involved find out their fate and a closer look at the main contenders for glory.
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Here are the pots for the draw, courtesy of the UEFA Euro 2016 Twitter feed:
Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Time: 5 p.m. (GMT), 6 p.m. (Local), 12 p.m. (ET)
TV Info: Sky Sports News HQ (UK)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), UEFA Website
Spain
The reigning champions remain one of the favourites to triumph despite a period of substantial transition under Vicente del Bosque.
Key players such as Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso, who were imperative to Spain winning three major tournaments in succession, proved tough to replace in the immediate aftermath of a disastrous World Cup. But steadily La Roja have got their act together and seem well capable of making it three European Championship wins in a row.
As we can see, courtesy of Squawka Football, their form at the end of qualifying and beyond was particularly impressive:
There are some elder statesmen still in situ, with the likes of Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta all still key components in the team. With players like Nolito, Isco and Koke helping to revitalise the attacking portion of this squad, there’s no denying the talent is in place for another glorious campaign.
The main issue for Del Bosque will be finding the right man to lead the line, with Diego Costa never quite looking at ease in national team colours. If he can find a balance there in the matches building up to the tournament, Spain will be a force to be reckoned with again.
Germany
The reigning world champions have also had to endure a period of transition in the aftermath of their own major tournament success in 2014 but are still the favourites with the bookmakers to make it two triumphs in as many years, per Oddschecker.
Joachim Low lost the influence of players such as Per Mertesacker, Philipp Lahm and Miroslav Klose following the World Cup win in Brazil, but in their place some young players have helped Germany maintain their aura on the international stage. Their midfield, consisting of Toni Kross, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil, looks particularly formidable.
The latter is enjoying arguably the finest season of his career at Arsenal, showing his cerebral talents on a consistent basis. As we can see here, courtesy of OptaJoe, the German is making a big impact in the final third:
In Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels, Germany also have a formidable centre-back pairing; if you can get past them, then Manuel Neuer, the standout goalkeeper in world football, is a formidable blockade. They, along with the likes of Schweinsteiger, Kroos and Ozil, also know what’s required to win a big competition.
There are also frailties within Low’s squad. The coach seems unsettled on who best to use up front, whether raumdeuter Thomas Muller or Mario Gotze in a withdrawn role. With Lahm gone, German also seem short of quality in the full-back positions, an area that will be key if they’re to get around the sides of defensive teams.
France
Not only are France the hosts for next summer’s showpiece, but manager Didier Deschamps is in possession of the tournament’s standout squad of players.
Les Bleus boast quality in every position on the pitch, but there are some especially exciting areas in this team. Skipper Hugo Lloris is an outstanding goalkeeper, Raphael Varane and Laurent Koscielny are an awesome defensive duo, and in midfield, the balance provided by the likes of Paul Pogba, Morgan Schneiderlin and Blaise Matuidi is enough to trouble any side.
Up front is an intriguing area, though. As reported by BBC Sport, star forward Karim Benzema has been suspended from the national team due to his involvement in an ongoing blackmail investigation, and it’s doubtful whether he will be able to feature at the tournament.
As we can see courtesy of Sport Witness, it’s a decision the French press aren’t totally at ease with:
Still, it’s indicative of France’s depth that, as good as Benzema is, they can probably cope pretty well without him. Indeed, Alexandre Lacazette, Anthony Martial, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud all bring plenty to the centre-forward position.
Combine their depth with the astute management skills of Deschamps and the backing of the home support, it’s difficult to look past France. Granted, in the past, problems in the camp have derailed this team’s chances in major tournaments before they have even got underway. But at this juncture, this vibrant young squad seems united behind a common cause.
