European championship 2016 is edging closer and the favorites list has already been formed. Bookies across the globe have given themselves the right to speculate and form a list of teams who are preassumed to be winners of this years EURO. However, that was not always the case and in the mood of Leicester’s historical Premier league win, we have learned that every bet can be a winning one and a surprise is always something you can count on.
In the general betting, the hosts and two time EURO winners France are the very top of the favorites list by most bookies, going on 4/1 on William Hill to secure the third title. Didier Deschamps has created a great team and the advantage of home soil can be a deciding one. Although without some star players such as Karim Benzema or (most likely) Mahamadou Sakho, France still has a respectful side that is capable of achieving a great result. Pogba is tipped as the leader of this team but forward Griezmann is tipped as one to emerge as top scorer of the tournament.
Reigning World champions and three-time European championship winners Germany is certainly on top of most bookmakers and many assume they will go all the way. There is a slim chance they might encounter France very soon in the tournament, should one of the teams not finish top of their group. Germany impressed heavily in Brazil two years ago and they are still very much relying on the same forces as then. Schweinsteiger is the captain, now that Lahm has retired from international football. Withouth their star striker Miroslav Klose, it is up to Muller to be their target man and fire „Elf“ to the knockout stages.
Title defenders from 2008 and 2012 is Spain, which is going through a complete overhaul of the team with multiple players absent from their memorable and triumphant streak from 2008 to 2012. Spain did not justify their nickname „Red Fury“ in 2014 as they were left in the dark with catastrophic group stage exit. Vicente Del Bosque is still in charge, but it is a question whether he can lift this team another trophy. Forward line looks very average without a clinical finisher, but they still have their hopes up.
We might also pinpoint England as a potential winner, with a great squad and not many superstars in them like in the previous years. Hodgson’s men are led by Wayne Rooney who is still waiting for his golden moment for the national team, but we also can’t wait for the introduction of Leicesters fuel for this season – Drinkwater and Vardy.