Assessing the Favourites

It's hard to believe that we're less than a month until the tournament commences and with provisional squads beginning to be announced everyone is switching their mindset from the domestic season to what promises to be a special tournament. Having shared my opinions on some of the sides that have the ability to cause a shock on the scale of Greece '04, here are my thoughts on who is likely to lift the the Henri Delaunay Trophy on the 10th July.

France

It would be rude to not start with the hosts, who remain very strong despite the exclusion of Karim Benzema. Antoine Griezmann has been red hot for Atletico Madrid, similarly, Anthony Martial has had a sterling first season in Manchester. With a squad containing key players such as Raphael Varane, Martial, Kingsley Coman and Paul Pogba who are all under the age of 24, the core of this team will be around for the next World Cup and mixed with the experienced heads such as Hugo Lloris, Patrice Evra, Blaise Matuidi, Yohan Cabaye and Dimitri Payet. Home advantage will certainly play a part in their campaign, with France in a frenzy in the lead up to the start of the tournament. With a group consisting of Romania, Albania and Switzerland it paves the way for strong run in the tournament and don't be put it past them if they lift the trophy on home soil.

Germany

The reigning World Champions will be deserved favourites after such a scintillating show two years ago in Brazil. Despite retirements to Phillip Lahm, Mirosav Klose and Per Mertesacker and questions over the form at the start of the qualifying campaign, the Germans have a plethora of young talent coming through. Bastian Schweinsteiger steps up to replace Phillip Lahm as captain despite an injury plagued season at Old Trafford. Joachim Low has midfield options that would have any other manager dripping with envy, and will surely place a lot of emphasis on this part of the pitch. A lot rests on the shoulders of Mario Gomez, the only typical number nine striker selected, with Low perhaps opting to emulate Spain's success in 2012 with a striker-less formation as a plan 'B' option. They have a very good manager at the helm and they will be disappointed if they don't reach the finals.

Spain

After a shambolic showing in the last World Cup, Spain need a good run in this competition to prove the doubters wrong and defend their crown. Already Vicente del Bosque has omitted some notable luminaries including Fernando Torres, Diego Costa and Juan Mata, all of which would get into most of the other national squads. Similar to Germany, Spain have loads of midfield options with Koke and Saul Niguez in particular having very good seasons. Aritz Aduriz of Bilbao may be 35 years old, but he still knows where the goal is - 36 goals in all competitions this season for the Basque side - and correctly gets ahead of Costa on current form. With Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia completing Group D, Spain will need to be focus or else face a tricky tie against Belgium or Italy in the Round of 16. Particularly after the early exit in the World Cup, Spain have a point to prove and certainly have the players to do so.

Belgium

Having been labelled as dark horses at the last World Cup, many pundits were slightly underwhelmed with their performance after losing in the quarter finals to eventual finalists, Argentina. I believe they gave as good as they got but that experience, in what was the first their first appearance at a tournament since 2002, will serve them well going into Euro 2016. Kevin de Bruyne has been in fine form this season for Manchester City, similarly Spurs pair Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have been stalwarts for their club and helped guide them to a third placed finish in the league and conceded the least amount of goals along with Manchester United. Despite a relatively young squad, only 3 players over the age of 30, they do not lack experience. One notable absentee is Vincent Kompany whose groin injury in the Champions League tie against Real Madrid has ruled him out of the tournament. Even though the Belgians appear the weakest out of the sides mentioned, their attacking prowess and defensive solidity will give them confidence and they will fancy themselves against Europe's elite.

Italy
The Italians always seem to show up for the international competitions. In qualifying, they posted a decent record, winning seven games and drawing three pipping Croatia to the top spot in Group H. Both Italy and Belgium have a difficult group with consisting of Sweden and the Republic of Ireland who will be no pushovers and have the ability to spring a shock. Defensively Italy have been very solid over the years with Leonardo Bonucci continuing his international career at centre back. Stephan El Shaarawy has had such a promising career stunted by injuries, but at only 23, he still has the time to assert himself in the main side. Antonio Conte has called up Lorenzo Insigne and Jorginho off the back of very good domestic campaigns with Napoli. Not many people will bet on Italy doing much in this tournament, particularly with their talisman Marco Verratti injured, but with the know-how and the professionalism that we associate with the Italians, don't bet against them causing a few upsets.

Which of these sides will be lifting the trophy on the 10th July, or will it be someone entirely different? Feel free to leave your opinions as to who you think will win.