• Germany’s Mario Gotze: It may seem odd to brand a veteran of 50 caps and the scorer of the winner in the World Cup final a wild card, but Gotze has had a strange couple of years since his decisive strike in Rio de Janeiro. He has become a fringe figure at Bayern Munich. He could occupy any of four roles – as a false nine, a No 10, a winger or a substitute – for Low and it will be intriguing to see how he fares. Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
    Germany’s Mario Gotze: It may seem odd to brand a veteran of 50 caps and the scorer of the winner in the World Cup final a wild card, but Gotze has had a strange couple of years since his decisive strike in Rio de Janeiro. He has become a fringe figure at Bayern Munich. He could occupy any of four roles – as a false nine, a No 10, a winger or a substitute – for Low and it will be intriguing to see how he fares. Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
  • England forward: Marcus Rashford: Did not even debut for Manchester United until February, his rise has come at startling speed but the 18-year-old striker seems able to cope with whatever comes his way. Rashford offers pace and skill. One test is if he can influence games as a substitute in the way he has done when starting. Lee Smith / Reuters
    England forward: Marcus Rashford: Did not even debut for Manchester United until February, his rise has come at startling speed but the 18-year-old striker seems able to cope with whatever comes his way. Rashford offers pace and skill. One test is if he can influence games as a substitute in the way he has done when starting. Lee Smith / Reuters
  • Switzerland’s Breel Embolo: Had the option of playing for Cameroon, where he was born, or Switzerland where he moved as a child, and since choosing the Swiss, the 19-year-old striker helped spearhead Basel’s defence of their league title. Giusepper Cacace / AFP
    Switzerland’s Breel Embolo: Had the option of playing for Cameroon, where he was born, or Switzerland where he moved as a child, and since choosing the Swiss, the 19-year-old striker helped spearhead Basel’s defence of their league title. Giusepper Cacace / AFP
  • Croatia’s Alen Halilovic: Barcelona’s Halilovic spent 2015/16 on loan at Sporting Gijon, where he caught the eye with his turn of pace and dribbling skills. Although unlikely to start, the teenager is capable of making an impact from the bench. Antonio Bronic / Reuters
    Croatia’s Alen Halilovic: Barcelona’s Halilovic spent 2015/16 on loan at Sporting Gijon, where he caught the eye with his turn of pace and dribbling skills. Although unlikely to start, the teenager is capable of making an impact from the bench. Antonio Bronic / Reuters
  • Portugal’s Bernardo Silva: The Monaco schemer won plenty of admirers at the European Under 21 Championship last summer and has the talent to make a seamless step-up to senior level. Valery Hache / AFP
    Portugal’s Bernardo Silva: The Monaco schemer won plenty of admirers at the European Under 21 Championship last summer and has the talent to make a seamless step-up to senior level. Valery Hache / AFP
  • Spain’s Aritz Aduriz: The 35-year-old striker has enjoyed a late-career renaissance with Athletic Bilbao this term, and his aerial prowess makes him a ready-made Plan B for Spain. Paolo Giovannini / AP Photo
    Spain’s Aritz Aduriz: The 35-year-old striker has enjoyed a late-career renaissance with Athletic Bilbao this term, and his aerial prowess makes him a ready-made Plan B for Spain. Paolo Giovannini / AP Photo
  • Russia forward Aleksandr Kerzhakov: Russia’s record scorer had an ignominious Euro 2012, where he failed to even record a shot on target. But his movement means he can trouble defences and he should be an option, probably from the bench if Artem Dzyuba is preferred as the main striker. Vitaliy Belousov / AP Photo
    Russia forward Aleksandr Kerzhakov: Russia’s record scorer had an ignominious Euro 2012, where he failed to even record a shot on target. But his movement means he can trouble defences and he should be an option, probably from the bench if Artem Dzyuba is preferred as the main striker. Vitaliy Belousov / AP Photo
  • Italy’s Stephan El Shaarawy: An unhappy first six months of last season at Monaco threatened El Shaarawy’s place in Italy’s plans, but since joining Roma in January, his speed and trickery have been productive again. At 23, he goes into the tournament having rediscovered some of the confidence and dash that made him a budding star at AC Milan. Valerio Pennicino / Getty Images
    Italy’s Stephan El Shaarawy: An unhappy first six months of last season at Monaco threatened El Shaarawy’s place in Italy’s plans, but since joining Roma in January, his speed and trickery have been productive again. At 23, he goes into the tournament having rediscovered some of the confidence and dash that made him a budding star at AC Milan. Valerio Pennicino / Getty Images

Sport

Dimitri Payet, Marcus Rashford, Stephan El Shaarawy and six Euro 2016 wild-card picks – in pictures

Jake Badger

June 07, 2016

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