Euro 2016 Group D preview: Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain and Turkey

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Greg Lea breaks down the four teams in Group D of Euro 2016.

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Group D is undoubtedly one of the toughest of the six groups, with all four sides currently within the top 30 of the Fifa world rankings.

Spain are the favourites to progress as group winners, with Vicente del Bosque’s side aiming to win the competition for the third time in a row following their triumphs in 2008 and 2012.

The other three nations are all capable of taking second spot, though: Croatia have several talented players, particularly in midfield; Turkey have been tipped as potential dark horses; and Czech Republic impressively won one of the toughest qualifying groups to bounce back from the disappointment of missing the World Cup two years ago.

Topping Group D will result in a third-placed opponent in the last 16, providing a relatively favourable route into the quarter-finals.

By contrast, finishing as runner-up is likely to lead to a meeting with Belgium or Italy in the first knockout round, a tie that most teams would like to avoid so early in the competition.

Two victories could be enough to finish first in Group D, which looks set to be one of the most competitive of the first stage.

Group D fixtures: (all kick-off times UAE)

*Correction: Times earlier were incorrectly shown as an hour later.

• June 12: Turkey v Croatia, 5pm

• June 13: Spain v Czech Republic, 5pm

• June 17: Czech Republic v Croatia, 8pm

• June 17: Spain v Turkey, 11pm

• June 21: Croatia v Spain, 11pm

• June 21: Czech Republic v Turkey, 11pm

• Predicted order of finish: Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Czech Republic

SPAIN

The World Cup in Brazil was a humbling experience, but Spain are still the only country to have won the European Championship since 2004.

They may not be quite as strong as they were four years ago, but are still rightly considered one of the favourites to win in France. Their strength in depth in midfield is remarkable, while they have the kind of clear identity that is often lacking at international level.

• The manager: Vicente del Bosque

The former Real Madrid manager intends to step down after the summer and will therefore be keen to go out on a high. A third triumph in his past four tournaments would cement his place in the history books.

• Star player: Andres Iniesta

Now 32, Iniesta remains essential for both club and country. Blessed with great creativity, craft and composure, his ability to carry the ball forward quickens the pace of Spain’s short-passing game and draws defenders out of position. Having been ever-present throughout his nation’s most successful ever spell, Iniesta epitomises what Spanish football stands for today.

• Wild card: 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.

• Potential problem: Issues up front

Aduriz is unproven at this level and Alvaro Morata has started less than half of Juventus’ league games this season.

CROATIA

Perennial dark horses Croatia have struggled to live up to that tag in recent years, failing to make it beyond the first knockout round of a tournament since a third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup, which was also held in France.

There are plenty of talented technicians within the ranks, particularly in midfield, and many Croatians believe the current crop is just as strong as that famous 1998 side.

• The manager: Ante Cacic

The appointment of Cacic last October was controversial, with the 62-year-old manager still unpopular with a good few Croatians back home. Cacic has had a peripatetic career and does not possess a stellar CV, while there are doubts about his tactical acumen and ability to handle big-name players.

• Star player: Luka Modric

The Real Madrid midfielder could either be deployed as the deepest man in the engine room or ahead of holder Milan Badelj in a slightly more advanced role. Whatever his exact position, Modric – who has again been one of Madrid’s most consistent performers this term – will pull the strings in midfield.

• Wild card: Nikola Kalinic

A Premier League flop at Blackburn Rovers, the striker, 28, has rebuilt his career. He had a goal every three games for Ukraine’s Dnipro and comes off an excellent first season with Fiorentina. He is a serious goal threat, especially if he comes on late in games against tired defences.

• Potential problem: Tactical uncertainty

It is still not entirely clear which formation Cacic will employ, which is liable to cause confusion with the big kick off now just around the corner.

TURKEY

Turkey made it to the Euros without the need of a play-off by topping the ranking of third-placed teams once results against the bottom side in each group had been discounted.

Qualification looked to be beyond them at one stage, a return of just one point from their first three group matches leaving them nearer the bottom of the standings than the summit, but the 2008 semi-finalists finished the campaign with a flourish to book their place in France in style.

• The manager: Fatih Terim

The popular former defender began a third spell in charge of Turkey in 2013 having led his country at European Championship in 1996 and 2008.

• Star player: Arda Turan

Turkey’s captain has not benefited from too much playing time since swapping Atletico Madrid for Barcelona last July, but that at least means he will be fresh for this summer’s competition. Likely to start on the left but capable of playing anywhere across the attacking line of three in Terim’s favoured 4-2-3-1, Arda is without doubt Turkey’s main man.

• Wild card: Oguzhan Ozyakup

The attacking midfielder has had a fine season with Besiktas in the Turkish top flight, scoring nine goals and laying on seven more for teammates.

• Potential problem: Goalscoring

Turkey only mustered 14 goals in 10 qualifying matches, drawing a blank away to Iceland and only managing a single strike in clashes with Latvia and Kazakhstan. Lead striker Burak Yilmaz joined Beijing Guoan from Galatasaray in February and, at the time of writing, has played only 131 minutes of competitive football since.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Anyone tempted to write off Czech Republic should take a look at their qualifying record, where they looked down at Iceland, Turkey and the Netherlands from the summit of Group A.

Expect the Czechs to be hard-working and cohesive, if lacking a touch of quality. Although they are clearly the underdogs in Group D, Pavel Vrba’s charges have the potential to dig in and frustrate.

• The manager: Pavel Vrba

Vrba’s work with Viktoria Plzen earned him the national team job in late 2013, with Czech Republic improving under his guidance in the two and a half years since.

• Star player: Petr Cech

The Arsenal custodian has made a few mistakes this season but remains a terrific goalkeeper. Cech, who has won 118 caps for his country, will probably be a busy man in between the Czech Republic sticks.

• Wild card: Pavel Kaderabek

The buccaneering right-back was Czech Republic’s star man in the Under 21 European Championship 11 months ago and is now ready to make an impact for the senior side. Kaderabek used to be a winger in his younger days, which explains his penchant for charging down the flank to support his teammates in attacking areas.

• Potential problem: Defensively vulnerable

Czech Republic did not keep a single clean sheet in qualifying and conceded a total of 14 goals, more than Montenegro, Bulgaria, Estonia, Scotland and Finland. They will need to tighten up if they are to advance from the group.