As the build-up to the European Championship in France gets underway, The National’s sports editors and writers have made their predictions for the tournament, picking their winners, semi-finalists, surprise packages, flops, top goalscorers, and players of the tournament.
Click on the arrow in the bottom right corner to move onto the next prediction, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe left.
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
RICHARD JOLLY, ENGLISH FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
Champions: France. Home advantage, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, strength in depth and a host of in-form players; it promises to be a winning formula. It helps, too, that they look to have one of the weaker groups and a comparatively easy route into the quarter-finals. It means they may only need three real high-quality performances.
Final Four: France, Germany, Spain, Italy
Flops: Turkey. There may not be too many real failures in a tournament where 16 teams will reach the knockout stages. The probable candidates languish in the tougher pools. Turkey may have finished ahead of Holland in a difficult qualifying group, but they still only came third. Now they find themselves drawn with Croatia, Czech Republic and Spain. Finish bottom, as they could, and they will be heading home early.
Surprise package: Austria. Austria had not qualified for a major tournament since 1998. They might reach the quarter-finals now, signalling a remarkable renaissance. The outstanding David Alaba is pivotal, while it is imperative Marko Arnautovic carries on his fine form from the club season. It helps that, if Austria finish second in Group F, they face the runners-up in Group B in the last 16, a potentially winnable tie.
Top scorer: Thomas Muller. The German can seem the ultimate tournament player. He is only 26 and already has 10 World Cup goals. Perhaps oddly, he failed to score in Euro 2012. The chances of a repeat are remote. Muller has enjoyed his most prolific season for Bayern Munich and, while Germany have few easy fixtures that top scorers in tournaments often benefit from, he has shown the ability to pierce any defence.
Player of the tournament: Paul Pogba. He was named the best young player in the 2014 World Cup. Now he may be the finest footballer of any age at Euro 2016. Certainly it seems his time has come: it feels he has stayed at Juventus partly to prepare him best for this tournament. A blend of power and technical ability could make him the dominant player in the any midfield.
GREG LEA, ENGLISH FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
Champions: France. One of the two best squads in the tournament — along with Germany — and home advantage is a combination that should bring France the trophy.
Final four: France, Germany, Spain, Portugal
Flops: Italy. The Italians did not make it out of their group at the World Cup in 2014 and, while they should be able to manage that this time around, they may not get much further. There is a lack of star quality in the current squad and key men Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti will be absent through injury, which makes a repeat of their run to the final in 2012 improbable.
Surprise package: Poland. It is difficult to work out what constitutes a surprise package in a 24-team tournament like Euro 2016, but Poland certainly have what it takes to reach the last eight. While Robert Lewandowski is clearly the star man, Arkadiusz Milik, Grzegorz Krychowiak and captain Kamil Glik are also excellent players who are likely to impress.
Top scorer: Thomas Muller. Muller has a terrific scoring record in international competition, racking up a total of 10 strikes in 16 starts in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Germany have plenty of attacking firepower from which the Bayern Munich forward will almost certainly benefit, with Muller arriving in France off the back of a highly prolific campaign at club level.
Player of the tournament: Antoine Griezmann. France may be without Karim Benzema this summer, but a pool of players that contains Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Dimitri Payet, Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman means Didier Deschamps will not be short of options in forward areas. The Atletico Madrid striker has got better and better since moving to the Vicente Calderon in 2014 and could cap off a wonderful domestic season by being France's leading light on home soil.
IAN HAWKEY, EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
Winner: Spain. Spain have been defending champions of this title since the summer of 2008. Then they were the novelty revolutionaries of international football, tiki-taka was not an overused term, and they carried a threatening momentum. They carried it well, through a first World Cup triumph for Spain, an emphatic 4-0 at the 2012 European championship final against Italy. The crash, the first-round exit at the 2014 World Cup, was painful but a resolve to gently rejuvenate, under long-serving coach Vicente Del Bosque, means there should be hunger where perhaps there was a little fatigue and even complacency.
Final four: Spain, Germany, France, England
Surprise package: England. It would count as a surprise for many to see England in the semi-finals. The last time they achieved that standard in a major international tournament was 20 years ago. Expectations are lower than in the era when Premier League clubs usually reached Champions League finals and that's a pressure-easer. Now, they can follow the fearless underdog exemplar of Leicester City, England's own surprise league champions, and exploit the verve of some young energetic players.
Flops: Russia. Europe's most populous country ought really to do better in continental — and indeed global — company at its favourite sport. There is an urgent need to start proving itself a bigger bear than the one who finished third in its group at the last World Cup. But the pressure to be impressive come the 2018 World Cup, hosted in Russia, seems as liable to induce freeze and nervousness as brilliance.
Top scorer: Olivier Giroud. The absence of Karim Benzema from France's plans has opened up an opportunity, and although Antoine Griezmann is clearly the sharpest attacking weapon in France's roster of strikers, Giroud has the nous to put himself in the right positions to benefit from Griezmann's ability to open up space, and be a target for the creative passers and crossers France have.
Player of the tournament: Sergio Busquets. Spain manager Del Bosque is candid about it: If Spain's centre-halves, and Busquets are at their best, his team have a fine chance to go all the way. Busquets imposed his authority as Barcelona shook off setbacks to win the Primera Liga. His passing range is sometimes underrated and his recovery of possession outstanding.
ANDY MITTEN, EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
Winner: Spain. The holders are going for a third successive win. They'll bounce back from a terrible 2014 World Cup finals using a squad still overstocked with talent and the manager who has led them to European and World Cup titles. He saw what complacency can do and will use fresher youngsters like Koke and Saul. Spain's group with Turkey, Croatia and Czech Republic is a tough one, but that will prepare them better for the battles ahead. With Busquets, Iniesta, Silva, Koke, Saul and Fabregas, Spain have football's best midfield; in David De Gea, they have football's best goalkeeper.
Final four: France, Germany, Spain, England
Surprise package: Northern Ireland. Qualified for a first major tournament since 1986 by winning their group. Manager Michael O'Neill is a highly motivated boss who has revolutionised fortunes and brought increased professionalism. After a difficult final year at Manchester United, Jonny Evans is fitter, happier and more productive at West Bromwich. The team are versatile as they'll need to be after the lost of key midfielder Chris Brunt. Success will be qualification from the group.
Flops: Italy. Of the fancied nations, Antonio Conte's Italy can't call upon the type of quality they've had in previous tournaments. Hammered 4-1 by Germany in March, they at least boast the three Juventus defenders Chiellini, Bonucci and Barzagli. Behind, they have their stellar teammate Gialuigi Buffon, but the Azurri, who look weaker up front, are in a tough group with Belgium, Sweden and Republic of Ireland.
Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo. For the sixth season in succession, Ronaldo has scored 50 or more goals in club football for Real Madrid. For his country, fortunes have been more mixed. With an emerging midfield behind him including William Carvalho, Andrew Gomes, Bernardo Silva and Renato Sanches, the new guard are capable of formidable support. When Ronaldo does well in tournaments, Portugal do well. They have the influence of youth and experience to prosper.
Player of the tournament: Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann has been the best player for an Atletico Madrid side which has reached their second Champions League final in three years. The Frenchman who has never played for a French club will be on home soil in a side full of top quality footballers. At 25, he's hitting his peak, scoring, versatile and full of confidence. He's in the 'next best thing' class below Ronaldo and Messi. Now is the time to show the world that he's closing that gap.
JON TURNER, ONLINE SPORTS EDITOR
Champions: France. It might seem a cop out picking the hosts to win the tournament, but a closer look at the France squad suggests it has the makings to go all the way. A look through the spine of the team, with Hugo Lloris in goal, Raphael Varane at centre-back, Paul Pogba as the midfield general, Dimitri Payet as the key wide man, and Antoine Griezmann as the lead striker, and France have top-class personnel in all the key areas.
Final four: France, England, Germany, Belgium
Flops: Spain. This may not be the all-conquering side of 2008-2012, but it still boasts plenty of talent, and Spanish fans will expect a deep run. However, there feels a real lack of cutting edge to this Spain side, one that is short of a top-class striker. Each major tournament has a big causality at the group stage, and at Euro 2016, it looks likely to be Spain.
Surprise package: Poland. Little is usually expected of Poland at major tournaments, but a trip to the quarter-finals could be on the cards. The runner-up spot in Group C behind Germany will go to either Poland or Ukraine, and the winner will face the runner-up of Group A, likely to be Switzerland, in the Round of 16. Poland have the edge over Ukraine for one very obvious reason — Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich striker has been imperious this season for his club, while his 13 goals in qualifying was vital to Poland's progression.
Top scorer: Thomas Muller. Despite scoring nine goals over two World Cups, Muller has yet to get off the mark at a European championship. That is sure to change in France this summer as the Bayern Munich forward leads Germany's attempts at back-to-back major titles.
Player of the tournament: Paul PogbaPogba will be central to France's hopes this summer, and if he plays to his immense capabilities, he will be the driving force behind a home tournament triumph. This could be the tournament he further elevates his world-class status and leads his country to the title. Why did Alex Ferguson let him leave Manchester United again?
STEVE LUCKINGS, SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
Champions: France. Euro '84, World Cup '98 — what do these two tournaments both have common? They were both held in France and were both won by the hosts. If there is a championship game being held in Paris, France are invariably in it and invariably win it, aside from the 1938 World Cup when they were losing finalists. The 2016 team could be considered something of an unknown quantity, but in Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann, France possess a spine that most international managers could only dream of.
Final four: Spain, Italy, Germany, France
Flops: Russia. Europe's most populous and biggest country have never qualified for the knockout stages of any World Cup but did win the European Championship in 1960. Most expect them to battle it out with England for top spot. However, don't expect them to uproot any trees. The best they can hope for is to finish as one of the best third-place teams to try to work their way into the last 16.
Surprise package: Austria. Qualified for this summer's tournament with a record of nine wins and one draw, finishing ahead of Russia and Sweden. A squad packed with top-level experience across Europe's major leagues, such as David Alaba, Christian Fuchs and Marko Arnautovic. They will be targeting second in Group F, behind Portugal, and a potential last-16 clash against Wales.
Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo. Although I don't see Portugal making it as far as the last four — or even the last eight for that matter — a group containing Austria, Hungary and Iceland should offer Cristiano Ronaldo plenty of shooting practice to improve on his 56 international goals.
Player of the tournament: Paul Pogba. If the French midfielder isn't already the best midfielder on the planet he is fast on his way to becoming it. Pogba has been instrumental in four of Juventus' past five Serie A-winning seasons and can do it all: pass with either foot, score the spectacular and the scruffy, attack, defend and galvanise his teammates.
JONATHAN RAYMOND, ONLINE EDITOR
Champions: England. It's a new England. It's a young England. In a year where Leicester City have won the Premier League, why not? They had, well and away, the best qualifying campaign of any team. They have young legs hitting their peak in defence and in midfield. They have a deep, capable forward group to select from (Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy, Wayne Rooney). They've got a great keeper in Joe Hart. This England side has rounded into maybe the most complete and cohesive as any in recent memory. There's a path there for them, and they have just the right mix to seize it.
Final Four: Germany, England, Poland, France
Flops: Italy. Their midfield has been ravaged by the losses of Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti, their defence has legitimate question marks and there's not a forward among them (unless you really believe in Stephan El Shaarawy) you would pick to sniff the top of the scorers' list. Here's a bold prediction: Italy, dropped into maybe the toughest group, fail to advance past that stage.
Surprise package: Iceland. They've got a navigable group, featuring the top-heavy Portugal, Austria and Hungary. They already showed they can hang with this kind of competition in qualifying, when they beat the Netherlands, and finished second among Czech Republic and Turkey in the top-three with a goal difference (plus-11) better than those two combined (plus-10).
Top scorer: Robert Lewandowski. Hey, I'm just sticking with the guy who had the most goals throughout qualifying. The Bayern Munich marksman should be able to feast on Ukraine and Northern Ireland and I'm predicting a shock group win for the Poles that puts him on a path to the semi-finals — and more goals.
Player of the tournament: Jamie Vardy. Like I said, it's the crazy year of Leicester, it's the crazy year of Jamie Vardy, why shouldn't that just continue into the Euros? England get a relatively easy group with the kind of slower defensive sides Vardy loves to pounce on, so he'll keep up an impressive goals total.
GRAHAM CAYGILL, DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Champions: Germany. Yes, they have not been especially convincing since winning the World Cup two summers ago, but the Germans are big tournament players and will be strong contenders, because that is what they do. They have not won this competition since 1996 and Joachim Low's men have the experience and match winners to prevail again.
Final Four: Germany, Spain, France and Italy
Flops: Russia and Portugal. Given they are hosting the World Cup two years from now, Russia are under pressure to raise their game on the international stage, but will not get beyond the second round stage. Given they have one of the best players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, not making the last eight should be a disappointment for Portugal, and that is very likely scenario.
Surprise package: Iceland. Did superbly to qualify ahead of the Netherlands from the qualifying group, and there is lots to like about the team, who do have quality in the shape of Gylfi Sigurdsson to go with the resilience at the heart of the side.
Top scorer: Thomas Muller. Proven scorer at major tournaments and he should be the man that leads Germany's charge to success.
Player of the tournament: Paul Pogba. While I do not think France will win the tournament, I do think Pogba in central midfield will highlight just why he is so regarded in the European game.
THOMAS WOODS, SPORTS EDITOR
Champions: Belgium. Marc Wilmots' side showed their potential at the 2014 World Cup and they waltzed through qualifying. They really have all the elements that make a trophy-winning team. World-class keeper? Check. Centre-back pairing coming off a successful clubs season? Check. A host of classy midfielders (De Bruyne, Hazard, Dembele)? Check. A striker in top form (Lukaku)? Check. A Plan B when trailing (Fellaini, Benteke)? Check. The should cruise to the quarter-finals, then we'll see what they are made of when they come up against one of the big guns.
Final Four: France, England, Spain, Belgium
Flops: Italy. They go into the tournament missing several key players, especially the midfield duo of Claudio Marchisio and Marco Veratti. Antonio Conte's team also lack the flair of past Italian sides and their tournament will likely come to a low-scoring end in the second round.
Surprise package: Poland. They have one of Europe's top strikers, Robert Lewandowski, and would likely face Switzerland in the second round, giving Poland a magnificent chance to make the last eight.
Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal and Ronaldo were pretty poor at the World Cup, but here they have one of the easier groups. Even if they don't make it past the last eight, Ronaldo could already have scored four or five by them. He is his side's only serious goal threat.
Player of the tournament: Kevin de Bruyne. The Manchester City midfielder has plenty of opportunity to get forward in a 4-5-1 formation, he is relatively fresh having sat out a couple of months of the season injured. Everything is in place for him to shine.