THIS TIME TOMORROW the draw for Euro 2016 will be getting under way in Paris to decide who Ireland will face in next year’s finals.
After looking at the sides in Pot 2 yesterday, today we examine those making up Pot 1.
We rank them in order, starting with the side Ireland would most like to be drawn against and work our way down to the worst-case scenario.
1. Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo has had the weight of a nation on his shoulders for a while now – and that is unlikely to change in France.
Sure, they have players lining out regularly at the top level in Europe but as a supporting cast, they don’t come close to the level of the Real Madrid superstar.
They qualified for the finals relatively easily after a woeful start, which saw them lose at home to Albania, finishing top of the five-team Group I by winning seven of their eight games.
They finished the group seven points clear of Albania with Denmark a further two points back in third.
Fernando Santos took over the side after that Albania defeat and he oversaw their unblemished qualifying record thereafter.
What will worry Santos and the Portuguese fans is their struggles in front of goal, even with one of the world’s best players leading the line.
Portugal only mustered 11 goals in their eight qualifiers, five of those for Ronaldo, and that’s something they will need to rectify if they are to justify their position as top seeds in France.
Verdict: Great draw.
2. England
Due to their reputation as chokers in big tournaments for almost half a century and Ireland’s excellent record against them over the past 30 years, England would be a good top-seed draw.
However, there are a couple of concerns about this England side.
If drawn together, there would be a danger of that fixture being built up to such an extent that the other two group games would lose importance, Roy Hodgson will know Ireland’s players better than most at the finals and this England team were mightily impressive during qualifying.
They sauntered through Group E, granted it was one of the weaker groups, but winning 10 out of 10 (the only team to do so) while scoring 31 and conceding just three times was no mean feat.
Switzerland proved in the 2014 World Cup that they can cause problems for the best teams in the world yet England made light work of them in qualifying, along with Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino.
They have plenty of young talent emerging but probably lack a truly world-class player, something which makes them a much more appealing option in this pot.
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Verdict: Positive draw
3. Belgium
Belgium can no longer be considered a team on the rise, and if anything this tournament represents a great chance for this current crop of stars to produce it on the biggest stage.
The likes of Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Kompany, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku give the Belgians a formidable base to work with.
However, they didn’t set the world alight in qualifying, finishing just two points clear of Wales at the top of Group B after seven wins, two draws and one loss.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
The well-organised Welsh proved more than able to match them with a 1-0 home win for Chris Coleman’s charges after an impressive 0-0 draw in Brussels eight months previously.
Were it not for the Welsh stuttering over the line with a home draw against Israel and an away defeat in Bosnia, they would have finished top of the group.
In Hazard, De Bruyne and Lukaku they have three of the Premier League’s best young talents while most of their squad is littered across Europe’s best leagues.
Marc Wilmots’ side would likely have Ireland chasing the ball for the bulk of the 90 minutes.
Verdict: Not ideal but there are tougher alternatives.
4. France
After the tragic events in France in recent weeks, next year’s finals are bound to be an occasion of huge emotion for the French public.
On the field, Didier Deschamps has some seriously talented footballers to work with but finding the right balance and solving any lingering divisions within the squad may be his biggest obstacles.
In Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema he has two of the biggest stars in European football. When you add to that the likes of Blaise Matuidi, Antoine Griezmann and MathieuValbuena, you have the ingredients for an exciting football team.
And that’s before moving on to their rising stars — Dimitri Payet and Anthony Martial to name but two.
Defence must be Deschamps’ primary concern at the moment, well that and the legal proceedings between Benzema and Valbuena surrounding blackmail allegations over a sex-tape. With Benzema suspended by the federation it will be interesting to see if he gets back into the France squad in time for the tournament.
It’s always preferable to avoid the hosts at major finals, especially hosts with players as talented as France.
Verdict: Very tough.
5. Germany
Ah, the Germans. If nothing else, a draw against them would allow us to re-watch John O’Shea’s joyous late equaliser in Gelsenkirchen and Shane Long’s bone-rattling winner at the Aviva – as if an excuse was needed.
Let’s be honest, Ireland held on for dear life in both games. The Germans spurned plenty of chances and if it wasn’t for that, Martin O’Neill’s side wouldn’t be in this draw.
Are the world champions likely to let Ireland off the hook again? Would a game against them in France pan out any different in terms of their dominance? Not likely.
They have a squad packed with proven winners and in manager Joachim Low, one of the most experienced managers in international football.
They boast names like Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, Marco Reus, Toni Kroos, Julian Draxler, Mesut Ozil and Mats Hummels, the list goes on. Quite possibly still the best team in the world.
Scott Heppell
Scott Heppell
Their qualifying campaign had a couple of blips against Ireland and Poland but they were imperious when they needed to be.
Those unlikely four points are important to protect in the memory of Irish football fans, a rematch in France is not the way to do that.
Verdict: Nein danke
6. Spain
Spain edge Germany largely because of the way they pass the ball around the opposition and the incredible depth of their squad.
Of course they failed to perform in Brazil last year but if Spain are ones to avoid at the best of times, a wounded Spanish side with something to prove doesn’t bear thinking about.
Bar an away defeat to Slovakia, their first qualifying loss since October 2006, the holders were outstanding in qualification. They topped Group C with nine victories out of 10 – scoring 23 goals and conceding just three.
They have plenty of experience and some of Europe’s best footballers – Andreas Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Santi Cazorla, David Silva, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas come to mind.
And add to that the talents of David de Gea, Isco, Thiago, Koke, Alvaro Morata and Paco Alcacer – then you have frightening strength in depth.
A number of these players are currently struggling with injuries or a bout of poor form but the beauty of this Spanish squad is that they will have no problem coping.
With Vicente del Bosque in charge, you’d be brave to bet against them defending their continental crown in France.
They tore Ireland apart four years ago and one suspects they would likely do so again next summer.
Euro 2016 draw: We rank the teams in Pot 1
THIS TIME TOMORROW the draw for Euro 2016 will be getting under way in Paris to decide who Ireland will face in next year’s finals.
After looking at the sides in Pot 2 yesterday, today we examine those making up Pot 1.
We rank them in order, starting with the side Ireland would most like to be drawn against and work our way down to the worst-case scenario.
1. Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo has had the weight of a nation on his shoulders for a while now – and that is unlikely to change in France.
Sure, they have players lining out regularly at the top level in Europe but as a supporting cast, they don’t come close to the level of the Real Madrid superstar.
They qualified for the finals relatively easily after a woeful start, which saw them lose at home to Albania, finishing top of the five-team Group I by winning seven of their eight games.
They finished the group seven points clear of Albania with Denmark a further two points back in third.
Fernando Santos took over the side after that Albania defeat and he oversaw their unblemished qualifying record thereafter.
What will worry Santos and the Portuguese fans is their struggles in front of goal, even with one of the world’s best players leading the line.
Portugal only mustered 11 goals in their eight qualifiers, five of those for Ronaldo, and that’s something they will need to rectify if they are to justify their position as top seeds in France.
Verdict: Great draw.
2. England
Due to their reputation as chokers in big tournaments for almost half a century and Ireland’s excellent record against them over the past 30 years, England would be a good top-seed draw.
However, there are a couple of concerns about this England side.
If drawn together, there would be a danger of that fixture being built up to such an extent that the other two group games would lose importance, Roy Hodgson will know Ireland’s players better than most at the finals and this England team were mightily impressive during qualifying.
They sauntered through Group E, granted it was one of the weaker groups, but winning 10 out of 10 (the only team to do so) while scoring 31 and conceding just three times was no mean feat.
Switzerland proved in the 2014 World Cup that they can cause problems for the best teams in the world yet England made light work of them in qualifying, along with Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino.
They have plenty of young talent emerging but probably lack a truly world-class player, something which makes them a much more appealing option in this pot.
Verdict: Positive draw
3. Belgium
Belgium can no longer be considered a team on the rise, and if anything this tournament represents a great chance for this current crop of stars to produce it on the biggest stage.
The likes of Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Kompany, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku give the Belgians a formidable base to work with.
However, they didn’t set the world alight in qualifying, finishing just two points clear of Wales at the top of Group B after seven wins, two draws and one loss.
The well-organised Welsh proved more than able to match them with a 1-0 home win for Chris Coleman’s charges after an impressive 0-0 draw in Brussels eight months previously.
Were it not for the Welsh stuttering over the line with a home draw against Israel and an away defeat in Bosnia, they would have finished top of the group.
In Hazard, De Bruyne and Lukaku they have three of the Premier League’s best young talents while most of their squad is littered across Europe’s best leagues.
Marc Wilmots’ side would likely have Ireland chasing the ball for the bulk of the 90 minutes.
Verdict: Not ideal but there are tougher alternatives.
4. France
After the tragic events in France in recent weeks, next year’s finals are bound to be an occasion of huge emotion for the French public.
On the field, Didier Deschamps has some seriously talented footballers to work with but finding the right balance and solving any lingering divisions within the squad may be his biggest obstacles.
In Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema he has two of the biggest stars in European football. When you add to that the likes of Blaise Matuidi, Antoine Griezmann and Mathieu Valbuena, you have the ingredients for an exciting football team.
And that’s before moving on to their rising stars — Dimitri Payet and Anthony Martial to name but two.
Defence must be Deschamps’ primary concern at the moment, well that and the legal proceedings between Benzema and Valbuena surrounding blackmail allegations over a sex-tape. With Benzema suspended by the federation it will be interesting to see if he gets back into the France squad in time for the tournament.
It’s always preferable to avoid the hosts at major finals, especially hosts with players as talented as France.
Verdict: Very tough.
5. Germany
Ah, the Germans. If nothing else, a draw against them would allow us to re-watch John O’Shea’s joyous late equaliser in Gelsenkirchen and Shane Long’s bone-rattling winner at the Aviva – as if an excuse was needed.
Let’s be honest, Ireland held on for dear life in both games. The Germans spurned plenty of chances and if it wasn’t for that, Martin O’Neill’s side wouldn’t be in this draw.
Are the world champions likely to let Ireland off the hook again? Would a game against them in France pan out any different in terms of their dominance? Not likely.
They have a squad packed with proven winners and in manager Joachim Low, one of the most experienced managers in international football.
They boast names like Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, Marco Reus, Toni Kroos, Julian Draxler, Mesut Ozil and Mats Hummels, the list goes on. Quite possibly still the best team in the world.
Their qualifying campaign had a couple of blips against Ireland and Poland but they were imperious when they needed to be.
Those unlikely four points are important to protect in the memory of Irish football fans, a rematch in France is not the way to do that.
Verdict: Nein danke
6. Spain
Spain edge Germany largely because of the way they pass the ball around the opposition and the incredible depth of their squad.
Of course they failed to perform in Brazil last year but if Spain are ones to avoid at the best of times, a wounded Spanish side with something to prove doesn’t bear thinking about.
Bar an away defeat to Slovakia, their first qualifying loss since October 2006, the holders were outstanding in qualification. They topped Group C with nine victories out of 10 – scoring 23 goals and conceding just three.
They have plenty of experience and some of Europe’s best footballers – Andreas Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Santi Cazorla, David Silva, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas come to mind.
And add to that the talents of David de Gea, Isco, Thiago, Koke, Alvaro Morata and Paco Alcacer – then you have frightening strength in depth.
A number of these players are currently struggling with injuries or a bout of poor form but the beauty of this Spanish squad is that they will have no problem coping.
With Vicente del Bosque in charge, you’d be brave to bet against them defending their continental crown in France.
They tore Ireland apart four years ago and one suspects they would likely do so again next summer.
Verdict: Nightmare draw.
Euro 2016 draw: We rank the teams in Pot 2
Euro 2016 draw: We rank Ireland’s potential opponents in Pot 3
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