Group F
Portugal
Star player: If you haven’t guessed that by now please finish this sentence and see yourself out.
One to watch: Renato Sanches. This time last year he hadn’t played a senior game. The midfielder has since won the league with Benfica, signed for Bayern Munich and could have a big impact at Euro 2016. Not bad for an 18 year old.
Weak link: Centre-forwards. Cristiano Ronaldo prefers to start on the left, and can become isolated when played up front alone. The only natural centre-forward in Portugal’s squad is Eder, who failed to score in 13 appearances for Swansea.
What they hope will happen: Ronaldo fires them to glory.
What will happen: A quarter-final exit.
If they were a club side: Liverpool. A talented side, but everyone only wants to talk about one man.
Iceland
Star player: Gylfi Sigurdsson. Good enough to get into most squads in the competition, the Swansea midfielder is a dead ball specialist and will be key if Iceland are to be successful.
One to watch: Arnor Ingvi Traustason. Three goals in six games isn’t a bad record, the 21 year old midfielder also had the most assists in the Swedish top flight last year.
Weak link: A lack of depth in the squad could count against them if games aren’t going their way and a change from the bench is needed.
What they hope will happen: They continue to make history and reach the last-16.
What will happen: A win over Hungary might be enough to do just that.
If they were a club side: Bournemouth. Despite their small size, and lack of pedigree, they’ve made the most of their resources, and through excellent coaching – Iceland have a Uefa qualified coach for every 500 people in the country – have made it to the big stage and won’t look out of place.
Austria
Star player: David Alaba. A left-back for Bayern Munich, Alaba will play in central midfield for his country. An athletic, creative player capable of scoring from distance, as Ireland discovered in 2013.
One to watch: Aleksandar Dragovic. The central defender is only 25, but already has 47 caps. Currently at Dynamo Kyiv, Dragovic is comfortable in possession and has been linked with replacing Mats Hummels at Borussia Dortmund.
Weak link: Foward options look short if Marc Janko gets injured or fails to find form.
What they hope will happen: Be dark horses and make a serious impact at the tournament.
What will happen: The quarter-finals looks a possibility, and progression from the group a formality.
If they were a club side: Southampton. A talented, tactically flexible side in good form, they’ve been at this stage before, but have arguably never had as good a team. However, a finish in the top eight could be their limit.
Hungary
Star player: They don’t have one, so Zlotan Gera will have to do. The former West Brom midfielder is now 37-years-old.
One to watch: Adam Nagy. The 21-year-old midfielder, currently playing for Ferencvaros in Hungary, has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Liverpool.
Weak link: Their best player is 37-years-old.
What they hope will happen: They don’t embarrass themselves and lose all their games.
What will happen: They’ll lose all their games.
If they were a club side: Sunderland. Hungary’s team in the early 1950s was one of the greatest to ever play the game, Sunderland claimed their sixth and final league title in 1936. Both experienced their glory days before the advent of colour television.
