Can Norn Iron do a Leicester?
We’ve looked at Group A.
If every Euro 2016 country was a club team, who would they be? Here's our guide to Group A https://t.co/WXfry4kxH3
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 8, 2016
We’ve also looked at Group B
Why England are the Manchester United of #Euro2016 https://t.co/GYHwYRYOmz
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 8, 2016
Now it’s time for Group C and the pretty tricky situation that Northern Ireland have found themselves in.
Group C
Germany
Star player: Thomas Muller.
He’s just brilliant, isn’t he? The favourite to be the tournament’s top goalscorer with most bookmakers, Muller’s movement is a joy to watch.
One to watch: Jonas Hector.
The 26-year-old left-back is replacing Philip Lahm, who retired after the World Cup victory two years ago. No pressure, pal.
Weak link: Defence.
Emre Can is a talented midfielder, not a right back. Mats Hummels is returning from injury, and won’t be risked for their first game against Ukraine. However, the injury to Antonio Rudiger, who was due to stand in for Hummels, has caused Joachim Low a headache. These are what one would call ‘first world problems’.
What they hope will happen: They win the tournament, matching the feats of the great West Germany side in the 1970s, who won Euro ’72 and the 1974 World Cup.
What will happen: They come up short against France in the semi-finals. The two teams played out a closely fought game in the World Cup quarter-finals two years ago, with Germany winning 1-0. It could the reverse score this time.
If they were a club side: Barcelona in Pep Guardiola’s final season. A team of midfielders, without an orthodox centre-forward, a defence that can be exploited and with the potential for a disastrous off-day.
Ukraine
Star player: Andriy Yarmolenko. A fast, athletic, skilful winger, who’s capable of playing centrally, the 26 year old has scored 10 goals or more in his last six seasons with Dynamo Kyiv.
One to watch: Denys Garmash. A rangy, talented central midfielder, who could become a target for Premier League teams.
Weak link: Andriy Pyatov. The Ukrainian Massimo Taibi.
What they hope will happen: They beat Poland in their final group game, knock-out Switzerland in the last-16 and bow out gracefully in the quarter-finals.
What will happen: They’ll finish third in the group and exit at the first-knock out stage.
If they were a club side: Chelsea. Their best players are out wide, their defence is old and creaky and there has been disharmony amongst the group.
Poland
Star player: Robert Lewandowski. The Poland captain was top scorer across qualifying with 13 goals.
One to watch: Grzegorz Krychowiak. An aggressive midfielder, who can play a bit too. The 26-year-old has been linked with a move from Sevilla to Barcelona.
Weak link: Goalkeepers. Lukasz Fabianski will start in goal, but is prone to a mistake. As is Poland’s back-up ‘keeper, Wojciech Szczesny
What they hope will happen: Reaching the quarter-finals seems a possibility, and if they do, maybe they can even go a step further.
What will happen: They’ll finish second behind Germany in the group, beat the Swiss in the last-16 but lose to Spain in the quarter-finals.
If they were a club side: Everton. Very impressive going forward – Poland scored 33 times in qualifying – led by a prolific striker, but weak at the back. On their day they can beat most teams, but capable of slipping up.
Northern Ireland
Star player: Jonny Evans was arguably hard done-by when sold to West Brom from Manchester United. The 28-year-old is a very competent defender, and his big game experience could be vital.
One to watch: Will Grigg. The striker is on fire, apparently.
Weak link: He may have scored a lot of goals in qualifying, but it could be argued that through a combination of a lack of game time, injury concerns and the step up in quality Kyle Lafferty will struggle.
What they hope will happen: They get a positive result in their first game against Poland and somehow pick up a win against Ukraine and miraculously advance to the last 16.
What will happen: Northern Ireland fans are taking great heart from being unbeaten in 12 games. However, the Republic of Ireland were unbeaten in 13 games before Euro 2012, and we all know how that ended. An early exit looks inevitable, the achievement was reaching this stage.
If they were a club side: From the being on the bottom to topping their group, propelled by the goals of a journeyman striker, led by an intelligent coach, with their success fostered by a tight team spirit, Northern Ireland are the Leicester City of Euro 2016. Now comes the tricky part and trying replicate it on a bigger stage.
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