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12th Feb 2016

Rio Ferdinand has a harsh reality check for England fans excited for Euro 2016

SportsJOE

England fans might be getting excited ahead of Euro 2016, but Rio Ferdinand isn’t buying the hype.

An unbeaten qualifying campaign, coupled with the emergence of attacking threats like Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy, have left some English supporters hoping to see the Three Lions progress past the quarter-finals for the first time since they hosted the Euros in 1996.

But the former Manchester United and England defender has looked to dampen expectations.

Japan v England - International Friendly

When asked by NDTV whether or not England could reach the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time in 20 years, the 37-year-old said: “No. Based on what I have seen I don’t think so.

“If you got to go through the quarters and the semis and the final of this tournament and potentially win it, you’ve got to beat a France, you’ve got to beat a Germany and/or you’ve got to beat a Spain. I don’t think England will be able to do that, given what we have seen. I just don’t think they are capable.”

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