Gone are the days of easy predictions and sure bets. As more and more players gain experience playing in different clubs across Europe, they adapt to different styles of football and incorporate this experience when playing for their country. We’ll take a closer at three unexpected teams that can go a long way this Euro Football 2016.

Belgium

Belgium are an incredibly strong team with many talented players. They put their name firmly on the map during the Euro qualifications and won seven of their 10 qualifying matches, topping the group with ease. The interesting thing to note is that out of the 24 goals they scored in the qualifying stages, only four were scored by their strikers, indicating a style of total football. Belgium is a squad full of star players and some have argued that it’s their best squad in their history, with the likes of Edin Hazard, K. de Bruyne, Mertens & shot stopper Courtois. Belgium can make it far if they take their winning form into Euro Football 2016.

Austria

Austria face Iceland, Hungary and Portugal in a group which should find them progressing to the last 16, however, no game will be an easy one. Austria cruised through qualification, winning nine out of their 10 matches and were the second team with the most points during the qualifiers, behind England. They’re technical, fast and work as a unit and capable of upsetting opponents. Austria scored 22 times during qualification with an impressive away win against Sweden, which finished 4-1. But how will the Austrians fair against Cristiano and Co.?

Czech Republic

Czech Republic secured the first place out of Group A, which saw the Netherlands failure to qualify. They will be facing third place finishers Turkey for the third time in the group stages, an encounter they will need to win, as the European Champions are also in Group D, and the Spanish have their own tentative agenda. The Czech’s scored 19 goals during their qualifying stages, however, their recent poor form in their last three friendlies needs to improve from a L-L-D to escape early elimination. Last time round, the Czech’s got eliminated in the quarter final against Portugal and if they play at their best, they’ll definitely have what it takes to secure the second spot of Group D.

Football has improved greatly and this reflects greatly on the competitiveness and the quality of European Championships. Greece showed Europe it was possible in 2004, but will we see an unexpected team to lift the trophy in France this summer?

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