If you were sleeping this morning, US time, or perhaps just in a funk over what looks like will be the USA kit for the upcoming World Cup, you might have missed this bit of news. The draw for Euro 2016, which will be held in France, took place Sunday in Nice. The tourney will look a bit different this time around as 24 nations will get a chance to compete in the finals, instead of 16 which was the previous case.
It doesn't look like many of the big fish should have a problem making the finals. England manager Roy Hodgson was particularly happy with the Three Lions' draw in Group E against San Marino, Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, and Lithuania. It's hard to see any of those countries putting up much a fight against England, outside of perhaps Switzerland, whom Roy Hodgson previously coached in 1990s.
Wales should also like their draw. They were placed into Group B with Belgium, Isreal, Cyprus, Andorra, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. It's doubtful that they could top Belgium, but one would think they would have a decent shot at battling Israel for second place.
Euro 2016 qualification will also see a new nation competing to make their first international tournament. Gibraltar was admitted into UEFA in 2013 and will play their first qualifiers this time around in Group D against Germany, Georgia, Scotland, Poland, and the Republic of Ireland. They were originally drawn into Group C, but were moved because of political tensions between themselves and Spain.
You can check out the full draw below:
Matches begin in September 2014. The top two teams in each group and the best third place team will automatically qualify for the finals. The remaining third place finishers will have a playoff to fill out the field that will take to the pitch in France, Summer 2016.
