Debutants look to shine in France

Albania have never played at a major international tournament, but they comfortably qualified for the finals, as they finished two points clear of former champions Denmark in their qualifying group.

Gianni De Biasi’s side proved hard to beat in qualifying, only conceding five goals, and despite being drawn in the same group as host’s France, they have a realistic chance of progressing to the knockout stages, as they will also face Romania and Switzerland in Group A.

Slovakia and Wales have been drawn in the same group for the finals, where they will also face more traditional qualifiers England and Russia in Group B. Slovakia have recent tournament experience as they reached the last-16 of the World Cup in 2010, knocking then world champions Italy out of the competition in the process.

Wales are perhaps the more likely of the two teams to progress from the group however, as they boasted one of the meanest back-lines during qualifying, and in Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, they have attacking players capable of unlocking any defence.

Northern Ireland have perhaps been handed the toughest draw of the debutants, as they will face world champions Germany, a Robert Lewandowski-driven Poland and the ever hard to beat Ukraine in Group C.

Michael O’Neill’s side lack any real star names, but they have a superb team ethos and will head into the tournament full of confidence, as they are currently on a ten match unbeaten run.

In contrast Iceland have been handed a relatively favourable group, as they will take on Portugal, Austria and Hungary in Group F, and they will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout stages, as they have already helped dispose of the Netherlands during qualifying.