Euro 2016: Guide to Group F

An ill-favoured Italian side last night beat the odds and defeated one of the favourites for the tournament, Belgium. Now, we move onto day five of the tournament with the last set of opening game fixtures. Hungary faces a tough task against Austria, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal takes on Iceland. Let’s have a look at what we can expect from each of those teams.

Group F: Austria, Hungary, Iceland and Portugal

Austria

It is an exciting time to be an Austrian football fan; their national team is excelling for the first time in the country’s history. The Austrian Bundesliga is largely insignificant in terms of European football, so it is marvellous yet, astonishing, that they have blossomed into such a capable squad. In qualifying this team took everyone by surprise, remaining unbeaten, and failing to win on just one occasion – who would have thought it. Austria did the double over Russia and beat a customarily stubborn Sweden by four goals to one. They will be looking to make the most out of only their second ever European Championship’s.

Despite being Swiss, in Austria, manager Marcel Koller has developed a real name for himself since this team’s huge change in fortunes. He sets his side up in an organised yet, flexible manner. A crucial player to that flexible system is holding midfielder, Julian Baumgartlinger. The shaggy-haired, tough guy of the squad, breaks up play and gives license to the men in front of him, a long-distance runner at a young age, he covers ever blade of grass. Captain Christian Fuchs is coming into the Euros on the back of the season of his life – he probably didn’t think leaving Schalke for Leicester City would bring about a Premier League medal.

Young Tottenham Hotspur centre-half, Kevin Wimmer, will be vying for a place in the side with the ball-playing Aleksandar Dragović and the robust Martin Hinteregger – all of which are reliable options. The talented yet, frustrating, Marko Arnautović, has a fiery nature, but is a vital member of this squad when he has his head in gear. His likely position will be just off goal-machine, Marc Janko. The 32-year-old Janko once scored a breathtaking 41 goals in an Austrian Bundesliga season, and has not stopped scoring since.

How will they do?

There is no reason why this team should not make it through; they are very adept in every position. This is a good side, rather than just a set of individuals. Koller’s men will work tirelessly for the cause, in order to get the results they need. Group favourites, Portugal, should be cautious of this team. If Austria makes it out the group stage – they could cause a bit of a stir.

Star man – David Alaba

Every teams needs that extra bit of quality and, in David Alaba, the Austrians certainly have that. For club side Bayern Munich, he is usually employed as a left-back, but Alaba has the skill and physical stature to play anywhere on the field. Central midfield is where he will play for this team. The 23-year-old is pretty much a complete player, he goes on several lung-bursting runs, but also has the capacity to pick a sumptuous pass. The Austrian talisman has a wand of a left foot and is not even remotely shy of using it – that is something you will see at this tournament.

Hungary

If you are looking to view eye-pleasing, three-flowing football, then Hungary is not the team for you – unlike the legendary Hungarian teams of the past, which included one of the all-time greats of the game, Ferenc Puskás. They finished an ordinary third-place in their qualification campaign, behind Northern Ireland and Romania, having failed to beat either of those teams. A commendable two-legged victory over Norway followed in the playoffs, securing their first tournament in 30 years as well as their first Euros appearance since 1972. Over half of Hungary’s 14 goals in qualifying came from set-pieces – an extremely important asset of this team.

Richárd Guzmics is the unsung hero of this side, after an excellent defensive display during qualifying; he will be the lynchpin of the back four at centre-back. He could be partnered by Ádám Lang, the 23-year-old is a little uncoordinated with his feet at times, but his strength is what gets him through. This one may come as a bit of a surprise but, yes, Zoltán Gera is still playing. Up top are two former Premier League youngsters in Tamás Priskin (who played for six English clubs) and former Liverpool youth product, Krisztián Németh. From midfield is the starlet of the squad, Ádám Nagy, recently tracked by Chelsea, he could be a hidden gem.

How will they do?

Keeping it tight and gaining clean sheets is Hungary’s key to success. Unfortunately for them, each of their Group F opponents is capable of finding the net. It is hard to see this squad being able to pick up any points, let alone make it through to the next round. An early exit is probable.

Star man - Balázs Dzsudzsák

The majority of the attacking emphasis lies with the slick, Balázs Dzsudzsák. The left-footed winger usually cuts in from the right with, at times, potential devastating effect. It is the former PSV and Anzhi midfielder that is at the heart of Hungary’s spectacular set-piece stat, he has a superb delivery, as he loves whipping the ball in with plenty of pace. The Hungarians can ill afford Dzsudzsák to go missing in this competition.

Iceland

This is an Iceland team that has captivated a nation. This will not only be their first time at the Euros, but it is their first tournament ever. A country more commonly known for handball, the football team has always been overshadowed. That is another reason why this squad’s meteoric rise to the European Championships is so phenomenal. In the last three years this tiny nation has rose a massive 109 spots in the FIFA world rankings. The Icemen finished just two points behind group winners, Czech Republic, in second-place. They also ended up a huge seven points above European giants, Holland – after doing the double over the Dutch.

Manager, Lars Lagerbäck, believes that nothing comes without hard work, and that is certainly what you get with this high-spirited, forceful Iceland side. There is not one man that epitomizes that more than captain, Aran Gunnarsson. The bearded Cardiff City defensive midfielder has had the armband since the age of 22; he breaks up play and is fond of a full-blooded challenge when the opportunity arises. Central defender, Ragnar Sigurdsson, is a heavy-tacking, boisterous kind of player, there is nothing he enjoys more than a good old physical battle.

Up top is well built centre-forward, Kolbeinn Sigþórsson, he is a highly accomplished player in the air. A further striking option is legendary Icelander, Eiður Guðjohnsen, his experience could be invaluable, but at 37-years-old, his playing time is limited. One man to keep an eye on is young creative spark, Arnór Ingvi Traustason, he has three goals in his six international matches.

How will they do?

This is a team that is certainly not here to just make up the numbers. Iceland operates in an organized style and will be a perilous opposition for any of their group opponents. The Icemen have the potential to really shock some teams in this tournament; a run to the quarter-finals is not out of the question. This could be the tiny nation that grasps the adulation of the footballing community.

Star man - Gylfi Sigurðsson

The Swansea City man is a superb player. A cool, easy-going attacking midfielder, he adds a different dimension to this team. Sigurðsson is usually given a free-roaming role behind the striker, which allows him to play his own game and the hurt the opposition in offensive areas. The smooth, midfield maestro is the star of this squad; his team-mates always look to him when they are in need of something special. It is very dangerous to give away free-kicks around the box with Sigurðsson on the field; he is a demon from dead-ball situations.

 

Portugal
This is an ageing Portugal side, which are lacking in particular positions. A slow decline in Portuguese football started around ten years ago and is now starting to pick up pace. There is very little quality, which Portugal has consistently been blessed with over the years, barring one individual that is, but we will get onto him later. In qualifying they scored just 11 goals, pretty poor, really. They still topped their group, but only over a lacklustre second-placed Albania. England beat them 1-0 at Wembley two weeks ago, the Portuguese put in a dull, uninspiring performance.

Fernando Santos’s side have struggled for an out-and-out striker for several tournaments on the bounce now, and that is no different this time round. Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma have been selected as the attackers – none of which are recognised centre-forwards. Centre-half is another problematic area. Southampton captain José Fonte is the youngest of their four central defenders at 32.

Renato Sanches, 18, is the shining light out this squad. The young central midfielder has just signed for Bayern Munich for around £30m; he is most definitely the future of Portuguese football. João Moutinho often dictates the tempo of games, but has had his injuries fears this season – they need him to be fit and ready. Sporting Lisbon playmaker, João Mário, will have a big impact for this team, Chelsea and Manchester United are believed to be fighting it out for his signature, with £46m the quoted price.

How will they do?

Getting out of the group stage could be harder for this team than people think. They have been largely unconvincing for the last few years. Although Portugal has been listed as group favourites, finishing above opponents Austria will be a tough challenged. Should they make it through, this team relies heavily on certain individuals; you simply need more than that to progress deep into a major tournament.

Star man – Cristiano Ronaldo

Not just a world-class player, but a global superstar. If you haven’t heard of Cristiano Ronaldo, then you must have been living under a rock for the last ten years. Ronaldo’s importance to this team is indescribable. The three-time Ballon d’Or winner is the captain and leader of this team. The Real Madrid man is a fabulous player; he has strength, power, speed and agility. Ronaldo has proved time and time again that he can score from almost anywhere, whether it is a bullet header or a long-range jaw-dropper. But at 31, Ronaldo is not getting any younger, so make the most of him at this European Championships – it could be his last.