Euro 2016 Week One: Here’s what we’ve learned

There’s been a lot to take in from the last dozen games of Euro 2016 games.

Everyone has now played at least once, and there are probably a few hundred wrecked pre-tournament accumulators and work sweepstakes.

Here’s everything the JOE team has learned from the first round of Euro 2016 fixtures.

What’s are your takeaways from the opening round of fixtures?

Kevin Beirne – @KevBeirne: This is exactly what Michel Platini wanted when he concocted this ridiculous 24-team format – it’s anyone’s championship. Seriously, there is no dominant team yet. That said, judging everyone on their first game is a bit foolish. In tournament football, it’s not about how you start but how you finish. If any of Germany, Spain, France or Italy hit their full stride (and Italy are damn close) then they could run away with this.

Matt Tate – @Mattt8_91: That it might be time people just stopped talking up Belgium until they’re waving a trophy in our faces. That it’s very silly to write off any Italian side. That Gareth Bale thinks England are rubbish. That England aren’t rubbish, but need to learn how to see a game out and fast. There are no standout favourites to knick it yet and all the big teams are capable of stepping it up a gear.

Tom Victor – @tomvictor: That you write off Italy at your peril. Sure, they might not have any actual midfielders left, but who needs stuff like that when you’ve got Leo Bonucci pinging pinpoint throughballs from deep. Rumours of the back three’s demise have been grossly exaggerated.

How are you feeling about England’s chances?

Si Lloyd – @SmnLlyd5: Great going forward but worryingly wasteful with their chances. They were punished for that against a pretty average Russian side and need to learn to start putting the chances away quickly otherwise they’ll be on a plane home sharpish. Also, don’t ever try and shut up shop. Tried it against Russia by sticking Wilshere on, massively back-fired.

Carl Anka – @Ankaman616: England will be fine. A quarter final run is still for the taking, regardless of what happens against Wales. There’s the making of a good First XI in there, just Roy is having problems fitting in players who had a standout Premier League season with those who looked… less good. Be more proactive with substitutes and it’s on.

And the rest of the Nations?

Kevin: Unlike England, Wales showed team spirit and guts in their win over Slovakia. It’s important to get that first win and there’s really no reason why they can’t beat England. Northern Ireland could still be playing now and they still wouldn’t have scored. Michael O’Neill has done a fantastic job taking them this far, but he needs to find yet another level from his players. The Republic, meanwhile, should have beaten Sweden and continued their impressive record against Zlatan Ibrahimovic. If they can nick a point against a misfiring Belgium side on Saturday then they could get a result against an Italian side potentially resting key players on the final matchday.

Tom: Wales’ win and Russia’s generally terrible attempt at football means Chris Coleman’s team ought to have a last 16 place locked up. I can’t work out whether the Republic of Ireland are better than I expected or if Sweden are much worse, while Northern Ireland look solid enough defensively but need an injection of Will Grigg as quickly as possible.

Anyone want to change their predictions from a week ago?

Kevin: I predicted Germany to win it, and if things continue the way they have then I will back them confidently against anyone but Italy. No one besides the Italians has really combined a top-class system with top-class players. In a tournament where no one has a system, the most talented team will win and that is still Germany.

Matt: I’ll stick with Germany as it’s really too close to call between the favoured sides at the moment. Wales looked brilliant in their opening game though. Imagine if Wales won the Euros with that awful Manic Street Preachers song.

Anything else we should keep an eye on?

Carl: Ronaldo’s petty and Benezma’s transformation into a Hypebeast are pretty cool, but we should watch to see what UEFA does regarding Russia. I already thought the 2018 World Cup would be a no go, but these fan problems are endemic of a bigger issue.

Tom: Despite their early defeat, I have faith in Belgium to go far. They created more than enough chances and could have beaten Italy on another day, and can potentially brute-force their way past teams in much the same way that they did at the World Cup. Surely no one can be as bad as Marc Wilmots looks.

Kevin: If Russia are kicked out of the tournament it will be very interesting on two levels. First, what does that mean for the race for one of the best third-place spots and secondly, what about the 2018 World Cup? Besides that, the goalkeepers at this tournament have been fairly disappointing, making some of those “wonderstrikes” look a lot better than they are (I’m looking at you, Eric Dier and Gareth Bale).