Euro 2016: The Fixtures You Can’t Miss

The Euros may be a little while off yet but there are a number of fixtures which are already standing out since the draw was made in December. We’re going to see Lewandowski go head-to-head against teammate Manuel Neuer, the Republic of Ireland tackle Sweden, Italy, and Belgium, and the Three Lions once again make life difficult for themselves. Probably.

With 36 matches in the Group Stage, you might have to pick your own battles carefully, especially if you’re fond of your football-hating partner. So here are three games you simply must see, because they’re going to be real crackers…

Switzerland v France

The final set of fixtures in Group A could be the most important, and despite being hosts France will not have it easy against a Swiss team full of talent. The neighbours have been paired up and will likely both be fighting for top spot.

They met just two years ago at the World Cup in the Group Stage and France stormed to a 5-2 victory, so Switzerland will be all out to ruin the party in Lille.

The likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Gokhan Inler have been in splendid form for their domestic clubs, and will have the cards of Olivier Giroud, Yohan Cabaye, and Morgan Schneiderlin marked having gone up against eachother throughout the season.

England v Wales

Perhaps one of the most exciting thing about Euro 2016 is that it will feature three Home Nations and the Republic of Ireland. England have found themselves in a group with Wales and the contest will be one of the most highly anticipated in the tournament.

It’s a huge achievement the Welsh have made the tournament for the first time, and they’ll have high hopes they can see off Russia and Slovakia to make it into the Round of 16. The game versus England on June 16 will be key to that.

It’s expected the Three Lions will be nervous about going up against Gareth Bale and if the Real Madrid star can be firing on all cylinders, he could send shockwaves throughout the tournament.

Germany v Poland

Germany vs Poland is always a fixture with a little added spice and it’ll be the key battle in Group C. Taking place in the Stade de France, 80,000 people will pack in to see some of the world’s finest go head to head.

Polish captain Robert Lewandowski will find himself up against Bayern Munich teammates Jerome Boateng, Manuel Neuer, and Thomas Muller, and it’ll be a tough task for them to get past the current world champions.

It falls on the same day as England v Wales and will wrap up a fantastic day of football as teams begin to qualify for the next round.