Six Main Storylines Set to Drive Euro 2016

There are many elements that properly mark an international tournament, from the level of the football to the drama of the moments, but even they are elevated by one of the most important aspects of all: the quality of the storylines. Brazil 2014 stood out in this regard, with everything from the collapse of the greatest side ever to the collapse of the hosts, and it is one reason why Italia 90 remains so resonant.

Of course, the narratives that nourish a tournament only tend to properly develop as it progresses, but they require a backstory. So, on the eve of Euro 2016, what are the main storylines set to drive the competition? 

Can France evolve as in 1998, or is this team still a touch too inexperienced? 

Didier Deschamps was one of the deepest and most dynamic squads in the competition, but the big question is whether it has the necessary evolution. Many in France and around the squad are oddly reticent about talking them up as potential champions, although it was much the same in 1998, when they gradually grew together. Paul Pogba is one of the few breaking from that and stating they can win it, and that drive may be crucial - in more ways than one.  

He had the most assists in Serie A last season with 12 and the second most dribbles with 102, both contributing to a WhoScored rating of 7.81, the best of all Serie A players. You only had to see his divine cross for Olivier Giroud in last week’s friendly 3-2 win over Cameroon to realise the difference he can make. The wonder is whether, at a still young age, he can be that consistent over an entire tournament yet. Pogba may end up personifying the fact they are not quite there yet - or could end up being the one to bring them together. 

Are Germany already past their best - or will we just see one of their best qualities? 

Given the healthy state of German football right now, the 2014 World Cup win was supposed to be the launch pad for a new era of dominance, but they haven’t come close to lifting off. Jogi Loew’s side were oddly flat so often in qualification, and very often unconvincing, losing to both Poland and Ireland in a slack way that should be beneath them.

It says so much that their goals scored dropped from 36 from the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign to just 24 in this one. They weren’t ruthless and relentless - but maybe that is because they recognised they didn’t need to be. The hope around the team is that they just need the proper tournament to start to properly focus - like all the great German sides. 

Can the defending champions defy the future to make more history? 

It was one of the early stories of the 2014 World Cup, but doesn’t seem to have led to too many morals being taken on by Vicente Del Bosque. Despite it being clear that the trophy-winning cycle of the 2010 team had come to an end and a new phase was needed, the manager still only made incremental changes, firing the argument that he himself should be changed too.

The frustration is that Spain have the talent to be so much more flowing, but are still so oddly constrained. That can be seen in the selection of David Silva. He was such a star in 2008 and 2012, but last season suffered his lowest goals return - 2 in 24 league appearances - since moving to Manchester City. 

Who can be the first of the second band of teams to fix their problems? 

Behind those three main favourites, there are a group of good sides who should fancy their chances of a semi-final, but all must solve at least one major issue first. Belgium have brilliant talent but a rigid system that hasn’t yet got the best out of it. England have promising talent but no system as yet as they look to find one. Italy have a system and a star manager in Antonio Conte but no stars. 

Which of the lone stars will fully lift their team? 

There is a conspicuous trend in this tournament of superstar individuals who are on a much higher level than their relatively moderate teams, and thereby made responsible for making almost everything happen. The question is whether any of Gareth Bale, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robert Lewandowski and - to a lesser extent - Cristiano Ronaldo can make history.

Bale and Lewandowski seem in the healthiest form, with the Welsh forward hitting his best haul in Spain so far with 19 goals, and the Pole becoming the first Bundesliga player to break the 30-goal barrier since 1977. They could yet break new ground for their countries, and enliven this tournament. 

Who is the likeliest to replicate Greece 2004 and Denmark 1992? 

There are two main candidates here: a supremely smooth Croatia and a rising Austria. The latter didn’t just top their group, but did so with a record better than anyone bar England, as David Alaba and co. won nine of their 10 games, only drawing one other.