Euro 2016 Predictions: Ranking the Top Contenders of Round of 16 Including Spain, Italy, Germany & France
The Euro 2016 has featured some exciting soccer, with a great deal of the matches winding up close.
Some teams have made their mark, cementing themselves as early favorites to win it all. That said, no team has been a world beater.
The almost-rans
Of the 16 teams remaining, a few stand little chance of progressing far.
Switzerland has not been particularly effective while Portugal, despite Ronaldo's genius in the final group game, has been poor defensively. Iceland and Hungary have been pleasant surprises though their hopes are minimal at this juncture. Slovaki and Northern Ireland also look to be entertaining but not major contenders.
Here are the true contenders.
Spain
Despite the poor showing against Croatia in the second half of that game, Spain has looked peerless with the ball for most of this tournament. If David De Gea can find the form he had for Manchester United all season long, then Spain should make a deep run.
France
The hosts have not been impressive thus far, saving their goals for the end. But they are hosts and should be considered no matter what.
Italy
A stalwart defense and some solid counterattacking makes Italy a team to fear in this tournament.
Germany
The defending World Champions have finally sparked into their best after a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland. That said, the team will need to start finishing its chances if it wants to survive against the top teams in the competition.
Croatia
No one beats Spain without suddenly being a contender. Croatia topped the defending Euro champs without some of its best players and also has far easier bracket to navigate on its path to the final. That might make it a shoe-in over the long haul.
Wales
Wales is not a top side, but the team has been getting excellent performances from Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. Throw in the "easier" bracket and this team is looking like it could surprise.
Belgium
This side has yet to really put it all together, but they managed to get on the easier side of the bracket where their toughest challenge is Portugal or Croatia. That alone gives this team an easy path to the final.
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