Recent Euro Tournaments
2000 – Group Stage
2004 – Quarter Finals
2008 – Failed to Qualify

The Three Lions had a fantastic qualifying stage, progressing unbeaten from the group whilst ending six points clear of their closest rivals. It was a vast improvement on their 2008 qualification efforts, where they crashed out in third, finishing below Croatia and Russia. As such, their opening game against France will be their first since the devastating 6-5 penalty loss to Portugal in 2004. Interestingly, their first group match at the 2004 tournament, was also against France, where they slumped to a 2-1 loss.

Despite their relatively easy progression, the man behind the qualification success has since moved on. The public aftermath of the John Terry saga resulted in Fabio Capello stepping down as manager, unhappy with the way the FA handled the situation. Speculation was rife as to who would be his replacement, with Harry Redknapp the favourite for long periods, before the job was finally handed to Roy Hodgson.  

Opinion was divided on his appointment, but since the squad announcement, there has been a bigger influx of ‘Anti-Roy’ forces, with many England fans unhappy with the inclusion of the likes of Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll, with the likes of Micah Richards and Michael Carrick overlooked. Hodgson will certainly struggle to fill the boots of his predecessor, with Capello boasting the best win percentage of any England manager.

A lot has changed since the 2010 World Cup for England. There was a lot of defensive uncertainty, with a lack of a clear #1 goalkeeper proving to be a concern before the tournament, and justifiably so after Robert Green’s howler against the USA. They have no such problems now, however, with Joe Hart stamping his claim as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in the last few years.

Reliance on elder statesmen such as Jamie Carragher and Matthew Upson, coupled with no clear first choice CB pairing also proved to be an issue in South Africa – but this is another problem which has since been ironed out. Gary Cahill and John Terry have formed a good understanding at Chelsea and will attempt to bring their Champions League winning form into the side.

Wayne Rooney’s absence for the first two group games is indeed a hammer blow for their chances. With no real standout candidate to replace him up front for those two games (Carroll, Welbeck and Defoe all have their pros and cons), much will rely upon goals from midfield.

Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard seem the most likely sources, with the pair more than happy to provide goals that in the past, with 42 national strikes between them. Outside of those two however, goals appear hard to come by, with Gareth Barry, James Milner, Stewart Downing, Theo Walcott and Scott Parker only managing a paltry six international goals from 142 games between them.

Fun Fact: Amazingly, England have NEVER won their opening match at a Euro tournament. I’m sure Hodgson’s men will be eager to make history, but with a difficult opening match against France, don’t be surprised if this stat continues for four more years.

Prediction: Will fail to win their opening game, but four points from the final two games will prove enough to scrape out of the group in front of Sweden.

Key Player: Steven Gerrard. England have lacked mettle and the ability to handle pressure on the international stage. Gerrard has been a talisman for Liverpool for so many years and his ability to lift his troops could prove vital.