Precisely on the 10th of June, hosts Les Bleus kick-off the 2016 European Championships. They will play against not-so fancied Romania. Didier Deschamps has his chance to recreate that ecstasy in 2000 courtesy of Argentine-born David Trezeguet golden goal beauty. That goal broke Italian hearts and brought back the celebratory champagne tasted in 1998 after a Zinedine Zidane masterclass brushed aside fellow finalists Brazil. Do you fancy them going all the way to the final, and even winning it?
One thing is for certain: Europe's buoyant crop of talent will be showcased this summer. Yes we got our wish: a certain Swede will be present as well as a certain Madeira-born superstar. We will be seeing hairstyle-specialist Paul Pogba as well as aging-Azzurri warrior Gianluigi Buffon. Sadly though, we won't be seeing The Netherlands in this edition. This is their first absence in an international competition since failing to participate in the 2002 World Cup held in Korea/Japan. Huge disappointment for the Oranje. A note of huge congratulations goes to Chris Coleman and his Welsh army, who are in their maiden quest for European dominance in this particular competition after almost half a century's absence. Who do we fancy to make a name for themselves and their country?
Undoubtedly, extraterrestrial Cristiano Ronaldo is always focused on in whatever tournament he finds himself. Having recently won the 11th European Cup for giants Real Madrid on Saturday against a better Atlèti side on the night, a first piece of international silverware will be the perfect way to round up what has been a really challenging year for CR7. Cristiano and Portugal came closest to an international trophy back in 2004 when they lost to a picture-book Angelos Charisteas header in the final on home soil. An inconsolable Ronaldo who had a good tournament then, will as you expect give all he can to partake of the celebratory champagne.
Never-aging giant Zlatan Ibrahimovic will join the party this summer, as parodies would comically say: 'The Euros qualified for Zlatan.' Sweden look to their talisman to carry them all the way to the final in the French Capital. After an astonishing season of racking up more than 40 goals in all competitions and grabbing two pieces of silverware, the king will be looking to gain dominance over Europe internationally for the first time ever. He too, has the 'international curse' as do extraterrestrials Leo Messi and CR7. The closest he's ever come to a trophy internationally is at the quarterfinal, when they lost to Holland 5-4 on penalties in 2004. Age definitely hasn't caught up with this man. Can he deliver this time?
Atlèti sharpshooter Antoine Griezmann will be aiming to wrap up a truly fantastic year in front of goal. The Frenchman has got his name on the scoresheet over 30 times both domestically and in Europe. However, those numbers won't hide the 'almost-unending' sadness that glooms over his face when he looks back on the past season. He wasn't there for his side when he was needed the most. First, he and his fellow Colchoneros fell at the penultimate hurdle in the La Liga title race against already-relegated Levante. He had little or no impact in that game. More bitterly, his Achilles' heel came up once again: failing to score from the penalty spot against Keylor Navas for the second time this past season as his shot thundered off the underside of the crossbar and petted out of danger. A triumph for Les Bleus will do a million in healing those conspicuous wounds of the 2015/2016 season.
Mercurial Spaniard Alvaro Morata who had another impressive year for the Turin Old Lady. After partaking of the celebratory champagne in the younger category (U-21) in the 2013 edition in Israel alongside Real playmaker Isco Alarcon. He'll (Morata) definitely want to grab another winners' medal after deciding the Coppa Italia final within minutes of his introduction against fallen giants AC Milan. A first piece of silverware in the senior side won't be so bad after all.
Turk-born pass master Mesut Özil will be looking to go one further than last time and add to the Maracana triumph in the World Cup final against Mars-born Leo Messi and his fellow Argentines. His penalty against then-finalists Italy was too little too late after headline act Mario Balotelli raced Cesare Prandelli's side into a two-goal lead. After a trophyless year for the Gunners, Özil alongside the other 'Mannschafts' will give all to emulate Del Bosque's charges' World and European Cup triumphs (2010-2012). Will Mesut Özil please stand up?
English marksman Harry Kane looks odds-on to finish with the most goals in this year's European tournament. After another impressive year in front of goal and securing qualification for Europe's elite club competition for the 2016/2017 year, claiming European immortality will be enthusiastically welcomed by the Queen. He almost certain will get that peck promised by her to Mario Balotelli in the World Cup in Brazil. England's deadliest frontman looks to thwack the back of the net as many times as required to be victorious. He's definitely a force to be reckoned with at this point in time.
Poland's captain Robert Lewandowski after grabbing a domestic double under Pep Guardiola this season, is a red-hot favorite for the Golden boot after another tremendous season in which he racked up over 30 goals in all competitions. With all due respect to the Poles, they don't carry any real threat apart from Lewy. But hey, we all said that about Angelos Charisteas and Otto Rehhagel in 2004: didn't we?
Euro debutant Gareth Bale is lighting up at the prospects of representing Wales in her maiden international tournament for ages. After most of the time dragging Chris Coleman's charges over the line during qualification, another continental triumph added to La Undecima: will be oh so superb. Take note: we have a really fantastic player here blessed with pace, power, and immense talent. The Welsh Samurai: stun us with all of your maneuvers this summer.
Lights, Camera, Action! Brace yourselves for a footballing box office special as some of the world's best artisans will be displaying their repertoires of genius and comically, the odd miscalculation. Some sporting summer this will turn out to be.
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