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Spain
Odds: 9-1 Previous best: Winners 2008 and 2012 Prospects: On paper this is arguably the weakest Spain side in a generation, with no Real Madrid players and no Sergio Ramos. Regardless, they will always be a threat. Manager: Spain’s air of invincibility has long gone – if Luis Enrique can coach a young squad into the latter stages he will have done a fine job. Key player: He is young and only has seven caps to his name but Villarreal’s Pau Torres can be Spain’s long-term defensive rock.
Sweden
Odds: 80-1 Previous best: Semi-finalists 1992 Prospects: Sweden finished behind Spain in qualification and would settle for a similar outcome in Group E. They don’t have many superstars but have some exciting prospects to complement their spine. Manager: Guiding Sweden to the 2018 World Cup finals was a fine achievement by Janne Andersson. Key player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return has been thwarted by injury so 21-year-old Juventus attacker Dejan Kulusevski could provide the X-factor.
Poland
Odds: 80-1 Previous best: Quarter-finalists 2016 Prospects: A ‘one-man team’ with a new manager, Poland will obviously be reliant on Robert Lewandowski but he is aided by an emerging, youthful core. Manager: Portuguese legend Paulo Sousa replaced Jerzy Brzeczek in January – he’s overseen a draw with Hungary, a win over Andorra and a defeat to England. Key player: Lewandowski scored a ridiculous 48 goals in 40 fixtures for Bayern this season – he’s only managed two in his three major international tournaments.
Slovakia
Odds: 500-1 Previous best: Last-16 2016 Prospects: Rank outsiders, Slovakia qualified by virtue of playoff wins over the Republic and Northern Ireland. They also beat Scotland in the Nations League. Manager: Stefan Tarkovic was part of the Slovakia coaching staff in 2016 and took the big job shortly after Slovakia’s penalty shootout win over Ireland last October. Key player: Milan Skriniar is among Europe’s best centre-halves and helped Internazionale to this year’s Serie A title.
Fixtures
Monday June 14th - Poland vs Slovakia (5pm, St Petersburg); Spain vs Sweden (8pm, Seville)
Friday June 18th - Sweden vs Slovakia (2pm, St Petersburg)
Saturday June 19th - Spain vs Poland (8pm, Seville)
Wednesday June 23rd - Slovakia vs Spain (5pm, Seville); Sweden vs Poland (5pm, St Petersburg)