How did England get to Euro 2016, who will they face, and what are the odds on them going all the way?

England squad link arms before friendly match vs Netherlands
Can England go all the way in France this summer? Credit: REX

How did England get to Euro 2016?

The Euro 2016 qualifying campaign was a straightforward one where England were concerned, with the Three Lions advancing to the Finals will an 100% record.

Roy Hodgson's men scored 31 and only conceded three in a group that contained Estonia, Lithuania, San Marino, Slovenia and Switzerland.

England's campaign began with a potentially difficult fixture away at Switzerland. In what was their first competitive fixture after an intrepid World Cup, England knew that they had to hit the ground running in order to clear the pessimism that was surrounding the squad.

Harry Kane scores against Lithuania
Harry Kane scored 78 seconds into his England debut against Lithuania Credit: REUTERS

A Danny Welbeck brace helped England to a 2-0 win in Basel in what was a textbook away performance. 

This result was followed up with a resounding 5-0 home win against minnows San Marino, before an inch-perfect free kick from Wayne Rooney earned the Three Lions a hard-fought 1-0 win in Estonia.

England ended 2014 with their fourth win from four games with a 3-1 win against Slovenia. It was captain Wayne Rooney's 100th cap for England, which he marked with a  . It wasn't the only significant landmark that the Manchester United striker would reach during the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

England resumed their campaign five months after, sealing their fifth consecutive win in Group E, easing past Lithuania at Wembley with a 4-0 win. There were four different goalscorers goalscoreres fir England that night, including Harry Kane, who scored first England goal 79 seconds into his debut.

The most entertaining game of the group stage was undoubtedly the 3-2 win away in Slovenia in game six.

Milivoje Novakovič gave hosts the lead before Jack Wilshere scored his maiden England goals with two fantastic long range strikes to put England ahead. Nejc Pečnik headed Slovenia level late on before Wane Rooney scored the winner with four minutes left on the clock.

Another big win against San Marino followed. Wayne Rooney got himself on the scoresheet yet again, with his first-half penalty taking him up to 49 England goals and consequently level with Bobby Charlton at the top of the all-time England goalscoring charts.

The stage was set for Rooney to break the record at Wembley in the return game against Switzerland. Harry Kane gave England the lead in with an accomplished finish before Rooney made the headlines late on.

After Raheem Sterling was fouled in the box, the England and Manchester United captain smashed his penalty emphatically into the top corner to reach a half century of goals for England, and become the country's all time record goalscorer. 

England completed their qualifying campaign with win in their October 2015 double header, following up a 2-0 win against Australia with a 3-0 win against Lithuania. 

The 100% record was achieved, matching the feats of France (Euro '92 qualifying), Czech Republic (Euro 2000), France (Euro 2004), Germany (Euro 2012), Spain (Euro 2012), England (Euro 2016).

Who were the best performers?

Wayne Rooney

The England captain scored 7 goals during the qualifying campaign, including his record breaking strike to take his England goalscoring tally to 50.

Jack Wilshere

It is easy to see why Roy Hodgson is so keen for the Arsenal midfielder to be in the Euro 2016 squad. Although the England's opposition in the group stages was poor, Wilshere was a standout player in that holding midfield position as he assumed the mantle of deep-lying playmaker.

Jack Wilshere celebrates scoring against Slovenia
Jack Wilshere scores twice against Slovenia in June 2015 Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Raheem Sterling

At times, England's play was slow and not aesthetically pleasing. But in Sterling, England had a man who was capable of changing the pace of a game at any given moment, and was a thorn in the side of every full-back that he faced. 

What did the manager say?

 "This is an achievement. I am very proud of the players' performances. I thought it was excellent, in the first half especially. There was a lot of hard work put in, the quality of play was good and 10 wins out of 10 is very satisfying - we've got to take a lot of pride in that." - Roy Hodgson

Who's going to be in Roy' Hodgson's Euro 2016 squad?

The squad is likely to be the same one that was selected for the March friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands. There will be a few exceptions, however, with captain Wayne Rooney due to return to the squad, as well as Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling who all missed the recent double headers with injury. Hodgson has also sung the praises of Jack Wilshere, who is poised to make the squad after returning from his eight-month long injury against Sunderland in March.

Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring his 50th goal for England
Wayne Rooney broke England's all-time goalscoring record against Switzerland in September 2015 Credit: REX

Hodgson faces a selection headache up front. Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy's names are already on the teamsheet, while Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge are battling to prove their fitness before Hodgson's squad announcement on May 12. Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck are also in contention, making the chances of Theo Walcott's inclusion in the squad thinner by the day.

After announcing an initial squad of 30, Hodgson has until May 31 to limit his squad to 23.

England's likely 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Fraser Forster, Tom Heaton

Left-backs: Danny Rose, Ryan Bertrand

Right-backs: Nathaniel Clyne, Kyle Walker

Centre-halves: Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, John Stones, Phil Jagielka

Midfielders: Jack Wilshere, Eric Dier, James Milner, Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana, Dele Alli

Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy, Danny Welbeck

Who is in England's group and when are the games?

England were drawn in Group B alongside Russia, Wales and Slovakia. With the quality at their disposal, especially in the attacking department, England should qualify easily from this group.

Saturday, June 11: Russia, Stade Velodrome, Marseille, 8pm (ITV)

Thursday, June 16: Wales, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens, 2pm (BBC)

Monday, June 20: Slovakia, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne, 8pm (ITV) 

Stade Velodrome
Marseille's Stade Velodrome will be the venue for England's Euro 2016 opener against Wales Credit: EPA

Who will they face if they progress?

Should England accomplish what is expected of them and win Group B, they will face the best third-placed side from Group A, C or D. This could set up an all-British affair, with Northern Ireland being the potential opponents in Paris on June 25.

Win that, and the Three Lions could to face either Portugal or Italy in the Quarter-Finals at Lille's Stade Pierre Mauroy on July 1, before potentially facing holder Spain or Poland in the Semis. Should England still be in the competition on July 6, they will travel to Lyon with the knowledge that they are only one game away from the final. 

In the eventuality that England come second in the group, they will face the Runners-Up from Group F, which could either be Portugal or Iceland, in Nice on June 27. 

It won't get any easier for England should they progress, with a meeting against the hosts and many people's favourite's, France, at the Stade De France on July 3.

Old-rivals Germany are likely to await in the Semis, which will take place in Marseille on July 7. 

If England go all the way, then they will travel to Paris's Stade de France on Sunday July 10. 

What are the odds of England winning Euro 2016?

At 9/1, England are fourth favourites to win the competition behind Spain (6/1), Germany and France (7/2). 

 

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