Euro 2016 Preview: Group A

There's a reason France enjoy hosting international competitions so much: they tend to win them. Whether it be the 1984 European Championships or the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Les Bleus tend to work at their absolute best when they have the support of the home crowd.

Already regarded as one of the most coveted, young midfielders in European football, Paul Pogba is undoubtedly one of the star players for the French national team. He already has an international trophy to his name - the U-21 European Championships - and he'll be hoping to add the senior equivalent to his trophy cabinet this summer.

The main problem with hosting a competition is that you don't have to qualify for it, meaning France haven't played a meaningful game since the World Cup two years ago. In that time, they've beaten Germany, Portugal and Sweden but have also lost to England and Belgium. Their form is just too inconsistent to call!

Having conceded just two goals in 10 qualifying games, Romania's hopes of progressing in this competition rest largely on a defensive line that will surely draw envious looks from other sides at the tournament. They hold the record for fewest goals conceded in a qualifying campaign and if they can take that kind of form to France then they may surprise a few people.

Romania have the unfortunate but not impossible task of playing the hosts, France, in the opening game of the competition. Didier Deschamps' side have conceded six goals in their last four games and if Romania can stay tight at the back and hit France on the break we may be in store for an early upset.

With talents such as Ricardo Rodriguez, Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Breel Embolo there's no denying that this Swiss national team could put a real dent in any team's hopes of challenging for the tornament. Finishing second behind a very impressive English side in qualifying means dismissing Vladimir Petkovivc's side is a dangerous game.

The Swiss national team would be nothing without the immigrant population in the country. Johan Djourou, Ricardo Rodriguez, Tranquillo Barnetta, Valon Behrami, Blerim Dzemaili, Gelson Fernandes, Gökhan Inler, Granit Xhaka (above), Xherdan Shaqiri, Eren Derdiyok and Josip Drmic all have foreign roots.

Albania will celebrate their first-ever appearance at a major international tournament this summer, but that's no reason to discount the European minnows. Gianni De Biasi's side may lack household names but they make it work with a collective, well-worked blend of pressure and defensive solidity that saw them finish above Denmark and Serbia in the qualifiers.

Albania's trip to Belgrade was expected to be heated. On October 14, 2014, the match was suspended on 42 minutes when a drone, carrying a flag of the symbol of Greater Albania, was lowered on to the field. Serbia were deducted three points and forced to play two games behind closed doors, while the Albanians clamed a 3-0 win.

Family rivalries will ensue when Granit and Taulant Xhaka go head-to-head in the group. Despite being capped by Switzerland until U21, Taulant - the older brother - decided to commit his allegiences to Albania. He has made 10 appearances and currently plays for BAsel in his adopted homeland.