Euro 2016 preview: Group B

If teams were ranked on their form going in to the competition, England would be top of the pile, such is the consistency and professionalism they've shown in qualifying. Not only a did they win all 10 of their qualifying games, but they also notched a friendly win over Germany, suggesting Roy Hodgson's side may be dark horses this summer.

Despite winning the World Cup in 1966, the England national team has largely under performed at European Championships. Aside from a third-placed finish in 1968 and elimination in the semifinals in 1996 the country has had very little to shout about in this competition.

England managers, these days, are like endangered species. The likes of Steve McClaren and Sven-Göran Eriksson were consigned to the dust bin quickly after their respective failures. Hodgson, though, leads the Three Lions into his third major tournament since replacing Fabio Capello.

An intriguing feature of group B is the coming clash between England and Wales on matchday two which has been dubbed the "Battle of Britain". The countries lock horns regularly in Rugby Union, but their last competitive meeting on a football pitch was during 2006 World Cup qualifying.

John Charles. Ian Rush. Mark Hughes. Ryan Giggs. Gareth Bale. The Real Madrid man, now a two-time Champions League winner, sits comfortably among the top Welsh players ever. Bale, 26, scored eight goals in qualification and dragged the Welsh to the finals. If he stays fit, he has the quality to take his country beyond the group phase.

For the first time in their footballing history, Wales will play at the European Championship finals. Chris Coleman's side have ascended the FIFA rankings in recent years, making the most of a talented generation which includes Bale and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey. They certainly won't just be there for a party.

Though born in the Soviet Union, Roman Neustädter will be the first naturalized player to play for Russia in a major tournament. The Russians, hosts of the 2018 World Cup, are lacking in players who play at the highest level. Aside from Neustädter, the Russia squad is made up of domestic-based players.

If second place will be up-for-grabs, then Slovakia have a great chance. Slovakia qualified for their first European championship since the split of Czechoslovakia in 1992. Czechoslovakia won the Euros in 1976 and came runners-up in two World Cups.

Slovakia's only genuine outstanding player is Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik. The 28-year-old has made over 300 appearances for the club, and is captain for his national team. The classy midfielder has been likened to former Czech and Juventus legend Pavel Nedved.