Spain begins quest for 3rd Euro title against Czechs

EURO 2016 hosts France have been handed a good draw for the finals. The case centers on FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s approval of $2 million of FIFA money that Platini got in 2011 as backdated payment.

UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, who has declared his candidacy for Federation Internationale de Football Association presidency in February’s election, conducted the draw. “I wish to express my solidarity to the French people…our thoughts are with the victims”, he told around 1,500 delegates. France will also face Albania once more, having been drawn alongside the Balkan nation during qualifying, despite the results of those matches not counting towards the final standings.

Group A: France, Romania, Albania, Switzerland.

Deschamps said: “It’s always hard to comment on a draw”.

“It is the most important match for us”.

The Spanish, who were also drawn in the same section as Croatia and Turkey, open up against Group D opponents Czech Republic in Toulouse on June 13. “They have excellent players”.

Wales-who will be appearing at their first European Championship-and England will meet in the northern French city of Lens on June 16.

Euro 2016 coaches gather on the stage.

“We have a rather balanced group … which we have to win”, Germany coach Joachim Loew said.

England will play neighbor Wales, which is taking part in its first major tournament finals since the 1958 World Cup, in Group B.

Wales’ first participation at the European Championships will see it play a familiar foe: England. It’s only been done three times, including France’s win in 1984.

Group E has top-ranked team Belgium, Italy, Ireland and Sweden.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo will be confident of adding to his record 26 goals in Euros, including qualifiers, in a Group F featuring Iceland and Hungary, but Austria was unbeaten in qualifying and poses a strong threat.

The European Championship has 24 teams for the first time, and will feature a new second round that includes the best four third-place finishers.