Looking forward to the first game. Interesting to find out if Italy are strong and Turkey are truly dark horses. Tough group for Wales but I think they can qualify. I expect Switzerland to bore their way into round 2 as they always seem to do.
Up the Swiss! Got them in the sweepstake so looking forward to the Granit Xhaka winner in the final Jokes aside, I agree with the above. They usually do get out of the groups at least but they're obviously not going to do much beyond that. Should hopefully be an open group though with all having a chance to go through.
Should be a good opening game tomorrow. Turkey seem to be lots of peoples dark horses and they themselves rate it as the best Turkey side since the 2002 World Cup. I have Italy as potential winners, going about their business nicely. Switzerland v Wales is massive - i think for either of them to qualify they need to win this game as i think Turkey an Italy will be too strong for both. Talk that Baku will be a home from home for Turkey also with lots of fans making the short journey.
The first game and its a "must win" as far as I can see, 3 points will hard to come across in this group. So, hopefully a win against the Swiss, Turkey and Italy draw and we are in with a chance of qualifying.
Yeah this is a tight and interesting group. Whoever comes 3rd should still go through as there’s a couple of other groups which are a bit more top heavy
I think if we get off to a winning start like we did in 2016 we have a decent chance. I think there's the potential for teams to take points off each other in this group, but with Italy clearly the favourites. Particularly as we're playing them in Rome where they haven't lost a competitive game since 1999. We did however beat them in a friendly in Brescia in 1988 with Rushy scoring the only goal. We also beat them in Euros qualifying in Cardiff back in 2004.
Italy should be favourites to top the group but the other 3 teams are evenly matched. The 2nd placed team in the group has a potential route to the semi final with the way the draw works out. I reckon Turkey will finish 2nd, with Wales pipping Switzerland to 3rd. The Swiss schedule is horrendous - Baku, to Rome and back to Baku - and that could count against them in such a tight group. Wales also may benefit from Italy being qualified before they play each other in the 3rd matchday.
Was reading about the routes to the semis earlier and we could see some weakened sides in the final group game if qualification is already sealed
4 points from the first two games is a must as Italy in the last game has got zero points coming our way, of course would love to be wrong on thinking Italy will beat us.
3 points with a decent goal difference is usually enough to progress and the your lot's defence is fairly solid. Even if 3 points from the first 2 games isn't enough, there's a decent chance Italy will have already qualified by the last match, so they may rest players like they did against Ireland in the last Euros.
I'm looking forward to the opener tonight, can see it being a really open game. Nailed on 0-0 now I've said that, though.
Always feel like Turkey are good value at tournaments, if only for entertainment. That group stage decided against the Czechs in Euro 2008 will live long in the memory — what a game that was. Italy 1-2 Turkey
Hopefully no slow-start from Italy tonight. Really need them to beat both Turkey and Switzerland to improve our chances and so they're hopefully in cruise control by the time we meet them.
Totally agree - they remind me of the likes of Uruguay, Chile etc. Will leave everything on the pitch, nothing is off the cards and they will play like their families are being held hostage. Could get a bit feisty tonight!!
Should be a cracker of an opening game with both sides fancying the win. Reckon it could get a little tasty. Love an opening ceremony as well
