The quadrennial European football gala kicked off last night. Second fiddle only to the Fifa World Cup, this year’s European Championship, will see 24 nations contest for a month in, 10 different venues, with the bragging rights of becoming the continental champions of Europe at stake. The European Championship, or Euros, is contested among national teams of members of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The inaugural championship held in France in 1960 was contested by four teams, with Soviet Union edging out Yugoslavia 2-1 in the finals in Paris. Now, with a star-studded cast and some of the best young footballing prospects on display, this year’s European Championship is going to be an absolute cracker.

Contenders and pretenders

In the lead up to the tourney, the French national side have been tipped as hot favourites to win the tournament. They, however, face stiff competition from world champions Germany, title defenders Spain, and the likes of England, Italy, Belgium and Portugal.

France (Fifa ranking 17): No other team has a bigger desire to win this year’s Championship. For a country that is still recovering from the deadly attacks in its capital Paris this year, the tournament has been perceived as a national morale booster for France, and winning it in front of their home fans would be the crowning glory.

With the likes of Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi, N’Golo Kante and Kingsley Coman, who all have won the league titles for their respective clubs this season, and with an attacking line that includes Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial and Dimitri Payet, France are right up there to win it. Critics, however, are quick to warn that since they have not had to play the qualifying rounds, it will be difficult to predict their performance.

Germany (Fifa ranking 4): Germany are the current world champions and three-time European cup holders. It is natural that they are looking to double their achievement following their astounding victory at the World Cup two years ago.

Even though influential winger Marco Reus will miss out due to injury, the potential title contenders have plenty of arsenal in every department. Senior figures in the squad like Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller will all be looking to add another famed medal to their recent World Cup scalp.

England (Fifa ranking 11): England are interestingly always considered a favourite for any major tournament, even though they invariably always fail to live up to the hype. Despite always having some of the world’s major stars in their line-up, England have not had a taste of glory since winning the World Cup back in 1966.

Pundits consider the current English team to be one of the best they’ve had in recent years. With a squad boasting several young talents in Dele Alli, Harry Kane and newcomer Marcus Rashford, captian Wayne Rooney will have his hands itching to lift the title this year. Having already surrendered the out-and-out striker in the national squad to Harry Kane, it could well be Rooney’s last shot at winning a major trophy for England. The inclusion of Jack Wilshere, who hardly played for his club this season and Jordan Henderson, who isn’t considered fully match fit following his recent injury, instead of Danny Drinkwater, has had a lot of fans and critics confused over coach Roy Hodgson’s intentions. England will remain this tournament’s surprise package.

Spain (Fifa ranking 6): Spain is the first country to win consecutive Euro Championships having repeated the feat in 2012 after previously claiming the top prize in 2008. They also won a World Cup in between. Spain are also the only country to match Germany’s three European Championship scalps. With players like David de Gea, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta and Alvaro all hitting top form for their respective clubs, they look primed to claim a record hat-trick of European championships.

Italy (Fifa ranking 12): Remember Mario Balotelli and his heroics against Germany in the 2012 championship? Well, a lot of water was flown under the bridge since then. The Italian side played the final of the 2012 tournament but created an unwanted record of being the country to lose by biggest margin in a final. Italy has not tasted much international success after their World Cup triumph in 2006 but such is their footballing pedigree that even if they are not tagged as favourites, it would not do justice to undermine them.

Portugal (Fifa ranking 8): Cristiano Ronaldo, the biggest footballing name alongside Lionel Messi, will have France’s Michael Platini’s goal record in sight when he leads his country. Ronaldo has six goals in Euro Championships, three behind Platini. Having won major multiple titles for his club, the Portuguese will be hoping to guide his country to its first major title. Ronaldo is undoubtedly the biggest asset Portugal have, but rivals will be well aware that Portugal is more than just Ronaldo. Joao Moutinho, Renato Sanches and Joao Mario are other emerging names in world football and look set to make their mark in this year’s championship.

Who will win it?

Trying to predict a winner for the Euros can be tricky business. European football is highly unpredictable—proven by Greece’s sensational triumph at Euro 2004 and most recently the Premier League champions Leicester City. Countries like Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden, Eden Hazard and his Belgian side, the Polish team with Robert Lewandowski, Gareth Bale with his Wales squad will undoubtedly have a say on how the tourney pans out.

With world class players gearing up for the big stage, young players desperate to make their mark and aging superstars hunting their one last glory, this European championship is bound to be one promising mouth-watering extravaganza. So grab your jerseys and your friends, and may the best team win!