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Euro 2016 preview: A complete guide to this summer's football tournament
The European Championships begin this Friday with 24 nations bidding for glory in France, with home nations England, Wales and Northern Ireland among them. Here the Independent sets the scene, guides you through every participating country, charts the unmissable matches, considers England's prospects and even makes a few predictions...
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Your support makes all the difference.OVERVIEW...
Bring on a tournament to set hearts racing where club football can fail
Kevin Garside sets the scene for a major tournament in high summer that excites like it was 1996
Jack Pitt-Brooke guides us through the 24 nations competing at this summer's tournament
FOCUS ON ENGLAND...
England dare to dream thanks to out-of-the-blue youngsters
After Brazil 2014, Hodgson could not have envisaged going to France in such a positive mood, writes Mark Ogden
Don't let Euro 96 fool you, England are generally terrible at the European Championships
England have been in the Brexit camp for over 40 years when it comes to the European Championships
FOCUS ON WALES...
Wales are more than just Gareth Bale
England's Group B opponents have an impressive starting XI - although strength in depth could be an issue, writes Matt Gatward
FOCUS ON NORTHERN IRELAND...
Team factor firing Michael O'Neill's Northern Irish
They face a tough group and are made up of unheralded players, but the boys in green will be no pushover, writes James Finlay
FOCUS ON THE HOSTS...
Didier Deschamps builds France team to win back public's trust and affection
With a racism row rumbling in the background the hosts are looking to Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann to turn the focus to the football
PREDICTIONS...
The Independent team pick their dark horses, golden boot winner and predict how far England will go
IN DEPTH...
The pick of the group games
A look at the costliest players in each position at this year's finals in France
The dead-ball specialists to watch out for
THE ESSENTIALS...
Kick-off times and group info in all the scheduling information you need
FOLLOW...
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