Few surprises as Euro 2016 teams named

As Euro 2016 draws near, we now have the final squads from deadline day. In less than 10 days, we will welcome the biggest tournament outside the FIFA World Cup 2014, which will attract fans’ attention from all over the world. The final squads of 24 teams haven’t raised too many eyebrows with most of them quite predictable. But Marco Reus, the key player for Borussia Dortmund, was left out the squad due to a “health problem.” It is a major blow for the young player, who showed great form in the Bundesliga and Europa League this season, scoring 20 goals. And it is also the second time for Reus to miss out a major tournament due to health problems after the 2014 World Cup.

Daniel Sturridge, who has only played 58 minutes for England since September 2014 due to injuries, made the final cut for his side at the expense of Danny Drinkwater and Andros Townsend. Although Sturridge didn’t play in the friendly match against Australia last week because of his latest calf problem, the Liverpool striker did prove his fitness after making it through individual and team training sessions this week without any problem. Although Roy Hodgson has Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane at his disposal – the two best performed strikers in the EPL this season – as well as veteran Wayne Rooney, the manager has still put his faith in Sturridge, who scored with a brilliant flick in the recent Europa League final for Liverpool.

The inclusion of Marcus Rashford, however, did cause some controversy – particularly when you realize the manager will have five strikers at his disposal for the tournament. Rashford was the shining light for Manchester United in a largely disappointing season, having scored in his European and league debuts. And the level-headed young striker didn’t stop there. He scored again in his national team debut against Australia last week – a feat almost unprecedented in many ways. Nevertheless, Rashford’s inclusion wasn’t well received by some fans, because it means Drinkwater, who was a key member in Leicester City’s title adventure, missed out.

Teams are now playing their final friendlies before the finals and we are looking forward to the football feast this summer to see who can rock Germany and Spain’s dominance on the continent.