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Euro 2016 draw: Wales could face Germany, Italy and Poland during group stage

A look at the best and worst case scenarios for Chris Coleman's side at today's draw in Paris 

Simon Rice
Saturday 12 December 2015 11:22 GMT
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Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale

Today sees the draw for the group stage of Euro 2016 in which the 24 participating teams will learn who they will face at next summer's tournament.

Among the teams in the draw is Wales, who are making their first appearance at the finals of a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

So what's the best case scenario for Chris Coleman's side? And what is the worst?

The 24 teams have been divided into four pots based on how they qualified and their tournament play at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.

• Pot 1: France (hosts), Spain (holders), Germany, England, Portugal, Belgium

• Pot 2: Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Ukraine

• Pot 3: Czech Republic, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary

• Pot 4: Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Wales, Albania, Northern Ireland

The draw will see those sides split into six groups of four teams.

The draw takes place at 5pm GMT

Best case scenario for Wales...

Wales
Portugal
Ukraine
Slovakia

Worst case scenario for Wales...

Wales
Germany
Italy 
Poland

The good news for all those involved however tough the draw? More teams will progress than exit the tournament at the conclusion of the group phase. Due to the expansion of the tournament from the 16 nations who participated in 2012 to the 24 involved this time around a last-16 knock-out phase has been added. It means just eight teams will be eliminated, with the top two teams going through plus four sides that finished third with the best points tally.

The tournament kicks off on 10 June.

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