Turkey drawn in “tough” group for Euro 2016

NEWS/GLOBAL

Turkey will face reigning champions Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia as its group-stage opponents at the UEFA European Championship in France next summer. 

The draw for Euro 2016 was made in Paris yesterday afternoon and televised live worldwide, with the national coaches of the 24 teams looking on. The competition includes hosts France, world champions Germany, as well as England and Wales, who were both drawn in the same group.

Team manager Fatih Terim described Turkey’s Group D opponents as “tough”, but remained upbeat: “Whatever the result is at the end, we are here, in France, and we will be in this race.”

The Turkish national team made a dramatic entry into the final 24 following a late flourish with its qualifying group matches. The team beat Iceland 1-0 at home in its final game in October, while nearest rivals Holland lost 2-3 at home to group leaders the Czech Republic, allowing Turkey to grab a place in the Euro 2016 Finals.

Turkey’s Group D matches

Turkey opens the Group D matches with a game against Croatia on 12^th June, with all three group games taking place in a 10-day period. Turkey’s group match dates and (UK) kick-off times are given below.

SUNDAY 12TH JUNE

Turkey   vs. Croatia, 14:00

FRIDAY 17TH JUNE

Spain    vs. Turkey, 20:00

TUESDAY 21ST JUNE

Czech Rep   vs. Turkey, 20:00

The winner and runner up from Group D automatically go through to the final 16 of the knockout stages, which start on 25 June. The final will be played on Sunday 10^th July.

 

Fatih Terim & the Turkish celebrate after win in October that put them through to the Euro 2016 Finals

The full draw for Euro 2016

The 24 nations participating in the 2016 European Championship have been grouped as follows:

Group A: France, Romania, Albania, Switzerland.

Group B: England, Russia, Wales, Slovakia.

Group C: Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Northern Ireland.

Group D: Spain, Czech Republic, Turkey, Croatia.

Group E: Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Sweden.

Group F: Portugal, Iceland, Austria, Hungary.

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