UEFA EURO 2016 is just over two weeks away with kick off in Paris with the hosts, France taking on Romania on June 10th.

EURO 2016 is a four year annual tournament just like the World Cup, and this year has expanded the field to include 24 teams instead of 16 which has been debated about improving or decreasing the quality of the tournament for the past 2 years.

Personally, I think it only increases the quality of the tournament because Europe has the best teams in the world and every World Cup we see a few great sides miss out on qualifying because of the brutal competition in Europe so starting the EUROs with more teams just gives them a chance to see what they can do in a tournament format.

An example of this would be Gareth Bale’s Wales whom will be appearing in a major tournament for the first time in 57 years, a talented team with one of the best players again who otherwise we probably would have never seen at a major international tournament. The same goes with Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

As far as odds to win the tournament go the favorites are France (3/1), with a young promising squad there is no real weakness here with a strong backline, talented midfield, and a lethal strikeforce. With the support of the home crowd expect the French to go far.

Followed by France, we have the current World Cup champions Germany (7/2). Consistency is key throughout this team as they are just a well oiled machine, with quality through and through.

After Germany comes the reigning Euro Champions and 2010 World Cup winners, Spain (11/2). Spain have an aging team and a lot of there stars have aged and are no longer in the team such as Xavi and Fernando Torres but they still are a very dangerous team capable of frustrating teams with their tiki taka style of play and are poised to make a run.

After Spain we have the mighty Three Lions (England, 9/1)  who I undoubtedly will be pulling for. This squad is undoubtedly talented but it’s all about which lineup Roy Hodgson decides to field. If he goes with the older players with more experience I think this team will not go very far but if he injects the youthful side we have seen in recent weeks with players who have destroyed the Premier League, the English have a lot to be hopeful for.

My dark horse pick to watch for this tournament Belgium (10/1) who are largely dependent on the form of Eden Hazard. Another shout has to be given to Portugal who are of course lead by Cristiano Ronaldo (16/1) who will once again need to carry his team if they are going to make a run at the tournament. Be sure to catch all the action starting on June 10th.

Tell me how I did. @gmoneymayes on twitter.