France Best result: Winners (1984, 2000)
Coach: Didier Deschamps
Leading scorer: all time – Thierry Henry (51); current – Karim Benzema (27)
Most appearances: all time – Lilian Thuram (142); current – Karim Benzema (81)
Association formed: 1919
Nickname: Les Bleus (The Blues)
Where they play: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Les Bleus have a happy habit of fulfilling expectations on home soil. They won the 1984 UEFA European Championship, when Michel Platini drove them to victory with a record-breaking final tournament haul of nine goals, and claimed the FIFA World Cup for the one and only time in 1998 when another famous No10, Zinédine Zidane, inspired them to victory with two goals in the final against Brazil (3-0).
Also winners at UEFA EURO 2000, and World Cup runners-up to Italy in 2006, France have struggled to make the same impact at recent major tournaments, falling at the group stage in 2008 and 2010 and exiting in the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.
France have been ever present in the EURO finals since missing out in 1988, an early end to the defence of the trophy they had lifted on home turf four years earlier. Their second victory came at UEFA EURO 2000, Roger Lemerre's side becoming only the second team after West Germany (1972, 1974) to hold the world and European titles at the same time.
It was a close-run thing. Zidane's extra-time penalty settled a tense semi-final against Portugal before Sylvain Wiltord saved them from a showpiece loss to Italy with a last-gasp equaliser, setting the scene for David Trezeguet's golden-goal winner. Automatic qualifiers as hosts, France will attempt to join Spain on three EURO titles in 2016, having suffered a 2-0 defeat by La Roja in the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-finals.
Memorable EURO matches
02/07/2000: France 2-1 Italy (aet), UEFA EURO 2000 final
A breathtaking comeback was capped by Trezeguet's first-time finish, a golden-goal decider.
27/06/1984: France 2-0 Spain, 1984 UEFA European Championship final
Platini's ninth goal of the finals set the hosts on the way to their first major trophy.
23/06/1984: France 3-2 Portugal (aet), 1984 UEFA European Championship semi-final
With a penalty shoot-out looming, Platini struck the decisive blow in a thrilling match.
Did you know?
France are the only country apart from Germany and Spain (both three) to have won the UEFA European Championship more than once.
Romania Best result: quarter-finals 2000
Coach: Anghel Iordănescu
Leading scorer: all time – Gheorghe Hagi, Adrian Mutu (35); current – Ciprian Marica (25)
Most appearances: all time – Dorinel Munteanu (134); current – Răzvan Raţ (108)
Association formed: 1909
Nickname: Tricolorii (The Tricolours)
Where they play: Arena Națională, Bucharest
One of only four countries to participate in each of the first three FIFA World Cups, Romania saved their finest hour for the 1994 tournament in the United States, where, with playmaker Gheorghe Hagi in peerless form, they reached the quarter-finals, losing to Sweden only on penalties.
They would participate in three of the next four UEFA European Championships, their best effort coming in 2000 when a late penalty enabled them to beat England 3-2 and earn a place in the quarter-finals, where they lost to Italy. Having not reached the World Cup since 1998, their 2014 hopes ended with a play-off defeat by Greece but they recovered to qualify unbeaten for UEFA EURO 2016, with veteran USA '94 boss Anghel Iordănescu returning to the fold in mid-campaign.
Having often encountered tough draws when they have reached the finals, Romania's EURO success has been limited although, having qualified unbeaten, Emeric Ienei guided his team through a group containing Germany, Portugal and England to reach the last eight of UEFA EURO 2000. It was a feat that Victor Piţurcă had a chance of matching eight years later after impressive draws against 2006 World Cup finalists France and Italy – Adrian Mutu scoring but later missing a penalty in the latter match – but beating the Netherlands in the final group game proved a step too far.
A slow start cost them the chance to make it to UEFA EURO 2012, draws against Albania and Belarus preceding a 2-0 loss in France. Răzvan Lucescu was succeeded six games in by Piţurcă, back for a third spell as national coach, and three draws and a victory in the last four matches both earned third spot and provided hope for the future.
Memorable EURO matches
14/10/2007: Romania 1-0 Netherlands, UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying
Dorin Goian's goal earned a first win against the Netherlands and with it a finals place.
20/06/2000: Romania 3-2 England, UEFA EURO 2000 group stage
Ionel Ganea's 89th-minute penalty helped Romania dramatically secure a quarter-final berth.
05/06/1999: Romania 2-0 Hungary, UEFA EURO 2000 qualifying
Gheorghe Hagi came out of retirement to inspire Romania to a win that took them into the finals.
Did you know?
UEFA EURO 2016 is the fourth of the last six UEFA European Championships for which Romania have qualified.
Albania Best result: never previously qualified
Coach: Gianni De Biasi
Leading scorer: all-time – Erjon Bogdani (18); current – Hamdi Salihi (11)
Most appearances: all-time – Lorik Cana (87); current – Lorik Cana (87)
Association formed: 1930
Nickname: Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
Where they play: Elbasani Arena, Elbasan
A founder member of UEFA, Albania had never qualified for a major tournament until reaching UEFA EURO 2016, although there was a sign of things to come with improved recent results under experienced coaches like German Hans-Peter Briegel and Dutchman Arie Haan. Albania have not ended bottom of a qualifying group in their last seven campaigns; indeed, but for a poor finish to 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying, they might have reached the play-offs under Italian Gianni De Biasi, the man who stayed on to steer them to France as Group I runners-up.
Albania's introduction to the UEFA European Championship brought a famous win in a losing cause, a pattern that continued until UEFA EURO 2016 qualification. Having sat out the inaugural tournament, they achieved their first success in the competition against Denmark in the last 16 of the 1964 edition. A side led by perhaps the country's greatest player, Panajot Pano, won 1-0 in Tirana, but the Danes had already done the damage with a 4-0 first-leg victory.
Four years later Albania again displayed their quality, albeit when already eliminated. They held West Germany 0-0 to deny them a finals place for the only time. Since then there has been only sporadic success, a 3-0 victory against Turkey in the run-up to the 1972 tournament and a memorable 3-1 win against Russia in 2003 the highlights. Albania recorded their best performance in UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying, collecting 11 points, but missed out on the finals; four years later, they finished second in their group behind Portugal to earn a first appearance.
Memorable EURO matches
11/10/15: Armenia 0-3 Albania UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying
A convincing win in Yerevan sealed Albania's first qualification for a major tournament.
29/03/03: Albania 3-1 Russia, UEFA EURO 2004 qualifying
Goals from Altin Rraklli, Altin Lala and Igli Tare gave coach Briegel a dream competitive debut.
17/12/67: Albania 0-0 West Germany, 1968 UEFA European Championship qualifying
The hosts denied their opponents a finals place with a memorable draw.
Did you know?
Scorer of Albania's first goal in EURO qualifying, in a 1-0 win against Denmark in October 1963, and considered the nation's greatest player, Pano was a goalkeeper up to his teens before a shortage of outfield players led to his coach gambling on a change of position. His team lost 4-0, but Pano was on the path to greatness.
Switzerland
Best result: group stage 1996, 2004, 2008
Coach: Vladimir Petković
Leading scorers: all-time – Alexander Frei (42); current – Xherdan Shaqiri (17)
Most appearances: all-time – Heinz Hermann (118); current – Gökhan Inler (89)
Association formed: 1895
Nickname: Schweizer Nati/Nati Suisse (Swiss national team)
Where they play: Stade de Suisse, Berne; St. Jakob-Park, Basel
Switzerland, the country that provides the headquarters for both FIFA and UEFA, made it three successive FIFA World Cup participations when they competed in Brazil in 2014, having topped their qualifying group with seven wins and three draws in their ten matches. Their route to UEFA EURO 2016 was less straightforward, incorporating three defeats, but they eventually finished as comfortable Group E runners-up to England. All three of the country's UEFA European Championship final tournament appearances have resulted in group stage elimination, including the 2008 event they co-hosted with Austria.
For years, Switzerland were subject to a stream of slender defeats, until the appointment of Roy Hodgson signalled a change in fortunes. Having qualified for the 1994 World Cup, their first in 28 years, Hodgson then led the team to EURO '96 after topping a section containing Turkey and Sweden, although Artur Jorge took charge for the final tournament. They kicked off their finals by drawing 1-1 with hosts England, before consecutive defeats against the Netherlands and Scotland ended their campaign.
Switzerland qualified again in 2004 under Jakob 'Köbi' Kuhn but garnered only one point, although Johan Vonlanthen did become the EURO's youngest goalscorer in a 3-1 defeat by France. They co-hosted the tournament with Austria in 2008 but failed to make home advantage count, losing against the Czech Republic and Turkey before overcoming Portugal 2-0. Opening defeats by England and Montenegro, and a campaign that yielded only two away points, undermined their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying hopes, Switzerland finishing third in Group B.
Memorable EURO matches
15/06/2008: Switzerland 2-0 Portugal, UEFA EURO 2008 group stage
Hakan Yakin's double earned the co-hosts their maiden EURO final tournament victory.
08/06/1996: England 1-1 Switzerland, EURO '96 group stage
Kubilay Türkyilmaz's 83rd-minute spot kick ensured Switzerland's first EURO finals match ended all square.
24/05/1967: Switzerland 7-1 Romania, 1968 UEFA European Championship qualifying
Rolf Blättler, Fritz Künzli and René-Pierre Quentin scored two apiece in a resounding win.
Did you know?
Yakin scored all three of Switzerland's goals at UEFA EURO 2008, where they became only the second host nation after Belgium in 2000 to exit after the group stage. They were soon joined by a third as co-hosts Austria also bowed out.
GROUP A
Friday, June 10: France v Romania (20:00, Stade de France, Paris)
Saturday, June 11: Albania v Switzerland (14:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)
Wednesday, June 15: Romania v Switzerland (17:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)
Wednesday, June 15: France v Albania (20:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Sunday, June 19: Romania v Albania (20:00, Stade de Lyon)
Sunday, June 19: Switzerland v France (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)
Coach: Vladimir Petković
Leading scorers: all-time – Alexander Frei (42); current – Xherdan Shaqiri (17)
Most appearances: all-time – Heinz Hermann (118); current – Gökhan Inler (89)
Association formed: 1895
Nickname: Schweizer Nati/Nati Suisse (Swiss national team)
Where they play: Stade de Suisse, Berne; St. Jakob-Park, Basel
Switzerland, the country that provides the headquarters for both FIFA and UEFA, made it three successive FIFA World Cup participations when they competed in Brazil in 2014, having topped their qualifying group with seven wins and three draws in their ten matches. Their route to UEFA EURO 2016 was less straightforward, incorporating three defeats, but they eventually finished as comfortable Group E runners-up to England. All three of the country's UEFA European Championship final tournament appearances have resulted in group stage elimination, including the 2008 event they co-hosted with Austria.
For years, Switzerland were subject to a stream of slender defeats, until the appointment of Roy Hodgson signalled a change in fortunes. Having qualified for the 1994 World Cup, their first in 28 years, Hodgson then led the team to EURO '96 after topping a section containing Turkey and Sweden, although Artur Jorge took charge for the final tournament. They kicked off their finals by drawing 1-1 with hosts England, before consecutive defeats against the Netherlands and Scotland ended their campaign.
Switzerland qualified again in 2004 under Jakob 'Köbi' Kuhn but garnered only one point, although Johan Vonlanthen did become the EURO's youngest goalscorer in a 3-1 defeat by France. They co-hosted the tournament with Austria in 2008 but failed to make home advantage count, losing against the Czech Republic and Turkey before overcoming Portugal 2-0. Opening defeats by England and Montenegro, and a campaign that yielded only two away points, undermined their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying hopes, Switzerland finishing third in Group B.
Memorable EURO matches
15/06/2008: Switzerland 2-0 Portugal, UEFA EURO 2008 group stage
Hakan Yakin's double earned the co-hosts their maiden EURO final tournament victory.
08/06/1996: England 1-1 Switzerland, EURO '96 group stage
Kubilay Türkyilmaz's 83rd-minute spot kick ensured Switzerland's first EURO finals match ended all square.
24/05/1967: Switzerland 7-1 Romania, 1968 UEFA European Championship qualifying
Rolf Blättler, Fritz Künzli and René-Pierre Quentin scored two apiece in a resounding win.
Did you know?
Yakin scored all three of Switzerland's goals at UEFA EURO 2008, where they became only the second host nation after Belgium in 2000 to exit after the group stage. They were soon joined by a third as co-hosts Austria also bowed out.
GROUP A
Friday, June 10: France v Romania (20:00, Stade de France, Paris)
Saturday, June 11: Albania v Switzerland (14:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)
Wednesday, June 15: Romania v Switzerland (17:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)
Wednesday, June 15: France v Albania (20:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Sunday, June 19: Romania v Albania (20:00, Stade de Lyon)
Sunday, June 19: Switzerland v France (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)
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