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Euro 2016 Final Power Rankings: Germany in top spot, Portugal on the rise

Tom Adams

Updated 09/06/2016 at 08:46 GMT

As Europe’s elite finish their tournament preparations, we update our Euro 2016 Power Rankings following the friendlies over the past two weeks.

Spain, Germany and France

Image credit: Eurosport

For all full list of all the friendly results for the teams competing in Euro 2016, visit UEFA's website.
Germany hold onto top spot despite a 3-1 home defeat to Slovakia, who are the biggest climbers in our chart, with Spain failing to depose them after losing 1-0 to Georgia this week.
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Germany's players celebrate

Image credit: Reuters

1 – GERMANY

Germany were humbled at home to Slovakia, with Mario Gomez opening the scoring from the penalty spot only for the visitors to hit three in reply. However, four players made their debuts and a 2-0 win over fellow Euro 2016 qualifiers Hungary on June 4 was more representative of their level. That match also saw captain Bastian Schweinsteiger return from injury for the first time in over two months so, despite losing Marco Reus, Germany still look to be the team to beat in France.

2 – FRANCE

A 3-0 win over Scotland and a 3-2 win over Cameroon disguise deeper problems at the heart of the French team. Manager Didier Deschamps has been accused in a race storm over the exclusion of Karim Benzema, , while replacement centre-forward Olivier Giroud, who scored twice against Scotland, has been booed by fans. Throw in injuries to players like Raphael Varane, Jeremy Mathieu and Lassana Diarra and it is clear that all is not well with Les Bleus. However, they still have home advantage and some supreme players.
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France's forward Olivier Giroud (R) is congratuled by teammates Bacary Sagna (C) and Dimitri Payet after scoring a goal during the friendly football match between France and Scotland, at the St Symphorien Stadium in Metz, Eastern France, on June 4, 2016

Image credit: AFP

3 – SPAIN

Vicente del Bosque's side ran out 6-1 winners over South Korea and 3-1 winners over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past fortnight but were rattled by a hock 1-0 defeat to Georgia on June 7. They could afford to leave the likes of Isco, Juan Mata and Diego Costa out of their final squad though, hinting at the riches at Del Bosque's disposal as he attempts to retain the trophy won in 2012.

4 – BELGIUM

Belgium have played three friendlies in the past two weeks, beating Switzerland and Norway and drawing with Finland. Both wins were by a single goal but centre-forward Romelu Lukaku scored in each match and the value of having an in-form striker going into a major finals should not be underestimated. Belgium remain consistent rather than spectacular but that could be enough.
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England's Chris Smalling celebrates after scoring their first goal

Image credit: Reuters

5 – ENGLAND

Roy Hodgson's side have a 100% record in the friendlies this past fortnight, with 2-1 wins over Turkey and Australia and a 1-0 win over Portugal at Wembley. They also had a 100% record in qualifying of course. But issues over the use of captain Wayne Rooney and the unconvincing nature of the narrow win over 10-man Portugal mean there are resurgent concerns about the formation and Hodgson's tactical savvy. England still have some convincing to do.

6 – ITALY

Italy beat Finland 2-0 at home on Monday night and their only other friendly of late was a 1-0 win over Scotland on May 29. Graziano Pelle scored the only goal to secure that rather unconvincing result. Italy have a fantastic defence but little quality in the final third. The dynamic of how that plays out will define their tournament.
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Croatia beat San Marino 10-0

Image credit: Eurosport

7 – CROATIA

San Marino aren't exactly the toughest opponents for a Euro 2016 warm-up and it is hard to see what Croatia gained by hammering them 10-0 in Rijeka on June 4, beyond a morale boost and a hat-trick apiece for strikers Nikola Kalinic and Mario Mandzukic. A 1-0 win over Moldova on May 27 was rather less convincing, although that was without Luka Modric as he was busy winning the Champions League. The Real Madrid star could inspire his team onto impressive feats in France.

8 – PORTUGAL

A 3-0 win over Norway on May 29 augured well but the friendly against England was ruined when Bruno Alves inexplicably kicked Harry Kane in the head to earn a red card. Portugal are far from convincing but as Cristiano Ronaldo showed in the Champions League final, he can steal the limelight even when he is playing horrendously badly. So they have to be in the equation, especially after a 7-0 win over Estonia on Wednesday night which saw Ronaldo bag a couple to take his international tally to 58.
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David Alaba of Austria

Image credit: Reuters

9 – AUSTRIA

Austria slip down the rankings thanks to some poor friendly results with a 2-0 home loss to Netherlands on June 4 and a 2-1 home win over Malta on May 31. Austria qualified in impressive fashion but aside from David Alaba they lack world class performers, and he managed to score a catastrophic own goal in the win over Malta as he passed the ball into his own net.

10 – POLAND

Poland drew 0-0 with Lithuania on Monday night after losing 2-1 at home to Netherlands in Gdansk on June 1. The Dutch didn't qualify for the Euros but have quality players. Still, Poland would have been hoping for a more impressive showing. A blank against Lithuania hardly puts them in the kind of form they would have wished for going into the tournament.
And the rest:
  • 11 – Sweden
  • 12 – Russia
  • 13 – Turkey
  • 14 – Wales
  • 15 – Switzerland
  • 16 – Romania
  • 17 – Slovakia
  • 18 – Republic of Ireland
  • 19 – Czech Republic
  • 20 – Ukraine
  • 21 – Albania
  • 22 – Northern Ireland
  • 23 – Iceland
  • 24 – Hungary
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