It really wasn't meant to be this way.
Ahead of the final day of Euro 2016 group fixtures, the top half of the draw is the place to be in the knockout stages.
England and Spain failing to win their groups means that both sides will be located in the bottom half of the draw for the rest of the tournament.
Italy's present for winning Group E with a game to spare is a Last-16 clash with back-to-back champions Spain.
Source: Wikipedia
While the bottom half of the draw looks rather frightening, the top half has opened up, with many teams in with a realistic chance of reaching the Final in the Stade de France on July 10th.
Croatia look to be the strongest team on that side of the draw, and could be joined by Belgium on Wednesday evening. The winners of Group F (Hungary, Iceland or Portugal) will also be in the top-half.
Both Spain and England would have fancied their chances of reaching at least the semi-finals on the top half of the draw. That's totally changed now.
It looks like the finalists from the top-half of the draw will be one of the non-traditional super-powers of Europe. That can only be a good thing.
Off the Ball is live from Lille tonight from 7pm with best of build-up and reaction as Ireland get set for a crucial game against Italy
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