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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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A look at Group B at Euro 2016

A look at the teams and their key players and coach in Group B at the European Championship:

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ENGLAND

A perfect 10 wins in qualifying and the emergence of new talent: Since the woeful World Cup in 2014, England seems to be on the up. Roy Hodgson’s team will not, though, be traveling to France in June as a favorite as the national team looks to end its 50-year wait to win a major trophy. Doubts persist over the team’s defense and captain Wayne Rooney’s position in the team, but the presence of in-form strikers Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy is cause for optimism.

WAYNE ROONEY: The striker broke Bobby Charlton’s record England goal haul of 49 in qualifying after assuming the captaincy, but appears a fading force. At 30, Rooney’s influence at Manchester United has been on the wane and he played in central midfield toward the end of the Premier League season. He could play there for England, too, or out wide, with Harry Kane set to start up front and Dele Alli in the No. 10 position.