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The Premier League fixture list for 2016/17 was published earlier today, allowing Fantasy managers an early opportunity to start tentative preparations for the new campaign.

Group B’s second round of Euro 2016 fixtures gets under way this afternoon when Russia take on Slovakia.

Russia are likely to be the more confident going into this match, thanks to a last minute equaliser from defender Vasili Berezutski in their 1-1 draw with England in the group’s opening fixture. Leonid Slutsky’s side are set to once again rely heavily on their defence, which repelled 15 goal attempts from England.

Group F sprang into life on Monday with two shock results as hotly-tipped Austria were left humiliated by Hungary, while Iceland rode their luck to claim a 1-1 draw with a frustrated Portugal.

The first of two Tuesday evening Euro 2016 matches sees hotly-tipped Austria, who emerged unbeaten from qualifying, take on Hungary.

Marcel Koller’s Austria topped a tough qualifying group, which included Russia and Sweden, to reach Euro 2016 but had mixed fortunes in their pre-tournament build up. While they beat Malta 2-1 they also lost 2-0 to the Netherlands. This is the first European Championships Austria have qualified for, having co-hosted the event when they took part in 2008.

Spain began their defence of their European Championship crown with a Group D win over a surprisingly resolute Czech Republic. While in Group E, Ireland and Sweden shared the spoils and Italy give Belgium a lesson in team tactics.

Monday’s final Euro 2016 tie sees Fifa’s second highest ranked side Belgium square up to 2012 Euros finalist Italy.

Both sides come into the match in confident mood having topped their qualifying groups and ending their pre-tournament friendly preparations unbeaten. While Belgium defeated Norway 3-2 and drew 1-1 with Finland, Italy recorded wins against Scotland and Finland.

Monday’s second Euro 2016 fixture sees Republic of Ireland face a tricky tie against a Sweden side that has been tough to break down in recent matches.

In their last two friendlies Sweden beat Wales 3-0 and also failed to concede in a 0-0 draw with Slovenia. At the other end of the pitch captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be looking to add to his 62 goals in 113 appearances for his country. Of these 11 came during a stellar qualification campaign that saw him notch 50 goal attempts, more than any other player.

Monday’s matches begin with the current European Championship holders opening their bid to retain the crown as Spain face the Czech Republic in the afternoon kick-off.

Toni Kroos inspires Germany to victory over Ukraine, while Northern Ireland taste defeat to Poland in Group C’s other Euro 2016 match. Meanwhile, in Group D Croatia’s midfielders impress against a lacklustre Turkey side.

We conclude Sunday’s events with a floodlit clash between Germany and Ukraine in Group C.

Germany will undoubtedly be considered favourites to begin their campaign with a victory. However, question mark remains over Joachim Löw’s side in a number of positions and their form on arrival in France is far from convincing. Defeats to England and Slovakia in pre-tournament friendlies has raised doubts in the German camp.

Sunday’s evening kick-off finds Northern Ireland start their Euro 16 campaign with a tough opening clash with free-scoring Poland.

Michael O’Neill’s men arrive in France with an enviable record, surely taking confidence from a run of 12 matches without defeat. Indeed, their defence has earned four clean sheets in the last five, offering encouragement ahead of a meeting with a fearsome Polish attack.

Sunday’s matches begin with the opening Group D fixture, as Turkey take on Croatia in what, on paper, looks a well-matched encounter.

Despite failing to impress in qualifying, Turkey head into the tournament in fine fettle, winning four of their last five friendly encounters – the recent defeat to England the only blot on their copybook. Indeed, Fatih Terim’s unit are also undefeated in eight competitive matches.

Wales make their mark with a late strike to claim victory over Slovakia, while England fail to capitalise on their dominance and allow Russia to snatch a point at the death. Over in Group A, Switzerland fail to impress as they struggle to see off 10-man Albania. Here’s the notes from Saturday’s Euro 16 events…

England begin their Euro 16 campaign with a Group B encounter against Russia.

Roy Hodgson’s side have claimed three wins in their last four outings, although with uncertainty surrounding their first choice lineup, it’s fair to say that England’s preparations have not been plain sailing. The Three Lions have failed to convince in the build up to the tournament, scoring just six goals over those four friendlies as they struggled to maintain momentum from emphatic form in qualifying.

Wales and Slovakia make their European Championship bows as Group B gets underway this afternoon.

Chris Coleman’s side head into their opening fixture having lost three of four friendlies prior to the tournament, scoring just three goals and conceding eight. Those matches were, however, played out without the exceptional talents of Gareth Bale who was involved in 81% of Welsh goals during the qualifying campaign.

FT : England 1 - 1 Russia

Match report : http://goo.gl/CZZFW7

FT : Wales 2 - 1 Slovakia

Match report : http://goo.gl/WvUBFy

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