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Euro 2016 qualifying: Top storylines to watch

Euro 2016 qualifying: Top storylines to watch

Euro 2016 qualifiers resume Friday, and while host nation France qualifies automatically, the rest of the contending pack are in a mad scramble for points.

[Euro 2016 qualifying: Scores and Schedule | Standings | Teams]

The top two teams in each of the nine groups go through automatically, while the third goes into a playoff. However, many of the continent’s traditional powers are finding the going tougher than expected.

Here's a look at some of the more intriguing storylines surrounding this latest round of qualifying.

Cry Harry for England

Although he’s urged caution about building Harry Kane up as a savior, England manager Roy Hodgson has admitted he’ll hand the 21-year-old his senior national team debut. With Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge sidelined by injury, the breakout Spurs striker will likely feature in Friday’s qualifier against Lithuania. Hodgson was photographed this week holding a team sheet that paired Kane up top with Wayne Rooney.

Kane, who is currently joint top scorer in the Premier League, is at the forefront of a youth movement within the England squad, which also features talented youngsters like Ross Barkley, Luke Shaw and Jordan Henderson. But it’s Kane who 90,000 fans are expected to turn up to see at Wembley on Friday for what would otherwise be a fairly unremarkable qualifier.

Struggling Netherlands must cope without star duo

After finishing third at the World Cup last summer, the Netherlands has had it pretty tough. The Oranje have taken just six points from four matches and currently sit third in Group A. Questions are being asked about whether they may actually be in danger of not qualifying. Manager Guus Hiddink now faces the added challenge of going into a crunch-time tie against Turkey without his two key attackers – Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie – who are out with injuries.

Luckily for Hiddink, the Netherlands has long been known for the steady stream of attacking talent it churns out. In-form Wolfsburg striker Bas Dost is expected to be handed his first-team debut in Van Persie’s absence, while Spartak Moscow winger Quincy Promes has been called up as a replacement for Robben. PSV youngster Memphis Depay and Schalke veteran Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are two other players Hiddink may call on to help replace his missing stars as he seeks to get the Netherlands’ floundering Euro campaign back on course.

Looking for Spain’s next generation

Following the way in which it crashed out of last summer’s World Cup, it’s easy to forget that by the time Euro 2016 kicks off Spain will have been the reigning European champion for eight years. Most of that all-conquering team, which won back-to-back Euros with a World Cup in between, is gone now. Decorated veterans like Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and Xabi Alonso are no longer in the squad.

Who'll start in goal: De Gea or Casillas? (AFP Photo)
Who'll start in goal: De Gea or Casillas? (AFP Photo)

With Diego Costa out injured, La Roja head into a difficult qualifier against Ukraine without the man around whom the new-look Spain is expected to be built around. Coach Vicente del Bosque has called up a number of youthful first-timers, including Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose and Sevilla winger Vitolo. Malaga forward Juanmi has replaced the injured Costa to provide competition for in-form Juventus striker Alvaro Morata. Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, Bayern Munich defender Juan Bernat and Real Madrid midfielder Isco were also among those called up.

While there is experience in the squad with midfielders like Iniesta and Cazorla, as well as defenders Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique, it seems Del Bosque is looking to give Spain’s next generation its chance. The big question is, will he dare to start the in-form David De Gea over the floundering Iker Casillas in goal?

Can Germany shake its World Cup hangover?

It took a late equalizer from Lukas Podolski to save Germany from an embarrassing loss in Wednesday’s friendly with Australia. That type of lackluster performance Joachim Loew’s side turned in against the Asian Cup champions has been rather typical of the Germans lately. Among the favorites to win next year’s Euros, the World Cup winners currently find themselves in second place behind Poland in Group D and tied on points with Scotland and Republic of Ireland. With just seven points from four matches, Germany has made difficult work of a group it should be topping with relative ease.

While several first-teamers were rested against the Socceroos, the Germans will be back at full strength against Georgia on Sunday. With the likes of Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Mueller restored to the team, Die Mannschaft should make easy work of a Georgia side that’s only managed one win - against lowly Gibraltar - in its previous four qualifiers.

Verratti’s big chance for Italy

With Juventus midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo out injured, coach Antonio Conte has handed the keys to Italy’s midfield to Paris Saint-Germain youngster Marco Verratti. The 22-year-old has been a key component in PSG’s impressive Champions League campaign this season and has managed two goals in 10 previous appearances for the Azzurri.

Pirlo is now 35 and thought to be nearing retirement from international duty. So Verratti has a chance to stake a long-term claim on the role of midfield conductor as Italy heads into Saturday’s qualifier at Bulgaria.

Time for Ronaldo to ‘shake it off’

By Cristiano Ronaldo’s standards, 2015 has been a difficult year so far. He’s been dumped by his girlfriend, bashed for his birthday party and outscored by Lionel Messi. But the embattled Real Madrid forward will need to leave his personal troubles behind as he looks to lift Portugal past a tough Serbia in Lisbon on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo might enjoy the break from Real Madrid. (AP Photo)
Cristiano Ronaldo might enjoy the break from Real Madrid. (AP Photo)

Having taken six points from four matches, Portugal sits second in Group I and needs a win to put pressure on current group-toppers Denmark. But goals have been in short supply for this team. With just two scored in its previous four qualifiers, Portugal needs a boost from its star man. Ronaldo for his part could likely do with a respite from the Spanish media and a chance to play his game away from the glaring lights of the Bernabeu with its impossible-to-please fans.

Underperforming Belgium faces Israel test

With a squad boasting the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Thibault Courtois, Belgium was regarded as the dark horse contender of last summer’s World Cup. But despite making it to the quarterfinals, this Belgian side largely underwhelmed in Brazil.

Now sitting fourth in Group B, Belgium has just one win in four previous qualifiers. With a clash against third-place Cyprus awaiting them on Saturday and a date with group leaders Israel three days later, now would be a good time for coach Marc Wilmots to start getting the most out of his stacked squad. Generations of talent such as Belgium is currently experiencing don’t come along very often. Having lost out at the World Cup, the Euros could be the Belgians' chance – provided they can get their act together and qualify.