Limited ambitions: England boss Roy Hodgson

 Over the next three days, the tournament will burst into life for its global audience. One of the strengths of the European Championship in its 16-nation format - and make the most of it, for UEFA president Michel Platini has taken the fizz out of the champagne by expanding the competition to 24 teams for 2016 - is that the groups are exceptionally strong and offer exciting match-ups from the start.

 So today Germany play Portugal and Holland take on Denmark, tomorrow Spain meet Italy and on Monday England play France. By the end of the first eight matches we will know the identity of the good guys.

 It will be quickly apparent who has come to play and who intends to frustrate. We will know if Holland wish to unleash Robin van Persie or merry hell when faced with a highly  technical opponent and whether  Motta's words were bravado or  Italy's Plan A.

 And we will discover whether Hodgson wants to treat this  tournament like a free hit - which it is, considering his circumstances - or whether he will live up to a reputation for caution.

 Spain's approach will be interesting, too. For all their poetry in motion, they are not Barcelona, lacking the presence of Lionel Messi. Spain played the best football in South Africa and were deserved winners but their defence was also impressive, with just two goals conceded in seven matches.

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