Euro 2016 Group B profile: England, Russia, Wales, Slovakia

Group photo: Slovakia's assistant coach Stefan Tarkovic, England's coach Roy Hodgson, Russia's coach Leonid Slutski and Wales' coach Chris Coleman
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James Benge12 December 2015

England have been drawn in Group B of Euro 2016 and will face Russia, Slovakia and Wales in the group stage of the tournament.

Standard Sport profiles Roy Hodgson's side and their opponents ahead of the tournament.

ENGLAND

Coach: Roy Hodgson. The multi-lingual former Fulham and West Bromwich Albion boss has decades of experience across Europe. But he has not been blessed with the greatest of squads since taking over just before Euro 2012. He has looked to manage the decline of the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, whilst blooding youngsters such as Raheem Sterling.

Andy Rain/EPA

Star player: Wayne Rooney. He may no longer be a formidable striker, and may not be England's best player, but his nation's record scorer is undoubtedly at the heart of Hodgson's side. His Manchester United woes have not yet held him back on the international stage.

How they qualified: In style. England were the only side to win all their 10 matches, though considering their most dangerous opponents were Switzerland and Slovenia they remain unproven against Europe's best.

Which teams have qualified for Euro 2016?

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RUSSIA

Coach: Leonid Slutsky - A disastrous start to qualifying saw Fabio Capello, among the highest paid managers in international football, removed from the job with his future on the line. CSKA Moscow coach Slutsky led them into the tournament and is in line to take them to France.

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Star player: Alan Dzagoev. Under his club manager the attacking midfielder, capable of playing out wide or as a support striker, could well shine. He already has a strong record in the European Championships, scoring three in Euro 2012.

How they qualified: In what seemed an easy group, including Sweden and Austria, Russia made a disastrous start. A draw at home to Moldova was among the lowest moments but wins in their final four games saw them edge through automatically ahead of the Swedes.

SLOVAKIA

Coach: Jan Kozak. At the helm since 2013 former Czechoslovak midfielder Kozak has two titles to his name as a manager, both with FC Kosice.

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Star player: Marek Hamsik. The Napoli midfielder has over 80 caps to his name at just 28 years of age and has been a regular in Maurizio Sarri's exciting side. Yet to shine on the biggest of stages he may enter Euro 2016 at the peak of their powers.

How they qualified: A memorable second place in Group C saw the Slovaks stun Spain in Zilina. Though they could not repeat the trick away from home they also picked up four points against Ukraine in an impressive campaign.

WALES

Coach: Chris Coleman. After a bright start to management at Fulham Coleman's career seemed in decline as he spent time in a Greek exile. But he has shown a strong connection with Wales' young stars, few more so than the man below.

Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images

Star player: Gareth Bale. One of Europe's most skilful attackers, his quality for Real Madrid is only magnified on the international stage, where the team is built to make the most of his prodigious talents. Seven of Wales' 11 goals came from Bale.

How they qualified: Threatened to steal top place of the world's highest ranked side, Belgium, with a remarkable victory in Cardiff. Four points in their final three matches saw them lose first place but few in Wales cared as they secured their first tournament spot since the 1958 World Cup.

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