THE European Championships begin this Friday with England amongst 24 nations bidding for glory in France.

England will once again dare to dream thanks to out-of-the-blue youngsters.

After Brazil 2014, Roy Hodgson could not have envisaged going to France in such a positive mood.

But, do not let Euro 96 fool you. England are generally terrible at the European Championships. We have been in the Brexit camp for over 40 years!

This week, Newsquest Berkshire asked sports stars and personalities for their predictions on which nation will win the Euros and why. 

Holyport FC: France have a great squad on paper and are also the home nation. We do not think you can look far past them. Germany always come together when it matters in big tournaments but, if we were betting men, we would put our money on France.

Eddie Smith (ex-Slough Town striker): Belgium have quality and are young with a lot of pace in the team, so could hurt others on the break.

Steve Jinman (Maidenhead United director): Once a decade the Euros produces a winner from one of the smaller nations i.e. Denmark 92 and Greece 04. This time I think it could be Belgium’s turn. They are just coming to their peak with important tournament experience from Brazil 14. Alternatively, France won on home turf in 84 and 98 and look good for a hat-trick.

Dan Wake (Holyport assistant manager): France are hard to bet against, but I think if Hodgson takes a chance on tactics that suits the actual team and players he has, rather than “trying” to be Spain then England. Then again I’m sentimental!

Ben Baker (Holyport FC): Germany. France may have the best squad on paper but Germany have the more proven players and go into it on the back of a World Cup triumph.

Maidenhead United: Germany. They had the players and the coach to dominate in the same way Spain did over consecutive tournaments in 08, 10 and 12.

Bradley O’Brien (Chalvey WMC Sports): Belgium. They are the team to watch.

Bracknell News:

PHOTO: Binfield manager Roger Herridge believes France have "a top draw manager and a squad full of gifted players".

Maidenhead Town FC: We are going for Spain this time around, if they play De Gea, the best keeper in the world and an in-form backline. They are always good with the ball in midfield and now have a proper goal scorer in Morata.

Nav Rouhani (New Windsor Social Club): France. Hosts and decent players.

Jake Moore (Maidenhead United fan): I think Germany will win the Euros for the simple face that Joachim Low has a wealth of experience. They have arguably the most successful national team and their key man (Kroos) has just won the Champions League so he will be able to inspire the others into a winning mentality.

Roger Herridge (Binfield manager): The host nation for me, providing they don’t fall out with each other. A top draw manager and a squad full of gifted players.

Gary House (official Slough Town photographer): My choice is England. The main reason is that for the last five tournaments a friend and I have been, and one of the teams we have seen play has gone on to win it. This year we are watching England, Russia, Hungary, Iceland, Ukraine and Poland. We will let in a lot of goals but hopefully score a few as well.

I have to go for Germany. They are experienced in tournament play and in Low they have a manager who has done it all before.

I think England will have a good tournament though and can see them reaching the semi-finals. If some of our press could lay off and see that we have a young and vibrant squad mixed with good experienced players, then who knows.

Bracknell News:

PHOTO: Slough Town joint-manager Jon Underwood cannot see past Germany, believing they have quality players and a winning mentality.

Kyle Jeffrey (Windsor FC): I’m going for Spain. They have slipped under the radar and nobody is talking about them. They have some of the most successful players in Europe in their squad, mixed with some new faces.

Iver Heath Rovers FC: I’m going for Spain too. They have the most creative players in the squad and some of the players they have left out would walk into many first teams.

Jon Underwood (Slough Town joint-manager): I can’t see past Germany. Quality players who have been together for a while, but most importantly they have a winning mentality.

Holyport (College) Sport: France for us. Home advantage and a few players with some potential big money transfers this summer – using this as the perfect shop window.

Tom Batchelar (Chelsea fan): France. They have the best team on paper.

David Learoyd (Leeds United fan): Iceland. Well, if Leicester can...

Jack Dainty (West Ham United fan): France. They have got Payet.

Richard Wolfe (Holyport FC): Ireland because they are all scared of Roy Keane.

Jon Kirk (Windsor fan): Germany or France, but I believe Austria are a good bet for dark horse of the tournament.

Mark Evans (Windsor fan): Portugal are worth a punt at 20-1 – on the basis of the appalling friendly (with no Ronaldo). I would price-up England 40-1 and Portugal at 12s. Italy are also a good shout at 20s. A toothless England with a lack of possession and service will do well to reach the quarter-finals, and get knocked out on penalties if they do.