The 2016 European Championships was the first major international football tournament for these five teams.
- Albania
- Iceland
- Northern Ireland
- Slovakia
- Wales
The majority of football fans(except fans from any of the nations listed) would have expected a harder learning curve for these sides.
With the heavyweights, these debutants had to face in their respective groups, an early elimination was expected for almost all five teams.
Wales might have had the most expensive player in football history in their squad, but history has taught as that the having one major star is usually never enough to win international football competitions.
Four out of the five debutants advanced to the knockout stage in the 2016 European Championship. Albania was the only side to miss out.
Unfortunately for Wales and Northern Ireland, facing each other in the Round of 16 meant one debutant was heading back home. Wales came out victorious and moved on into the quarterfinals.
In the ‘Round of 16’, Slovakia’s tournament was ended by the World Champions, Germany. Their efforts could not match the class and quality on the German side. It was a match that was stacked against the Slovaks. Their side of the knockout stage bracket included all the heavyweights in European football and had they pulled a miracle and won against Germany, their following knockout stage games were not going to be any easier.
Another team that was unfortunate to be on the side of the knockout bracket that had all the heavyweights was Iceland. Facing England in their Round of 16 matches was suppose to be their farewell match in the 2016 Euros. But Icelanders did not go with the script. Iceland defeated England and moves on the quarterfinals. This was possibly their biggest victory in history. Luckily for Iceland, they have another opportunity to create a bigger victory when they face the host nation, France in the quarterfinals.
Out of the five, Wales and Iceland are still in the fight. Wales might have the better chance of moving further in the 2016 European Championship.
Northern Ireland and Slovakia can also be proud of their record in the competition. Even Albania, the only debutant to go out in their group stage would be proud of their competition. They were able to grab their first win in the European Championship against Romania.
