Euro 2016 draw, complete results: England to meet Wales, Italy clashes with Belgium

The final piece of the puzzle is in place. June has never felt so close.

The 24 teams set to descend on France and partake in Euro 2016 next summer learned their fate on Saturday, as the six groups for the opening round of the competition were drawn in Paris.

Which of the three tournament favourites - Germany (reigning World Cup champion), Spain (defending European champion) and France (tournament host) has the smoothest path to the knockout stages, and which teams got the short end of the stick, forced to make up the proverbial Group of Death?

Can we just skip the next six months of the calendar?

Here are the results from Saturday's Euro 2016 draw:

Group A

France
Romania
Albania
Switzerland

Cheers went up throughout France on Saturday, as the host nation for next summer's tournament was handed easily the most favourable draw of all the perennial powers - not to disrespect Albania, Romania, and Switzerland.

The latter will be expected to join Les Bleus in the knockout stages, while the minnows sandwiched between those two in Group A are already being tipped to enjoy only a three-match stay in France.

Group B

England
Russia
Wales
Slovakia

This is going to be fun.

Familiarity reigns supreme in Group B, where the British media will now have six months to preview the meeting between the Three Lions and a pair of Welshman well known to the Premier League - former Tottenham superstar Gareth Bale and current Arsenal lynchpin Aaron Ramsey.

Group C

Germany
Ukraine
Poland
Northern Ireland

It will be just like a training session for Robert Lewandowski.

The Polish striker, scoring goals for fun with both his national side and Bayern Munich, will reunite with a host of club teammates in Group C when the two favourites in the section lock horns.

Group D

Spain
Czech Republic
Turkey
Croatia

Intrigue, thy name is Group D.

Defending European crown-holder Spain, in the midst of significant transition as older stalwarts continue to be replaced by young stars, will need to fend off competition from an uber-talented Croatian side, as well as a Turkey team that was - along with Wales - the most dangerous in Pot 4.

Group E

Belgium
Italy
Ireland
Sweden

Possibilities abound in a fascinating section.

Italy, historically one of the world's most successful teams, has fallen on difficult times; a squad largely bereft of attacking quality laboured through qualifying but, as is often the case, did just enough. Belgium, long viewed as being on the road to dominance, has failed to convince it deserves its lofty perch in the FIFA rankings - which, in fairness, tend to be hilariously inaccurate. Ireland is always viewed as a tough out, and Sweden, though not overly talented, boasts Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Your guess is as good as mine.

Group F

Portugal
Iceland
Austria
Hungary

Now or never, Portugal.

Iceland should provide a stern test, but in the end, Cristiano Ronaldo and company should have enough to top this section.