Wags, hunks and Croatian nibbles — your guide to the Euros

CLEAR your diary, fire up the barbecue and settle in for a fun-filled four weeks: tomorrow marks England’s kick off in the European Championship, as they play

Croatia at Wembley Stadium. From players to presenters, WAGs to the weather (and how to watch the matches alfresco), SARAH RAINEY shares the ultimate guide to the Euros . . .

THE Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) European Championship has been held every four years since 1960. Twenty-four teams, divided into six groups of four, make it into the championship through a series of qualifying rounds. The groups are determined by a draw; England are in Group D, with Croatia, scotland and the Czech Republic. England’s group games are on June 13, 18 and 22.

At the first stage, each team plays the other three in their group. The two teams with the most points go through to the next round, as well as the four highest-performing teams finishing third in each group.

next, the 16 teams play eight matches, in which the losers are knocked out. The remaining eight enter the quarterfinals, with two teams making it to the final on July 11 and the chance to lift the Henri Delaunay Cup (right).

This year’s 36 group-stage matches will be played in different cities, including Amsterdam, Glasgow and st Petersburg. From the semi-finals onwards, they’re all at Wembley.

England famously reached the semifinals in 1996, drawing 1-1 with Germany only to lose 6-5 on penalties. A painful memory for any England fan, it was catastrophic for now manager Gareth southgate, who missed the crucial penalty. However, having never made the final of the 15 European Championships held to date, England go into this tournament as one of the favourites, with the latest odds placing them at 5/1 to win.