Euro 2016: Could underdogs follow in footsteps of Greece?

Host nation France are favourites to win Euro 2016.

Host nation France are favourites to win the Euro 2016 football tournament, which kicks off this week - but who are the rank outsiders?

Underdogs have won before - Greece were crowned European champions in 2004, against all the odds, in only the second time they had participated in the tournament.

They defeated some of the favourites in the competition including defending champions France and hosts Portugal - beating the latter in both the opening game and again in the final.

This time round, Les Bleus have been installed as favourites by most bookmakers - despite ranking only 17th in the latest FIFA world rankings.

According to pundit Steve Wilson, France might just deserve their billing as top dogs.

“France’s record on home soil is formidable, winning both the Euros in 1984 and the World Cup in 1998 as host nation.

“In Pogba, Coman, Martial and Griezmann they’re blessed with a wealth of young talent - this France team could definitely lift the trophy.”

But who are the underdogs in this year’s tournament?

The lowest-ranked team in the championship are Albania, who are 42nd in FIFA’s list.

Accordingly, bookies have them as rank outsiders, most pricing them at between 400-1 and 500-1 to one to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy.

The odds are similarly unkind for Northern Ireland (ranked 25th by FIFA) and Hungary (ranked 20th), both teams priced between 250-1 and 400-1.

The Czech Republic, along with Republic of Ireland and Iceland, are all reckoned to be in with a better shout, priced between 100-1 and 150-1 by most - despite being ranked 30th, 33rd and 34th respectively.

So if you fancy an outside punt on the Euros, why not cross your fingers that 25-year-old FC Vaduz striker Armando Sadiku does a Jamie Vardy and fires Albania to European glory at the expense of group mates Romania, Switzerland and, of course, favourites France?

Euro 2016 teams by FIFA world ranking

Albania - 42nd

Sweden - 35th

Iceland - 34th

Republic of Ireland - 33rd

Czech Republic - 30th

Russia - 29th

Croatia - joint 27th

Poland - joint 27th

Wales - 26th

Northern Ireland - 25th

Slovakia - 24th

Romania - 22nd

Hungary - 20th

Ukraine - 19th

Turkey - 18th

France - 17th

Switzerland - 15th

Italy - 12th

England - 11th

Austria - 10th

Portugal - 8th

Spain - 6th

Germany - 4th

Belgium - 2nd