Qualifying for the expanded European championship in 2016 begins on Sunday, with 53 nations battling it out to win one of the 23 places in the finals alongside hosts France.
The new format should ensure that the true storylines are not about the traditional European powerhouses as, on paper at least, they should qualify quite comfortably.
- Smith: It's right to expand Euros
- Delaney: Can Germany match Spain's dynasty?
Both group winners and the runners-up will qualify automatically for the finals, along with the third-place team with the best record. The remaining eight third-place nations will play two-legged playoffs for the final four berths.
It means that you now have to finish fourth in a group to stand no chance of making the finals.
Some disagree with the changes, and feel it dilutes what is generally considered to be the strongest and most competitive international tournament there is. But what it will do is open the door to European nations who either have never qualified for a tournament before, or who have been in the wilderness.
In another change to past Euros, and indeed World Cups, qualifying games will take place over a whole week (though for the first round of games there will be one set of games over three days) as part of UEFA's Week of Football.
Match dates
Sept. 7-9, 2014
Oct. 9-11, 2014
Oct. 12-14, 2014
Nov. 14-16, 2014
March 27-29, 2015
June 12-14, 2015
Sept. 3-5, 2015
Sept. 6-8, 2015
Oct. 8-10, 2015
Oct. 11-13, 2015
Playoff 1st leg: Nov. 12-14, 2015
Playoff 2nd leg: Nov. 15-17, 2015
GROUP A
Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Iceland, Latvia, Turkey, Czech Republic
Czech Republic and Turkey are favourites to battle it out behind the Dutch, but don't rule out Iceland, who reached the World Cup playoffs before being edged out by Croatia.
GROUP B
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, Andorra, Wales, Israel, Belgium
Belgium will be expected to build on their quarterfinal showing at the World Cup by winning the group ahead of fellow finalists Bosnia. Third spot could be tight, though Israel might just pip Wales.
GROUP C
Spain, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Belarus, Slovakia, Ukraine
Spain should finally banish their Brazil demons by winning this group, but it could be close for second if the political turmoil affects Ukraine, and Slovakia will look to benefit. Belarus and Macedonia are outsiders to crash the top three.
GROUP D
Germany, Gibraltar, Georgia, Scotland, Poland, Republic of Ireland
With the world champions in the group, top spot should be wrapped up. It might well be very close for the crucial second position and likely playoff spot between Scotland, Poland and Ireland -- while Georgia have been tipped to challenge, too. A very competitive group that also features debutants Gibraltar.
GROUP E
England, San Marino, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, Switzerland
England might be favourites to win the group with the bookies, but it would come as no surprise to many if Switzerland took first place. Could a transitional England really finish third? It would take a strong and consistent campaign from Slovenia, which might be beyond them but they should take third. Estonia, who lost to Ireland in the playoffs for Euro 2012, are most likely to challenge Slovenia.
GROUP F
Greece, Faroe Islands, Northern Ireland, Finland, Romania, Hungary
No traditional European superpower in the group, but Greece will be expected to win it -- just. One of Romania or Hungary, who finished only two points apart in their World Cup qualifying group, should earn a return to the international stage. But improving Finland are an interesting proposition and could cause an upset to make the top three.
GROUP G
Russia, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Austria, Sweden
Russia and Sweden will be hard to separate at the top of the group, which could leave another very close battle between Austria and Montenegro. The smart money might be on Montenegro taking third.
GROUP H
Italy, Malta, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Norway, Croatia
Antonio Conte and Italy should have little to fear from this group and a place in France, and while Norway have improved in recent years, Croatia should take second. That will leave a battle between the Norwegians and Bulgaria for third and a likely playoff.
GROUP I
Portugal, Albania, Armenia, Serbia, Denmark
A smaller group in which nations have the excitement of friendlies against France on spare matchdays. There are arguments for each of Denmark, Portugal and Serbia to miss out on the top three. An improving Armenia could even cause a shock and benefit if those nations keep taking points off each other.