Group A

Holland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium

This is the most open of the four groups. Holland, who reached the last 16 of their first World Cup finals last year, are one of the four top seeds because they are the home nation but at 10th in the world rankings they are a place below Norway, who finished runners-up to Germany at Euro 2013. They won their qualifying group for next year’s finals without losing a game. Denmark also had a good Euro 2013, reaching the semi-finals, and conceded one goal in eight qualifying games for Euro 2017. Belgium are the lowest ranked team in the pool but were the only team to earn a point against England in qualifying.

Forecast Norway, Holland, Denmark, Belgium

Group B

Germany, Sweden, Italy, Russia

Germany have lifted the trophy at each of the last six tournaments and are clear favourites but could be hard-pressed by Sweden. The Germans trounced the Swedes 4-1 at last year’s World Cup but the team managed by the former USA coach Pia Sundhage reinvented themselves to battle through to the Olympic Games final in Rio, only to lose to Germany again. Italy and Russia will almost certainly be confined to the bottom two spots, though Italy are showing improvement after years of decline. Russia’s only two defeats in qualifying came against Germany.

Forecast Sweden, Germany, Italy, Russia

Group C

France, Iceland, Austria, Switzerland

France, ranked third in the world behind the USA and Germany, should breeze through this group as they tend to do at most major tournaments – at Euro 2013 they eased almost contemptuously past England with a 3-0 victory after resting six key players. They are classic chokers, invariably losing in the knockout stages. Switzerland are a battle-hardened unit who made a World Cup debut last year and went through Euro 2013 qualifying with a 100% record. Iceland pipped Scotland to first place in their qualifying group for next year’s tournament. First-time finalists Austria are one of Europe’s most improved teams.

Forecast France, Switzerland, Iceland, Austria

Group D

England, Scotland, Spain, Portugal

England, with a clearly stated aim of winning gold after last year’s World Cup bronze, are the group’s No1 seeds and should finish top but much may depend on the opening match against Scotland. They are 16 places higher in the world rankings but statistics will count for nothing in what could be one of the fiercest games of the championship. Spain against the Euro finals debutants Portugal will doubtless be another feisty encounter. Spain beat England in the Euro 2013 group opener after sneaking past Scotland in the play-off for the finals. A young Portugal team, the lowest ranked in the competition, will do well to take any points.

Forecast England, Scotland, Spain, Portugal