I agree, but I am undoubtedly over-analysing every match as though it was the one before the final when they are all simply the first in a tournament for each team. Doesn't matter a damn how you start it is how you finish and Spain are proven tournament winners. Would England were half as proficient.

A bit of respite for the bookmakers. No doubt lots of bets taken on "overs" goal market.

That said, a lot of the good things seem to be winning. Except England of course.

Last 5 minutes all the big teams in the tournament have scored; France, Spain and Germany

England conceded last 5 :P

Walk into a room and I bet it is as easy as anything to spot those players whose teams have won their first match, standing just that little bit taller, laughing just that little bit louder and easier.

I thought for a moment as I was reading your post, that you would put Russia in with the big teams!

This is the norm for a start of a tournament; 2014 was an exception.

Yup, once you get a win at this stage the pressure is very much off, as you can afford to get a draw or two in the next couple of matches and go through.

Spain need to win their group though. Assuming that all seeds win their groups, then Spain will be on the path to avoid France and Germany who would be in the other half of the draw.