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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of football's biggest superstars and has what is arguably football's biggest ego. It is great to have a certain degree of self confidence as a footballer but Zlatan takes it a notch higher. During his journey from Malmo to PSG, Zlatan has played for the best clubs in the world.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic double send Sweden to Euro 2016

Be it the fact that he told Arsene Wenger that Zlatan does not do trials or his opinion in his autobiography about his former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola being a spineless coward, Zlatan has never been afraid to portray his pompous attitude. There were rumors that his autobiography "I Am Zlatan" had quotes which were never said by him. However, it was he who approved those quotes and the fact that Mario Balotelli can be considered as poor man's Zlatan just emphasizes the personality that he is.

On Tuesday, Zlatan single handedly (according to him) destroyed Denmark. However, more than his two goals that sent Sweden to next year's Euros, it was his statement after the game that attracted more attention. He said "They (Denmark) tried to send me to retirement, instead I sent their whole nation into retirement".

The fact that this statement would draw more attention than the spectacular free kick he scored in the same game could be regarded as a disappointment. However, Zlatan being Zlatan would not mind it one bit. In his entire career, although his feet have done most of the talking, he makes sure it is his talking off the pitch that steals the thunder.

His glamorous career unfortunately still does not possess the Champions League, World Cup or the Euros. But the chances of him winning the Euros next year with Sweden is quite slim. However, considering the fact that he felt the 2014 World Cup would be boring without him and the enigma that he is, Euro 2016 certainly promises to be entertaining with him in it.

Holland were denied a Euro 2016 playoff spot after losing their final match 3-2 to Czech Republic at home. Holland needed a win in this game and also wanted Turkey to lose against Iceland but neither happened and it means we won't be seeing the Oranje colours in this summers tournament.

For this first time since 1984, Netherlands will not participate in the European Championships.

Things started out badly for the Dutch team and they were soon behind 0-2, quick goals from Pavel Kaderabek and Josef Sural. But Holland was provided with the perfect opportunity to fight back when Czech player Marek Suchy was sent off before half time.



Any hopes of a comeback were ruined when Van Persie sent the ball into his own net following a free-kick. That moment epitomized Holland's qualifying campaign and although they fought back with two goals later on, it was to no avail as they ended up losing the game 2-3.

But even a victory would not have sent them to the playoffs, as Turkey beat Iceland 1-0 in the other match of the group. It is the first time that Holland have failed to qualify for a major tournament after missing out on 2002 World Cup. Holland finished at an impressive third place in the previous World Cup and this turnaround of event has been somewhat shocking.

There has been a sudden transition in the team and with manager Louis Van Gaal also leaving his country to coach Manchester United, Holland had looked to be in absolute shambles right from the beginning of the campaign. They missed Robben for most part due to injury and Van Persie's decline also hit them hard.

Their manager Guus Hiddink was sacked midway through the campaign and new boss Danny Blind couldn't do much either. The Dutch Football Association has insisted that Danny Blind will remain in charge for now despite the mounting pressure on him.

England beat Lithuania 3-0 and ended their European qualification campaign with a perfect record. England are now the only team to win all of their qualification games in this campaign. But does that make them favorites for the tournament?

Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson fielded a youthful team against Lithuania and the players were eager to take their chances with Ross Barkley particularly impressing. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also got on the score sheet to make a case for his inclusion in England's first choice starting eleven. It was a comfortable win for England but it is now that the real test starts for England.



England are the sixth team to reach the tournament with a hundred percent qualification record. But only one team out of the previous five has gone on to win the trophy. So it is evident that a 100% qualification campaign record means next to nothing when the tournament begins. England were similarly impressive in the previous World Cup's qualification matches but they stuttered on the big stage.

England's toughest opponents in the group were probably Switzerland, and even they were no threat to a full strength England team. In fact, out of the ten matches not once has England struggled. That is an impressive feat actually, as we have seen current world champions Germany struggling in their last two qualifiers. But the problem for England is that they haven't faced a proper tough opposition yet.

England play two friendlies against Spain and France next month and that should provide an indicator of how far this team has come after the horror showing at Brazil in 2014. England were not favorites to qualify from their group in Brazil, but the way they went out without winning a single game was disappointing. Even against Costa Rica, they couldn't score a goal.

Now where does the problem lie for England? Undoubtedly, they have quality. Hart is a fine goalkeeper. Defence is probably their weakest area with John Stones the better of the lot. England's defence was never really tested in their qualification matches. England also lack a proper defensive minded midfielder but they never had to use a defensive midfielder in their qualification games. When facing teams like Germany and France, these weaknesses could be brutally exposed.

Further up, England has a very talented and youthful midfield with the likes of Barkley, Wilshere, Sterling and Chamberlain. All of them are very creative and talented players but can they respond when their team is in crisis? Once you go 2-0 down, can these players inspire a comeback? We have never gotten the chance to see that yet, in truth. But that will be something Hodgson needs to look at.

England have a lot of striking options with Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck all offering Hodgson a variety of options.

Wayne Rooney is the most experienced player of the lot and his form will be a big worry for Hodgson. England needs players like Rooney to be able to respond when the team is in crisis and this young lot has not yet proved their credentials in that aspect. Hodgson may even drop Rooney from the team if his form doesn't improve.

But again, England has so far beaten whatever has been put in front of them and who knows, we might see an unlikely hero rise in the Euros next summer.

@ManUtd @Fellaini So then he didn't help...

— ️ (@TheTeamForMe) October 10, 2015

@ManUtd @Fellaini how can he help his national team and he's unused 😂😂?

— Mohammed. (@MHMD_MUFC) October 10, 2015

@ManUtd @Fellaini that made as much sense as your defence did last Sunday

— Rob Ross (@gooner145) October 10, 2015