This summer is one filled with quality soccer. Stateside we have the Copa America, later in the season we have the Olympics in Brazil where the likes of Neymar will compete, and likely the best of all the summer competitions, the Euro Cup, starts this week.

What makes the Euro Cup the best tournament in soccer - even better than the World Cup according to some - is that it's only the best players and best teams facing each other. Unlike the World Cup, you won't see France playing a team the likes of South Korea. Instead you see France take on the likes of Spain, England or Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. 

2016 figures to play out a bit differently than the past two editions, where Spain won-back-to-back titles and became the first national squad to book end a World Cup win with continental titles. This year however, the Spanish enter not as heavily favored as they might have been in 2012. A bit older, and with the world better caught up to the tiki-taka style, they are not the unstoppable force they were from 2008 to 2012. 

That said, they should win their group and at least get to the semifinals. There they could face England or Portugal, neither of whom would come is as a favorite in that match up. 

Therefore if Spain doesn't come in as the favorite, who would? That mantle would likely be taken up by the 2008 runners up, and current World Cup champions Germany. They have a side with youth yet are battle tested and cohesive. Toni Kroos picked a great time to pick up his form while helping Real Madrid to the Champions League title, and Thomas Mueller could play the role of Miroslav Klose and lead the tournament in goals scored. 

Many are betting on a 2008 rematch where Germany lost to Spain 1-0. Should it play out like that, it should be a classic final. Germany have as a cohesive and experienced side as any, while Spain have finally found how to effectively mix their best generation of soccer players with needed youthful energy.

All this talk about their neighbors likely gets hosts France worked up a bit, as they have immense talent in their starting XI. Even with doubts over whether striker Karim Benzema will be made available, the French can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Although, this is France, who have imploded several times on big stages. Think Zinedine Zidane's red card in the 2006 World Cup Final, or how they gave up in the group stages at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. I wouldn't put it past them to exhibit a similar self-inflicted catastrophe in 2016.

The action kicks off on Friday June 10, with France taking on Romania at the Stade de France in Paris.

Photo: Flickr/Dan Farrimond