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Germany defender Boateng questions England's quality

May 26, 2016 16:57 IST

IMAGE: Germany's Jerome Boateng (right) challenges Armenia's Ghazaryan during their international friendly on Friday Photographs: Ralph Orlowski/Reuters.

Germany central defender Jerome Boateng has questioned whether England have enough quality to excel at next month's European Championship.

Despite having the world's richest league, England go into the competition in France having not won a major tournament since landing the 1966 World Cup on home soil.

"England beat us 3-2 in Berlin (in March) but I do not know if in matters of quality and consistency they have enough for an entire tournament," Boateng told German Railway DB Mobil magazine.

IMAGE: England coach Gary Neville celebrates with Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Ross Barkley and Jordan Henderson after the victory against Germany. Photograph:Reuters.

Roy Hodgson's men came from two goals down to defeat the world champions in their friendly earlier this year.

"Spain, France and Belgium are in my opinion candidates for the semi-finals," said Boateng. "Along with our team of course."

The Germans, who won the World Cup for a fourth time in 2014, have reached at least the semi-finals of every major tournament since 2006 and face Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland in the Euro 2016 group stages.

England take on Russia, Slovakia and Wales in Group B of the 24-team tournament that starts on June 10.

Source: REUTERS
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