Europe's paramount soccer tournament, Euro 2016, begins tonight in France, with the hosts taking on Romania in a Group 'A' game at the Stade de France, the national stadium on the northern outskirts of Paris. The four-week feast of football will see a record 24 nations competing for the coveted Trophy. In all, 51 matches will be played in 31 days spread across France. The host country, who were winners in 1984 and 2000 will carry the hopes of a nation still coming to terms with last year's militant attacks.While defending champions Spain are seeking to make it a hat-trick, World Champion Germany will be targeting a first Euro title in 20 years. Another strong contender, England, will seek their first international success since the World Cup of 1966. Northern Ireland, Albania, Iceland, Slovakia and Wales are all appearing for the first time in the tournament which is second only to the World Cup in terms of prestige and not too far behind in quality.