Euro 2016 finally kicked off on Friday with hosts France picking up a decent win over Romania in the first version of an expanded Euro Championship with 24 teams. It is early but so far there have been no indication of a dilution in quality with the teams. On the contrary, as Wales have shown, smaller countries are making the most of their opportunity and bringing extra passion to the Euros. Sadly, that isn't the only extra happening in this tournament as in Marseille, fans kicked off proceedings by stomping each other for days.

While the French and the Welsh were winning, the English showed they are still averse to starting off tournaments with a bang as they drew 1-1 with ­Russia. Despite dominating the game with ­almost unbelievable ease at times and scoring first, England still ­allowed ­Russia to level in extra time with a ­header from a cross. England should have scored more than one goal given their dominance and not allowed the Russians to have managed that last-ditch attack.

England manager Roy Hodgson faces some tough questions about his tactics and decisions, such as leaving Jamie Vardy on the bench and sticking him there for the whole game, and ­letting striker Harry Kane take corners. While Hodgson started the game with a very attacking lineup including Kane, Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling, it was different from those in the recent ­friendlies. Hodgson may be showing he can be adventurous but there is a danger that by tinkering too much, he may be over-complicating things.

For Wales, their opening 2-1 win over Slovakia came as a joyful bonus following their happiness at just being at the Euro Championship finals for the first time. They showed little signs of nerves at being on the big stage and competently handled a dangerous Slovakian side which had beaten Germany 3-1 in a friendly less than two weeks ago. With Gareth Bale in fine form, scoring Wales' first goal, and team spirit and cohesion high, Wales did better than England, who they will face on Thursday in a highly anticipated Group B match.

Hosts France are highly favored but they had to overcome a surprisingly tough Romania side to come out with their opening day 2-1 victory. While their much-­vaunted midfield will need to kick it up a notch in their following games, Dimitri Payet was excellent and showed why he was one of the Premiership's best players this past season. 

There will be games every day of this week and next during the group stage, and let's hope the action will be ­restricted to on the pitch as opposed to off.

The author is a Hong Kong-based freelance writer. hcpyip@gmail.com