The tournament hosts always feel the pressure more than anyone and there were a few jitters in Friday night's opener against Romania before Dimitri Payet scored a last-minute stunner to win it.
However, the most important thing was the three points for starters and so France, one of the clear tournament favourites, have made the perfect start and clearly have much more to offer.
Prediction: Could still go all the way.
SWITZERLAND
Fancied by most to advance from this group, the Swiss were made to work very hard by 10-man Albania in their opening match and were grateful to Fabian Schar's early header.
They did have the better of the play but could well have come away with only a point after late chances.
Nonetheless, a win is a win and they should still qualify.
Prediction: Will still make the last-16.
ROMANIA
Impressed many by not reverting to defensive type and having a good go at France in the tournament opener.
While you still wouldn't expect them to advance too far beyond the group, there is every chance they'll get a positive result against Albania and Switzerland in their remaining games and perhaps could sneak through in third.
Prediction: Have a good chance of being one of the best third-placed teams.
ALBANIA
Missed some good late chances to get an unexpected point against Switzerland having been reduced to 10 men during the first-half.
But it's France up next and only an heroic performance is likely to prolong their stay at this tournament beyond then.
Prediction: Heading out, but with heads held high.
GROUP B
ENGLAND
Though left deflated by Russia's last-minute equaliser in Marseille, there was enough positivity in England's performance to suggest they will comfortably progress.
Next up are a Wales side that will be fired up but England should prove too strong for them, while Slovakia should be a formality.
Prediction: Still on course to go far in the tournament despite Russia draw.
WALES
Performed brilliantly to beat Slovakia and put themselves on course to reach the knockout stages, and if they can get a point against England, they're pretty much through.
Gareth Bale and co will be desperate to upset their neighbours in Lens, but passion might not quite prove enough.
Prediction: On course for the last-16.
RUSSIA
Were limited in their ambition against England but their perseverance and a wasteful opponent saw them come away with a barely-deserved point.
Should beat Slovakia on Monday, setting them up nicely to qualify from their final game with Wales, even if few expect them to get a lot further.
All this is, of course, assuming their rioting fans behave themselves and don't get them thrown out.
Prediction: Last-16 appears to be their limit.
SLOVAKIA
They did enjoy their moments against Wales and dominated a fair bit of the second-half, only to come away empty-handed following Hal Robson-Kanu's winner.
Showed enough to suggest they might get something from their encounter with Russia but don't expect them to trouble England.
Prediction: Going out.
GROUP C
GERMANY
Delivered England a lesson in how to see out a close match as they beat Ukraine 2-0 to take command of their group while demonstrating the ruthless efficiency we've come to expect.
With Poland and then Northern Ireland to come, it's hard to envisage the world champions not topping the group, a springboard for a title challenge.
Prediction: Still very much on course to go all the way.
POLAND
Their 1-0 win over a defensive and unadventurous Northern Ireland side was far more comfortable than the narrow scoreline suggested.
And a point against Germany - a side they beat in qualifying - on Thursday night would effectively seal their progress. Failing that, you'd fancy them to overcome Ukraine.
Prediction: Potentially on course for the last eight.
UKRAINE
Did trouble Germany, forcing Manuel Neuer into some good saves and Jerome Boateng into a goalline clearance, and will have gained some confidence despite the 2-0 loss.
A win over Northern Ireland on Thursday would bring them right back into contention, especially for one of the third-place qualification spot.
Prediction: Might squeeze through from third place.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Showed a disappointing lack of ambition against Poland and probably should have lost by more.
With Germany awaiting in their final group match, Michael O'Neill's team really must go for broke when they take on Ukraine in what is a very winnable fixture.
If they don't get more than a point, you have to say it's curtains.
Prediction: All rests on them beating Ukraine.
GROUP D
SPAIN
Left it very late to beat the Czech Republic thanks to a Gerard Pique winner having dominated and you sense the defending champions have plenty more gears to click through.
You would fancy them to beat both Turkey and Croatia to take their place in the knockout stage as group winners.
Prediction: Still on course to go all the way.
CROATIA
Set themselves up nicely to advance with a thoroughly deserved win over a sub-par Turkey side in Paris, with Luka Modric's impressive goal the icing on the cake.
Will be desperate to get another positive result against the Czech Republic on Friday, which would secure their passage into the last-16.
Prediction: Could surprise a few in the knockout stage.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Probably didn't expect to get anything against Spain, so will view the upcoming game against Croatia as another start to their competition.
Having lost only 1-0, it's unlikely they'll be too embarrassed and now have every chance to prove themselves against similar-quality opposition.
Prediction: Could well still advance to the knockout stage.
TURKEY
Failed to impress against Croatia and could have few complaints about their narrow defeat following a sub-standard performance.
They will need to show instant signs of improvement in order to stay in the competition but, unfortunately for them, it's Spain up next.
Prediction: You have to fear for them.
GROUP E
ITALY
Looked really good against Belgium, showing excellent game management to protect their first-half lead and then make absolutely sure late on.
The performance, in what is their toughest game of the group, may cause a few pundits to revise up their expectations of the Italians and a win over Sweden will see them through.
Prediction: May advance further than we thought.
BELGIUM
Flopped in the game with Italy under the burden of high expectations that this will be the 'Golden Generation's' tournament at last.
Now their match with the Republic of Ireland on Saturday is a must-win, otherwise it will be a bitterly disappointing early exit for such a talented side.
Prediction: The heat is on but you'd still back them to progress.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Couldn't hold on against Sweden in their opener but showed plenty of quality and went close to adding further goals throughout.
But that will only offer Martin O'Neill's side encouragement ahead of a difficult test against Belgium this weekend.
Prediction: Still have every chance of making the last-16.
SWEDEN
Were second best for a long spells against the Irish in what should have been their most-winnable match, but at least they came away with a point for starters.
However, with Italy and then Belgium still to come, you do fear that Zlatan and his compatriots may only be having a short stay in France.
Prediction: Hanging by a thread.
GROUP F
PORTUGAL
Will have been annoyed not to take maximum points from their opening match against Iceland, with plenty of chances going begging.
However, with matches against Austria and Hungary still to come, expect them to progress into the last-16 with a bit to spare.
Prediction: Still fancy them to reach the quarters at least.
HUNGARY
Surprised a few on their return to the competition with an assured win over neighbours Austria and have suddenly positioned themselves to make it through.
They'll aim to keep that momentum going against Iceland on Saturday and get through ahead of their final-day meeting with Portugal.
Prediction: Well-placed to make it through now.
ICELAND
Perfomed brilliantly to gain an unexpected point against Portugal, managing to keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet.
Next up are Hungary and, even with a draw, they'd still have a good chance of getting through with Austria their matchday three opponents.
Prediction: Might yet make it through, against all expectations.
AUSTRIA
Will be bitterly disappointed with the way they played against Hungary as they lost all discipline to end the game with 10-men.
They now face a Portugal team who need a win on Saturday and could well be out of the tournament by 10pm.
Prediction: Not looking too bright for them.
