28. EURO 2012 PREVIEW

With Euro 2012 starting this Friday, I have decided to do a preview of each group and where I think each team will get to.

Group A:

Poland
Russia
Greece
Czech Republic

I call Group A the Eastern Europe Group for obvious reasons. Based on FIFA's world rankings, Russia and Greece should run away with this group. Russia is ranked 11th in the world, Greece a little behind in 14th. With the Czechs in 26th place and Poland all the way down in 65th, you would think that the Vladimirs and the Kostas would have this group wrapped up? Wrong, I see this group being filled with 0-0's and the occasional 1-0 or 2-1 win for Russia. Yes Greece went unbeaten on their way to winning their qualifying group (7-3-0) but they only scored more then 2 goals in one game, against Malta who finished with 1 point. The Greeks are a terribly aged side with only 4 players aged 22 or under. Poland will use their "home court advantage" and most likely earn a win or 1-2 draws to throw the group on it's head. Their goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny has had a great season in the Premier League for the Arsenal and he will look to lead his side out of the group. All in all, I feel Russia will have enough to take the group but Poland could find themselves sneaking into 2nd place ahead of Greece and, sadly, the Czechs just don't have the creativity they once did to progress. They barely got 2nd place in their qualifying group (4-1-3 for a total of 13 points out of 24). Rosicky is in form and Petr Cech will be looking for more glory after winning the Champions League with Chelsea but playing for your club is one thing and playing for your country is another.

Prediction for Group A:

Russia
Poland
Greece
Czech Republic

Group B:

Germany
Netherlands (just)
Portugal
Denmark

The group of death! All four teams in this group are in the top 10 of FIFA's world ranking with Germany being ranked 2nd, the Netherlands 4th, Portugal 5th and Denmark 10th. This group could go any way possible as Denmark will be marked as the outsiders and least favourite to progress. However, they were in Portugal's qualifying group and finished about them by 3 points. In the two games they played against each other, Denmark won their home game 2-1 and lost in Portugal 1-0. The problem with Portugal was that they believed they would easily clear out this group but a 4-4 draw with Cyprus and conceding 3 goals at home to Iceland gave the group to Denmark who were clinical. They scored enough and conceded very little (just 6 goals in 8 games). Having said this, Portugal destroyed Bosnia in the playoffs to get to Euro 2012 with a 6-2 aggregate scoreline. Ronaldo showed why he is one of the best players on Earth and, if Portugal play every game like they did against Bosnia, Portugal should get out of this group. The key match will be Germany versus the Netherlands. Robin Van Persie, Dirk Kuyt and so on give the Dutch a strong presence upfront but Germany is clean cut, efficient and solid in their structure. They are second in the world for a reason. Germany went 10-0-0 in their qualifying group whilst the Dutch went 9-0-1 with ease. Mario Gomez, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos have been influencial for Bayern Munich in getting to the Champions League final (and outclassing Chelsea only to lose on penalties). Ozil helped Real Madrid win La Liga whilst Mario Gotze continues to have top teams chase him after his side, Borussia Dortmund won the German League and Cup double this season. I believe Germany will just about edge the Netherlands thus taking the group. Because of this, the Dutch will probably have to fight the Portuguese for 2nd place with Denmark sadly watching on from 4th. Overall, this group will provide 6 wonderful games with end to end football.

Prediction for Group B:

Germany
Netherlands (possibly on goal difference)
Portugal
Denmark

Group C:

Spain
Croatia
Italy
Republic of Ireland

One word: Spain. One has to feel sorry for the Republic of Ireland. Their first Euro appearance since 1988 and they are stuck in a group with former World and Euro champions and a Croatia side that has the potential to go a long way. Firstly, Spain will simply have to much talent for the Irish and possibly Croatia. The Spain versus Italy game could be a spanner in the works and, with it being the first game of Spain's Euro 2012 campaign, an upset by the Italians ranked 12th in the world, could spell trouble. However, Spain had a slow start to the 2012 World Cup and ended up winning it. As long as Spain stay tight at the back and do what the do best up front they will progress from the group alongside Italy (if the Italians can get a point or more off the Spaniards). Croatia may be ranked higher then Italy and Ireland but they struggled in their qualifying group, finishing second behind the aging Greeks. Luka Modric will be key for them in their bid to get to the knockout stages. He will look to exploit Spains back 4 which will be without their influencial Carlos Puyol. Ramos will most likely play centre back with Arbeloa coming in at right back. Fabregas is also a fitness issue so Spain will have to get a damaging result against the Irish with a certain Llorente looking to cement his place in the team ahead of Fernando Torres.

Prediction for Group C:

Spain (possibly on goal difference)
Italy
Croatia
Republic of Ireland

Group D:

France
Sweden
England
Ukraine

The Anglo-Saxon Group. The highlight of this group will be England against France, which happens to be the first game for both teams. Simply put: the winner of that game, wins the group. The loser will have to battle Sweden for 2nd. Ukraine, the co-hosts are simply not world class enough to have a chance. If they were in Group A they might have a chance against the Greeks and Czechs like Poland will but sadly, France and England are clear favourites here. France have to be all out favourites as England have many stars out such as Ferdinand, Barry and Cahill as well as Rooney missing the first few games due to suspension. Lampard is an injury concern alongside Parker but both should be ok for the competion's further stages. England may have to rely on young talent from the likes of Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Welbeck and Young but will it be enough to deal with Ribery, Benzema, Nasri and Malouda? If England are to win the match (and the group), they will need to exploit France's defence which is pretty thin. Yes they have Evra, Rami, Mexes, Koscielny and Clichy but apart from that, there is not much else that can stop England from creating chances. Andy Carroll's height will also cause the French some problems. That match aside, Ukraine and Sweden have the potential of drawing against each other. Ukraine will not want to finish on 0 points in front of their fans whilst Sweden will probably push forward too much, leaving gaps at the back. A potential 2-2 or 3-3 scoreline there and effectively ending both sides hopes of getting to the next stage.

Prediction for Group D:

England (just)
France
Sweden
Ukraine

Knockout Stages:

QF 1: Russia versus Netherlands

Too much firepower from the Dutch here. Arshavin and co. will not have an answer sadly. Possibly 2-1 or 3-1 for the Netherlands.

QF 2: Spain versus France

The first real epic clash of Euro 2012 due to it being in the knockout stages. This match could be decided on who has the least injuries. Spain's flare could see them just edge this. Otherwise, we could see our first penalty shootout of the tournament. Casillas is the world's best for a reason. Spain 1 France 1 (Spain in on penalties).

QF 3: Germany versus Poland

You have to feel for Poland. They do so well to get to this stage and they get Germany. But that's what happens when you reach the quarters of the Euro's. Germany will win this easily just because they have Mario Gomez. Germany 2-0 or 3-0.

QF 4: England versus Italy

A tasty match that England fans will be confident about. Rooney should be back in the team by now (if he isn't injured) and he could be the difference. His movement could be too much for the classic Italian defence that keeps it's line so well. If Carroll has built up some form from the group stage, we could see a Rooney-Carroll special. England 2-1 or more (if Rooney wants to make a statement).

SF 1: Netherlands versus Spain

The final of the 2010 World Cup and another classic. Simply put, Extra time drama. Llorente, Xavi and Iniesta against Mathijsen, Heitinga, de Jong and van Bommel will be the crucial battle. Whilst down the other  end, RVP, Robben and Sneijder will look to get Ramos and Pique out of position. A young Afellay might just shine against his Barcelona teammates here...I'm going with the Dutch with a late ET winner. 1-0.

SF 2: Germany versus England

The big one. The rivalry. England will be screaming "1966" whilst Germany will be answering back with "2010" when they humiliated a decent looking England team 4-1. This weaker England squad may rally for an upset but it's highly unlikely against the highly tuned Mercedes engine that is Germany. Germany 3-1.

THE FINAL:

Netherlands versus Germany

A rematch from the group stages and that result will count for nothing as both sides will be well oiled and running by now. No nerves, no potential upsets. This is one game, the final. Ideally I imagine a penalty shootout to cap off 120 minutes of pure football heaven. It is simply to hard to pick a winner. So I will put it down to who takes penalties better. Germany.

EURO 2012 WINNERS: GERMANY