Euro 2012 Preview and Predictions

Liverpool won the Carling Cup. Manchester City won the Premier League. Chelsea won the FA Cup and Champions League. The only thing left to determine, who will win Euro 2012? With the European Championships just around the corner I thought I would offer my thoughts on each team, and my predictions for the tournament (those of a betting nature would be wise to put all your money on the exact opposite of what is written here!)

Group A

Czech Republic

A hardworking team that will try and catch teams on the break, much of their attacking force will be determined by Arsenal’s Tomas Rosicky. It was their captain Petr Cech that cost them further progress 4 years ago, but he has picked up form more recently, and with a Champions League winners’ medal will look to inspire his country from the back. Despite not having as an exciting team that previous Czech teams have, they have a good chance to make it out of what is the weakest group in the tournament.

Prediction: Will fall slightly short at the first hurdle.

Greece

Surprised everyone 8 years ago to win Euro 2004; they demonstrated that football is a team game, and not simply won by star individuals. That principle is still held onto in this Greek team, and this time they potentially offer slightly more going forward. They won their group convincingly, only conceding 5 times and not losing a game. They are not the most pleasant on the eye but will not be pushovers; however I do not think they will come anyway near matching the feat of their heroics in Portugal.

Prediction: Early exit at the group stage

Poland

Qualified as hosts and so have lacked any competitive matches, but nonetheless put in one or two impressive results in friendlies in their build up.  The beat a young Argentina side and were unlucky not to beat a strong German team last year, denied by a last minute goal. Whether playing at home helps them to raise their game or put them further under pressure is yet to be seen, but their progress could be largely down to one of Europe’s hottest properties at the moment, Robert Lewandowski. He was player of the year in Germany, and the Borussia Dortmund striker could use the tournament as a spring board to convince a team like Manchester United that he is worth the hype.

Prediction: Will surprise a few and please the home crowd by making it out of the group into the quarter finals.

Russia

Although it was Spain that won 4 years ago, much of Euro 2008 will be remembered for Russia lighting up the tournament and Andrey Arshavin in particular exploding onto the European scene, even if everyone was already waiting for it to happen. He and rest of the team are 4 years older, and do not look quite as dynamic this time round, however Alan Dzagoev could be one of the young stars of the tournament playing behind the striker(s). Much will depend on their opening game against the Czech Republic, but Russia should be favourites to qualify from this group.

Prediction: Quarter-finalists.

Group B

Denmark

Everyone’s favourites to finish bottom of group B, Denmark should not be underestimated. They qualified as group winners, forcing group opponents Portugal into the playoffs to even make the tournament. They have a solid defensive unit, and Christian Eriksen could well be one of the stars of the tournament. I think they will struggle to get into the knockout stages, but could upset the bookmakers and may very well decide who does progress with their results.

Prediction: Just fail to get out of the group, but will surprise a few.

Germany

An exciting mix of exceptional young players and experienced players that have performed well in tournament football before, the Germans could be the team to beat. Perhaps slightly more vulnerable on penalties than they were a couple of weeks ago, it may be a cliché, but the Germans more often than not seem to be able to perform well under pressure on the biggest stage. Think they are the most likely team to get out of what has been labelled the ‘group of death’ and they will be a formidable match for anyone.

Prediction: Will make the final but will go the way of the Bayern Munich and fall at the final hurdle. Runners-up.

Netherlands

Often play some of the best football at tournaments and then fail to deliver when it really matters. Matched Spain right until the end in the World Cup final 2 years ago, and I have a feeling they may go one better this time round. The biggest concern is that Van Persie has carried Arsenal for so long this season that he may not have enough left in the tank to fire them to glory, however they have many match winners in their team; they have a real chance of glory.

Prediction: Will head back home with the trophy.

Portugal

Had to qualify through the play-offs after only coming second to group winners Denmark. Were impressive against Bosnia and can boast the best player from Europe in their ranks. The rest of the Portugal team do not quite rank alongside Ronaldo’s class and I think they may struggle to get out of the group. Can upset any team on their day, however, I think they may come unstuck before they have a chance to fully demonstrate that.

Prediction: Early exit from the competition.

Group C

Croatia

It was not long ago that Croatia were made to look like world beaters by England, playing attractive attacking football. Since they denied England a place at Euro 2008, they haven’t quite been at their best. Modric is the heart of their team, but despite his great creative talent, they haven’t got the players to punish teams and I think they may struggle to pick up many points this time round.

Prediction: A disappointing tournament, that is over before it really begins.

Italy

Trying to move away from what is seen as typical defensive play; Italy nonetheless had the best defensive record in qualifying. Difficult to score against, and they have the joker in the pact in Mario Balotelli; their campaign could come down to what mood he is in. With Rossi injured, ‘Super Mario’ is going to be called on more than most expected, and he has the potential to truly demonstrate the talent that he promises. They have a very difficult first game against the holders, and their final group game against the Irish could well be a knock-out game to see who makes the quarter finals.

Prediction: An Irish upset will send the Azzurri home earlier than expected.

Republic of Ireland

Under their Italian manager the Republic have become extremely difficult to beat and picked up some impressive results. Although, much will be made of their fans bringing colour and vibrancy to the tournament, their passion and commitment on the pitch will be just as impressive. They play a system that works for them and they play as a team. If they can get a win against Croatia it will give them confidence against the two favourites in the group and they could well cause an upset.

Prediction: Will make it past the group stages.

Spain

Only a few weeks ago it was all set for Barcelona and Real Madrid to fight it out it between them to determine who would be crowned the best team in Europe. Chelsea and Bayern Munich demonstrated that there is more than one way to play football, and the disappointment by the players from these two clubs could have an effect on morale and belief in the team. Not quite as good as their teams that won the previous European Championship or World Cup, Spain should nonetheless still put up a good challenge in defending their title, and play in style that will please the neutral fans. They still boast a wealth of talent and getting the right balance could be difficult.

Prediction: Unlucky losers might not even make the final.

Group D

England

New manager, new captain (kind of) and fresh faces. That is how it has been played out by some. The inclusion of Oxlade-Chamberlain is exciting, and the team has a good balance overall. Many of the squad have won trophies this year, with Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea, and an English team has even beaten most of the German team on penalties. Despite a late surge of optimism, I feel England will have to perform well to get out of the group stages. All 3 group games are going to be tough matches, and the first game against a good and underestimated France team could well set the tone for England in the tournament, much like the disappointing draw against the US did two years ago in the World Cup. The friendly against Norway, although including lots of players that may not feature heavily in the tournament, does demonstrate that Hodgson will make the team hard to beat, but scoring goals could be an issue. Injuries have not helped the new manger, with both Barry and Lampard being big loses, but perhaps a couple of unpopular picks could surprise and impressive during the tournament.

Prediction: I can’t wait to be proven wrong, but I can’t see more than what England do best – a heroic quarter-final exit

France

Stuttered slightly in qualifying, but did top their group and are unbeaten in 18 games going into final preparations for the tournament. Of all the realistic contenders to win Euro 2012, France appear to the dark horses, un-fancied by many that tarnish them with inward fighting that destroyed their World Cup two years ago. This is a younger, more skillful side that are well organised by Blanc and offer considerable threat going forward. If I was looking for a good bet to win, this is where my money would be; good odds and will be underestimated by many. Players like Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa could prove on the international stage just how good they are.

Prediction: Will make the semis.

Sweden

The team that has never been beaten by England in a competitive match. They also seem to perform well if slightly under the radar in major competitions and I think it will be similar again this time round. Much of their progress will most likely be determined by the form of Ibrahimovic, coming off a season where he has failed to win a league title for the first time since 2003. Roy Hodgson must not take them lightly, and he knows this, his experience of Scandinavia is something at least the Swedes are wary of.

Prediction: Will beat Ukraine and to upset the hosts, but think England will finally find a way to get a win against their bogey team - early exit at group stage.

Ukraine

All the talk before the tournament on Ukraine has been on the bad infrastructure and the worry and potential racial problems that nearly no time has been given to their team. Shevchenko will still spearhead their attack, a few years after he proved at Chelsea that he is way past his best. They will not be beaten easily, but without any competitive football over the past couple of years, I struggle to see the hosts win a match, let alone make it past the group stages in their own backyard.

Prediction: Will be left to watch the business end of the tournament from the sidelines.