Group A: Poland,
Greece, Russia, Czech Republic
It’s fair to say the host nation Poland would’ve taken this group if offered it before the
tournament, and I feel they’ll progress from the weakest group of the tournament.
The Borussia Dortmund duo of Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Blaszczykowski are a
threat, and in their recently friendly results they’ve not only put in good performances
but achieved good results. Prediction: 1st.
Russia in 2008
lit the tournament up and despite some of their key players from that squad now
the wrong side of 30 I still fancy them to qualify along with the hosts. With
an attacking quartet of Andrey Arshavin, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Pavel Pogrebnyak
and Alan Dzagoev they should score goals, and against defensive minded Greece
and the Czech Republic that should be enough to see them edge through. Prediction: 2nd.
Czech Republic
only had themselves to blame for failing to get out of their Euro 2008 group (letting
a 2-0 lead slip against Turkey) and since then their squad has decreased in
quality. Some of their under21 squad that did so well at last year’s Under21
European Championship are likely to be included; however I think they’ll
narrowly miss out. Prediction: 3rd.
Since winning the tournament in 2004, Greece has unfairly received abuse for their defensive displays at
both Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. To put it simply they lack any real goal
scoring threat, meaning defensively they have to be strong. I don’t think they’ll
be the whipping boys of the group, I expect all four teams to have a chance
going into the final group game; however I don’t think Greece have enough about them to
progress. Prediction: 4th.
League predictions
Poland 1 Greece 1, Russia 2 Czech Republic 1
Poland 2 Russia 1, Czech Republic 1 Greece 0
Poland 2 Czech Republic 0, Russia 2 Greece 0.
Group top scorer: Pavel Pogrebnyak
Shock of the group: Poland to beat group favourites Russia.
Group B: Holland,
Denmark, Germany, Portugal
Not only is Group B the strongest, it’s also the hardest to
predict; however I’m tipping them to win it so I’ve got to go with them to top
the group, Germany. Their squad has
improved since a good run at the 2010 World Cup, and their knowhow at
tournaments is vital. Joachim Loew has done a brilliant job with a young
Germany and I think they’ll top the group. Prediction:
1st
After another brilliant qualify campaign Holland go into the tournament
confident, and if they can keep their injury prone match winners fit I.E. Arjen
Robben, Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder, then there is nothing stopping
them winning the tournament. Despite a good defensive record at the 2010 World Cup,
Holland’s suspect area is at the back, and for me come the latter stages of the
tournament the brilliant sides will expose that; however I think they’ll progress,
narrowly, through the group. Prediction:
2nd.
A hugely disappointing World Cup saw Denmark fail to get out a favourable group (Holland, Japan and
Cameroon). However at Euro 2012 they’ve been pitted against three of Europe’s
finest, and I can’t see them progressing. They did top their qualifying group,
which included Portugal, and I think their qualifying counterparts out for the
league’s 3rd spot. Prediction:
3rd.
Boasting Europe’s best player in Cristiano Ronaldo, many
think Portugal could knock out one of the tournament favourites in the group
stages; however for me the Portuguese camp is divided, with the likes of
Ricardo Carvalho and Tiago retiring from international duty. On their day they
could easily win the group, but for me they won’t. Prediction: 4th.
League predictions
Holland 2 Denmark 0, Germany 2 Portugal 1
Holland 1 Germany 1, Denmark 2 Portugal 1
Holland 1 Portugal 1, Germany 3 Denmark 1
Group top scorer: Mario Gomez
Shock of the group: Denmark to beat Portugal
Group C: Spain,
Italy, Republic of Ireland, Croatia
There is only one side who are going to top the group for me
and that’s the current holders Spain.
Despite winning the World Cup they struggled to score goals, and with David
Villa injured and Fernando Torres horribly out of form, their wastefulness could
rear its ugly head; however their midfield is the best in the world and will
send them through. Prediction: 1st.
Italy defended
their World Cup throne with a whimper in the Summer of 2010, and despite a
strong qualifying campaign where they only conceded two goals; and despite an
overhaul of the old guard that were so poor in South Africa, I’ve just a hunch
that’ll lose to Croatia. Prediction: 3rd.
Make no mistake about it the Irish deserve their place at
the tournament; however in such a strong group I can’t see them finishing
anywhere else but bottom. They lack real quality and when your best player is
your goalkeeper you’re going to be in trouble. I think they might get a point
against Croatia and Italy; however they’ll lose to Spain and two draws won’t
see you through. Prediction: 4th.
League predictions
Spain 2 Italy 0, Ireland 1 Croatia 1
Spain 4 Ireland 0, Croatia 2 Italy 1
Italy 2 Ireland 1, Spain 2 Croatia 1
Group top scorer: Nikica Jelavic
Shock of the tournament: Croatia to edge out Italy for second
Group D: Ukraine,
Sweden, France, England
Patriotic? Maybe. Excited? Definitely. Optimistic? Yeah a
little. Can we top the group? Yeah! Will we? That’s a totally different question
all together. On paper it’s a nice group for us, and I expect us to beat Sweden
and Ukraine who are both average sides. We need to top the group to avoid Spain
in the quarters and I’m hoping that incentive will be enough for England to top the group even without
Wayne Rooney for the first two games. Prediction:
1st.
I think France has
put to bed the ghost of Raymond Domenech and under Laurent Blanc are a better
side. Despite nearly letting qualification slip to Bosnia, they come to Euro
2012 with a brilliant squad for of fantastic individuals. If they play as a
team they could even win it. I think they will narrowly lose top spot to
England but will progress into the knock out rounds. Prediction: 2nd.
Sweden qualified
as the best runners-up; however they won’t be getting second in this group. Zlatan
Ibrahimovic aside they’ve got no world-class players and they’re better ones
are ageing, they could get something on their day against all three sides in
the group, saying that I don’t think they will. Prediction: 4th.
League predictions
Ukraine 1 Sweden 0, France 1 England 1
Ukraine 1 France 1, Sweden 0 England 2
England 2 Ukraine 1, France 3 Sweden 2
Group top scorer: Karim Benzema
Predicted knock out rounds
Quarter finals
Poland vs. Holland – Despite being the host nation, Holland
should have too much for Poland and will win by a couple of goals.
Spain vs. France – I’ve got a sneaky feeling this would be a
close one and Spain would edge through in extra time.
Germany vs. Russia – This is the stage of the tournament
where Germany really get going and I fancy them to have too much for Russia.
England vs. Croatia – England to bury the demons of Euro
2008 qualifying with a narrow win.
Semi finals
Holland vs. Spain – A re-run of the 2010 World Cup final,
and I fancy Spain to edge it again by a goal.
England vs. Germany – Ok this is when I wake up and realise
England will be defeated. Germany by two goals.
Final
A repeat of Euro 2008, simply because they are the two best
countries in Europe; however Germany to win this one.
Top goalscorer –
Karim Benzema, France
Player of the
tournament – Mesut Ozil, Germany
Shock of the
tournament – Croatia to beat Italy
First red card - Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Greece
I wouldn't discount Greece against European opposition. Bear in mind their world cup was played against 3 non-European teams. You are right about the Czechs though, another factor which hinders them is the often bizarre selection policy, chopping and changing the young players who come in. Unfortunately for them their previous dynamic of fast counter attacks isn;t available to them anymore. Spot on I would say on Group A being low scoring, and Poland getting through too. In group B I think Portugal might surprise you. They have an annoying knack of beating similarly levelled opposition, so they could get it right at least once against Germany or Holland. In C (the group of debt) I expect Croatia to not do terribly well, they were pretty fortunate to qualify, their 2008 team set a ridiculously high bar that incoming players are yet to meet... though players like Jelavic are beggining to fill the void. (It's worth noting that they haven't managed to replace Davor Suker in terms of a striker who performs on the international stage). I actually think Ireland could surprise a few people and sneak out of the group. In Group D don't hold your breath on England beating Sweden that's for sure. I think Blanc has the know how to get it right at at international tournament, so we could see a revived France making a genuine challenge. Ukraine have too weak a team. First red card: Someone for Croatia who loses their temper... Ognjen Vukojevic perhaps.
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