Euro 2012 opening round of fixtures

On first viewing the Euro 2012 opening fixtures hardly whetted the appetite of most football fans, with the Group of deaths early exchanges leaving most fans hoping the second day would come around quickly; however roles were reversed as Group A kicked off the tournament in spectacular style whilst the likes of Portugal and Germany left us wanting to flick off to see Brazil Argentina on the other side.

Co-hosts Poland came out of the trap quickly against Greece, roared on brilliant by their home fans, however despite being up against 10 men they allowed their opponents back into the game and will see it as two points dropped rather then on gained. In the second game of the evening Russia were superb going forward and would've had more if it wasn't for the wastefulness of Alexander Kerzhakov. The Czech Republic were poor, and will have to improve dramatically, all be it against weaker sides, if they are to stand any chance of progression.

The Euro 1992 Champions Denmark stunned many peoples outside bets for the title Holland, in Group B's opening match. A combination of poor finishing and brilliant defending meant Michael Krohn-Dehli's first half strike was enough. Germany were the better side against Portugal; however without reaching their brilliant best had just about enough about them to see of their opponents. In a more clinical then fantastic display, Mario Gomez highlighted his threat in the box with a predatory header, whilst Portugal can only dream of a out and out goalscorer like Gomez, with Paul Bento's side ruing their lack of a real world class centre forward.

The Brondby play maker scoring what proved to be the winner

Sunday brought about Group C which saw the holders and World Cup champions Spain take on Italy. Italy used the three at back formation, a popular one in Serie A all season, with Roma holding midfielder Daniele De Rossi playing the libero role, which worked as Spain, without a reconsigned striker, struggled to get in behind a resolute Italian side. Cesare Prandelli's side threatened heavily on the counter attacked and deserved their lead, which was given to them by substitute Antonio Di Natale; however they didn't hold on for the victory as Cesc Fabregas finished off a brilliant team move.

The groups second match saw Croatia have too much quality for Group C's underdogs Ireland. Two goals from Mario Mandukic and a vital Nikica Jelavic finish on the strike of half-time meant Sean St.Ledger's headed equaliser at 1-1 was irrelevant as Slaven Bilic's side got off the to the ideal start.



Yesterday England kicked off their campaign and gained a solid point against group favourites France. Roy Hodgson's England were strong defensively, restricting a technically brilliant French side to long range efforts. Joleon Lescott had given England the lead as he headed home a superb Steven Gerrard free-kick; however his side couldn't reach half-time on level terms as Samir Nasri beat Joe Hart at his near post from 20 yards. Neither side really threatened a winner and the point was a fair result.

The co-hosts Ukraine came from behind to beat Sweden thanks to two goals from the iconic Andriy Shevchenko. Ukraine showed character as it looked like Zlatan Ibrahimovic had spoiled their party; however two headers from the former Chelsea man turned the game on its head, in doing so giving the Swede's a very small chance of progression with the two strongest sides left to face.

Euro 2012 Predictions

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: 1^st.

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: 2^nd.

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: 3^rd.

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: 4^th.

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: 1^st

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: 2^nd.

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 3^rd spot. Prediction: 3^rd.

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: 4^th.

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: 1^st.

There is always one group shock and I’m going for it here, I fancy Croatia to edge out Italy for the second qualifying spot in group C. I think they’ve got worse since their last European Championships; however they’ve a strong midfield and two good goal scorers in Eduardo and Nikica Jelavic and I think they’ll beat Italy in what’ll be the group game of these Championships. Prediction: 2^nd.

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: 3^rd.

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: 4^th.

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: 1^st.

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: 2^nd.

The tournament is the perfect end to a fantastic career for Andriy Shevchenko who has been Ukraine’s greatest ever footballer; however despite beating Sweden in their opener they won’t progress for me. If they weren’t hosting the tournament I don’t think they would have qualified, but home advantage means they should edge Sweden for third. Prediction: 3^rd.

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: 4^th.

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

My euro 2012 squad

Goalkeepers
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
John Ruddy (Norwich)
Ben Foster (West Brom)

Defenders
Micah Richards (Manchester City)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
Phil Jones (Manchester United)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Joleon Lescott (Manchester City)
Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
Leighton Baines (Everton)

Midfielders
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
James Milner (Manchester City)
Scott Parker (Tottenham)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Adam Johnson (Manchester City)
Ashley Young (Manchester United)
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Forwards
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Darren Bent (Aston Villa)
Jermaine Defoe (Tottenham)
Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)

Euro 2012 seeding

The draw for the Euro 2012 group stages will be made on the 2nd December, however the seeding for the groups has already been done. Ukraine and Poland as host nations are placed in the 1st seed pot, alongside the holders Spain and Holland.

1st seeds
Ukraine
Poland
Spain
Holland

2nd seeds
Germany
Italy
England
Russia

3rd seeds
Croatia
Greece
Portugal
Sweden

4th seeds
Denmark
France
Czech Republic
Ireland

England's worst case scenario
Spain
England
Portgual
France

England's best case scenario
Poland
England
Greece
Ireland

Ireland’s Long absentee list, shouldn’t stop them in Tallinn

Ireland’s recent 2-1 success over Armenia secured a second consecutive play-off berth under the Italian Giovanni Trapattoni

Thierry Henry’s handball so infamously cost Ireland dear as they narrowly failed to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, yet having drawn the weakest side in Estonia, the Irish go into this double header as favourites.

The recent injury to Shane Long means Ireland goes into the away leg in Tallinn with limited numbers in the striker force area. Kevin Doyle’s red card in the 2-1 win over Armenia rules the Wolves striker out of the first game and with the in-form Leon Best also ruled out, Trapattoni looks set to partner the Republic’s all time record scorer Robbie Keane with Stoke’s Jonathan Walters.

The Italian manager has an incredible record as Ireland manager and is yet to lose a competitive away game in his spell in charge. Further injuries look set to rule out John O’Shea and Darren Gibson; however I still expect Trapattoni’s impressive record to continue.

Estonia, possibly fortuitously, made the play-offs after only winning half of their 10 group games, which included four defeats. Serbia’s obvious quality was undone by their inconsistency, and the highly talented squad should’ve at least made second in a group Trapattoni’s native Italy topped.

Ireland have been good defensively of late and that’s why I am going for them to steal a first leg advantage in Estonia.

Euro 2012 play off predictions

Estonia 0 Ireland 1

Turkey 2 Croatia 1

Czech Republic 1 Montenegro 0

Bosnia 1 Portugal 1