With the start of Euro 2012 just a month away, SoccerReviews looks ahead to the tournament. With Group previews, predictions and a run through of each of the 16 teams in a future article, this article will be jam-packed with Euro 2012 goodness! From the stadiums, to the teams, to the football, this upcoming tournament promises to be the best ever, keep reading to find out why.
Group A: Poland, Russia, Greece, Czech Republic
Arguably the easiest group in the tournament, it’s hard to see where the clear winners of the group are coming from. Poland will look to make up for their disappointing time in the World Cup group qualifiers, after failing to qualify. Russia are arguably the strongest team, with Alan Dzagoev, the hugely exciting 21-year old prospect is currently with CSKA Moscow, but will no doubt be with a ‘big’ club in the coming years. The Euro 2004 winners, Greece, are looking to get past the group stages of this tournament, but face a difficult task. Finally, Czech Republic prove a thorn for any side, and are a possible surprise package this Summer.
Predictions:
Friday June 8
Poland 1 – 1 Greece
Russia 2 – 0 Czech Republic
Tuesday June 12
Greece 0 – 1 Czech Republic
Poland 0 – 2 Russia
Saturday June 16
Greece 0 – 1 Russia
Czech Republic 0 – 2 Poland
1. Russia 9 points
2. Poland 4 points
3. Czech Republic 3 points
4. Greece 1 point
Group B: Holland, Germany, Portugal, Denmark
The first of two ‘group of deaths’, the winner of this group is likely to go on and win the tournament. World Cup finalists Holland are looking a fantastic bet to win the Euros, with stars such as Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneidjer undoubtedly being world-class. But, a resurgent Germany are hard to look past. Having romped to a 4-1 victory over England in the 2010 World Cup, they are looking a class act. A Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal will also provide a stern test. Now is the chance for Ronaldo to stamp his mark on International football, and it will certainly be interesting to see how he does. Finally, Denmark look doomed, but stranger things have happened. Christian Eriksen is one class act in the Danish team.
Predictions:
Saturday June 9
Holland 2 – 1 Denmark
Germany 2 – 0 Portugal
Wednesday June 13
Denmark 1 – 2 Portugal
Holland 0 – 2 Germany
Sunday June 17
Portugal 1 – 1 Holland
Denmark 0 – 2 Germany
1. Germany 9 points
2. Holland 4 points
3. Portugal 4 points
4. Denmark 0 points
Group C: Spain, Italy, Croatia, Republic of Ireland (R.O.I)
Current champions Spain adorn Group C, looking to repeat their antics from 2008. It’s hard to look past the current World and Euro champions as winners of this group. Italy are looking resurgent after their shambolic World Cup, and would be happy with a second placed finish in Group C. Croatia meanwhile boast Tottenham star Luka Modric, and are looking to upset the odds. The R.O.I meanwhile appear to be glad just to be there, with this being their first major tournament for some years.
Predictions:
Sunday June 10
Spain 2 – 0 Italy
R.O.I 1 – 2 Croatia
Thursday June 14
Italy 1 – 0 Croatia
Spain 3 – 0 R.O.I
Monday June 18
Croatia 0 – 1 Spain
Italy 2 – 1 R.O.I
1. Spain 9 points
2. Italy 6 points
3. Croatia 3 points
4. R.O.I 0 points
Group D: Ukraine, England, France, Sweden
The second ‘group of death’, there are two very clear favourites for this group though. Ukraine are still heavily reliant on Andriy Shevchenko, showing a distinct lack of attacking flair. However, a hard-working team could cause a few problems for the other teams in Group D. England meanwhile have at last solved their managerial crisis, with Roy Hodgson being appointed as manager. Despite a heavy sigh reverberating around England, they should look to go far in this tournament. France are still being heavily maligned for their dramatics in South Africa, and need to seek solace by succeeding in this tournament. Sweden are once again qualified, and are looking to sneak their way through the group.
Predictions:
Monday June 11
France 1 – 1 England
Ukraine 0 – 2 Sweden
Friday June 15
Ukraine 0 – 2 France
Sweden 0 – 2 England
Tuesday June 19
Sweden 1 – 0 France
England 2 – 0 Ukraine
1. England 7 points
2. France 4 points
3. Sweden 4 points
4. Ukraine 0 points
Quarter finals:
Russia 0 – 2 Holland
Poland 0 – 3 Germany
Spain 2 – 1 France
Italy 0 – 1 England
Semi finals:
Holland 0 – 1 Spain
Germany 2 – 0 England
Final:
Germany 0 – 1 Spain
So there you have it! SoccerReviews have Spain to win this year’s European Championships! Perhaps the biggest surprise from our predictions was England to win Group D! Whatever the results are, it’s sure to be exciting. Keep an eye out next week for our follow up article with an in-depth look at each of the 16 teams in Euro 2012. Agree? Disagree? Make sure you leave your thoughts and comments below.
About Jon Nicholson
group b is going to be very tough. 3 world class teams.
@vin: More like Four world class teams. Denmark has some upsets in them. Plus if they weren’t world class they wouldn’t be in the tournament. Don’t under estimate these teams. There might be a surprise to see. Remember Uraguay and Ghana in the 2010 World Cup?
Denmark is good but nowhere near the world-class talent of uraguay and ghana
Cavani Forlan Suarez
Boateng Muntari essien asamoah
Denmark have agger and eriksen, as an arsenal fan, bendtner sucks
Not quite sure how there is a second “group of death”
Hey Mike,
Many other websites says Group C is more of a ‘group of death’ than D, but I disagree. England are outside bets to do well this year, France are revitalised and Sweden are ALWAYS troublesome. Hey, it’s not quite the standard of Group B, but those three teams will trouble any world class teams if they progress through to the Quarters.