Euro 2012 predictions

It’s football season again, with Euro 2012 all set to begin. This will be the last Euro to have 16 teams, since Euro 2016 will expand to 24 and obviously lead to more one-sided games. Here is a look at what i think we may see in each group and the rest of the tournament over the next 20+ days.

To start with, the clear favorites are Spain, but their Euro 2008 winning strike-force of Villa and Torres are injured and completely out of form respectively, this may be a huge difference maker all said and done. If Spain slip-up, Germany will be right there to pick the ball and run with it. Germany’s test will be the group stages since they are in the “Group of death”. Currently though, it is tough to look beyond these 2 teams for the final victory.

Group A:

• Poland
• Russia
• Greece
• Czech Republic

This is the mini group of death with all 4 teams having a good chance of progressing. Poland will be favorites since they are the hosts and know the conditions well. Czech Republic have a tendency to choke in big tournaments and Russia have not been on the tearing form they were on prior to Euro 2008. Greece are struggling at home (economically) and would probably be motivated enough to make it out of the group stages. I pick Poland and either Russia or Greece

Group B:

• Netherlands
• Denmark
• Germany
• Portugal

Poor Denmark, fielding their best team after the Laudrup-Schmeichel era and they land in this group. On paper, Germany and Netherlands should qualify, but Cristiano Ronaldo will be keen to show that he is a big occasion player and guide Portugal forward. I will stick with Germany and Holland progressing though.

Group C:

• Spain
• Italy
• Republic of Ireland
• Croatia

Spain are Spain, nothing more to say there. Italy are in a mini rebuilding phase with no new stars having stepped up to be counted yet. Don’t know much about Croatia currently, but Rep.of Ireland will be eager to perform well at their first big-level shot since the World Cup in 2002, so i will pick them to progress with Spain

Group D:

• France
• England
• Sweden
• Ukraine

Despite playing at home, i don’t see Ukraine progressing. England look weak on paper. Sweden have never lost to England in a major competition to date, don’t think that will continue. France have struck some great form recently and should progress. Sweden and England are too close to call.

Random Picks:

Ukraine will look to be the spoilers in Group D and may well manage it. Van Persie and Benzema will look to announce themselves at the International level. Ronaldo will look for his defining moment. No idea where the Arshavin of this tournament will come from i.e. the player who bursts on to the scene in a major tournament, good money would be on a Polish player.

In the end, it should be an entertaining 3 weeks with a Spain-Germany final when it is all said and done. But who knows, football is a game of glorious uncertainties as Greece in Euro 2004 can attest to.

Let the games begin!!