Euro 2012

Here we are at the Euro 2012, the major football event where all the world watches and everyone outside of Europe feels left out. The beauty of this tournament is that it is only sixteen teams and therefore all matches are played at either 6.00pm or 8.45 pm CET. If you are working in Europe during the day then you don’t miss anything. I will just get right to it and get on with my picks.

Group A

            Russia- The lads from Mother Russia got a lucky break with the group that they are in. In almost any other group they would probably struggle to advance to the next round. They will advance but this is not the same team from four years ago.

            Poland- In every major tournament the host team or teams always make it the second round, sometimes they are pushed through by some “lucky” calls, expect this from Poland. Robert Lewandowski is expected to have a big tournament.

            Czech Republic- This is a Czech team that in any other tournament they would finish second in this group. Rosicky needs to stay healthy for them to have a chance.

            Greece- Not expecting them to be blown out but don’t expect a lot of goals either. They could be fun to watch with their emotions.

Group B

            Netherlands- The Dutch are one of the favorites to win the tournament. They will win the group on goal differential. Like any classic Dutch team they will be playing total football or totaalvoetbal in Dutch. They have a lot of fire power, Kuyt, van der Vaart, Robben, van Persie just to name a few.

            Germany- The Germans just like the Dutch are favored to win the Euro. They will finish second because of the goal difference. This is a hard one to pick. The Germans play a more defensive style compared to the Dutch.

            Portugal- Cristiano Ronaldo can not do everything by himself. Yes Nani is ok but the Portugese need about another three Nanis for them to have a chance to advance. Look for Pepe to get sent off in one of the matches.

            Denmark- Denmark will not be letting in a lot of goals but will not be able to keep pace with the other three in the group of death.

Group C

            Spain- The defending Euro and World Cup champions are looking almost as good as in the past. Almost all the players closed a great season on their club teams. With David Villa being out with an injury and Fernando Torres not being him self the past couple of years the scoring may be down then in the past.

            Croatia- They are my sleeper pick, with Olic out with an injury I am not as confident about this pick as before. The Croats have the midfield and the D to make a surprise run.

            Italy- Italian football is not exactly living its glory days. Some players have to miss the Euro because they are caught up in the match fixing scandal that is going on in Italy. The Italians are also missing the power forwards that we have come used to seeing.

            Ireland- The Irish will bring the though football that we are used to but it won’t be enough for them to get out of the group.

Group D

            England- Every time you look up it seams that a player has come up injured. The Three Lions are already with out Lampard, Cahill, Ruddy, and Barry, with Rooney being suspended for the first three matches. For some reason England is not expected to do anything beyond the group stage, therefore there is no pressure on them.

            Sweden- The Swedes have one of the best forwards in the game who has just finished a great season. Ibrahimovic is unstoppable at times when he is not being moody. The Swedes do not have as much depth as usually needed to go deep in the Euro.

Andrei Shevchenko

            France- The previuse generation has just about retired and the next generation for the French as not as good. Yes Benzema is coming of a career year with Real Madrid but they are missing another big time scorer and depth as well.

            Ukraine- The Ukraine has gotten a lot weaker in the past couple of years. Ukraine has been as good as Shevchenko has been. As Shevy has aged the team has weakened.


Finals Results will be:
1. Spain
2. Netherlands
3. Germany
4. Croatia