GROUP A
Although Group A doesn't look the most thrilling group at face value, you can be sure it'll still entertain. Co-hosts Poland will be determined to better their first European Championship showing after being eliminated in the group stages in 2008. In front of their own fans they shouldn't be doubted, and playing in probably the weakest group of the competition should, in my opinion, just about take them through to the knockout stages. Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny would be key to any success they have, as the three other teams in Group A all have an experienced striker in one shape or form. Russia, the surprise semi finalists of 2008, should be tough opposition for the other sides in their group. Unfortunately, the success of 2008 hasn't sparked a new era of Russian football, as many expected. Instead, the stars of that year have grown old, and no revolution materialised. Qualification was not necessarily achieved in style by the Russians, but more with efficiency. Only four goals were conceded in their ten qualifiers, and if they can match their great defending displays of those qualifiers with the spectacular attacking displays of 2008, then who knows what this they could achieve. Captain Andrei Arshavin will look to inspire, after struggling to hold down a first team place at Arsenal this season. Alan Dzagoev, 21, who is expected to play alongside Arshavin in attacking midfield, could step up as one of the very few young players in this Russian side. After playing Champions League football with CSKA Moscow, he will want to shine in his first major tournament. Greece would love to repeat their shock success of 2004, but that is highly unlikely. Like Russia, Greece had a tight defence in their qualifying campaign, conceding only five goals in ten games. This could probably largely be put down to them having one of the up and coming stars of the Bundesliga, Schalke 04's Kyriakos Papadopoulos. The 20 year old central defender carries high expectations, and it wouldn't come of surprise to me if some good performances this summer don't go unnoticed by some Premier League clubs. I don't expect the Greeks to make it through to the knockout stages, but they won't go out without a fight. The Czech Republic's uninspiring qualification has hardly set them up for a hugely inspiring European Championship this summer, with real problems in the striking department. Only eight goals were scored in their twelve qualifying matches, and with Milan Baros having played in the majority of qualifiers, he seems to have lost the touch of his past. A repeat of his 5 goals at Euro 2004 looks highly unlikely. I won't completely write them off, but I expect very little from this Czech Republic team.
PREDICTIONS
June 8- Poland 2-1 Greece (BBC)
June 8-Russia 2-0 Czech Republic (ITV)
June 12- Greece 1-0 Czech Republic (ITV)
June 12- Poland 1-1 Russia (ITV)
June 16- Czech Republic 1-1 Poland (BBC)
June 16- Greece 1-2 Russia (BBC)
GROUP B
This year's 'Group of Death' is simply unmissable. Holland will be desperate to win only their second ever major tournament. Don't expect the Dutch to be at all goal shy this summer, having scored a remarkable 37 goals in just ten qualifying matches. In September they beat San Marino 11-0, and that came without top scorer Klaas- Jan Huntelaar getting a goal. However things aren't all good for the Dutch. At face value, a team with players such as Van der Vaart, Robben, Sneijder, Huntelaar and Van Persie should have no problems reaching the final. Yet, their defence has struggled greatly recently. A 3-0 friendly loss to group stage rivals Germany did not go down well in Holland, and although they managed to beat England at Wembley in February, England did manage to score two goals, and this could hinder Dutch progression this summer. I do still expect Holland to go far in this competition, but can they win it with such a leaky defence? Germany stand in Holland's way, and they will be a huge obstacle for any team to overcome. Having won all ten of their qualifiers, and beaten Holland 3-0 in a November friendly, expectations of this German side are high, and so they should be. But, in a similar vein to the Dutch, the Germans struggle defensively. Bayern Munich duo Manuel Neuer and Philipp Lahm are undoubtedly two of the best in their position in the world, yet it's the other three positions that are undecided. Per Mertesacker for one has struggled this season for Arsenal with form and injuries, which is not a good sign. If the other teams can exploit Germany's defensive weaknesses, then they could be in for a difficult time this summer. Yet if they improve defensively, I could see Germany going on to win the tournament. Portugal started the qualifiers poorly under Carlos Queiroz, drawing 4-4 with Cyprus and losing 1-0 to Norway. Queiroz was then replaced by Paulo Bento, the 42 year old former Sporting Lisbon manager. Things then improved, winning every game bar a 2-1 away defeat to Denmark. Beating Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-offs, Portugal were showing signs of improvement, especially after Cristiano Ronaldo was moved from a centre forward role back to the wing, where he plays best. Portugal will not be easy opposition, but I expect Germany and Holland to be too much for them. Denmark, despite them supposedly being the 'easy' team of the group, could possibly shine amongst the best. Former Charlton man Dennis Rommedahl, 33, is still flourishing in an attacking role for the Danish, despite his age. Ajax youngster Christian Eriksen, 20, is likely to start alongside Rommedahl, and this could be his time to prove his worth on the biggest stage in Europe, with 21 international caps already to his name. They couldn't have been put in a more difficult group, but I do still expect them to be in with a chance.
PREDICTIONS
June 9- Holland 3-2 Denmark (BBC)
June 9- Germany 2-1 Portugal (BBC)
June 13- Denmark 2-0 Portugal (ITV)
June 13- Holland 3-3 Germany (BBC)
June 17- Denmark 1-2 Germany (ITV)
June 17- Portugal 1-1 Holland (ITV)
GROUP C
Group C has the potential to be incredibly interesting. Holders of not only the European Championship, but also the World Cup, all the expectation is on Spain's shoulders. They arrive in Poland and Ukraine with a 100% win record in the qualifiers. Yet, can they win three successive major tournaments? Their side seems to have no weaknesses. Take goalkeepers, for example. They have to leave one of Pepe Reina, David de Gea, Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes at home. This proves the incredible strength in depth this Spain squad possesses. Yet maybe, Spain's biggest strength could be their only weakness. Choosing the right players will not be easy at all for Vicente del Bosque. In midfield, who does he play? With a choice of David Silva, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Iker Muniain, Sergio Busquets (the list goes on), it will be incredibly difficult for him to pick no more than five starting midfielders. The competitiveness for a starting place may cause tensions in the squad, adding to further tension that could be caused by the Madrid/Barcelona divide. Or the most likely outcome may come true, no tension arises and Spain win the cup. Time will tell. Italy have almost been forgotten about since their World Cup win in 2006. An exit at the quarter final stage in 2008 and group stage in 2010 have left many wondering what happened to the Azzuri since 2006. Italy did progress comfortably through the qualifiers in all fairness, bar a goalless draw in Northern Ireland. However, perhaps Euro 2012 will prove whether manager Cesare Prandelli was right to be patient with Mario Balotelli. The Manchester City striker undoubtedly has fantastic talent with the football at his feet, it's just what he does without it that is worrying. Croatia are another team that have struggled in times of late. After beating England to claim qualification to Euro 2008, Croatia were the team to look out for, but everything has gone rather quiet since then. A failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup could however be the catalyst for a Croatian revival. Their team certainly has the talent, with Modric and Kranjcar in midfield, and Olic and Mandzukic up front. Whether they can make the most of these players and reach the knockout stages remains to be seen though. The Republic of Ireland may just have the experience to carry themselves through this incredibly difficult group. Under Giovanni Trapattoni they have lost only two of twenty-four competitive matches, a very impressive record. The Irish too have strength in depth, with a choice of Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle for strikers. The central midfield positions however may be a slight worry, with Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews likely to struggle for possession in the middle when playing against Spain and Italy. They may still be an outside bet to reach the knockout stages though.
PREDICTIONS
June 10- Spain 3-1 Italy (ITV)
June 10- Republic of Ireland 1-0 Croatia (ITV)
June 14- Italy 3-0 Croatia (BBC)
June 14- Spain 4-0 Republic of Ireland (ITV)
June 18- Croatia 2-3 Spain (BBC)
June 18- Italy 2-1 Republic of Ireland (BBC)
GROUP D
Co-hosts Ukraine have lost friendlies to France, Sweden, Uruguay and the Czech Republic in the last two years, which suggests they may have little effect on the tournament. Their team includes a few ageing stars of the past, Tymoshchuck and Shevchenko to name a couple, but no real talent for the future, except Dynamo Kiev forward Andriy Yarmolenko. He has scored 12 times in 20 appearances this season and has supposedly attracted the attention of Arsenal and Liverpool. He is another that we may be watching in the Premier League next season, if he plays well enough this summer. For England, many hope this could be the start of something good. New manager Roy Hodgson didn't make any hugely surprising selections in his first England squad, other than there being no place for Micah Richards. For new captain Steven Gerrard it may well be the last chance to shine in Europe's biggest football competition, so he will without a doubt be hugely influential in England's final standing in the tournament. They will also be without star man Wayne Rooney for the two opening fixtures against France and Sweden, so a makeshift frontline may be led by one or two of Andy Carroll, Jermaine Defoe and Danny Welbeck. Euro 2012 will be key midfielder Scott Parker's first shot at tournament football, and after a fantastic season with Tottenham Hotspur and captaining the England side against Holland it would surprise many if he wasn't to be one of the first on Roy Hodgson's team sheet. The athleticism and youth of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott will frighten any ageing opposition full-backs. England on paper should definitely progress to the knockout stages, but what England should do is often very different from what they actually do. France's qualifying campaign was somewhat unconvincing. A loss to Belarus and draws with Bosnia & Herzegovina and Romania are rather uninspiring for this summer for the French, yet look behind these results and there is a new picture. Yohan Cabaye and Yann M'Vila will want to bring what they've shown in domestic football to the bigger stage. An in form Karim Benzema will be a real threat to opposition defences. This newly united French team will be driven on by the atrocities of the 2010 World Cup, and who knows, maybe this could be their time to shine once again. After missing out on the last World Cup, Sweden will want to prove their worth once again. The experience of Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be important, but it's whether he's on form that may be a deciding factor. If so, the Swedes could be in with a chance of grabbing that second knockout spot. If not, that looks quite unlikely. Whatever happens, it looks probable that Sweden will have to beat Ukraine and get a result against one of France and England.
PREDICTIONS
June 11- France 1-1 England (ITV)
June 11- Ukraine 2-2 Sweden (BBC)
June 15- Ukraine 0-2 France (ITV)
June 15- Sweden 1-2 England (BBC)
June 19- England 3-2 Ukraine (ITV)
June 19- Sweden 2-4 France (ITV)
