With Euro 2012 about to kick off I am providing a comprehensive breakdown of anything and everything you will need to know. I will highlight all the top match ups and players to keep an eye on. Along with when and where to view the best games of Euro 12 keep checking back to TSL as I will have recaps and post the best goals.
Where: The Euro’s this year are being held in two nations games will be played in both Poland-Ukraine. The final will be held in Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine.
Format: 16 teams broken into 4 groups. Each group is played in a round robin tournament style with the top 2 teams at the end of group play advancing. Group play is based on the point system with 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 for a loss.
GROUP A: The four teams in Group A are Poland, Greece, Russia, and the Czech Republic. A group that can be tossed up to be and all the teams have to believe they have a realistic shot at advancing. With a level playing field the home team Poland should feel confident in their chances of advancing.
Key Players:
Poland:
Wojciech Szczęsny: The Arsenal goalie proved to be an elite net-minder this season in the EPL. If it were not for Szczesny Arsenal would have lost a lot more games and most certainly would not be in a spot for European competition. The young goalie is looking to establish himself as top goalie in front of his home fans.
Greece:
Giorgos Samaras: The Celtic forward looks to partner up with Gekas as starting strike partners for Greece. Samaras is a big imposing threat and is looking to have a strong Euro. He started gaining minutes and became a regular starter for Celtic FC but due to financial problems could be sold in the transfer window.
Russia:
Andrey Arshavin: Not the force he used to be Andrey is a transitional phase in his career. Unsuccessful spell at Arsenal only netting 1 premier league goal this season saw him transferred to Zenit St. Petersburg. Arshavin has a lot to prove this Euro.
Czech Republic:
Petr Cech: The Czech goalie is coming off another great season at Chelsea. He has time and time against shown he can make the big save. With a weak defense, look for Petr to be making big save after big save.
Predictions:
Although many are high on the Czechs I can see them being upset, Poland and Russia will advance.
Although many are high on the Czechs I can see them being upset, Poland and Russia will advance.
Group B: The Group of Death, features some of the top teams and plethora of great match ups. Comprised of Portugal, Germany, Netherlands and Denmark each match up will be interesting as these star studded teams take on each other. Denmark is the odd man out in this group lacking the quality of players but if they are able to get a victory or tie it could be devastating to the other teams in the group. Germany are the hands down favorite, Netherlands are one of the strongest teams in the world and Portugal have Cristiano Ronaldo.
Key Players:
Denmark:
Morten Olsen: A great tactician that often goes overlooked, Denmark manager Morten Olsen looks to manipulate his way through a few upsets and advance out of the group of death. He will utilize his talents and look to see some great efforts from Poulsen, and Bendtner.
Portugal:
Cristiano Ronaldo: The man for Portugal, one of the worlds’ most dominating players. If Portugal is going to succeed, also keep an eye on the temperamental Pepe and Nani as they will be key players in assisting Ronaldo. If Pepe can keep his head straight and be a lock down defender and if Nani can create and play to his full capability Portugal realistically advance.
Netherlands:
Wesley Sneijder+ Arjen Robben: The balding combination of Robben and Sneijder are back together in search of their first international trophy. They have won everything on the club level but not internationally. Robben has to be feeling the pressure as he missed several key goals and cost his team domestic trophies and the UEFA cup.
Germany:
Mesut Ozil: With great expectations comes great pressure, the German Public expect nothing less than a victory. The heart breaking loss to Chelsea in UEFA cup still burns and the Munich contingent are looking for a strong rebound. Ozil has tasted success this season with Madrid and will be the lynchpin for the German attack. He may have fish eyes, but that is all the better to see the run of play expect nothing but greatness from the young Ozil.
Gotze: Mario Gotze is the young 20 year old has been setting the Bundesliga on fire with Dortmund and this Euro is his coming out party to the world. Much like the last Euro was for Ozil and Muller. Keep an eye out and expect brilliance.
Prediction: Germany and Portugal advance. If Denmark is going to win one game it is going to be against Netherlands. It would put Germany and Portugal in prime position to advance.
Group C: Group of Death 2.0, is another group that is hard to get excited about every match-up with returning champions Spain and Italy who are always in contention for cups. Although Italy has been rocked with another match fixing scandal they still have the potential to make a deep run. Ireland are making their return to competitive play and Croatia a strong overlooked team.
Key players
Italy:
Mario Balotelli: The most mental footballer in the world has claimed he would kill anyone who does any racist actions towards him. He will need to be the Azzuris number one target with great pressure to produce goals and keep out of the media for all the wrong reasons. Keep an eye on Mario; it will be entertaining to say the least.
Spain:
Juan Mata: The dynamic midfielder had a fabulous first year at Chelsea and is looking to establish himself as the next generation of creative play makers for Spain. Mata will most likely be an attacking mid who will provide service to Torres and Pedro. Apart from Mata keep an eye out on Juanfran and Javi Martinez although their playing time will be limited.
Croatia:
Luka Modric: With Olic out for the Euro’s all the pressure is on Luka Modric. He is going to have to find a way to create on his own and score goals. The Spurs middy has the capability to deliver on a big stage. Croatia are a cagey team and should create some trouble for the bigger sides.
Ireland
Robbie Kean: The LA Galaxy striker is having a tough second season in MLS but has long been the leading man for Ireland. As the captain for Ireland and the most notable Irish footballer, he always finds a way of delivering when Ireland needs him and this cup has been a long time coming for Robbie. This is his first major competition and is looking to make it a special one.
Predictions: Although Ireland will give a strong showing I cannot see them advancing and everyone expect Italy to easily beat Ireland and Croatia I cannot see that happening. Croatia and Spain will advance.
Group D
France:
Ribbery: The dark horse team France are looking to re-establish themselves as a world power after the 2010 debacle. The man who has been their done that and has delivered time and time again will have to rally the French. Ribbery will need to create and capitalize.
England:
Rooney: Everything rides on Rooney to lift his country to greatness. He is the poster boy for English football but has yet to find success on the international level. England has a few injuries which mounts the pressure on Wayne to produce. If Wayne Rooney does not play well England do not advance.
Ukraine:
Adriy Shevchenko: The swan song for a one of the best goal scorers for his generation. Sehva 7 will dawn the captaincy for his native Ukraine and looks to make it special last go around. It would be absolutely poetic if he could lead his nation out of the group stages.
Sweden:
Ibrahemavich: Zlatan Ibrahemavich will be the first person to tell you he is the best hands down striker in the world. This is his time to shine and back that statement up. He as a knack for not showing up in big games but in a group with England and Ukraine he can easily produce some goals and find Sweden advancing.
Prediction: playing in their home country is huge benefit and works massively in the favor of the Ukraine. England is looking fairly weak and without Cahil or Rio I cannot see them advancing. Ukraine and France advance.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
