EURO 2012 PREDICTIONS

 

So, the tickets have been booked for Poland and the Ukraine. Bases have been set up, occasionally in the wrong country. And everyone now knows who will face who? So how will this tournament play out?

Group A is made up of Poland, Greece, Russia and Czech Republic. This is a joke group. The Poles only got a seeded spot for this competition because they are co-hosts, Greece are flukey one time winners that haven't looked like going anywhere near their glory days of '04 and while the Russians and Czechs should never be underestimated they should surely have been given a tougher ride than this. As far as who goes through is concerned well Greece are possibly the weak link here while the Poles should probably be able to be halfway competitive thanks to come advantage. The Czechs and Russians should have the edge on both of those though with Russia to top the group if qualifying form's anything to go by.

Group B finds Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Portugal. Well given the makeup of Group A a group like this was to be expected. The Danes might have been competitive in an easier group but though Portugal edged them in the qualifiers I can't see Cristiano and crew coming up short again...at least not against the Scandivavians. The Germans and Dutch will be another matter entirely, both have proven to be classy outfits and I expect they'll be too good for the Portuguese. So, Germany and Netherlands to make the quarter finals, who tops the group out of those two? Nearly impossible to call. Let's say Germany tops the group but I'm prepared to be wrong.

Group C finds Spain, Italy, Republic of Ireland and Croatia. Well the Irish will be my second team in this tournament for sentimentality's sake but Croatia are their easiest opponents in this group and they are no mugs. Maybe the men in green could deal with them. As for Spain though well the Three Lions have proved that they're not bulletproof, at least in friendly matches but it would be nuts to expect the Irish to do much about them and Italy will need to choke pretty spectacularly to fall to Geovanni Trappatoni's crew as well. So chances are we're talking about Spain and Italy going through to the quarters. And the reigning champions will probably have the edge in topping the group.

Group D finds Ukraine, Sweden, France and England. From an English perspective this is the hardest group to predict. Why, because it all depends on whether the Three Lions have their heads straight this time around. If the demons of South Africa return we are doomed, end of! None of these sides are complete mugs. Yet the draw could have been worse and is doable for an England that is firing on all cylinders. For the sae of this prediction I'll be optimistic. Sweden are beatable, we know this. Ukraine still have an on form Shevchenko around(and we won't have Rooney) and home advantage but we should deal with them as well. The French in a rematch of our Euro 2004 opener? For even an on-form England that is a big question. Les Bleus are not what they were but I wouldn't want to push our luck here. France to top the group and England to reach the quarter finals as well.

So if things were to play out like that, how would the knockout stages go?

QUARTER FINALS

Russia vs Netherlands: This would be a rematch of a Euro 2008 quarter final where the Russians mugged the men in orange. I'd fancy the Dutch to get payback here though.

Germany vs Czech Republic: This would be a rematch of the Euro 96 final with the same result. Germany to win.

Spain vs England: This would be a rematch of a Euro 96 quarter final and more recently an awesome friendly result. Wouldn't want to bet on a repeat performance though. Spain to go through.

France vs Italy: A rematch of the Euro 2000 final and what would be the the hardest to call out of the lot of them. Would go with France but would be prepared to be wrong.

SEMI FINALS

Netherlands vs Spain: Flipping hell, what would be a rematch of the last World Cup final and impossible to call, would go with Spain but prepared to be wrong.

Germany vs France: Germany would be the better side here.

FINAL

Spain vs Germany: A rematch of the Euro 2008 final and I'm wondering if the Germans might get payback here if given the chance. Let's say Germany to lift the trophy.

Now let's see what actually happens.

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