Good day all.
Welcome to my blog.
Allow me to start with my prediction for the group stages of the UEFA Euro 2012.
Here is how I see the Euros unfolding:
Group A:
Very tough to predict as all teams are almost equal. Poland will be buoyed by their partisan crowd and will be supported by a very talented Dortmund contingent which I think should be enough for them to sneak through. Also, historically, the Euros have always featured at least one host nation in the quarter final stages and I do expect the Poles to grab that spot. I expect Russia to qualify out of Group A although as I said, both qualifying spots are wide open.
Group B:
Ah the Group of Death and this certainly looks like one of the deadliest Group of the Death in international football history. I see Germany winning the group with Holland second although that Dutch defense really worries me. Van Der Wiel aside, all the Dutch defenders would struggle to walk into the starting 11 of the top clubs in Europe and this might give a chance for Portugal to just sneak through. The Danes are also pretty solid so expect a lot of heart stopping action. This group is surely not for the fainthearted.
Group C:
I will start by saying one thing - beware the Irish! Ireland always enjoy themselves on the big stage & they play with no fear. Spain should top this group but if Italy start off slowly like they usually do then they might struggle to go through. The new match fixing scandal will damage the Azzuri, please do not compare this to 2006 or 1982, in both cases the whole Italy squad was being investigated which created a siege mentality, this time around the squad players with the lesser clubs (with due respect) are being haunted. Now, back to the Irish, Ireland will qualify if they beat Croatia which is surely easier said than done.
Group D:
This group will be decided by the mood of one player namely Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Allow me to elaborate, lets start off with the one nation guaranteed to make it through and that is France. France will make it far in this tournament, they have a very sound coach, a young vibrant team who were allowed to build slowly and away from the media since their 2010 debacle. The French are my dark horses for Euro 2012. Oh yeah, back to Zlatan; if Zlatan decides to give a crap then Sweden will qualify from this group along with France. This Sweden team is solid all around and has a good vibe to them.
England you say?
Oh, someone is asking about England I hear? Let me brief you about Roy Hodgson. The British media darling averages 42% from the total available points through his 30 year competition history which means England should grab 4 points in the group stages. I do not expect a positive result vs France, England have never beaten Sweden in non-friendly international football and if Zlatan is in the mood I expect Sweden to beat England but England can just grab 3 points vs Ukraine. England would need 5 points to qualify, I do not see that happening. Andy Carroll is crucial for England, if he is let loose and with his current form he will have a major impact and he just might help England rack up enough points before Wayne Rooney can kick a ball vs Ukraine. Oh, almost forgot, for those of you looking to watch some goals I advise you to avoid the England games.
Welcome to my blog.
Allow me to start with my prediction for the group stages of the UEFA Euro 2012.
Here is how I see the Euros unfolding:
Group A:
Very tough to predict as all teams are almost equal. Poland will be buoyed by their partisan crowd and will be supported by a very talented Dortmund contingent which I think should be enough for them to sneak through. Also, historically, the Euros have always featured at least one host nation in the quarter final stages and I do expect the Poles to grab that spot. I expect Russia to qualify out of Group A although as I said, both qualifying spots are wide open.
Group B:
Ah the Group of Death and this certainly looks like one of the deadliest Group of the Death in international football history. I see Germany winning the group with Holland second although that Dutch defense really worries me. Van Der Wiel aside, all the Dutch defenders would struggle to walk into the starting 11 of the top clubs in Europe and this might give a chance for Portugal to just sneak through. The Danes are also pretty solid so expect a lot of heart stopping action. This group is surely not for the fainthearted.
Group C:
I will start by saying one thing - beware the Irish! Ireland always enjoy themselves on the big stage & they play with no fear. Spain should top this group but if Italy start off slowly like they usually do then they might struggle to go through. The new match fixing scandal will damage the Azzuri, please do not compare this to 2006 or 1982, in both cases the whole Italy squad was being investigated which created a siege mentality, this time around the squad players with the lesser clubs (with due respect) are being haunted. Now, back to the Irish, Ireland will qualify if they beat Croatia which is surely easier said than done.
Group D:
This group will be decided by the mood of one player namely Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Allow me to elaborate, lets start off with the one nation guaranteed to make it through and that is France. France will make it far in this tournament, they have a very sound coach, a young vibrant team who were allowed to build slowly and away from the media since their 2010 debacle. The French are my dark horses for Euro 2012. Oh yeah, back to Zlatan; if Zlatan decides to give a crap then Sweden will qualify from this group along with France. This Sweden team is solid all around and has a good vibe to them.
England you say?
Oh, someone is asking about England I hear? Let me brief you about Roy Hodgson. The British media darling averages 42% from the total available points through his 30 year competition history which means England should grab 4 points in the group stages. I do not expect a positive result vs France, England have never beaten Sweden in non-friendly international football and if Zlatan is in the mood I expect Sweden to beat England but England can just grab 3 points vs Ukraine. England would need 5 points to qualify, I do not see that happening. Andy Carroll is crucial for England, if he is let loose and with his current form he will have a major impact and he just might help England rack up enough points before Wayne Rooney can kick a ball vs Ukraine. Oh, almost forgot, for those of you looking to watch some goals I advise you to avoid the England games.
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