Euro 2012 Day 2 Review

Day 2 of Euro 2012 featured the Group B sides, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Portugal.


First up was the Netherlands taking on Denmark. The Netherlands were big favorites for this clash but were left stunned by a resilient and determined Denmark side. The Danish had to hold off the Netherlands for the majority of the game but somehow managed not to concede, whilst Michael Krohn-Dehli made the most of a rare Denmark chance to give his side the lead in the 23rd minute.


The second half contained more Netherlands dominance with the usually lethal Robin Van Persie fluffing his lines on numerous occasions, the Arsenal striker looked a mere shadow of the man who topped the Premier League's scoring charts this past season. Other top hit man Klass Jan Huntelaar, missed a glorious chance late on as he was denied by keeper Stephan Anderson.


This result sets up an exciting clash between the Netherlands and Germany next time out, with the Dutch knowing that they will need to get something from the game. Denmark will obviously be delighted with this result and will be dreaming of a 1992 repeat.


The second game of the day was contested between finalists of four years ago Germany and finalists of eight years ago Portugal. This game did not live up to the hype with both sides taking a cautious approach and seemed unwilling to get many men forward.


The Germans who had the better of the play, seemed to look toothless upfront. Portugal looked to be happy to settle for a point and rarely threatened. Cristiano Ronaldo looked nothing like the player that drove Real Madrid towards the Spanish title and made no real impression on the game.


Germany were eventually rewarded for their possession as striker Mario Gomez, put his Champions League disappointment behind him as he gave his side the lead in the 72nd minute. Only after this did Portugal wake up with Nani's blocked shot being the closest they came to an equalizer. 


As I thought the Germans won the game by hook or by crook and will probably go on to really challenge for the tournament. The Portuguese will have to become a more attacking threat to progress, with the likes of Ronaldo and Nani in the side, this can be achieved. I don't think they will qualify but I also couldn't see Denmark winning, so you never know in football.

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Germany vs Portugal Preview

The second game of the day will be contested between three times winners Germany and 2004 runners up Portugal.


The Germans are my pick to win the tournament and their 100% record in qualifying speaks volumes. Portugal will be no pushovers though, with Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, who practically won La Liga for Real Madrid on his own. Despite this the Portuguese seem to be a shadow of their team from eight years ago, with Ronaldo lacking adequate support.


Germany have matured in the last four years, when they took a very young side to the tournament and were pipped in the final by Spain. They also had a good showing at the World Cup two years later, again being pipped by Spain, this time in the semis after dismantling England and Argentina along the way.


Portugal in contrast, seemed to make little impact at the World Cup and had to rely on the playoffs to qualify for this year's Euros. Being drawn in this group has not helped them whatsoever and I don't expect them to qualify for the quarter finals.


I do feel however that this game will be close, with Germany's know how seeing them over the line, but you can't rule out Portugal who aren't a bad side and you never know in tournament football.

Netherlands vs Denmark Preview

The first game on day two of Euro 2012, will be the Netherlands against Denmark in Kharkiv.


World Cup runners up the Netherlands will be favorites against an unfancied Denmark side, who are not expected to qualify. In 1992 Denmark were again unfancied and didn't initially qualify for the competition, however they went on to win the whole thing so the Netherlands better be on their guard On a serious note, hopefully the racial abuse they received in Thursday's training session, hasn't affected them too much.


You feel that the Netherlands will have too much fire power though, with the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie in their ranks. The Danish will miss experienced keeper Thomas Sorensen, however I am looking forward to seeing sought after youngster Christian Eriksen, who was so impressive against England last year.


Both teams qualified for the tournament pretty comfortably so they are quality teams, as I said before I believe that the Netherlands will be too much and run out easy winners. I feel they will come out of the group and maybe reach the final whilst Denmark will catch the early flight home.

Euro 2012 Day 1 Review

So today Euro 2012 got under way.


The first game featured co-hosts Poland, taking on 2004 winners Greece. This game was better than expected with Poland dominating the opening half which lead to them taking a deserved lead after 17 minutes, thanks to Robert Lewandoowski's goal. Greece's half went from bad to worse as Sokratis Papastathpoulos was harshly dismissed for second bookable offence.


The second half was a different story as Greece began positively and were rewarded with a goal from substitute Dimitris Salpingidis after 51 minutes, following a mistake from Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny. Greece piled on more pressure and gained a penalty after Salpingidis was brought down by Szczesny who was immediately red carded. This brought on sub keeper Przemyslaw Tyton, who's first action was to save the resulting penalty from Giorgos Karagounis. There were half chances for both sides in the last few minutes, however a draw was probably a fair result on the balance of play. I think both sides will take this result.


The second game was between Russia and the Czech Republic. The Czechs started the brightest but they were hit on the counter attack by Alan Dzagoev. This was followed nine minutes later, by a goal from Roman Shirokov, this seemed to leave the Czechs shell shocked as the limped towards the half time interval.


Like the first half, the Czechs started the second the brightest with Vaclav Pilar pulling one back on 52 minutes. For a long period of time there seemed to a bit of cat and mouse about the game with both teams knowing that the next goal would be crucial. It would be Russia though who would get it through Dezagoev's second of the evening. The best goal was saved till last though, with former Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko holding off two defenders before smashing the ball into the back of the net. Russia seem to be too strong for the others teams in the group and I think the Czechs will have to bounce back quickly in order to progress.

Russia vs Czech Republic Preview

The second game of the tournament will be between Russia and the Czech Republic in Wroclaw.


The two teams are favorites to qualify from the group so there will be a lot of pressure on both sides to make a positive start to the competition. Out of the two, Russia will be the favorites as they seem a much stronger side on paper, however football is not won or lost on paper and the Czech Republic have a number of match winners in their squad.


There will be exciting talents on both sides with the likes of Andrei Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky (who has been passed fit), Milan Baros (also passed fit) and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Despite this the Czech's joined Greece in scoring the fewest amount of goals in qualifying, but they often seem to up their game for the big tournaments. Russia will take a fair amount of confidence into the Euros after their semi final effort from four years ago and may be dark horses for this year's trophy.


I think that this will also be a close game with Russia coming out winners, I feel that it will be cagey early on then the tempo will pick up as the match progresses. Whichever team wins this match, will surely qualify for the quarter finals.

Poland Vs Greece Preview

Euro 2012 gets under way in Warsaw with co-hosts Poland taking on 2004 winners Greece.


Poland are the lowest ranked side in the competition but having been drawn into a seemingly weak group, they will fancy their chances against a Greece side who scored the joint fewest amount of goals in qualifying. This will encourage the Polish to take the game to the Greeks, in front of a bumper home crowd. Greece will take some confidence from the fact that the last time they played the host nation in the opening tournament game, they went on to win the competition (Portugal 2004).


This game may come down to a mistake or a moment of individual brilliance and will go a long way to deciding if either makes it through the group stage. Despite the ranking of each side you would have to fancy Poland to nick it in a closely fought game, I struggle to see where the goals are going to come from for Greece and I feel adrenalin alone may get the hosts over the line.

Euro 2012 Preview

Next Friday, European Championship number 14 will get underway.


The tournament will be hosted in Poland and Ukraine with the likes of champions Spain, Germany and the Netherlands among the favorites for the trophy. There are sixteen teams split into four groups as 14 sides qualified for the competition along with the two host nations.


We start with Group A which contains co-host Poland along with the Czech Republic, Greece and Russia. The Polish will be feeling confident as they are in by far the easiest group and although they are not a team full of stars, they will feel that home advantage will see them through. The Czech Republic are not the same team as they once were, however they are a solid side and may not concede many with the likes of Petr Cech in their team, their problem is that they struggle to score goals so may miss the cut. Greece of course won the tournament eight years ago, surely though lightning cannot strike twice can it?. Like the Czechs they struggle for goals but seem to be less stable at the back than they once were, like four years ago, they may struggle to get out of their group. Finally there is group favorites Russia, unlike the other teams in the group they have a decent attacking threat with the likes of Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavluchenko in their ranks, you'd be brave to back against the Russians qualifying from the group. I feel that Russia will top the group and I am backing Poland to pip the Czech Republic to the second spot, I can't see the Greeks winning a game to be honest.


By contrast Group B seems to be the hardest group of the four, with Germany, Portugal, Netherlands and Denmark in there, it sets up some mouth watering contests. Lets start with the losing finalists from four years ago Germany, the Germans are always there or thereabouts in every tournament and have class all over the park with the likes of Neuer, Lahm, Schwinsteiger, Ozil and Arsenal bound Lukas Podolski. Germany are tournament players and by or hook or by crook, should go through. We then have Portugal who will cursing their luck after getting a tough group at the last World Cup as well,  one man of course that stands out is the name of Cristiano Ronaldo. They are not as strong as they have been over the last few years and although they have other decent players, I can't see them beating the Germans or the Dutch. Now onto the Dutch themselves and I feel that the World Cup runners up will again be a force in the Euros, they have pure attacking class with the likes of Sneijder, Robben and of course Robin Van Persie. The Netherlands will be there or thereabouts in the latter stages of the competition. Finally you have the Danish who are a solid side however you feel that they lack the quality and attacking prowess to beat the other sides in the group. I predict that Germany and the Netherlands will qualify leaving the Portuguese and Danish trailing.


You then have Group C containing reigning champions Spain with Italy, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland. You'd be brave to bet against World champions Spain who have class throughout their squad, the couple of issues they do have though is the absence of Carlos Puyol and hitman David Villa who may be big misses for them. We then have 1968 winners Italy who will have a point to prove after a terrible 2010 World Cup, the Italians have a lot experience with the likes of Pirlo, Buffon and Di Natale. Also there will be the Man City maverick Mario Ballotelli, he may be the wildcard for them as he could either cost them or lead them to success. Next there's Croatia who are always a tricky side to play, although their squad may not look great, they have a few gems in there with the likes of Luka Modric and the extremely impressive Everton striker Nikica Jelavic. They will fancy upsetting the odds and by nicking the second qualifying place. Making up the group will be the Republic of Ireland who are playing in their first tournament in ten years. The Irish may not be a team of star players but what they do have is a great work ethic and fantastic tactical organisation under experienced manager Giovanni Trapattoni. Each player knows their role and this helps them play as a team, I fancy the Irish to cause a few upsets as they did back in the 2002 World Cup. I can't see past Spain topping this group, however I am backing the Irish to pip Italy and Croatia to the second qualifying spot, I feel that they are more organised defensively than the other two and that will decide it.


Finally we have Group D with the other co-host Ukraine in with France, Sweden and of course England. Ukraine seem to look a bit of a one man team with the great Andriy Shevchenko leading his country, home advantage will make games against them intimidating however I feel the home crowd may be disappointed at the end of the group stages. We then have group favourites France who have really picked themselves up after a dreadful World Cup in South Africa, Laurent Blanc has united the team as they made it through the qualifying stages. They have good attacking options with the likes of Nasri, Ribery and Benzema, who should see them qualify top. You then have Sweden who are not the force they once were, like Ukraine they have one player who really stands out and that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. A lot depends on his form and temperament, if he is in the mood they could cause problems, if not they could easily exit the competition with a whimper. Last of all you have Roy Hodgson's England who again, haven't had the easiest of build ups with the Terry allegations leading to Fabio Capello's resignation. No really knows what to expect from England who for once have low expectations going into a tournament, Wayne Rooney missing the first two games is a huge blow as they now seem toothless up front. Their qualification may depend on the final game. I feel that France will top the group with England scraping second by pipping Ukraine. I can't see Sweden doing much in the group (famous last words).


Once the groups stage is over with it's anyone's game, Spain will be the favourites but no team has ever retained the title. If I had to back any team to go out and win it, I would have to back the Germans however it may be too close to call.