Two games down and one to go for the teams in Euro
2012. The current standings in each of the groups are as follows:
Group A
Russia, the pre-tournament favourites
to finish as group winners, are living up to their billing. They should easily
see off Greece in their final group match to seal top spot. Who follows Russia
through to the quarterfinals will come down to the other final group match
between the Czech Republic and co-hosts Poland. As per the pre-tournament
preview, Poland seal that second spot with a comfortable win over the Czechs.
Group B
The Netherlands, my
pre-tournament pick as the Euro 2012 winners, are in a lot of strife as the “Group
of Death” lives up to its name! They have simply been impotent upfront and
farcical in defence. Given the results in this group so far, any team is still
mathematically in with a chance of qualifying! Although Germany top the group
with 2 wins out of 2, should they lose to Denmark and Portugal defeats the
Netherlands, the Germans could face elimination depending on the resulting goal
differences!
For the Netherlands, the equation
is simple. They need to beat Portugal by a 2-goal margin and rely on their
neighbours Germany beating Denmark. Although the Germans only need a draw to
qualify, they will not go out to play for a draw and should see off the Danes. Germany
have been solid and it just goes to show that friendlies are not a true
indicator of form as teams tinker with personnel and tactics.
So will the Netherlands finish
second behind the Germans? It will be a hard ask given their poor performances so far.
Expect a scoring draw for this one with Cristiano Ronaldo to break his
tournament duck and that should be enough to see the Portuguese into the
quarterfinals.
Group C
As expected, Spain are top of the
group, and after seeing off Croatia in a tight final group match, will finish
as group winners. Italy will finish second by putting a couple past Ireland’s
shocking defence which is as leaky as a sieve, surprisingly so given that they
only conceded 7 goals in 10 games during the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Even
Fernando Torres, the £50m striker who could hardly hit the side of a barn for
most of the season, put 2 goals past them! The Irish have nothing left to play
for except salvaging some pride.
Group D
France should top this group with
a win against Sweden who, like Ireland, have nothing left to play for except
pride. England and co-hosts Ukraine will battle it out for the second spot with
the Ukrainians needing a win to make it through to the quarter-finals. The Ukrainians,
led by their star striker and captain Andriy Shevchenko, have been impressive
on home soil and cannot be discounted! However, with Wayne Rooney back for
England after his 2 match suspension, he will be chomping at the bit to be let
loose on the pitch and do not be surprised to see his name on the scoresheet!
So how will the quarterfinals pan
out? Let’s have a look:
Quarterfinals
Russia
|
Vs
|
Portugal
|
Germany
|
Vs
|
Poland
|
Spain
|
Vs
|
England
|
France
|
Vs
|
Italy
|
Germany
|
Vs
|
Spain
|
Russia
|
Vs
|
Italy
|
Finals
Spain
|
Vs
|
Italy
|
Given the Netherlands’ dismal performances so far in this tournament, it has
opened the door for Italy to make it into the finals against tournament favourites
Spain who will become the first team to win the Euros twice either side of a
World Cup! They have played some sexy passing football so far and on that
basis, should be deserved winners for playing attractive football!
On a side note, Alan Dzagoev will
finish joint top goalscorer on the back of Russia’s run to the semis. Joint
with whom you ask? The German with the not so German name, Mario Gomez!
