Saturday, 03.12.2011
The most important event in the context of preparation for EURO 2012 finally took place! December 2, Kiev staged draw of the upcoming European championship. So lets’ skip songs and solemn speeches because we aren’t UEFA’s officials and get down to bedrock.
Group A
Poland Greece Russia Czech Republic
The group A is a “host-group” because Poland was seeded there long before the draw and at the same time it’s also “Polish” one because all matches will be played in Poland. Also, Poland national team will partake in the opening match of the tournament in next year June.
Friday morning, rumor had it (published in high-rating mass media) UEFA had already decided instead of “blind draw”. In particular, Germany should be seeded Poland’s group, so German fans wouldn’t have any problems with arriving to the nearby country. Besides, Russia national team should come up against its rivals in Ukraine for the same reason. However, in the evening was decided otherwise.
Lets’ be honest, the group is home for almost equal and non-outstanding teams. Of course, each of them has its golden years during the last decade: Poland was in might in the early 2000’s, Greece in 2004, Russia in 2008 and Czech Republic without any prominent wins in the very beginning of the century. Neither Czech Republic that outlives the generation shift, nor Russia with “heroes complex” (firstly, fail everything and then heroically save the situation), nor Greece that takes advantage of the bygone abilities could boast of some breathtaking games today.
Group A is “group of life” versus “group of death” because both of them accommodate equal-level teams. So we can expect some surprises. Nevertheless, surprise of death’s group is one grand destroy another. And here, perhaps, Poland isn’t qualified for the next round. What a surprise, hah?
Narodoviy Stadium will host an opening match Poland vs. Greece. Sleep tight.
Our forecast: Poland and Russia will hardly qualify for quarterfinals.
Group B
Netherlands Denmark Germany Portugal
Here it comes, the “group of death”! It is 75% the coolest variant of the EURO 2012 group staff. The lack 25% is France instead of Denmark. However, the result is decent. Moreover, just remember how Denmark left Portugal behind in qualification round!
Of course, Northerners and Pyreneans are very intricate rivals, and will fray everyone’s nerves. But it will be Germany and Netherlands, geographical neighbors, which will show the real fight. Their duel is very “delicious” match and almost the final’s rehearsal will take place on June 13. Get ready, Kharkov!
By the way, group B is the “Ukrainian one”. Netherlands will play three matches in Kharkov; other teams will play both in Kharkov and Lviv.
Our forecast: Germany and Netherlands should qualify for quarter finals. Otherwise, we will be disappointed and frustrated with football!
Group C
Spain Italy Republic of Ireland Croatia
Already the third day will bring the duel: Spain vs. Italy. It’s the advantage of the group C. However, the disadvantage of this group consists in possibility of mistakes-free football performed by favorites. From the one hand, we could obtain both boring and spectacular matches. But from another, it seems to be destined Italy and Spain’s fights against so cocky and obstinate teams. Therefore, evident favorites could be easily “punched in the guts”.
Our forecast: Spain will qualify for quarter final and further. However, Italy could be left outboard, and Croatia is a very suitable team for such a sensation.
Group D
Ukraine Sweden France England
Group D is the second Ukrainian group of EURO 2012 (with matches in Kiev and Donetsk). It’s has almost the ideal staff from the football, touristic and mass media attention points of view. You could definitely expect interesting and unlike matches full of astonishing results.
The thing is that a lot of football supporters automatically made of France and England winner and runner-up of the group. Nevertheless, if we are talking about Italian non-qualifying for the quarter final, France fits better for such a prediction! Either Ukraine, co-host that plays in its own walls or strong Sweden will deprive “tricolore” of points. Lets’ say nothing about England national team that is way formidable at the football ground even without Rooney (besides, his disqualification for three consecutive matches isn’t decided yet)! Also, everyone should remember that France national team isn’t a paragon of psychological stability for short-term tournaments.
Our forecast: England will be the winner of the group and the runner-up is “blue-and-yellow” team (Guessing of our prediction is up to you).
