Euro 2012 - Match Prediction

Opening match jitters are common and you are just warming up to the big occasion. You want to win but do not wish to loose. First matches are often drab and cautious until the first goal is scored. The irony is that in this kind of format you must not loose the first game or you will be left playing catch up adding more pressure to your team. with this in mind, let's gaze into the crystal ball..... 

Group A - 1st Matches

Poland v Greece - Poland has home ground advantage. Their economy is doing better than most. They can be very good or quite bad but their strength is in attack while Greece is completely unspectacular and when they win it's 1-0. Not sure if they are demoralised by their economy. The Greeks are technically sound in defence but they hardly scored. So it is offence v defence. 1-0.

Russia v Czech - Russia has a good defence while the Czechs are unpredictable. Both have great heritage. Russian strength is in offense - think Pavlyuchenko (Arshavin may have something to prove reviving his career after leaving Arsenal) while Czech has old war horses like Milan Baros and Tomas Rosicky. The Russians are a balanced team while the Czechs are offensively alright but weak in defence. The match will be won or lost in the middle where Tomas Rosicky has been silky smooth and they have Petr Cech at goal. 2-1.

Group B - 1st Matches

Netherlands v Denmark - Oranje will have high hopes after the last World Cup but they should return to their roots of total football rather than their hacking tactics v Spain. The Danes are a decent team and Nicklaus Bendtner has been doing much better than when he was with Arsenal. Their destiny depends on their midfield. The Dutch just have too much firepower with Robbie van Persie, Klaus Jan Huntelaar and Arje Robben with Sneijder. Like the Germans, the Dutch are very good offensively but defence is suspect. 2-1. 

Germany v Portugal - Even neutrals love the Germans during the last World Cup for they are no longer boring and are brimming with confidence and talent in all areas. Add that to their ruthless efficiency and you get a winning combination for some years to come. Forget their unimpressive warm ups for they are competition machines. They have an elite offense but may be suspect in defence - very unGerman. Portugal can be very good or just ordinary but no doubt about their talents. They may have to over rely on the best European player in Cristiano Ronaldo but like Messi, Ronaldo's club form has not been translated to the national side. 2-1.

Group C - 1st Matches

Spain v Italy - La Furia Roja is commonly used to describe Spain and that means the Red Fury! Think Barcelona and Real Madrid, Matadors and bull fights, Flamenco music and dance and then feel the tempo of tika taka soccer and you get the reigning European and World champions. Italy is a pedigreed international side but tainted by match-fixing scandal in their Serie A but they always performed even when the chips are down and not an easy team to play. Spain may be too strong but remember that Barca and Real did not made it to the Champions League final. 1-0.

Ireland v Croatia - Italian Trappatoni is a winning veteran and has drilled the Irish into an organised side that is tough defensively so this is a match that Croatia could dominate but Ireland could hit them on the break and this is the strength of Robbie Keane. 1-1. 

Group D - 1st Matches

France v England - Arch enemies. National pride is at stake. France has recovered and doing well while England looks short on experience and is depleted but can now go into the tournament without the usual hype and expectations. France could dominate while England plays on the counter attack, Joe Hart and the defence has to be at their best. 1-1.

Ukraine v Sweden - Ukraine lack depth but have home support which makes them equal to Sweden. Either side could win this one and immediately increase their chances if they win. 1-1.

Group A - 2nd Matches

Greece v Czech - This will be a tight game but both sides need to win but could end up cancelling each other. 1-1.

Poland v Russia - Again home support could play a part but Russia may seal the game to qualify for the quarters. 1-2.

Group B - 2nd Matches

Denmark v Portugal - Denmark has beaten Portugal during the qualifiers. Question is can the Danish keep Ronaldo and Nani quiet again? Portugal do lack depth. 2-2.

Netherlands v Germany - This will be the star game as we expect fireworks on display. This match could go either way and both sides are almost equally strong. It will be really close. 2-2.

Group C -  2nd Matches

Italy v Croatia - Italy will be ready by now to turn the tables on Croatia. Croatia is a skillful outfit but few people can play a tighter game than the Italians. Skills to triumph over technique? 1-1.

Spain v Ireland - Spain like Barcelona will dominate any game with incredible possession. Barcelona's average possession was an unbelievable 72%. Ireland can only soak and strike. They will soak but Espanol will strike. 2-0.

Group D - 2nd Matches

Sweden v England - Sweden has never really done badly and has been England's bogey team for along time but England finally banished it by beating Sweden in a friendly in Nov'11 for the first time since the late 60s. England had also beaten Spain last year then beaten Norway in Oslo for the first time in 32 years. England has been eking out 1-0 wins even when not playing that well but Sweden is their bogey team an they always seems to draw 1-1. So either a draw or 0-1 to England but I think it'll be 1-1.

Ukraine v France - Home advantage for Ukraine may probably not be enough against the French. 1-2 to France.

Group A - Final Matches

Czech v Poland - At this point, both teams will need the points. The Czechs will need to go out for a win and probably take the lead but count on Poland to hit back. Final outcome 2-2.

Greece v Russia - Greece has only pride to play for by now. They will pull off almost a scare for Russia but Russia will get the point and get through. They are probably already through . 1-1.

So it shall be (1) Russia (2) Poland (3) Czech Republic (4) Greece.

Group B - Final Matches

Portugal v Netherlands - This will be a crucial match and Ronaldo will score but the Dutch will score more and assert themselves with assurance unless they start fighting among themselves again. 2-3.

Denmark v Germany - Germany has great firepower but they can play conservatively to win and the Danes may not score against their efficient organisation. 0-2.

And (1) Germany (2) Netherlands (3) Portugal (4) Denmark.

Group C - Final Matches

Croatia v Spain - For all their attacking skills, the Croatians will still find it hard against Spain's possession. Most teams play very defensively against Spain because if Spain dominates and do not score after a long time, they can get frustrated. Therefore, you see Spain not winning by big margins but by simple 1-0 wins as opponents park a bus in front of goal. 0-1 to Spain.

Italy v Ireland - With no disrespect but Ireland should end up at the bottom but their displays have always been gutsy. They may even take a point from the Italians but the Italians may just get a win here. 2-1.

Then (1) Spain (2) Italy (3) Croatia (4) Ireland.

Group D - Final Matches

England v Ukraine - England seems to be perpetually cursed and they also seems to make things hard for themselves. This last game could be crucial for them but hey Wayne Rooney is finally back for it but it will be like an away game. Rooney to score and take England through. This is a best case scenario. 2-1.

Sweden v France - Ibramovic will come alive now to torment the French defence. All final group match is of significance and this is no less. 2-2.

Finally (1) France (2) England (3) Sweden (4) Ukraine.

For the Quarter-Finals, it'll be:

(1) Russia v Netherlands
(2) Germany v Poland
(3) Spain v England
(4) France v Italy

Semi-Finals? It could be Spain v Russia and Germany v France but my picks are: 1st semi-final: Spain v Netherlands and the second semi-final: Germany v France. Final: It could be Netherlands v Germany/France but my pick would be: Germany v Spain. And the winner? I say it would be Germany!

Watch this space!

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