Euro 2012 - Group C

The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2012, will be the 14th running of the tournament. The tournament will be hosted by Poland and Ukraine between 8 June and 1 July 2012. It is the first time that either nation has hosted the tournament. This is part one of my predictions for the event.



Spain:

The current holders will be one of the favorites going into this tournament. Their team has flair and skill in equal measure and you cannot go down their squad ist without finding a player that does or could improve most teams in Europe. In 2008 Spain ended their 44 year wait for a trophy ans since then added the World Cup. Will they win the whole tournament? I am not so sure but they will certainly get out of the groups, most likely as winners. If they do happen to win the trophy then they will go joint top with Germany as the most succesful country in the competition.

Italy:

The last time (and only time) this country won the tournament was also the last time Manchester City were English champions. This season City ended their 44 year wait, can the Azzurri? A lot can be read into their opening game against Spain as to whether they qualify top or second but I think this could certainly be their year. The Italians will be tight as always at the back and with Balotelli, if he can keep it together, they have a good striker despite Rossi missing out due to inury.

Croatia: 

In the four tournaments they have been involved in as a country in their own right they have made the Quarter Final stage twice. Under manager Slaven Bilic you have a manager who can blend the sliky skills of Luka Modric with the no nonesense tackling of defenders like Simunic. Unfortunately I think that the previous two countries mentioned will be too much for them and they will find themselves in third spot.

Republic Of Ireland:

The Irish are taking their place in their first Euro Tournament since the 1988 Finals held in Germany. In fact since the competition started in 1960, the Germany Finals are the only time they qualified. This will be their first major tournament for ten years with the 2002 World Cup being the last time the world got to see the Irish. No matter what happens during the tournament you can be sure the Irish fans will make the most of it.