With the 2012 European Championships just around the corner, it's
that time again where sixteen European nations rate their chances of
international football glory. In this article, I'm going to rate the
chances of the potential winners, potential shockers and England.
Potential Winners
Netherlands
The runners-up of the last World Cup, Holland have one of the most
exciting squads in World Football and after the pain of recent years
in tournaments the Dutch will be looking to turn their fortunes
around and bag the European Championships and hit top form heading
into the World Cup in two years time.
The only things standing in Holland's way is a tough group going up
against not only Germany but a solid Denmark and a potentially tricky
Portugal that and the Holland squad's tendency to implode if it's not
going right. However, it seemed that wasn't an issue in the last
World Cup and with Robin Van Persie having a superb season with
Arsenal scoring over thirty goals, if he could carry that form into
the Euros alongside players like Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and
the young protégé Afellay, Holland could be in for the win. Even
back-up players like Huntelaar and Van Der Vaart add to Holland's
already stunning attack.
Alongside one of the most formidable forward lines they also have a
defensive rock with Nigel De Jong and Mark Van Bommell being a very
solid defensive midfield partnership who wont allow teams to play.
Holland are my personal pick for the tournament due to their squad's
seemingly endless talents however, they could be upstaged by several
other nations who could too be destined for European success.
Germany
Germany always seem to have a chance at any major tournament, in the
last ten years they've finished in the top three in four of the last
five tournaments. Their amazingly talented young squad sparkled at
the World Cup, going out in the semi-finals to eventual winners
Spain. With an almost identical squad to the one that played so well
two years ago, you have to admit that Germany are up there with
Holland as favourites to win the tournament also.
The reliability of Klose who loves scoring in major tournaments as
much as Robin Van Persie loves scoring alongside the talented Mesut
Ozil and then another youngster who looks promising in Mario Gotze,
Germany too have the squad to win the Euros.
Much like the Dutch, the tough group may hurt Germany although it
will more than likely be settled in their second game against Holland
who may finish in the top of the group and Germany must be favourites
with the Netherlands to qualify but this team has come up short in
recent tournaments towards the end and that could happen again
depending on their draw in the knock-out round.
However, Germany will be thrilling to watch with the attacking likes
of Klose, Gomez, Gotze, Ozil, Podolski etc. and then the defensive
quality of Hummels and Boateng with Neuer behind them in goal,
Germany will not only get goals, they'll be hard to beat also.
Spain
The current World & European Champions Spain are a completely
different side than the one that used to be the underachievers of
tournament football. Their football is beautiful to watch but is it
starting to wear thin?
With most of the squad made up of Barcelona and Real Madrid players,
two teams who embrace the football philosophy of Spain themselves
both beaten in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, you have to
worry that they may come up short in this tournament too.
Spain's main advantage in the last two tournaments have been their
two in-form strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres who have gone
into the tournaments in stunning form domestically. With David Villa
out injured and questionable form from Torres for Chelsea this season
could harm they're goalscoring as seen when they lost to England in a
friendly late last year.
However, with Torres unhappy at Chelsea and needing to prove himself,
it could be that his form does hit a good run during the tournament
and Fernando Llorente also looking to prove himself as he may be
getting a move to the Premiership or at least away from Athletic
Bilbao.
One thing's for sure is that Spain have the quality to be in the last
four, whether they can go all the way against teams like Holland and
Germany is questionable.
Potential
Shockers
France
The French have
been very disappointing in the last two tournaments. Two points over
the last two tournaments and bottom of the group stages both times
France have failed to sparkle like they did in 1998, 2000 and even
2006.
However under Laurent Blanc they've rebooted and are favourites to
take Group D, with strikers like Karim Benzema who's been in fine
form for Real Madrid, Olivier Giroud who's been in fine form for
Montpellier, two strikers who have just won the domestic titles of
the countries they play in. Behind them, Ribery and Nasri can always
be threats and the great seasons of Hatem Ben Arfa and Cabaye at
Newcastle is also a good sign for France and they also have the
defensive midfield qualities of Yann M'Vila if he is fit.
Their only weakness if their tendency to also self-destruct in major
tournaments as the last two have shown. They also have a bit of a
shaky defence with Mexes and Rami, however, Laurent Koscielny could
easily be picked ahead of either after his great season at Arsenal
which inspired them to third place.
Poland
Out of the two co-hosts, I feel Poland have the better chance of
going further. Home advantage and some names like goalkeeper
Woijciech Szczesny who is mainly reliable and a hot-prospect in
Robert Lewandowski of Borussia Dortmund could see them get to a
Quarter Final at least and if lucky could shock a few better teams.
Italy
The Italians were poor at the last World Cup, crashing out at the
group stage despite being holders, however, being Italy they always
have a chance at going far. The problem seems to be their old squad,
although most of it comes from the Unbeatable Juventus team, most of
it is over thirty and even a few of their eldest players are Free
Agents after being released by their clubs. Depending on how well
they can contain Croatia and even Ireland they might be able to get
out of the group, but the age of their squad which couldn't get out
of the group stages two years ago really hinders them.
EDIT: After looking at the squad it seems I have seen the wrong Italian squad and some of the players referenced aren't in the actual squad, meaning comments on age are inaccurate. Even so, Italy I believe may struggle to get out of Group C.
Portugal
What of
Portugal also? They almost did it eight years ago in their own back
yard but were beaten by a defensive Greece but with Cristiano Ronaldo
there is the potential not only for flair but for goals. Alongside
him is Manchester United's Nani who has the potential to be deadly
and gives Ronaldo a quality not too distant from the one he regularly
receives at club level with Madrid, that makes him second best only
to Lionel Messi as the World's Best Footballer.
The only issue for Portugal is their group, with Holland and Germany
expected to go through and their other opponent being Denmark, a
nation who pipped them to automatic qualification in the Qualifiers
it could be that Portugal finish bottom of their group as easy as
they could win it. The factor of their success is not just keeping
their opponents out but making sure Ronaldo has a much better
tournament than two years ago where he was very lacklustre.
England
Finally, England. This seems to be the first major tournament of my
lifetime where England are entering without a delusional patriotic
view that we shall win it, a view I share. England wont win it.
There's simply too many teams better than them, all of which (except
probably most of the shockers) have been mentioned before. Wayne
Rooney and perhaps Joe Hart and Ashley Cole are the best players
England have (but even Cole is ageing) and Rooney is probably the
only player who could walk into a Barcelona or Real Madrid team
seeing as Hart is not better than Casillas and maybe on the same
level of Valdes and Cole's age may hinder him.
So with Rooney suspended for two games, it becomes incredibly hard to
attack teams and get the same passing rhythm going that Rooney can
conduct so easily for club and country. Roy Hodgson is a very good
international manager and he will ensure England are hard to beat and
the defensive Greece model maybe our best hope for our two
Rooney-less games against France and Sweden to try and get success.
Personally, a Quarter-Final place is a good triumph for England and
with the probability of Spain or Italy to follow or if not one of
those a tricky Croatian and should they get through pumped Ireland
side in their way of a semi-final place, England probably will be
back on the plane at the same time as usual. Even if they did manage
to beat Spain in a friendly last year.
However, the one to watch is definitely Arsenal's Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain. If he is selected it will be good to see if he
cuts it on the international stage as well as he has breaking into
the Arsenal team this season. It could be he features more than
thought with England's midfield troubles, losing Lampard and Barry
and now potentially Parker at any time, it will be nice to see if
'The Ox' as he is known can be one of the young stars of the
tournament even if England can't win it.
