Warsaw/ MAdrid: Group A of the Euro 2012 Football Championships comprising Russia, Greece, the Czech Republic and co-hosts Poland, is dubbed as the ‘weakest’ while all national team coaches have agreed that only one pool could be touted as the ‘Group of Death’ with the likes of Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark battling it out.
GROUP A: On the latest FIFA rankings, Russia stands at 11th, Greece 14th, Czech Republic 26th, and Poland 65th. As co-hosts, Poland automatically entered the Euro 2012 final stage.
As for line-ups, Andrei Arshavin’s surge in Euro 2008 sent Russia into the semifinals, and the 31-year-old captain’s form still holds the key in Russia’s current campaign. The Czech Republic must revive their attacking power. The main point lies on striker Milan Baros, who scored five goals in the 2004 edition.
Poland have no option but make full use of their big three, striker Robert Lewandowski, playmaker Jakub Blaszczkowski, and defender Lukasz Piszczek.
GROUP B: All four teams in Group B are ranked in the top 10, Germany second, the Netherlands fourth, Portugal fifth and Denmark 10th. Furthermore, Germany have won the Euro titles thrice (1972, 1980, 1996), the Netherlands once (1988) as well as Denmark (1992).
Denmark’s main quality is the team spirit, while Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal add many individual class players who can decide matches on their own.
Germany have the likes of Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze, Holland relies on Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, while Portugal depend on Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. However, all three teams, have shown defensive weaknesses in their recent performances.
The most eagerly awaited encounter will be the one between the Netherlands and Germany. The most famous encounter was the one between West Germany and Holland in the 1974 World Cup final when the former won 2-1. The best memory for the Dutch dates back to the semifinals of Euro 1988 when they beat Germany 2-1 and went on to win the title. Germany historically holds an edge against all three group opponents.
Based on historic results, Portugal should have no fear for the Netherlands, losing only once and winning six times in ten previous meetings.
With Germany and the Netherlands being the favourites to go through, Portugal and Denmark have reasons to remain positive.
GROUP C: On paper it looks that two countries among title holder Spain, Italy and Croatia should qualify from Group C in the European Championships — however, anyone who writes off the influence of the Republic of Ireland is probably making a mistake.
World Champions Spain have to be favourites to win the Group: Vicente Del Bosque’s side travel to Poland as reigning world and European champions.
Del Bosque has lost David Villa and inspirational central defender Carles Puyol to injury, but Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper Iker Casillas are all still there and they have been joined by young talents such as Javi Martinez.
The Italians are another side that sometimes needs time to click into gear and both sides will go into the opening match knowing that defeat could be potentially fatal with Croatia favourites to start their campaign with a win against the Republic of Ireland.
Four years ago Croatia won all three of their group matches and if they are able to repeat that feat either Spain or Italy are heading home before time.
It’s unlikely that Ireland will make it out of the group, but over 90 minutes they could well decide which sides do make it into the quarter-final stage … and which side falls by the wayside.
GROUP D: England are in one of the toughest groups that also has France, Sweden and the co-host Ukraine. England first were shocked by the sudden departure of manager Fabio Capello, who was later replaced by Roy Hodgson.
Things were worsened for England as main striker Wayne Rooney was first slapped with a two-match ban and then injuries of leading players.
After losing Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry, England has only two experienced players in central midfield, who are Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker.
Though losing a leading position in the world after the their humiliating failure and turmoil in South Africa, France, the two-time European champion has gradually turned on a new page under the rebuilding job of Laurent Blanc in the recent two years.
Sweden has only one top star but also one undisputed leader Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their trip to Poland and Ukraine in this month.
Sweden is less hot in the group but still has the strength to upset the favourites as they once kept a 43-year unbeaten run against England only being ended last November.
Ukraine will need a miracle to progress to the quarter-finals as injuries and a lack of promising talents have hampered the co-hosts’ chances even if they have home advantages. (IANS)
