Euro 2012 Group Scenarios

i see two surprises here

one croatia edging out italy or spain and qualifying

and the other denmark qualifying. as a result of whose misfortunate, i don't know.

danes beat holland in 1992 in semis and danes beat germany twice. also they have portugal by the balls the last 3 years

Holland has a better team game than Portugal though, more balance to their play where as Portugal is too reliant on their great individuals.

I don't know if Croatia can break Italy down, I'm going with the maccaronis.

True. Ukraine will be organized but they don't have a playmaker who can create chances. I don't see Milevsky causing Rio and Terry much problems.

Yeah their attack is amazing, my biggest concern is that their best players all seem to be injury-prone and a bit moody (van Persie, van der Vaart, Robben, Sneijder, etc.)

I could picture the Dutch ripping Portugal to shreds and then going on to win the tournament, but I don't know if it will happen next summer.

I don't see Denmark qualifying simply because the group is so tough. They are a tough, professional team that will be very competitive, but I can't see them getting out of Group B.

Regarding Croatia, I don't see Spain going out in the Group Stage, so they'll have to get through ahead of Italy and Ireland. That could be possible, though I expect a focused Italian group after the disappointment of the last World Cup.

I just hope that they go back to their trademark football, haven't been impressed with Holland's approach the last two World Cups.

You're right that the Dutch are moody and usually lack cohesion, but Portugal seems to lack the competitive edge which is a shame because they've got spectacular players. Btw do you agree that Danny isn't being used the right way with the NT? From what I hear he's not given freedom like with Zenit and he's even been used as a striker?

The problem is that when Danny tried to break into the NT a few years ago, the coach (Carlos Queiroz) didn't have control over the team and preferred very defensive tactics, which affected Danny negatively. He didn't do that well, was moved around to the wing and up front for a little bit, and now doesn't seem to have much confidence. Now the new manager (Paulo Bento) prefers a 4-3-3 formation, with none of the midfielders enjoying the type of freedom that Danny gets in Russia.

I still believe he can be an effective player for Portugal, though he'll need to perform well in the friendlies leading up to the Euros to be considered for a starting spot.

I don't see what's so stunningly audacious about predicting that Portugal could get through ahead of Holland.

Yes, I'm a Porto fan...but I think a lot of neutral fans recognize Portugal's potential and wouldn't be shocked if they did well at the Euros.

Lol atleast Ukraine has a culture to show, not like your swampy Katsapstan with a stolen history.

Why so serious? I was being playful man, khokhol isn't even a bad word. Shame on us for stealing Ukraine's glorious culture though, lol.

And Russia isn't swampy dude, that's Belarus.

I've heard it suggested Portuguese don't care for Danny too much because he is Venezuelan.... plus his success is all to the East.

Heard that too, the first part.

Nah, Portugal's got a couple of guys who aren't technically from the mainland--Pepe (Brazil), Nani (Cape Verde), Deco before he retired, etc.

Danny was slightly unlucky to break into the NT when he did since Quieroz was a terrible coach, but I know most Portuguese fans want him to succeed.

I admit, your saying that you can not see Ukraine scoring against England is a bit more stunning. You know, they played twice in WC 2010 Qualification, and Ukraine scored both times, even won once... 1-2, 1-0.

What's even more stunning is you making idiotic blanket statements based on results 2 years ago in a game that meant nothing to England as they already qualified by a landslide.

Nevermind that:

1) England are playing with an entirely new defense that has emerged at Manchester United featuring Phil Jones & Chris Smailing + Lescott and playing at least two and most likely three defensive MF's including the likes of Jack Rodwell and Barry and Scott Parker.

2) England has adopted a new defensive style that has tactical expert Michael Cox calling them the new Greece. http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/7246328/euro-2012-england-new-greece-michael-cox


A recent match against Sweden....

I think that ideally UEFA would have wanted for Russia and England to swap groups.

Maybe I am an optimist but UNT can play with France and England. The question is whether UNT are capable to play as well as they did against Germany last month and whether Mykhalyk will be available to improve the defense.

I wouldn't call Ukraine's chances miniscule, over a qualifying cycle sure but not in the actual tournament.

But Ukraine were experimental too (not by choice, admittedly), since they lacked Chyhrynskyi, Mykhalyk, Khacheridi, Voronin, Hai, Shovkovsky, Harmash, and Husev

Yeah Germany had a bizarre 3-5-1-1 or something, trying out a completely new plan

I think you're pumping up France a bit much. Yes, they have some great young players, but I have questions about their defense and am troubled by their struggles to qualify for the Euros.