Euro 2012 for Dummies

Written by: Brian Fisher, The Reserve Clause

Resident TRC Soccer expert breaks down what you should and shouldn't watch for in the Euros.

Location: Co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine

Time: June 8^th- July 16^th (televised on ESPN networks)

Why to Watch: Next to Champions League football (or soccer), and perhaps elite European league football, this tournament boasts the best players and best product the sport has to offer. It’s often joked that the European championships are basically the World Cup without Brazil and Argentina.

History: The current World champions (victors at 2010 World Cup), Spain, are also the current European champions (UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Football Championships (“Euro 2008”). Nine countries have won the tournament since its creation in 1960, and it’s been played every four years thereafter. Germany has won the most European championships (3 times), and Spain and France have both won it twice. The other winners are Denmark, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, Soviet Union (inaugural winners), Italy and Greece.

Format: The finals include the 14 teams that qualified, which began with 51 qualifying European countries competing. The two host countries, Poland and Ukraine, qualify for the finals automatically. Four groups of four teams play in a “round robin” group stage, with each team playing the other teams in their group once. Each match is worth “3” points for a win, “1” for a draw, or “0” for a loss. The 2 teams with the most points amassed from this stage in each group advance into the quarterfinals or “knockout” stage and play single elimination games until a country is named eventual European champion. 

Group Previews:

Group A-

Poland-

What you need to know: As the host country, Poland have a little added pressure and motivation to at least advance out of the group stage. The White Eagles should benefit from their familiar surroundings and a lot of local support. They have the talent and group to do so as well. This definitely one of the toughest groups to call, in one of the most unpredictable tournaments, but the Poles have the look of a team good for at least making it to the knockouts.

Who to watch (established players): Robert Lewandowski, Jakub Blaszczykowski (“Kuba”) and Ludovic Obraniak

Names to remember (future stars): Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Piszczek

How far will they go: Quarterfinals (group runners up)

Greece-

What you need to know: The surprise champions of the 2004 European championship, the Galanolefki (“Blue-white”) struggled to find the same magic in 2008 or the last World Cup. In addition, the identity of the Greek team seems to be changing. A side noted for its organization, collective defensive effort and opportunistic offense, this Greek side features some exciting young creative players which promises a more ambitious and attacking approach to the tournament.

Who to watch: Theofanis Gekas, Giorgos Samaras, and Socratis Papastathopoulos

Names to remember: Sotaris Ninis, Giannis Fetfatzidis, and Kyriakos Papadopoulos

How far will they go: Group Stage (fourth place)

Russia-

What you need to know: Probably the most underrated and underappreciated footballing side in the tournament, Russia has historically done well in this tournament. This Russian squad has plenty of experience, talent and motivation to challenge any team in the tournament. This tournament is known for producing surprise winners (Denmark ’92 and Greece ’04), and Russia would be a decent bet as a dark horse winner for this one.

Who to watch: Andrey Arsharvin, Roman Pavliachenko and Yuri Zurkov

Names to remember: Alan Dzagoev

How far will they go: Quarterfinals (group winners)

Czech Republic-

What you need to know: The Czech Republic come into the 2012 Euros as a team that looks to have missed their chance. A golden generation that included Tomas Rosicky, Milan Baros, and Petr Cech, now look a side in need of a facelift and injection of youth. This Czech team looks bereft of new ideas, and as such, little is expected of them in this tournament. In fact, they may look so underwhelming, that they may just get underestimated and therefore be dangerous. Can this aging side find enough to sneak out of this group? It wouldn’t be all that shocking to see them find their way to the knockout rounds.

Who to watch: Tomas Rosicky, Milan Baros, Jaroslav Plasil and Petr Cech

Names to remember: Tomas Necid, Tomas Pekhart and Marek Suchy

How far will they go: Group stage (third place)

Group B-(“Group of Death”)

Netherlands-

What you need to know: The Netherlands are perennial underachievers in senior international tournaments (just 1 European title and no World Cup titles), and were runners up in the 2010 World Cup. This Dutch squad have plenty of attacking options and world class talent. If there is a weakness on this squad, it is in defense where Oranje is a bit slim on quality and depth. Team chemistry seems to always be an issue with Dutch teams in big tournaments as well, but you get the sense that this current generation has one big run left in it.

Who to watch: Robin Van Persie, Klaus Jan Huntelaar, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, and Ibrahim Afellay

Names to remember: Kevin Strootman, Gregory van der Wiel and Luuk de Jong

How far will they go: Finalists

Denmark-

What you need to know: If Denmark were in another group, I’d say the Danes could potentially surprise some folks in this tournament. Denmark is solid in front, middle and back, and has played very well throughout qualifying. However, this group is likely too tough for the Danes to get either of the top two spots.

Who to watch: Nicklas Bendtner, Christian Eriksen and Daniel Agger

Names to remember: Christian Eriksen, Simon Kjaer, Nicolai Boilesen and Mathias Jorgensen

How far will they go: Group stage (fourth place)

Germany-

What you need to know: The three time champions, and runners up from Euro 2008, the Germans are undoubtedly one of the favorites to win the tournament. Depth, experience, flair and leadership, this current German squad seem to have it all…including motivation after falling just short in the last Euro tourney and deep run in the World Cup. Die Mannshaft are a smart bet to go the distance.

Who to watch: Philip Lahm, Bastien Schweinsteiger, Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose and Mesut Ozil

Names to remember: Mats Hummels, Mario Gotze, Andre Schurrle, and Toni Kroos

How far will they go: Winner

Portugal-

What you need to know: Most of the attention on the Portuguese team will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, and rightly so. Unquestionably, Ronaldo is the second best player in the world (to Messi), and an absolute “game changer”. Add to the side Nani and Fabio Coentrao, and you’d think the strength of this squad was attacking, however defense and experience is likely to be the deciding factor if Portugal get out of this group. Portugal had both a strong showing in the 2010 World Cup and Euro qualifying on the basis of one of the stingiest defenses in Europe. If they can hold down the Dutch or Germans in the group games, they have an excellent chance of getting out of this group.

Who to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Fabio Contraeo and Pepe

Names to remember: Joao Moutinho and Nelsen Oliveira

How far will they go: Group stage (third place)

Group C-

Spain-

What you need to know: The 2008 Euro and 2010 World Cup champs will once again be one of the prohibitive favorites to win the tournament. No David Villa is a problem, as is the perceived fatigue and lack of motivation for much of the Spanish squad, which has already accomplished more than any of their predecessors. All that being said, this is a special, special group of players, and no side offers as much technical ability or the depth of La Roja.

Who to watch: Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Juan Mata, Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso and Gerrard Pique

Names to remember: Jordi Alba, Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez

How far will they go: Semi-finalists

Italy-

What you need to know: As of writing this article, the two-time champs are still playing in the tournament, however more alleged corruption and betting scandals are threatening not only Italian club football, but also the national team for this tournament. Potentially huge losses in defense, as well as uncertainty of who’s going to supply the scoring upfront with a number of talented, but inconsistent and enigmatic options for selection, makes this Italian side look particularly vulnerable. However, if we’ve learned anything over the years in international football, it’s never count out gli Azzurri. This experienced squad will know how to get results.

Who to watch: Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Pirlo and Ricardo Montolivo

Names to remember: Leonardo Bonucci

How far will they go: Group stage (third place)

Republic of Ireland-

What you need to know: Ireland has been able to shake off the disappointment from their inauspicious elimination from the last World Cup finals to put together an impressive qualification campaign for the Euros. Led by perhaps the most experienced international manager in the tournament, Giovanni Trappatoni, the Boys in Green have used an industrious style of play and solid organization to make Euro finals, and could just shock in this group.

Who to watch: Robbie Keane, Aidan McGeady, Kevin Doyle, and Richard Dunne

Names to remember: James McClean and Shane Long

How far will they go: Quarterfinals

Croatia-

What you need to know: The Blazers are often overlooked in these large international tournaments, and there are plenty of recognizable, experienced players on this squad, however Croatia seems to searching a bit for an identity as well as their best lineup. Croatia could end up surprising, if they get out of the group stage, but seems as if they’ve left it a bit late to hit their stride in this tournament.

Who to watch: Darijo Srna, Eduardo, Luka Modric, and Vedran Corluka

Names to remember: Ivan Perisic, Ivan Rakitic, and Sime Vrsaljko

How far will they go: Group stage (fourth place)

Group D-

Ukraine-

What you need to know: Co-hosts with Poland, and like their Polish counterparts, will benefit from home support, but also feel the pressure of playing at home. Ukraine still relies too much on players such as Shevchenko, who are years beyond their prime, and this is a pretty tough group regardless. It seems a daunting prospect for the Yellow-blues to find their way out of group D. 

Who to watch: Andriy Shevchenko, Anatoliy Timoshchuk, and Andriy Voronin

Names to remember: Andriy Yarmolenko and Maksym Koval

How far will they go: Group Stage (fourth place)

Sweden-

What you need to know: The Blagult (“blue-yellow”) look a more offensively ambitious and creative side than in the last few tournaments under their new coach. The Swedes are always well organized and play within themselves. Like the two giants in this group, they also boast one of the best strikers on the planet, in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is capable of turning a game on his own. The Swedes are definitely the dark horse pick to get out of this group, and perhaps a decent long shot bet to win it all.

Who to watch: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kim Kallstrom, Sebastian Larsson and Christian Wilhelmsson

Names to remember: Rasmus Elm and Emir Bajrami

How far will they go: Group Stage (third place)

France-

What you need to know: France offer nearly as much talent and depth as any team in this tournament. In addition, they look to be a side with purpose and understanding under Laurent Blanc. A number of players are in very good form of late, including a number of sparkling offensive players. Could Euro 2012 be the launching pad for an even deeper run in World Cup 2014? It would seem a decent bet, but don’t count out Les Bleus realizing their massive potential in this tournament.

Who to watch: Kareem Benzema, Hugo Lloris, Franck Ribery and Patrice Evra

Names to remember: Olivier Giroud, Yann M’Vila, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Mathieu Debuchy

How far will they go: Semi-finals

England-

What you need to know: England is perennially a favorite to do well, if not win major international competitions such as the European championships. Unfortunately however, the soccer crazed country that boasts the best support and arguably best club football in the world, is continually disappointed by their talented, but enigmatic national team. The Three Lions offer up a similar squad for this tournament, complete with big names, accomplished internationals and plenty of young talent, however their plenty of question marks as well, particularly in defense, as well as upfront, as England will be without their star, Wayne Rooney, who is suspended for the first two matches of the tournaments. England still looks a team with too much talent and experience to not advance out of this group, but they’ll need players like Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and John Terry to be in top form. 

Who to watch: Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Ashley Young and Joe Hart

Names to remember: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Phil Jones and Martin Kelly

How far will they go: Quarterfinals

Knockout Predictions

Quarterfinals-

Russia vs. Netherlands

Germany vs. Poland

Spain vs. England

France vs. Ireland

Semi-finals-

Netherlands vs. Spain

Germany vs. France

Final-

Netherlands vs. Germany

Champion-

Germany

Most Outstanding Player:

Mesut Ozil, Germany

Golden Boot (leading goal scorer):

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden