The quadrennial UEFA European Championship Finals kick off this Friday in what is the culmination of the largest international soccer tournament outside of the FIFA World Cup. Sixteen out of UEFA's fifty-three member associations have qualified for Euro 2012, which is being hosted jointly by Poland and the Ukraine.
Over the next few days, Newrosis will provide you with an overview of each team, their chances, and whether you should support them over the course of the tournament. From hipster picks like Croatia to the long-shot Scandinavian sides and the Iberian dandies, we'll give you all the dirt you need to make an informed decision.
Before we get into the teams, a quick word about the format: the sixteen nations are divided into groups A, B, C, and D. Each team in the group plays the others once. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout rounds, which are exactly what they sound like. In addition to the championship game, the losing semifinalists play for 3rd place. Game on.
Part 1: The Front-Runners
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Spain are the bookies’ favorites to retain their title, and
while they face decent opposition in Group C from Croatia, Ireland, and
especially Italy, they will likely advance as group winners. Their quarterfinal knockout game should also be relatively
straightforward, meaning their first real test may not come until the
semifinals. If they make it that far
with no disciplinary suspensions or injuries to their key players, they will
likely go on to win the tournament.
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Despite their penchant for the dramatic, if their key
players (namely Fabregas, Xavi, and Iniesta) can stave off injury, Spain are
certainly going to go deep into the tournament and could prove to be a
juggernaut if they find themselves on a roll.
Recommended for people who cheer for the Yankees, supporters of the
theatre, and lovers of great soccer.
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Along with the eight player Bayern contingent (8 players!), Die Mannschaft also boast attacking
talent in the form of record goalscorer Miroslav Klose, Real Madrid duo Sami
Khedira and Mesut Özil, and future stars like Mario Götze, Tony Kroos, and
Andre Schürrle. The talent level is
almost on par with Spain, and the strength in depth means that the Germans may
be better equipped to deal with injuries to their key players.
The greatest obstacle for Germany will be a relatively grueling
route to glory. While they have to be
favorites to emerge from Group B, it will not be easy: the “Group of
Death” also includes bitter rivals Holland as well as the flashy Portuguese and
1992 champions Denmark. If they finish
on top of the group, they’re likely to go all the way to the final. If they qualify second, a tough match against
Spain looms in the semifinals.
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The Dutch have a group of players, including those mentioned
above, who are in their absolute prime, and the 2010 World
Cup runners-up are surely feeling the pressure to fulfill their potential at
this tournament. In addition to all the
attacking talent, the defensive core (two central defenders and two holding
midfielders) is made up of some tough customers: Johnny Heitinga, Ron Vlaar,
Mark van Bommel, and Nigel de Jong will not win any awards for sportsmanship,
but they will certainly do a job in front of ‘keeper Maarten Stekelenberg.
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In addition to off-field issues, Holland has also been known to lose its collective cool on the pitch: you need look no further than the 2010 final in South Africa, where the Oranje should have been down to ten men within minutes of kick-off after Nigel de Jong’s boot to the chest of Xabi Alonso. English referee Howard Webb was forced to employ possibly the most flexible interpretation of the laws of the game in history in order to keep the Dutch at eleven men until the 109th minute when Johnny Heitinga finally left him no choice but to issue him a second caution and a trip to the showers. In all, the Dutch amassed nine yellows while committing 28 fouls, and Andres Iniesta's goal in extra time saw the Spanish emerge victorious anyway. Such thuggery is not likely to work this time around either.
If the Dutch are to win just their second major tournament,
they need to maintain their focus on and off the field. Holland are in Group B, the "Group of Death," along with the Germans,
Portuguese, and Danish, and they need to start strong and avoid disciplinary
lapses. They won’t have any easy games,
but they certainly have the talent to go all the way, and no one has ever accused the Oranje of being boring: they are guaranteed to entertain. Recommended for those who like a little more chaos than order in their lives, and also for fans of Slap Shot, Caddyshack, and Major League. HUP, HOLLAND, HUP!*
That's your look at the three favorites and their chances. Tomorrow, Newrosis looks at some other Euro powers who ride the fence; will they contend or just pretend? France, Italy, Portugal, Russia, and England will all be laid bare, so stay tuned.
*I hereby admit to bias in favor of the Dutch.
That's your look at the three favorites and their chances. Tomorrow, Newrosis looks at some other Euro powers who ride the fence; will they contend or just pretend? France, Italy, Portugal, Russia, and England will all be laid bare, so stay tuned.
*I hereby admit to bias in favor of the Dutch.
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