Euro 2012: A Non-European Perspective on All 16 Teams
Euro 2012 is only two weeks away, and preparations are in full swing for the prestigious tournament.
There are predictions and previews flying everywhere about who will win and who won't win, which is perfectly fine—if you're European. I mean, let's be honest here, if you're not European, then it is hard to get excited about a European tournament.
If you're not European then it can be tough to figure out who to follow in the tournament.
Should you support the nation that has your favorite striker or the team that has your defender? Is following Spain just a cop-out, and is it pointless to follow the Czech Republic?
Well, non-European people of the world, here's the answer.
You'll find both the positive and negative aspects of every team from every pool at Euro 2012 to help you pick out your team to support. The pros and cons, if you like, of all 16 Euro teams.
Let's take a look.
Group A: Poland
1 of 17Support Them?
Ranked 65th in the world in FIFA's most recent rankings, nobody expects Poland to even win a game in their group—let alone contend for the title—making them a great underdog to support.
Don't Support Them?
They aren't expected to win a game, and that's because they won't.
They'll be out of the tournament faster than Joey Barton can get himself sent off—which is saying something.
Group A: Greece
2 of 17Support Them?
Greece won't hold back in Euro 2012—playing an exciting, fast-paced, attacking and physical style of football right throughout the tournament—and are bound to attract a few fans in the process.
Don't Support Them?
If you're looking for a Cinderella story for the tournament, then Greece is certainly your team.
The only problem is you're about eight years too late.
Let's just say that that train has left the station, done a return journey and is now gathering rust on the side of the tracks.
Group A: Russia
3 of 17Support Them?
Russia are likely to qualify first from Group A, meaning that they'll be around for longer than three matches.
They stunned the Netherlands in the quarterfinals in 2008 and could well face the same matchup in 2012—giving the Russians a great advantage.
Don't Support Them?
It's Russia, it's cold, and they're a little bit strange sometimes.
Group A: Czech Republic
4 of 17Support Them?
Czech Republic may well progress through the group stage of Euro 2012 after being drawn in the relatively easy Group A.
And while they would then meet the winner of Group B—or the Group of Death, as it's commonly called—the Czechs could be the surprise story of the tournament.
Don't Support Them?
The likelihood of them getting past the winner of Group B or even the runner-up of Group B is highly unlikely.
Considering also that Czech Republic rarely makes it out of the group stages in major tournaments, they're like supporting a horse running its last race—sentimental, but not worth getting behind.
Group B: Netherlands
5 of 17Support Them?
The Netherlands—or Holland, or whatever they're calling themselves this tournament—are definitely in contention for the title at Euro 2012 with a star-studded lineup including Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben.
They made the final of the 2010 World Cup with a similar squad and could well find themselves in a similar position this time around.
Don't Support Them?
Other than last year's World Cup, the Netherlands have perennially underperformed at international tournaments considering the strength of their squad.
And they have Robben's penalty skills to deal with.
Group B: Denmark
6 of 17Support Them?
Denmark can pull off an upset at the international level, and with young gun Christian Eriksen set to shine throughout the tournament, the Danes could win a game or two that they weren't supposed to and make some serious noise in Euro 2012.
Don't Support Them?
They won't. It's called the Group of Death for a reason.
Group B: Germany
7 of 17Support Them?
One of the favorites for Euro 2012, Germany have a strong squad and plenty of attacking threats to dominate their opponents.
Their consistent play and dogged determination has won them plenty of international fans throughout the past few years and will continue to do so again in Euro 2012.
Don't Support Them?
Other than being a favorite, the German style is a little full-on at times—they attack at will with seemingly random structure and efficiency.
It can be a good thing at times, or they can simply look lost—you just don't know which one you're going to get.
Group B: Portugal
8 of 17Support Them?
They have Cristiano Ronaldo and cannot be underestimated at the international level despite being drawn in a tough pool.
Their midfield is superb and can attack opponents from anywhere on the pitch.
Don't Support Them?
They have Cristiano Ronaldo.
Group C: Spain
9 of 17Support Them?
Spain enter Euro 2012 as the undisputed favorites for the competition—their midfield is full of exciting talent, and their forward line is the strongest of the tournament.
They have some big-name players coming off a recent UEFA Champions League victory and will be seeking to give their nation a third straight international trophy.
Don't Support Them?
They're the favorites. Supporting Spain is therefore only going to set you up for disappointment.
If they win, they were expected to win all along and didn't really achieve much. If they lose, however, then they failed miserably and you'll wish you picked another team.
Lose-lose situation.
Group C: Italy
10 of 17Support Them?
Italy are one of the best alternatives to the favorites like Germany and Spain to win Euro 2012 and are certainly a threat for the title.
They can qualify from their pool in second place and move to the other side of the draw, where they would only face Spain in the final.
They'll also have the added advantage of playing them in their pool matches.
Don't Support Them?
Italy are boring. They play defensive football—which works at times—but they're not going to get your blood pumping for 90 minutes of football.
They dive, they whinge at everything and are too defensively minded to play exciting football at Euro 2012.
Group C: Republic of Ireland
11 of 17Support Them?
By supporting Ireland, you'll still be supporting players that you may heard of before without supporting the glory-hunting clubs.
There are no expectations for Ireland—like usual—and they can push even the strongest of teams the full 90 minutes.
Don't Support Them?
They're in a pool with Spain, Italy and Croatia.
Winning a game, let alone the tournament, would be more unlikely than Chelsea winning the UEFA Champions League.
Group C: Croatia
12 of 17Support Them?
Like many other teams, there are no expectations for Croatia to perform throughout the tournament.
Having said that, they do have some quality players, such as Luka Modric, and have the physical presence to upset some the likes of Italy or Spain.
Don't Support Them?
Nobody has ever heard of half their players, and when your friend asks you who your favorite player is, you'll be using Google Translate just to pronounce their first name. That and they're destined for an early exit at Euro 2012.
Group D: Ukraine
13 of 17Support Them?
Group D isn't the toughest of pools, and an otherwise insignificant roster could shock a few football fans with their solid defense and their ability to win back the football.
Don't Support Them?
Who?
Group D: Sweden
14 of 17Support them?
Similar to Ukraine, Sweden have the ability to at least draw with England or France on an off-day and thus could have the ability to sneak through to the quarterfinals.
They have a dynamic forward in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and are bound to play an exciting style of football throughout the tournament.
Don't Support Them?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also one of the most insane footballers on the planet, and he's more likely to try to describe his hot-dog move to you than he is to be a dominant presence in attack. And if he falters, then Sweden truly do have nothing.
Group D: France
15 of 17Support Them?
France will definitely qualify from their group and have the ability to perform in the big games on the international level.
They have star midfielders in Samir Nasri and Franck Ribery and are always a tough team to beat.
Don't Support Them?
They're cheats—plain and simple. They cheated their way into the World Cup in 2010 and then bombed out in spectacular fashion once they'd made it.
Group D: England
16 of 17Support Them?
You know what you're going to get with England, and you have probably heard of most of their players.
They'll be as consistent as always and will surely progress through their group to the knockout stages.
Don't Support Them?
Every international tournament sees this star-studded lineup fail dismally—without exception.
The expectations on this year's squad are lower than usual, with their star striker suspended for two matches, a last-minute manager in charge, in-fighting in the team and a winger with no goals or assists next to his name all year.
So Who Should I Follow?
17 of 17Answer: Whoever you want.
Every team has both positive and negative things about them, every team has a shot at success and every team has the chance to be a complete waste of space.
Just what will happen throughout Euro 2012 remains to be seen, but as far as champions go, know that you'll always have a reason to dislike the winner and a reason to claim that we picked them. Which, European-based or not, is all we want to do.
I'm with Italy and their "boring defense" to shock Germany in the final 1-0. Who are you supporting—or not supporting—in Euro 2012?
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