Euro 2012: Predictions for All the First-Round Fixtures

Its finally here.

In less than a week the European Championships will begin, with the hosts Poland taking on 2004 Champions, Greece, in the opening game.

What will follow on from that could be one of the most exciting competitions we have seen in a very long while.

With the chasing pack slowly beginning to claw their way back to the same standards as the Spanish, as well as no major European nations failing to qualify, this really is anybodies championship to win.

Obviously each country will be looking to get off to the best start possible by winning their initial matches.

But how are the opening fixtures for each nation likely to play out?

Poland vs. Greece

It's quite ironic that the first game of this tournament, which promises to provide us with so much excitement and world class talent, will see the two questionably poorest sides competing.

Not to say that neither of these teams couldn't upset one of the big boys on their day.

Heck, anybody who writes Greece off completely after 2004 would be a fool. And as for Poland, being the host nation gives them a huge advantage.

Still, when compared to the sides around them, these two teams boast a far less broad range of talents than the likes of even Russia and Croatia.

The Poles will be looking to attack and strike early on.

Greece's style of play has been pretty consistent for a while now: sit back, defend and hit hard on the counter attack.

This tactic could work perfectly against a Polish side that will leave themselves heavily exposed when going forward.

The real question will be whether or not Bundesliga and Borussia Dortmund star, or if Robert Lewandowski can repeat the magic he has demonstrated in Europe over the past couple of years.

If Lewandowski is on top form, then the Poles can give the Greeks a real run for their money.

If not, then expect to see a somewhat dull affair, as neither side will produce a real cutting edge when going forward.

As it is, I fully expect Lewandowski to show us why he is such a heavily sought after footballer amongst the majority of top European clubs.

My prediction:

Poland 2-1 Greece

Russia vs. Czech Republic

These are the two sides I expect to get through this group, and as such, it makes this first match a critical one in terms of the eventual group winner.

Both teams have taken somewhat of a dip in form over recent years.

The Czech's especially have very much fallen from grace - having at one stage been considered genuine contenders at major European, and even World, championships.

Since the departure of the likes of Nedved and Koller however, the Czech Republic have failed to produce any players that can really strike a claim to be "world class".

Milan Barros, a man who epitomizes inconsistency within football, and Thomas Rosicky, who has failed to live up to his full potential at the Gunners, are names that will be familiar to most fans.

As for Russia, despite reaching the semi-finals of this tournament in 2008, they have failed to really go on and build on the success.

In fact, Russia didn't even qualify for the 2010 World Cup (and neither did the Czechs).

That being said, these two sides can still play quality football at times, and it will be a surprise if either of them fails to make it through to the last eight.

This notably marks out how poor the quality of group A is in comparison to the other three pools.

This pairing would heavily struggle to make it out of any of the other sections, and as such, whoever does end up qualifying from Group A, will be seen as the sides you want to be facing in the quarter-finals.

My Prediction: 

Russia 1-1 Czech Republic

Netherlands vs. Denmark

This will be the first game in which a team that has a genuine chance of winning it all will be on display.

Ironically, I would rate Denmark as a better side than the whole of group A.

Unfortunately for them, they have been lumped in with two of the best three teams currently playing international football, and a very talented young Portuguese side.

The Dane's are most notably remembered on the international stage for their shock victory in this tournament in 1992, and as such cannot be ruled out totally.

But the realistic fan will tell you there is little to no hope for Denmark this year.

A poor draw has ruined any chance they might of had of making it through to the last eight of proceedings.

As for Holland, they will be looking to cement their intentions clearly with a definitive victory over group B's "worst" side.

The real conflict for the Dutch at the moment is whether or not to play Premier league top scorer and PFA player of the year, Robin Van Persie, or top scorer overall in qualifying and Schalke striker, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

As I'm sure you'd agree, most fans would love for their sides biggest dilemma to be, "which of our world class strikers is better than the other one?"

This "problem" is a perfect demonstration of how powerful of a side the Dutch are right now.

My Prediction:

Netherlands 3-0 Denmark

Germany vs. Portugal

I cannot wait for this one.

This will be the first clash of the real "big boys."

Both of these sides mark genuine claims in the pursuit of the European title, and you would be an idiot to rule either one of them out.

You would expect Germany to be favourite for this game, but any team that has Cristiano Ronaldo starting for them has the potential to win any game of football.

If Roonie turns up, as he is sometimes unable to do in the bigger games, then Portugal might be able to finally put those demons of 2004 to bed.

As for the Germans, who are incidentally my pick to win the whole thing, one can't say enough about their all-round list of talents.

A perfect blend of youth and experience gives them that wizened knowledge of events, as well as the pace to exploit this.

On top of this, Miroslav Klose is just eight goals away from equaling the great Gerd Muller's record for the Nationalmannschaft. 

Of course, it would be extremely unlikely for him to equal that in this tournament, but with Miro stating he feels like he can keep playing up until the 2014 World Cup, the Portuguese, and the rest of Europe, will have to watch out for the almost unstoppable international striker once again.

My Prediction:

Germany 3-1 Portugal

Spain vs. Italy

The clash of the round.

These two sides are the current and previous World Champions and, although Italy have been relatively poor as of late, both are capable of taking it to any side in the world.

The Italians aren't what they were in 2006.

A lot of their big names have since retired from the international fold, and as a result they have spent the majority of that time raising their new talent up.

Ironically, it's the Italian defence that looks somewhat weak in comparison to past sides.

As for Spain, well they are the proverbial Barcelona of the international footballing world.

They seem unbeatable on paper, but it is possible.

It will be hard for any side to topple the Spaniards.

That's not to say they wont be overthrown this year, with the likes of Germany and Holland showing their worth.

As for this game, I can't help but think the Italian's aren't quite at the level required to do one over on the World Champions, not just yet anyway.

My Prediction:

Italy 1-2 Spain

Republic of Ireland vs. Croatia

This is an imperative game to win for both sides.

It will be near impossible for either of these teams to get out of the group, what with Spain and Italy being the other two sides contesting it.

In order to have any chance of progressing into the final eight, either Croatia or the ROI will have to take all three points from this match.

The game itself has the potential to be one of the most exciting fixture of the entire tournament.

Both of these sides are the type of teams you would categorise into the second bracket of national football sides - the ones who won't win a tournament, but can cause a huge upset when facing the bigger teams.

Factor in that the teams also take a very attacking nature into matches, and we could be in for an absolute cracker.

Of course, now I've just jinxed it and this game will end 0-0.

My Prediction:

Republic of Ireland 2-4 Croatia

France vs England

This game will exhibition the most underrated side in the tournament, who could go all the way and upset the odds.

No, not England.

France have a relatively poor image on the international stage following on from the World Cup.

They didn't exactly impress in qualifying either, scraping through in the end past an average Bosnia and Herzegovina side.

But with Laurent Blanc getting his game head on, and a young squad with the legs to go all tournament, anything is possible for a French side that includes the likes of Benzema, Nasri and Ribery.

As for England, well most fans are currently viewing getting out of the group as a success.

The recent acquisition of Roy Hodgson as manager was a somewhat baffling one for most fans, who had expected the man-motivator Harry Redknapp to come in and fill the slot left behind by Fabio Capello.

The squad is poor and lacking some crucial players whose absence has angered the majority of fans.

Notably the exclusions of Michael Carrick behind Jordan Henderson, and Peter Crouch in lieu of Andy Carroll.

England won't win this tournament.

But they can go out and give it their best, more than they did in the 2010 World Cup.

My Prediction:

France 2-0 England

Ukraine vs Sweden

The second host nation concludes the first round of games, in the battle of the blue and yellows.

This is a match of similar importance to the Croatia-ROI clash.

For either of these sides to have a chance of making it through the group and into the next stage they will more than likely have to win this match.

Normally I would favour Sweden to easily take home the spoils here but, with the added incentive of Ukraine's host nation advantage, any result is possible.

Obviously the man to watch in this game is the iconic Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In fact, Ibra could be one of the players of the tournament if he is able to upset the odds and guide his Swedish team into the quarters.

But Ukraine have a talisman of their own, and again in the form of a Milan legend.

Andriy Shevchenko is not quite the player he was a decade ago but, having returned to his roots with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv, he has been able to salvage his career after the disaster at Chelsea.

On top of this, Andriy currently sits on 46 international goals.

Can he use this tournament to join the illustrious list of men on 50?

My Prediction:

Ukraine 2-1 Sweden