European Championship 2012: Ranking the Best Back Lines in the Tournament

The old saying goes that defense wins championships, and a few countries competing in the 2012 European Championship will hope that this is true. 

Even if the eventual champion's back four is not the only reason it wins the trophy, it will certainly be a vital part of the winning formula.

Here are the top four teams that can rely on their defenses to take them far in Poland and Ukraine, ranked in order.

1. Germany 

The Germans have three quality center backs to choose from in Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker, Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Bayern Munich’s Holger Badstuber.

Hummels was in fantastic form at the end of the season for the Bundesliga champions, and he will receive one of the starting spots. In the end, Joachim Löw will choose Mertesacker’s experience, and the 23-year-old Badstuber will have to wait until the next major tournament for his shot.

On the outsides, Philipp Lahm will hold down the left side, as well as wear the captain’s armband. He is one of the best outside backs in the world, if not the best.

Jerome Boateng is big enough to play in the center, but athletic enough to play on the outside. Germany will need his speed at right back.

All four of these players are signed with major clubs and receive regular playing time. They are disciplined and have size and speed. No back line will play better during Euro 2012.

2. Spain

It is no coincidence that the tournament’s two favorites also have the two best defenses. If Carles Puyol had not suffered a knee injury that will cause him to miss the European Championships, Spain would have ranked above Germany.

With Puyol out, Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos will slide over and play center-back. Ramos normally plays right-back for La Roja, but he is very capable in the center and has played the position on occasion for his club. 

Spain’s other center-back, Gerard Pique, is one of the best in the world at his position. There will be no problems at the heart of the defense for Spain.

On the outside, Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa and Valencia’s Jordi Alba will feature for Spain. Both are quick, compact players who are tough to beat and can do damage on the wing in the attack.

Even without its captain, the Spanish defense has the second-most talent of any team in the tournament. Do not expect much of drop off in their form with Puyol out.

3. Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese offense may get a lot of attention, but the Portuguese back line is the strength of the team.

Real Madrid’s Pepe headlines the group, and he is as tough as center-backs come. Zenit Saint Petersburg veteran Bruno Alves will likely join him in the center. The pair are experienced and physical, and no nonsense will be tolerated by teams trying to attack up the middle.

 Real Madrid’s Fábio Coentrão will occupy one of the outside back spots while Sporting Lisbon’s João Pereira will play opposite him. Pereira is the weakest link of the group, but he is still very solid.

This unit follows the center-backs’ leads and rarely allows goals. It will be difficult to crack this organized and imposing defense.

If Portugal has any shot at making it out of Group B, this unit will have to play at the top of its game against the talented attacking lineups it will face.

4. England

John Terry has been much maligned in recent years, but when he is healthy, focused and on the pitch, he is still a world-class defender. Rio Ferdinand, his long-time partner, was not chosen for the team, but Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott will be a suitable replacement in the center.

Chelsea’s Ashley Cole will occupy the left-back position that he has held for the past several years. Liverpool’s Glen Johnson will play on the right.

This group is not young (Johnson is the youngest player at 27), but experience counts for a lot in the back. Terry and Cole have been through many ups and downs with the English national team.

As always, keeping distractions out of the locker room will be a challenge for this squad, making it very difficult to predict the team’s performance. But based on talent alone, the team’s defense should be one of the better groups in Poland and Ukraine.

Terry will be the key to the unit’s success. If he is focused and behaves like a leader, they will be deserving of a place on this list. If he returns to the hijinks that have plagued parts of his career, then they will be average at best.