Euro 2012: Bold Predictions for Group Stage Matches

After months of hype, the 2012 UEFA European Championship—aka Euro 2012—finally gets underway on Friday. 

As per tradition, the event kicks off with the Group Stage. With only the 16 best squads in Europe having an opportunity to reach immortality, things are going to be fierce and intense over the next three weeks. 

Before we look too far ahead, we are going to look at a few things you can be sure will happen starting on Friday. 

England Will Sweep Group D

England's stock coming into Euro 2012 has been all over the place. Those that like them, really like them, and think they could go all the way in this event. 

Others that see them as a light contender; a squad with talent that is unable to get the job done in crunch time. Certainly, starting out with France isn't going to make things easy on the English squad. 

The last time England and France were in the same group in this event was 2004. The French squad finished first, one point ahead of England. Look for the roles to be reversed this time around. 

Italy Will Upset Spain In First Group C Match

Spain is the overwhelming favorite to win Euro 2012. It is hard to argue with it. They are the top-ranked squad in both the FIFA and UEFA world rankings, and won the Euro title in 2008. 

Italy is just trying to get on the field to distract itself from all the match-fixing allegations going on in that country right now. Don't underestimate this squad in the Group Stage, though. The Italians will be on a mission to repair their sullen reputation. 

No one doubts that Spain is going to come out of Group C, and probably win the whole thing, but their quest will get off to a bad start. 

Greece Will Emerge As A Serious Contender

Even more than a squad like England, Greece is coming into this event with a lot of positive momentum and seems to be flying a bit under the radar as the games begin. 

The biggest thing working in the favor of the Greeks is an easy draw in Group A. Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic are not in their league right now, so it will take a major upset or two to keep them out of the knockout phase. 

The Greeks are playing as well as any team not named Spain, and will prove themselves to be legitimate contenders after an impressive, dominant showing in the early matches. 

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