Euro 2012: Ranking the Top 10 Favorites for Glory in Poland/Ukraine
The domestic season takes a break over the next week, and we enter the meat of the Euro 2012 Qualification Schedule. Over the next few games, Euro 2012 qualifying groups will become clearer, and the favorites to join host nations Poland and Ukraine at the summer tournament will be revealed.
Some European teams are continuing on good form from the previous summer's World Cup, while some are looking to recover from a disappointing tournament or failing to qualify altogether.
Here we project the top 10 favorites for glory in Euro 2012, taking into account current form and projected starting lineups.
10. Ukraine
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The vast majority of international tournaments tend to feature a deep run from a home nation, and Ukraine look like they could be a threat at Euro 2012.
The Ukrainian's have a squad that features a mix of discipline, young talent and big game experience. They will also be backed by partisan and intimidating home crowds.
While they did not feature in the World Cup last summer, Ukraine did produce victories over Lithuania (4-0), Romania (3-2) and Norway (1-0). They also achieved a 1-1 draw with the World Cup Finalist Netherlands in August 2010.
Key players in those games were Ukraine's talismanic striker Andriy Shevchenko and emerging talent Oleksandr Aliev.
Shevchenko is a national hero having scored 45 goals and achieved 100 caps for the team. Aliev is a developing talent who has netted five goals in only 12 international games.
Other players of note for Ukraine include former Barcelona defender Dmytro Chigrinsky, Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker Taras Stepanenko and ex-Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin.
Should Ukraine reach the latter stages, emotion will run high among the home crowds, and the big game experience of Shevchenko (a Champions League winner with AC Milan) could make them a dangerous opponent for any team.
9. Russia
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Russia are another team who missed last summer's World Cup, though they did light up the last European Championship with an exciting brand of attacking football that laid waste to the World Cup finalist Netherlands 3-1 in the quarterfinals.
Players such as Roman Pavlyuchenko, Andrey Arshavin and Yuri Zhirkov excelled at the tournament and went on over the next year to earn moves to the English Premier League.
Those players still feature on the Russia team and have been joined by some young developing talent that will make the energetic Russians a force to be reckoned with.
Russia have won three of their four qualifying games so far. They suffered a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Slovakia, but a crucial 3-2 win over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin sees them sitting two points clear at the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group B.
Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Pavel Pogrebnyak have scored two goals each so far in qualifying, and in addition to the previously mentioned star players, make the Russians a real threat.
8. Italy
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Italy had a frankly disastrous World Cup campaign last summer. They traveled to South Africa as defending champions but drew criticism from fans after a 1-1 draw against Paraguay. Little did the critics know that would turn out to be the highlight of the tournament, as the Azzurri followed it up with a 1-1 draw against New Zealand and were then condemned to last place in the group courtesy of a 3-2 loss to Slovakia.
One common criticism of the Italy 2010 World Cup squad was that againg stars were being relied upon well past their primes. That situation improved when the end of the World Cup brought about the retirement of stalwarts such as Fabio Cannavaro and Gennaro Gatusso.
Giorgio Chiellini is stepping up as Italy's primary defensive force, and temperamental forward Antonio Cassano is taking over the mantle of leading the attack. Striker Fabio Quagliarella impressed off the bench during the World Cup and could also be a key player by the time Euro 2012 comes around.
Italy currently hold a three-point lead at the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group C after four games. The Azzuri ate unbeaten and seem strong favorites to seal progress to Poland/Ukraine.
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7. Croatia
4 of 10
Croatia missed out on last summer's World Cup but are another team who played well in the last European Championship. During Euro 2008, Croatia beat eventual finalist Germany 2-1 before losing dramatically in the quarterfinals to Turkey.
Croatia have won three and drawn one of their first four qualifying games and currently have a two-point lead at the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group F.
Craotia also have victories in friendlies played this year against Norway (2-1) and the Czech Republic (4-2).
Midfield playmaker Niko Kranjcar has been outstanding for the Croatian's so far during qualifying. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder scored both goals in an important 2-1 win at Israel then followed that up with two goals and an assist in a 3-0 win over Malta.
With prolific striker Eduardo returning to fitness and mercurial midfielder Luka Modric pulling strings in midfield, Croatia will be dark horse to make a deep run during Euro 2012.
6. England
5 of 10
England had a disappointing World Cup campaign and were comfortably eliminated by a quality German team in the second round. England looked fantastic in qualifying but arrived in Germany looking ragged and carrying off-field baggage.
England are currently in a tight race with Montenegro in Euro 2012 qualifying Group G and can go back top of the group by goal difference on Saturday with a win at Wales.
England have introduced some new blood recently including exciting young winger Adam Johnson, who scored in Euro 2012 Qualifying wins over Bulgaria (4-0) and at Switzerland (3-1).
Jack Wilshere has also emerged on the scene and could take the holding midfield role before the European Championships, while Joe Hart is providing long awaited consistency in goal for the Three Lions.
Star man Wayne Rooney could also be on the verge of an upturn in form. Rooney was in the form of his life until he suffered an injury against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. He was arguably rushed back for the World Cup and as a result missed a summer of rest.
Rooney has looked sharper since Sir Alex Ferguson sent him to the Nike Facility in Oregon, USA and could look even sharper after summer's rest going into the tournament. If Rooney is fit and firing, England will be among the contenders for the trophy in Euro 2012.
5. Portugal
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Portugal are the reverse of many teams on this list; they played well at the World Cup but have got off to a poor start in Euro 2012 qualifying.
In last summer's World Cup, Portugal were drawn in the "Group of Death" alongside Brazil and the Ivory Coast, Despite facing the likes of Luis Fabiano and Kaka, the Portugese emerged from the group without conceding a single goal. They then went on to lose a tight 1-0 decision to eventual World Cup Champions Spain in the second round.
After such an impressive defensive performance in the World Cup, it was a surprise to see them open their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a wild 4-4 draw in Cyprus. That was followed up with a 1-0 defeat at current Group H leaders Norway.
Portugal have bounced back recently to record back to back 3-1 wins over Denmark and at Iceland. Portugal are currently two points behind Norway having played one game more, Portugal's next game is at home to Norway on June 4th, and they may have to win out to win the group.
Even if they have to qualify through the playoff route, they will have experience, as that is how they qualified for the 2010 World Cup.
If they qualify for Poland/Ukraine, Portugal will go into the tournament with some of the world's most in-form players. Raul Meireles is excelling for Liverpool, Cristiano Ronaldo is leading Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League challenge and Manchester United star Nani is currently leading the English Premier League in assists.
4. France
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This may seem surprisingly high for a team that was the biggest disappointment of any European nation at the 2010 World Cup. France's World Cup campaign descended into farce as the players committed mutiny and actually refused to train during the tournament.
It is possible that hitting such a low worked in the favor of the French, as unlike other teams they dealt with their issues and removed negative characters from the dressing room.
The French suspended Patrice Evra and Nicolas Anelka and introduced new manager Laurent Blanc to freshen up Les Bleus.
France opened Euro 2012 qualifying with a 1-0 loss to Belarus but have since produced an upturn in form. Stars such as Yoann Gourcuff and Karim Benzema are leading a French Revolution, and they have reeled off three straight 2-0 wins to currently sit atop Euro 2012 qualifying Group D.
The French also beat England 2-1 at Wembley Stadium and look to have a generation of energetic and attacking players that will see them produce a strong challenge in Poland/Ukraine.
3. Germany
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Germany surprised many last summer with their vibrant attacking play at the World Cup. Germany opened the tournament with a 4-0 win over Australia, and after qualifying for the knockout rounds, produced resounding wins over England (4-1) and Argentina (4-0). Their tournament ended when they lost a tight semifinal 1-0 to eventual World Champions Spain.
Germany have continued their excellent form into Euro 2012 qualifying, winning four straight games and scoring 13 goals while conceding only one. The highlight of Germany's campaign so far has been a 3-0 win over Turkey, and they hold a five-point lead at the top of Group A.
Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil has played well, registering one goal and two assists in qualifying so far, while international goal machine Miroslav Klose has scored in every game so far. Bayern Munich striker Klose has registered a total of six goals in only four games so far.
Every time a major tournament rolls around, the German's are viewed as strong contenders and little looks set to change in Poland/Ukraine.
2. Netherlands
9 of 10
Netherlands received heavy criticism for the physical style they adopted during the World Cup final, but it is important to remember the impressive run which took them there. The Netherlands defeated Japan, Denmark and Cameroon in group play, before eliminating Slovakia in the second round.
A Wesley Sneijder wonder show them eliminated Brazil in the last eight before Uruguay were beaten 3-2 in the Semi-Finals. Spain were ran to the wire on the World Cup final before Andres Iniesta struck deep into extra-time for a 1-0 Spanish win.
The Dutch have reeled off four consecutive wins in Euro 2012 qualifying Group E, the highlight of which has been a spectacular 4-1 win over Sweden.
World Cup stars Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt are prominent still, while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has led from the front during qualification play. Schalke forward Huntelaar has scored in every game and registered a spectacular total of eight goals and one assist in four games so far this season.
If their current form continues, the Netherlands could be set to reach their second consecutive major final in the summer of 2012.
1. Spain
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The reigning European champions, the reigning World Cup champions and the greatest international team of their generation. It would take some surprising developments between now and next summer for Spain not to enter Euro 2012 as favorites to win the tournament.
Spain lost their World Cup opener to Switzerland but beat Honduras and Chile to qualify for the knockout stages. The Spanish then reeled off four straight 1-0 wins to seal their first World Cup title.
Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta and David Villa all made the World Cup All-Star team and will all feature in Euro 2012 barring injury. Villa was joint top goal scorer at the World Cup with five goals and will arguably be more equipped to succeed at Euro 2012. Unlike at the World Cup, Villa will enter Euro 2012 having spent two club seasons playing alongside his midfield supply line of Xavi and Iniesta, becoming more in tune with their movements and habits.
Spain have began Euro 2012 qualifying Group I with three straight wins over Liechtenstein (4-0), Lithuania (3-1) and Scotland (3-2). The Spanish hold a three-point lead at the top of Group I and play host to the second placed Czech Republic on Saturday.
It is likely that for any team to win Euro 2012, they would have to beat Spain to do so.
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