Euro 2012: Power Ranking Germany, Spain, England and the 12 Qualified Nations

There are four places up for grabs with the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifying playoffs.

So let's look at the current 12 nations who have already qualified: Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine. 

Comment below with the nation that you think will win the tournament. 

This article will power rank the nations according to their chances of winning Euro 2012. 

Poland

Earlier this year, I watched Poland scrape to a 2-1 victory against, I guess, a B side or even a C side Argentina. 

Then I saw an amazing game against Germany when Cacau equalised with virtually the last kick of the game. 

This was after the Poles had a man sent off and had scored in injury time thinking they won 2-1.

I'm not too sure about Poland's chances.

It really depends if Robert Lewandowski can score goals and how the defence will hold out. 

Theoretically home advantage should help the team, but Switzerland finished at the bottom of their group at Euro 2008, and all their games were played at home on the same ground.

Greece

If the only thing you've been hearing about Greece is their economic hardships, I won't blame you for not knowing that their manager is not Otto Rehhagel. 

The man who inspired Greece to their fairy tale Euro 2004 triumph was replaced by Fernando Santos.

The Portuguese manager has done very well, steering this solid Greek team to an undefeated campaign. 

Though it has to be said, aside from Croatia, it was a pretty weak group. 

What I find perplexing is that Greece's most talented individual in Sotiris Ninis couldn't get himself into the games. 

Whereas a modest hardworking professional in Kostas Katsouranis looked very good during the qualifiers.

Ninis probably has more talent in his opposite foot than Katsouranis, but for whatever reason, Ninis continually disappoints.

He's currently nursing a serious and potentially career-debilitating knee ligament injury. 

The problem for Greece is scoring goals because they had the worst goal-scoring record of teams that automatically qualified for Euro 2012. 

Denmark

Unlike Sotiris Ninis for Greece, Christian Eriksen came out to play for Denmark.

Consistently producing the goods, it's easy to forget this kid is just 18. 

He controlled the tempo of the game, he distributed, he created and he inspired. 

Though it's the defence which should get the plaudits. 

I've always been a big fan of Simon Kjær, and even with a myriad of different centre back partners (Daniel Agger, Andreas Bjelland, Bo Svensson, Mathias Jørgensen and Per Krøldrup), Kjær played excellently. 

Lars Jacobsen, a good professional, looked solid at right back. 

The Danish defence wasn't as solid against Portugal, though, conceding four goals in two games (they let in six the entire campaign.)

Will the defence be exposed against a higher quality team like Germany? 

Ukraine

It's the third time in 12 years that the European Championship has been co-hosted. 

Ukraine is easily stronger than their co-hosts Poland, and I believe both teams fortunes may pan out like Austria and Switzerland at Euro 2008. 

Andriy Yarmolenko is one to watch out.

Whilst his star may rise, it could be Andriy Shevchenko's swan song. 

Remember Shevchenko formed one of the deadliest partnerships in recent memory with Serhiy Rebrov at Dynamo Kyiv all those years ago. 

Russia

It doesn't help Russia's cause that Andrei Arshavin is floundering in London, therefore someone like Alan Dzagoev, who played reasonably well during the qualifiers, may shine. 

I'm excited to see how Aleksandr Anyukov will play on the big stage. 

If this guy was younger, he'd be playing at a top club.

It's like the situation Tugay was in at Blackburn Rovers. Excellent week in and week out, but too old for teams to take a risk on. 

Sweden

Sweden are legitimate dark hoses for Euro 2012. 

Kim Källström is a fine midfielder who was Sweden's main provider with seven assists. 

His link-up play with Sebastian Larsson so far has been a success. 

At the end of the day, it really falls on Zlatan Ibrahimović's shoulders to not only dominate games but help his nation to emulate what the Danes did at Euro 1992. 

France

I have no idea how Laurent Blanc is still managing the French national team after attempting to institute racism within the French footballing academies. 

How are the likes of Adil Rami, Bacary Sagna, Patrice Evra, Yann M'Vila, Florent Malouda and Karim Benzema going to react when Blanc's job is on the line? 

This is a recipe for disaster just like what happened during the FIFA World Cup when the sections of the team revolved against Raymond Domenech, who like Blanc, should have sacked long before the tournament. 

Italy

Giorgio Chiellini has been colossal at the back for Cesare Prandelli, leading the Italians to the best defensive record during the European qualifiers. 

"Forza Cassano" was the heartfelt message Real Madrid players sent out to Antonio Cassano, who is recovering from heart surgery. 

It's so sad because he was a class above during the qualifiers, and you just thought this might be a new Cassano. Not to mention his form in the Serie A has been superb. 

Thank goodness that he is alive, but I'd have serious reservations about playing him, especially with the examples of Antonio Puerta, Daniel Jarque and Marc-Vivien Foé, who all died on the pitch with undiscovered heart issues. 

Maybe it's time for Mario Balotelli. 

Super Mario time? 

England

What a bunch of hypocrites the English FA are.

They suspended Wayne Rooney for two games due to his vulgar outburst. 

Yet when he purposely kicks Miodrag Džudović (who has turned the cheek), the FA are appealing Rooney's suspension. 

What UEFA should do is not only reject the appeal but add on another game to the suspension for a frivolous appeal. 

It shouldn't even matter because surely a team of England's talents will progress through the group stages, thus allowing Rooney to step in. 

Personally, I'd like to see a more youth-orientated approach, but it's up to Fabio Capello, who will be waving arrivederci after the tournament. 

Netherlands

The irony of the Dutch's performance during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, especially in the final, which was a disgrace—they top scored during the qualifiers.

Though there should be an asterisk over the achievement because you take away the 16 goals against San Marino, and the Dutch would fall four places in the goal-scoring charts. 

In the past six European Championships, the Dutch's worst performances were at Euro 1996 and 2012—in the quarter finals. 

Robin van Persie, who played several games as a wide player, even one as a free role (that was against San Marino), didn't really cash in like Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. 

Though with van Persie in such scintillating form, one would assume he'd be the main man for Bert van Marwijk.

Interestingly van Marwijk was the one who forced van Persie out of Feyenoord for being a negative influence. 

Arsène Wenger gave van Persie a chance just like he did to Dennis Bergkamp, who was the Dutch equivalent of Mario Balotelli at Inter Milan. 

Spain

Who will partner Gerard Piqué in defence? 

Is Álvaro Arbeloa really going to be the starting left back even though he is right-footed?

David Villa has been in poor touch and Fernando Torres' international career intertwines with the degree of success at Chelsea. 

Then you have Álvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente, both of whom are good but not world-class forwards. 

In the past, I would have taken Negredo over Llorente, because Negredo fits the Spanish game better than Llorente. 

But with Marcelo Bielsa working wonders at Athletic Bilbao (changing their entire philosophy), Llorente is looking good. 

Will David Silva, currently the best player in the Premier League, have a bigger role for the national team? If so, does that mean Andrés Iniesta's role is limited? 

Also what do you do with Cesc Fàbregas, who has been so efficient for Barcelona?

There are a lot of problems for Spain to deal with. 

Germany

Cristiano Ronaldo's assessment of Mesut Özil (via ESPN) is spot on:

"

"Ozil is fantastic. He can read the game and knows when he needs to play the pass, when he should take a dribble—that's simply class."

"

Germany are my favourite team to watch because not only are they young and exciting, but they play some beautiful football. 

Mario Götze may have a similar impact off the bench like Cesc Fàbregas during Euro 2008. 

I'm going with Germany to win Euro 2012. 

Please read Best Attacking Combinations in Football History.