Euro 2012: Predicting the Standings of Each Group

The Euro 2012 is getting closer and closer, and it should be a cracking tournament.

Each group seems to have real competition for the top spot, and as always there's a group of death. To get you pumped for the tournament, here's a few mouthwatering match ups we'll get to watch: Netherlands vs Germany, Netherlands vs Portugal, Germany vs Portugal, Italy vs Spain, and England vs France.

Sure, there are a few other games there that should ensure a full 90 minutes of entertainment, but the 5 matches above seem to be enough action for the tournament, let alone the group stage.

So without further ado, here are my predictions for the standings of each group, from A to D.

Note: The order I put the teams in on the title of the slide are not my predictions, just the order in which the teams were drawn. Although some of these are coincidentally in the order of my predictions as well, my real predictions are at the bottom of each slide.

Group A: Poland, Russia, Greece, Czech Republic

Yawn...

Okay, I'll admit, not every single Euro 2012 group seems to be exciting. With a group consisting of Poland, Russia, Greece and the Czech Republic, there's four fairly even teams but no team that really threatens to win the whole thing.

Although Russia are the favourites to win this group after a brilliant performance at the Euro 2008, their captain, Andrei Arshavin, has struggled to find form recently and this could lead to the nation providing a lackluster performance at the tournament. Nonetheless, I think they'll qualify for the quarterfinals and grab second place.

So who's first? I've got to go with Poland. Although Greece could surprise us like they did in 2004 by winning the whole thing, well, that was 2004—eight years ago. The Czech Republic doesn't pose much of a threat either, so I think the hosts, Poland, will top this group and take advantage of playing in front of their own fans.

Final Standings Prediction:

1. Poland

2. Russia

3. Greece

4. Czech Republic

Group B: Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Denmark

This group looks absolutely incredible, and it only takes four words to explain: Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Denmark. Alright, that last word isn't all that necessary, but still.

Netherlands and Germany can beat any team in the world when they're on their game. These two sides played each other recently in a friendly, with the Germans hammering the Dutch 3-0, but friendlies are a lot different than Euro 2012 face-offs.

Everyone's got their own opinion on this group, but mine is that the Netherlands will finish first. Their starting lineup is absolutely incredible, and with Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin Van Persie all playing alongside each other, you know this side's going to get far in the tournament. 

Germany, of course, is also one of the strongest teams in Europe at the moment, but when they face off with the Netherlands, I think they'll fall narrowly, losing 1-0 and costing them the first spot. Still, they should be able to beat Portugal and Denmark, ensuring second place and fueling their dream of avenging their loss in the final to Spain last time around.

As for Team Ronaldo, the Portuguese are likely to miss out on a quarterfinal spot. They're a strong side, but not nearly as strong as Germany and the Netherlands.

Oh right, and then there's Denmark. They're pretty hopeless here...

Final Standings Prediction:

1. Netherlands

2. Germany

3. Portugal

4. Denmark

Group C: Spain, Italy, Croatia, Republic of Ireland

If it weren't for the über-stacked Group B, Group C would be considered the group of death.

Spain, the reigning world and European champions, aren't the only powerhouses in this group. Italy, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland will join them, and it should call for some very interesting match ups.

We all know all about Spain, so let's get right to the other favourites of the group, Italy. After an extremely disappointing World Cup where Italy failed to get past the group stages, Marcelo Lippi was replaced with Cesare Prandelli as the team manager, and since then, the Azzuri have flourished. 

Prandelli's side qualified strongly for the Euros, and people tend to forget how many quality players they have among their ranks. Starting with a world class shot stopper in Gianluigi Buffon, the ideal starting back four would then be Chiellini, Maggio, Criscito and Nesta. Prandelli has several superb midfielders at his disposal as well, including Daniele De Rossi, Claudio Marchisio, Thiago Motta, Alberto Aquilani, Riccardo Montolivio and Andrea Pirlo. Then, of course, there's the prolific front line consisting of Mario Balotelli, Giampaolo Pazzini and Giuseppe Rossi.

Italy is certainly one of the dark horses of this tournament that has the potential to go all the way, and they'll face a real test when they go up against Spain in the group stages, beating them 2-1 last time around in a friendly.

The other two teams in this group, Croatia and Republic of Ireland, are strong as well. Croatia has some world class players in their squad to boast about, with a brilliant playmaker in Luka Modric and two other proven midfielders in Darijo Srna and Ivan Perisic. They've got Eduardo up front as well, so expect the Croatians to be strong with their attacks.

Although Republic of Ireland were the last to qualify for the Euros, they go into the tournament with a genuine underdog status and real belief. They've got one of the best shot stoppers in the Premier League in Shay Given, as well as some other proven Premier League footballers in Stephen Ward, Richard Dunne, John O'Shea, Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy, Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle and Leon Best. Surprised they have so many decent players? Me too.

In the end though, I don't think Croatia or the Republic of Ireland will get the better of Spain or Italy. And when the two powerhouses face off, my prediction is that it'll be a 1-1 draw. Spain should edge the group, bettering Italy on goal difference.

Final Standings Prediction:

1. Spain

2. Italy

3. Republic of Ireland

4. Croatia

Group D: Ukraine, England, Sweden, France

Although England escaped being in the group of death, they still face the tough challenge of getting out of Group D, having to get the best of France, Sweden and Ukraine. 

We'll start with France. Laurent Blanc's side have done the same as Italy, recovering from their horrendous World Cup and now on a 17 game unbeaten run. The French squad is very strong, boasting players like Samir Nasri, Yoann Gourcuff, Mathieu Valbuena, Franck Ribery, Hugo Lloris and Karim Benzema. There's many more world class players in this squad than just those mentioned, so that's not a problem for France.

However, the real problem is how they cooperate. In their disastrous 2010 World Cup, the players couldn't put their egos aside, and they all protested against Raymond Domenech, then the France team manager. Nicolas Anelka eventually walked out on the team, and to make a long story short, it was a complete mess. If France can put their egos aside and just play their football at the Euro, they can be a real threat at this tournament, but if they fail to do the basics, it could be another disaster for Les Blues.

As for England, I think it'll be a typical tournament for them. They'll go into it full of promise, with a squad boasting world class talent in every position, but in the end they'll only make it to the quarterfinals, maybe the semifinals if they're lucky, losing out to a bad referee decision or to a penalty shoot-out. They struggle against Sweden and lost in a friendly against France, but I think the Three Lions will still manage to get through the group stages.

Final Standings Prediction:

1. France

2. England

3. Sweden

4. Ukraine