UEFA Euro 2012 Draw: Predicting the Winners and Runners-Up of the Group Stages

It's December, and we're already anxious for summer. That's because the tournament draw for Euro 2012 has been announced, officially marking the groups for what usually ends up being the most exciting and unpredictable tournament of the footballing world.

What Olympics? 

At least two of the groups look seriously tough, and although each seems to have at least one top-seeded contender, it's still anybody's tournament. Nevertheless, here's who we think are the front runners to win and take second in each group. If you feel otherwise or want to call an upset now, as always, have at it in the comments. 

Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic

Group A doesn't seem like the most exciting group in the tournament at first, but it feels like any of these teams could be the sneaky dark horse upset team that goes to the semifinals and shocks everyone. Czech Republic have some good players, and although Poland is one of the lowest internationally-ranked teams in the tournament, they can hold their own—keeper Wojciech Szczesny and Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, who opened the scoring against Germany in a September 2011 friendly draw, could be game-changers. 

Russia is a great side, to be sure, and this might be a long-shot, but for some reason, I'm feeling a repeat of 2004. They were the only team in their qualifying group to go unbeaten and have shown consistent strength. An influx of up-and-coming talent, including explosive attacker Sotiris Ninis, who should be fit by the summer and Schalke 04 centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos, will be key to their success. Expect Everton striker Apostolos Vellios, who has been impressing in his first few Premiership performances, to get his big break with the senior team as a backup to the regulars. 

Winners: Greece

Runners-up: Russia

Group B: The Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal

If there's one "Group of Death" in this tournament, this is it. This is beyond "Group of Death." This is "Group of Death by Disembowelment By a Pack of Rabid Weasels While Being Forced to Listen to the Justin Bieber Christmas Album On Repeat." There is not a single team from this group who cannot be discounted in this group stage, none who would really be a shock to advance—at least two are among the favorites to win it all. 

Portugal, despite having a formidable lineup and Cristiano Ronaldo as a captain, still didn't do quite as well as they'd hoped in the qualifiers, so if there could possibly be an underdog in the group (despite their high seeding), it would be them. Of course, with a lineup that includes CR7, Nani, Fabio Coentrão and João Moutinho, you can't really call them "underdogs." At all. Denmark is impressive too, and all eyes will likely be on their insanely talented young playmaker, Christian Eriksen.

But really, this group is going to come down to Germany and the Netherlands. Two of Europe's biggest footballing powerhouses, two different national approaches to football, boatloads of talent on either side, young and veteran. Germany has Mario Götze; the Netherlands have Kevin Strootman. Germany has Miroslav Klose and Mario Gómez; the Netherlands have Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, the latter who has been the top scorer in this tournament so far. A tougher call you will not find. 

Still—and it's close—our money's on Die Mannschaft. A lot can change between now and the start of the group stages, but they're the only team to go 10 for 10 in group, facing some very solid national teams, including Belgium and Turkey. If everyone stays fit, they could pull this off. 

Winner: Germany

Runner-up: The Netherlands

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

Last week, BR World Football editor Will Tidey said he wanted a Republic of Ireland semi-final berth for Christmas. Unfortunately, looking at this very formidable group, it doesn't seem as though that is going to happen. The Boys in Green had a great run in the qualifiers and have a few world-class players, and indeed, they are owed karmically for Thierry Henry's handball, but if they want a place in the next round, they will have to overcome some seriously massive odds. 

If there's another candidate for "Group of Death," this would be it. Croatia has been impressive, Italy resurgent and rebuilt under Cesare Prandelli following a disappointing showing at the 2010 World Cup. Old friends (Gigi Buffon) and new (Mario Balotelli) have been performing, although the highly unfortunate circumstances surrounding Antonio Cassano's heart condition could mean an absence for the veteran striker, who had been one of the key's to the Azzurri's success in the qualifiers. 

And then of course, there's Spain. They lost to England in a recent friendly, but overall have been one of the top teams in the tournament—they'll be eager for a third consecutive major international tournament trophy, and everyone else will be eager to try to take them down. As long as their players stay fit and the tiki-taka an effective strategy, they'll still be the team to beat in this group. 

That's not to rule out Croatia though. They've done well in this tournament before (besting this year's tournament favorites Germany in '08) and could just as easily pull an upset over either Spain or Italy. As with Group B, it's really anybody's group.

Winners: Spain

Runners-up: Italy

Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England

Looks like Fabio Capello may have an easier time than England supporters might have expected. They've already bested Sweden once recently in an international friendly, and although host nation Ukraine certainly has some formidable players (Shakhtar Donetsk defender Yaroslav Rakitskiy will be particularly formidable in the back four), they are something of long shots in this group. 

England and France both come into the group stages with formidable tournament records: England has gone unbeaten (two draws), and France racked up just one loss, although France, having an extra side in their group, had a few more matches to play.

The Three Lions held their own against a formidable Switzerland side and bested Bulgaria and Wales, although surprising sleeper hits Montenegro held them to a couple tough draws. Still, the England side has looked better recently, pulling an upset over world champions Spain in a recent friendly and sporting some up-and-comers who could be game-changers in this tournament, among them Kyle Walker and Phil Jones.

There's still the issue of Wayne Rooney—if his suspension sticks for the group stage, their attack could suffer. However, the Three Lions proved they could go up against the world champions without the Roo playing up front. 

France doesn't have the most stellar tournament track record as of late, but now seems like as good of a time as any for a comeback.

Les Bleus have been in a period of rebuilding since the embarrassing crash and burn at the 2010 World Cup. They've got some impressive relative newcomers in their ranks, including strong defensive midfielder Yann M'Vila and Sochaux's impressive playmaker Marvin Martin. If anyone can take on England, it's their neighbors across the channel.

Winners: England

Runners-up: France