Euro 2012: Breaking Down the Group Stages

It's time to start thinking ahead to the 2012 UEFA Championships. The 16-team field is now set, giving players and teams plenty of time to find their form and prepare for their upcoming opponents.

Before the sides head off to hosts Poland and Ukraine, here is a breakdown of the group stages and a look at the favorites during the knockout stage. 

After all, it's never too early for predictions, right?

Group A: The Weakest Group

1. Russia 

2. Poland 

3. Greece 

4. Czech Republic

By far the weakest of the four groups, Russia leads what is otherwise an uninspiring and lackluster collection of teams in Group A. 

Russia

With no contenders in the lot, Russia is perhaps the only team with an outsider's chance at the crown.

Lead by English Premier League forwards Roman Pavlyuchenko, Andrei Arshavin and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and bolstered in the back by former Chelsea defender Yuri Zhrikov, Russia has the talent to compete with Europe's perennial favorites as it demonstrated during their run to the semifinals of the Euro 2008 Championships. 

Given the lack of depth in the group, it would be a national travesty if Russia were not to advance. But anything beyond that would be a luxury. Don't expect another surprise repeat victory over Netherlands or any other side for that matter should Russia move through to the quarterfinals. 

Greece and host Poland

The battle to join Russia in the knockout round will be waged between Greece and Poland. Extra meaning will be placed on the results of both teams. The hopes, and perhaps weight, of a battered country will be carried onto the pitch by the Greeks while the expectations and energy of the host Polish crowds should help to buoy their squad. 

While the Greek team is a scrappy bunch as evidenced by their 7-0-3 qualifying record and five posted shutouts, the Polish side has more skill and the support of a nation to carry them through.

Czech Republic

Bringing up the rear is the lowly Czech Republic side that is a ghost of the squads from their more distinguished past. Managing only 13 points during their qualifying campaign, the Czech Republic may be the least talented side represented.  

Group B: The Group of Death

1. Germany 

2. Portugal

3. Netherlands

4. Denmark

The top three teams in Group B could all contend for the trophy, let alone a spot in the qualifying round. 

Save for Spain, the prodigious amounts of talent assembled in this grouping might well be equal, if not greater, than the rest of the skill of the other three groups combined. 

Germany

The top dog of the grouping is Germany, which capped off a sparkling run of football with a plus-27 goal differential, the highest in qualifying. If group rival Holland needed any more of a reminder of Germany's recent dominance, Die Mannschaft delivered them a rude awakening with a blistering 3-0 thrashing back in November. 

The most offensively-minded side in the whole tournament, Spain appears to be the only side capable of keeping pace with the free-flowing and dazzling German attack. 

With Germany safely through, the last spot is up for grabs between a quixotic Portuguese group and a rather flat Dutch side that leaves lots to be desired.

The Netherlands

Should the Dutch anticipate another spirited run to the finals as they managed in South Africa, they will need to do more than a 1-0 win over diminutive Moldova and an insipid 0-0 draw against Switzerland (That's not to mention losses to Sweden and Germany).

Portugal

Meanwhile, on the other foot, Portugal has unleashed the goals after rediscovering its scoring touch. After a 6-2 win at home over Bosnia which propelled Portugal into the championships, star forward Christiano Ronaldo appeared encouraged by his side's performance saying, "I think we have a chance for the European title if we can replicate tonight's form."

He might be right, but Portugal is going to need to show a little more than just confidence to have others believing that this is the year Portugal finally breaks through on the international stage. 

Denmark

As for poor Denmark, they have a few players playing in top leagues around Europe, but in this group of death they would need a miracle-and-a-half to advance. 

Group C: The Definitive Duo

1. Spain

2. Italy

3. Croatia

4. Republic of Ireland

Of all the groupings in the tournament, Group C should provide the least surprises. Spain of course is the class of the group, if not the tournament. A much improved Italy is not far behind and well outpaces potential challengers Croatia and Ireland. 

Spain

Nothing short of a first place finish and a semifinals appearance would be a major disappointment from the vivacious and majestic Spaniards. 

Italy

Lacking the talent of years past, Italy has done well under new manager Cesare Prandelli coasting to a comfortable 8-0-2 record. Italy looks its usual stout self defensively, allowing a qualifying tournament low of two goals against. Perhaps more encouragingly, the Italians appeared more at ease moving forward.

Italy should advance easily, but continued success in the knockout stage will depend on the health of resourceful forwards Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano. If Italy is without their imagination and scoring faculties, even a team as defensive-minded as the Italians have been, has little chance of greater glory.

Croatia

Should Italy falter, Croatia has the experience, smarts and discipline to rise to the occasion. A well-coached group that relies more on a structured attack and an organized defense than on pure talent, Croatia makes few errors and gives away even fewer favors to opposing sides. As Croatia doesn't possess the explosive scoring abilities of other more highly-ranked teams, it will take a stumble from Italy more so than their own brilliance for the Croats to advance. 

Ireland

For the first time since 1998, the Irish are representing their home country at the European Championships. Irish fans might want to celebrate now, as next summer there will be little to cheer. 

Group D: Rivals Reunited

1. France

2. England

3. Ukraine

4. Sweden

Like in Group C, there seems little doubt as to who will emerge victorious in Group D. The only real question is in what order, an outcome that could have a real impact on both England's and France's title chances. 

Given that both want to avoid a pairing with mighty Spain, the hated rivals must display their best form when the two clash in group play.

France 

Les Bleus are perhaps the favorites by default, benefitting from an anemic grouping and what has been a fairly impotent offensive British side who will likely be without suspended Wayne Rooney for the first three games. Then again, dysfunction and epic collapses have recently reigned supreme in France, so anything is possible. France recently posted a 2-1 victory over their British counterparts back in mid-November. 

England

The English national team trails only the Kardashians in being the most famous tease. England's 1-0 victory over Spain in their recent friendly was a pleasant surprise, but that is not necessarily a sign of things to come as the Brits have a history of strong performances when the match counts the least.

In do-or-die situations, England is woefully bad leaving a hopeful British nation in a state of continued despondence. Without gifted forward Wayne Rooney and facing internal dissension, the English may not have to suffer through too long of an ultimately disappointing affair. Then again, with a star-studded midfield, a good deal of experience and a more sturdy hand in goal, maybe there is hope after all. 

Host Ukraine

Sadly, this is an overmatched squad. Even with a surprising 3-3 draw against the Germans, it likely would not have qualified had it not been host. With long-time starter Andriy Shevchenko past his prime, there is still hope as the precedent of home teams overachieving in their tournaments is well established. 

Should the Ukrainians come up short, there is always hope that the recalcitrant French side may pull similar shenanigans to their player strike during the World Cup in 2010 and find themselves out of the tournament. That, for now, seems to be Ukraine's best chance. 

Sweden

That the Cavs won zero championships during Lebron's tenure should leave Swedish fans uneasy. Teams with one star usually don't perform well, in soccer that is only magnified. As good as Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been for Sweden, without anyone to support him, Sweden will struggle mightily and exit quietly. 

Quarterfinals Groups A and B

Should the assumed predictions hold, the quarterfinals would play out as such:

Group A and Group B

Russia vs. Portugal

Germany vs. Poland

Of course, while we know that predicting soccer tournaments is a messy affair and rarely, if ever, does the order of the group stages actually hold, let's work with what we have and go from these pairings. 

Should Russia and Portugal meet in the first quarterfinals, one would have to assume that even though Russia would have won their group stage, Portugal would be the overwhelming favorite. 

Portugal will be hardened by their Group of Death experience and will overwhelm Russia with their creativity and firepower in the middle. The whimsical play that was too often a defining characteristic under former teams has been replaced by a much sharper and crisper style since new manager Paolo Bento has been in charge. That is not to stay there haven't been lapses but should Portugal find its consistency, it's difficult to imagine that Russia has enough skilled players to keep pace.

The second quarterfinal will be even more of a lopsided affair. Poland has spots of talent on the roster, including three starters from Bundesliga club team Borussia Dortmund and Wojciech Szczesny, Arsenal's No. 1 goalie. 

Against the supremacy of Germany such talent will hardly do. Be it the spritely Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller and Sami Khedira or the infallible Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose, the German attack will come in waves wearing down the Polish defenses.

With the raucous support of the home crowd, Poland will no doubt put forth a ferocious effort, but the Germans will get through easily to the semis. 

Quarterfinals Groups C and D

Group C and Group D

Spain vs. England

France vs. Italy

Could England shock Spain? After all, they did win their most recent encounter in November. Such a repeat occurrence is highly unlikely as Britain seemingly saves their best for when it matters least, and Spain has recently taken to rising to the occasion. 

In England's favor is their deep and accomplished midfield. When at their best, Steven Gerrard, Aaron Lennon, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard can control the middle of the pitch as well as any team. When playing together, Rooney, Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch can be deadly up front. 

Yet when has England put it all together when it counted? Only once, way back in 1966—their first and only World Cup and major international trophy. 

Spain is too quick, too clever on the ball and too balanced on attack for England to keep up with for 90 minutes. Do not expect another zero on the scoreboard for Spain. It should be close, but Los Rojos prevail.

The second quarterfinal will be a toss up and the most even quarterfinal matchup. Perhaps as deep as they have ever been with Karim Benzema and Loic Remy up front, Ribery and Malouda controlling the middle, and Abidal and Rami in defense, Les Bleus would likely be favored, especially if key injuries to the Italian forwards hamper the Italian scoring attack. 

Nevertheless, if the Italian defense holds its current form, Italy will be well positioned to pull off a mini surprise. It will be a younger and hungrier Italian squad that will descend upon Poland and Ukraine. Will it be experienced enough to survive its first true test?

The likelihood is not. 

The Semifinals

Germany vs. Portugal

Spain vs. France 

Group A and Group B

Is this the year that Portugal breaks their infamous dry spell and finally wins a major European or international tournament? Do they finally distinguish themselves for their artistry and offensive mastery? 

A 4-0 walloping of Iberian rival Spain was a compelling case for yes. Similarly, a 2-1 defeat to unassuming Denmark left many to believe the streak would not continue. 

With Portugal more so than any other team, a glorious run will depend more on luck and timing than anything else. If Portugal catches fire, they are as explosive, skilled and clever offensively as any team in the tournament. If Portugal gets hot, they, along with Spain, are likely the only teams that can beat Germany. If not, they are as lousy as the worst of them.

On a whim, for the sake of the sanity of millions of Portuguese, Ronaldo, Helder Postiga and Almeida will mercifully find their stride and knock off the mighty Germans from their perch of perfection. 

Group C and Group D

The French quest for redemption ends here. New head coach Laurent Blanc righted the sinking ship, but will be unable to perform an even greater miracle against Spain.

No team better uses the entire pitch than Spain. Los Rojos spread their opponents out, weaving in and out of the free space and ducking behind the defenses for uncontested looks at the goal. 

The French defense is ill-equipped to frustrate and slow the likes of Villa, Silva, Xavi and Torres. After the debacle in South Africa, a semifinals appearance will be a charming run that helps restore France in the good graces of its countrymen. Few will have suspected France to get this far, and bowing out to Spain is no slight or dishonor. 

Finals: Spain vs. Portugal

Destiny is Portugal's for the taking. After five UEFA Championships that ended in tortuous futility, Portugal will finally be ready to grab it. Led by megastar Christiano Ronaldo and backed by its bewitching offensive creativity and dexterous movement, Portugal will counter and respond to each Spanish push. 

In a heated contest magnified by their cross-border rivalry, Portugal will eventually deny Spain a chance at the ultimate goal of back-to-back UEFA championships.

While Spain is the best team in the world, Portugal will get the monkey off their backs and finally bring the trophy home.

Viva Portugal!