Euro 2012: Preview

In arguably the second biggest tournament in the world behind the World Cup (I'm discounting the Champions League because it is not a tournament in the same sense as the World Cup), The 2012 European Championship looks to be another great month of football.  It could be argued that this is also historically the most talented or second most talented tournament in the world, with 4 of the last 6 world cup winning teams coming from Europe. The tournament will be hosted in Poland and Ukraine and will take place between June 8-July1. 

Spain, the defending champion, also won the 2010 World Cup.  They undoutedly have the most talented, and experienced squad, but are also aging as a team.  With players like Xavi getting older, this may be one of Spains last chances with this team to win a tournament of significance.  Also, with Puyol and Villa out due to injury, Spain will hope that Fernando Torres can return to his top-goal scoring form that he had with Liverpool.  El Nino has not had the type of success he wished when signing with Chelsea, but has recently started looking like the player of old.  Expect manager Vincent Del Bosque to use Cesc Fabregas and David Silva more then in previous tournaments due to injuries and fatigue.  Even worse for La Furia Roja is that they are playing in the best group, group C which has The Republic of Ireland, Croatia, and Italy in it.  Spain and Italy should easily advance, but Ireland could definitely give either team a scare.

Das Germans sit at second favorite to win, which is ironic because they lost to Spain 1-0 in the final in 2008.  They were unbeaten in qualifying and placed 3rd in the 2010 World Cup.  Besides having veteran players, Germany also has some tantalizing young talent including Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid) and Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich).  Striker Mario Gomez looks to lead Germany to the title, as he is their best at putting the ball into the back of the net. (48 goals, 26 in Bundesliga.)  If I was a betting man, I would put money on Germany to win; they are my pick for Euro 2012. Side note: I would never allow the Sheister aka Radall aka Austin Young to be my bookie.

The Netherlands are sitting at third on the odds chart.  The Oranje lost a heartbreaker in the 2010 World Cup finals to Spain, and are looking for revenge.  They are absolutely loaded with talent as well, and the only weakness would be their defense.  They have an extremely potent offense, scoring the most goals in qualifying.  Sneijder and van Persie need to stop their feuding for a while and perform well for this team to have a chance.  The Flying Dutchmen have more then enough talent to make it to the final, with Klaas- Jan Huntelaar and van Persie netting 18 goals between them in qualifying.  With a roster full of superstars including Nigel de Jong, Mark van Bommel, Robin van Persie (leading goal scorer in the Premier league 2012), Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Rafael Van der Vaart and Dirk Kuyt this team looks to break through in the international stage.  Just for fun here is the best goal I have ever seen; hopefully van Persie continues his world class form, continues to score goals at almost a goal per game, and gives us another highlight reel. Clockwork Orange is my upset pick to win this tournament.

The rest of the teams look to be just a warm up for Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands; however England and France look to suprise people.  Also interesting is that England and France are in the same group stage, they hate each other probably more then any two nations in the world not named Israel and (insert name of any country here).  Wayne Rooney will miss the first two games, but England should still advance.  France looks very talented as well, but who knows how they will play after their disappointing 2010 World Cup Campaign.