Groups C & D

            Easier to read in two parts.  And I need to keep you all hungry.

Group C

Spain: Quite simply, the best team in the world.  When I first got interested in the sport, France was beginning their run toward many titles.  They finished 4^th in the 1996 Euros, won the 1998 World Cup, and won the 2000 Euros. This Spanish team can improve upon that mark with a win at these 2012 Euros.  They probably should too.

Neutral standpoint: You’ll be most likely cheering for the best.  At times, it might not be very exciting.  They prefer to keep the ball, and they’ll pass it conservatively to make sure that happens.  They have no problem winning games 1-0, as long as it means titles.  Total domination of the game, but maybe not the way you think.  Fantastic talent though.

Player to watch:  If you follow the sport, Juan Mata.  He has been a revelation for Chelsea this season, and is very exciting while on the ball.  If not, watch Iniesta.  Undoubtedly, one of the best players of our generation.  He is always around the ball. 

Italy:  They aren’t quite on the level of 2006, but still one of the best nation’s in the world.  They are somewhat in a transition period, as the players that led them for many years: Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Del Piero, and Francesco Totti are no longer playing on the highest level.  They do have some nice players in Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon, but both are also on the wrong said of 30.  That’s not to say they can’t win the title though.

Neutral standpoint: They are a very precise, organized national team.  It’s not going to be the most exciting, but they do have some interesting personalities, and they could provide for moments of inspiration.  Between Mario Balotelli and Daniele De Rossi though, there probably won’t be a dull moment.

Player to watch:  Mario Balotelli.  You can’t take your eyes off of him.  Honestly.  He won’t let you.

Croatia: One of the underdogs that might actually do something.  They have a lot of good players that nobody knows, plus two or three others that people do know.  They play an ambitious style of football, and their manager is one of the best. (Slaven Bilic)

Neutral standpoint:  A fun team to get behind.  I cheered for them in France ’98, and they were a wonder brace by Lilian Thuram away from potentially making the final.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp8QHXtQoIo).  They have a lot of confidence for a small nation and it shows.  Their match vs. Italy could be one of the biggest of the tournament. 

Player to watch:  I could get fired from blogs if I don’t mention Luka Modric, so here he is.  One of the best and most exciting players in the world at his position.  He holds the ball better than any player in the world outside of Barcelona, which is impressive, considering his size.  Crucial for him to be in form, if they are to advance.

Ireland:  A wonderful story.  After getting royally screwed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxw1-Id91lQ), they kept their heads down and made it to the European finals.  But as most sequels go, it won’t be as good as the first, and this is probably as far as it goes.  Well coached, and great team spirit, but probably just not enough talent to go far. 

Neutral standpoint:  Myself included, this will be a fun team to cheer for in 2012.  Their fans are great, their story is great, and anyone can appreciate the massive underdog role.  Think of them as the Detroit Lions of Europe.  Perhaps their time is soon.

Player to watch:  Robbie Keane.  Kind of the one stable pick for this nation since the last time they appeared in the finals. (2002)  He is currently playing in between the Premier League and the MLS, but for new followers of the sport, this could be a player you might see for many years to come. (LA Galaxy)

Group D

Ukraine: The other hosts.  It’s nice to see this nation get some recognition, and who would’ve thought that they would host a major tournament before the Russians?  They are a very mysterious side though; there is hope to get out of the group, but in all likelihood they will be staying home after the first round.

Neutral standpoint:  Not much reason to, other than nostalgic Chelsea supporters.

Player to watch:  Andrey Shevchenko.  This is probably his swan song, and he really was a fantastic player for a long time. Good character guy too, but it was still nice to see him struggle during his run in the Chelsea blue. 

England:  I always feel nervous writing about the English, because it’s hard to take off the tinted glasses for a group of players that I know all to well.  This group missed the 2008 Euros when they were quite possibly at their greatest stature as individuals.  They started off poorly at the last World Cup, and then ran into the mighty Germans, Lampard’s disallowed goal notwithstanding.  Could win, but also might not score.

Neutral standpoint:  I’m not sure.  For a lot of Americans, it’s the second favorite team.  They have a lot of recognizable faces in Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard, but how high is the likeability for any of them?  I would be happy if they finally won a Euro title, but part of me wants England to have to wait longer.

Player to watch:  Since Rooney misses the first 2 games to suspension, I would say John Terry.  He inadvertently costs Chelsea Champions league title in 2008, doesn’t play in 2012 and they win.  It’ll be interesting to see how he handles all the change. (New manager, partner in defense, midfield, etc...)

France:   From being the best nation in the world for quite some time, then shattering to pieces in 2002, picking themselves up for a 2006 World Cup final, and finally pandemonium and madness in 2010.  I don’t know what to tell you all, only that they have the talent to win everything, but also the personality to lose it at the highest level.  Not lose as in the match, but just lose it.

Neutral standpoint:  When you least expect it, that’s what I always say.  I didn’t think they were made of Champions in 1998, now I believe that is the best group of players of all time.  Looked set to repeat in 2002, bombed and didn’t win a match.  Rode the bald head of one Zinedine Zidane until the final 15 minutes of 2006, then I’m not sure where they were in 2010.  Certainly not in South Africa.  Chose at your own risk.

Player to watch:  Karim Benzema.  This is the time for him to move into the upper echelon of this generation of strikers.  Just like the early naughties had the likes of Patrick Kluivert, Djibril Cisse and Fernando Morientes that just couldn’t reach, so does our generation with the Benzema’s.  When on though, he is class.

Sweden:  They completely changed their style mid-campaign, but it worked out and here they are in the finals.  They were able to beat Holland at home, which should give them confidence coming in.  They have one of the world’s best players in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but that might be about it.  But in this group, it may be enough.

Neutral standpoint: Great fans, good support, and their football is pretty entertaining.  Zlatan along with Miroslav Klose of Germany are two of the most underrated players of our generation.  He is exciting to watch, has a touch of flair, but a little arrogance as well.  Probably won’t win, but you could do worse. 

Player to watch:  Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  This will probably be his last major tournament, unless he opts for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.  He is at the top of his form right now, and is one of the best players in the world.  They could squeak into the QF’s, so you might get to see him a bunch.

Predictions: 

Group A:  1. Poland  2. Russia                 Group B: 1. Germany  2. Holland

Group C:  1. Spain  2. Croatia                  Group D:  1. France  2. Sweden

Poland vs. Holland    Winner: Holland

Germany vs. Russia    Winner: Germany

Spain vs. Sweden       Winner: Spain

France vs. Croatia       Winner: Croatia

Holland vs. Germany    Winner:  Holland

Spain vs. Croatia        Winner: Spain

This might bore some, but I just have a feeling...

Spain vs. Holland    Winner...................................................................