Euro 2012 - Review & Predictions

After three weeks of mind blowing football, we are down to the final four or if I may call them the fantastic four. The Euro cup is probably the biggest international football tournament after the World Cup and this Euro has been no less fun either with a lot of surprising results and amazing football. The most shocking of them all was the exit of the World Cup 2010 finalists Netherlands who failed to get on the score board after the group stages. The host nations fought hard but even they had to bow out. But one has to feel for Denmark who although were stuck in the group of death, still played their hearts out and almost managed to sneak through to the last 8. Germany, Spain and England romped through into the last 8 and France, Italy and Portugal did just enough to make the final cut.

In the group of 8, CR7 aka Cristiano Ronaldo headed home Portugal into the final 4 leaving the C(z)ech behind. Germany were their consistent self without losing any points in the group stage, where they thrashed the 2004 Euro winners Greece to a 4-2 defeat. All this when Gomez was not even on the score sheet. Spain took on the mighty French who hadn’t lost a game since Oct 2010. Xabi Alonso who was playing his 100^th game scored a brace to take the Spaniards home. But the pick of the quarter finals was the England vs Italy game. Italy definitely looked the better of the two teams but ninety minutes were not enough to separate the two and the game went on to penalties after extra time. It seems, England have become the chokers in football - like South Africa are in Cricket. Both the Ashleys (Cole & Young) failed to convert their penalties and ensured that the English yet again fail to go into the final 4 of a major tournament.

So the stage is set - Portugal vs Spain and Germany vs Italy. Both are really mouth watering fixtures and its even steven as all the four have the quality and the capability to take on any side on their day.

The first semi-final is between Portugal and Spain, which would basically mean seeing the Barcelona & Real Madrid players in action with as many as thirteen players in both the teams put together from these two clubs. On paper the Spanish look the favorites but going by the current form we would have to go with the Portuguese. The Spanish have been setting records in the number of passes made in the match, a staggering 900 passes in ninety minutes and we all know the ball is always going to be at their feet. The Portuguese have to play on the counter with the likes of Nani, Ronaldo and Almeida. The Spanish do not have the fire power in front of the goal which might be a cause of concern for them against the skillful Pepe and Coentrao. Portugal has been riding high on the sublime form of their star captain Cristiano Ronaldo who has scored three goals and has hit the post four times. Portugal will miss the services of Postiga who sustained a thigh injury against the Czech. So all in all it is going to be a cracker of a game - full of goals. I’d say Spain would move ahead from this side of the draw overpowering the Ronaldo-inspired Portuguese.

Spanish Supporters at the Euro 2012

The second semi-final is a Germany vs Italy game. The Germans have been in red hot form this Euro and are the only team which has not even drawn a game, let alone lose. They have a perfectly balanced side with a superstar in almost all positions. Their midfield is the heart of their play. Gomez has been scoring goals for fun and even Klose has joined in the party in the last game. Italy on the other hand has won only one out of their four games (in normal time) and the other one on penalties and has somehow managed to reach the semis. Balotelli and Pirlo nevertheless have looked good throughout the tournament. So will it be the 2006 World Champions or the most consistent team in the tournament? I feel it would be the Germans as they have truly been a class apart.

Members of the German National Squad

So if all happens as per my calculations then it should be a Spain vs Germany final, which I feel Spain should win (‘coz I am supporting them). But logic tells me it is going be the Germans this time. So let’s see who takes the Euro2012 and makes a statement ahead of the 2014 World Cup finals.

Enjoy the matches !!

You can follow the matches online at UEFA’s official website.