With every major nation qualifying for Euro 2012, this could the best international competition we’ve seen in ages.
At the risk of underestimating the likes of surprise 2004 champions Greece or tournament co-host Poland, my prediction is that we’ll definitely see one of the heavy hitters prevail.
I enjoy an upset just as much as the next person, but with Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy and England (okay, maybe not England), all in good form these days, there’s just no room for Cinderella stories this time around.
It won’t come as a surprise to anyone if reigning champs Spain make it to the final. Italy might give them a rough go in group play, but topping group C should not be a problem for the Spaniards.
But can Spain win Euro 2012? Well, historically no country has ever taken a major international title three times in a row. And with Germany standing in their way, this will be an unlikely feat even for the Spaniards.
Granted, Spain’s brilliant tiki-taka possession play will produce some very entertaining football, and will also likely see them advance all the way to the final. However, once there, the absence of veteran defender Carles Puyol could prove to be a critical loss.
Spain unquestionably boasts the most talented midfield in the world, so centrally they’ll be invincible. But with David Villa injured, Fernando Llorente has some big shoes to fill up front. While Fernando Torres does appear to be climbing out of the cavernous hole of a scoring drought he dug himself this past year, Spain can’t exactly count on him to be their saviour coming off the bench. The combination of a lack of finishing up front and Puyol’s fighting spirit on the backline will be the ultimate downfall for Spain.
Even with their recent surprising 5-3 loss in a friendly to Switzerland and being drawn in to what is hands-down the toughest group of all, Germany is still the favourite to take the title.
Breaking down the German defence, led by captain and Bayern Munich fullback Philipp Lahm, will be a tough ask for any team. The Netherlands’ Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben are two players that could really challenge the German backline. But Manuel Neuer, proven to be one of the most dependable goalkeepers in the Bundesliga, will certainly be up to the challenge.
On the attack, with the impressive young Mesut Ozil providing service to winger Thomas Mueller and target man Miroslav Klose, Germany will dominate in the final third as well.
Having only improved since their third-place finish at the 2010 World Cup and without any major titles since Euro ’96, the Germans are hungry for a victory. The mix of experience and youth plus the number of angry Bayern Munich stars on this side is the reason why Germany will be lifting that trophy on July 1.
That’s not to say that both France and the Netherlands won’t put up a good fight, though.
The exciting combination play between Franck Ribery, Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema, plus a very reliable and compact back four, will make France the dark horse of the tournament. The French will surprise every team they face until the unstoppable Germans dash their hopes in the semifinals.
After a worthy effort against the Germans in group play, and a decisive quarter-final win, the semifinals will see the Dutch sent packing by a superior Spanish side.
Without a doubt, this tournament will provide three full weeks of exceptional world-class soccer. What remains to be seen is whether or not the competition and the sport we call so “beautiful” will be marred by racial abuse and violence.
For the love of the beautiful game, let’s hope that the threat of racist football hooligans putting a black mark on the Euro 2012 is just that: a threat.