Euro 2012 : The Prime Candidates
May 7th, 2012 - Posted by Stephen_Harris in Football, Euro 2012
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| Vladan Sretenovic is a 35 year old former bookmaker from Serbia who is now a community member and tipster at BettingExpert. |
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Hello. I'm Maradona and I'll be your blogger today. Who am I? Well, in addition to being a very passionate about sport, especially football, I'm a 35 year old former bookmaker and now a tipster on BettingExpert. Of course there's more to me than that, but let's just keep it simple for now, shall we?
In this blog I'll write about the upcoming EURO 2012 and I'll try to present each of the contenders but in my own way, deeply analyzing each as well including many interesting facts you might not know as well with special emphasis on the historical aspect. I hope you will enjoy reading.
Euro 2012 will be the 14th European Football Championship. The final tournament will be hosted by two countries, Poland and Ukraine and in eight cities - Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Poznan in Poland and Kiev, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lviv in Ukraine. The opening game will be between Poland and Greece on National Stadium in Warsaw on 8 June while the final will be played on Olympic Stadium in Kiev at 1 July. There is no doubt that after the Olympics, Euro 2012 is the most important sporting event of the year.
This wont be the first time the two countries are organizing the European Championship (2000 Belgium & Netherlands, 2008 Austria & Switzerland) but it is the first time that either of these two nation (Poland and Ukraine) has hosted the tournament.
For the previous thirteen tournaments we have had nine different winners. Without a doubt Germany is most successful team winning championship title three times, while current defending champion - Spain has two titles the same as France. Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Greece and former Czechoslovakia as well Soviet Union are all one time winners.
16 teams will compete this time, while starting from EURO 2016 there will be 24 finalists. If you look at the names of participants, it appears that EURO 2012 will be the strongest European competition ever. Beside two host countries and all nine former winners (instead of Czechoslovakia and Soviet Union those are Czech Republic and Russia), we will have the opportunity to see very strong teams of England, Portugal, Croatia, as well always awkward Sweden and Republic of Ireland.
Netherlands
Nicknames: Clockwork Orange, Oranje, The Flying Dutchmen, Holland
Head coach : Bert van Marwijk
Captain: Mark van Bommel
Most caps: Edwin van der Sar (130)
Top scorer: Patrick Kluivert (40)
FIFA ranking : 4
The Football Association of Netherlands was founded in 1889th and so far they had 8 appearances on European championships. The best results were in 1988 when they were winners as well in 1992, 2000 and 2004 when this country was in semi-finals.
They are also current runners-up from previous World Cup played 2010 in South Africa. In South Africa Netherlands lost 1-0 in final from Spain and thus failed to become World champion but have merely repeated the success of Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens' generation from the 1974 and 1978. Still result from South Africa was great success for Bert van Marwijk's players. Yet now in Poland and Ukraine they are hoping (and it appears with all the right) to be able to repeat what has succeeded generation of Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard at the European Championship 1988 in Germany.
Advantages/Disadvantages:
The advantage of this team may be the fact they have great diversity in the game, and a very large number of quality players that head coach Bert van Marwijk can use. The disadvantage could be the burden of high expectations from this team. Note that the previously mentioned European championship in 1988 was the only time when Netherlands won the title. In more recent competitions they were twice in semi-finals of EURO and as I already mentioned once in final of World Cup. However, trophies are what this new generation of Dutch players are still missing.
The biggest star in the team:
Dutch players are playing all over Europe for the best European teams. It's not easy to single out one of them, but my choice would definitely be Arjen Robben. This 28 year-old former player of Chelsea and Real Madrid, for the last three seasons is member of Bayern Munich. This season could be one of his best ever since in Bayern's jersey Robben will have chance to lift the Champions League trophy after final game that Bayern will play against Robben's former team Chelsea on May the 19th in Munich. On the other hand national team of Netherlands is one of the top favorites at Euro 2012.
In World Cup in 2006 Arjen Robben was the best player of Netherlands. He is real football wizard and it is really too bad that in South Africa two years ago he was not quite ready because of hamstring injury. No matter of this Robben has played in South Africa. After spending all three games of first round on the bench as a substitute, against Slovakia Robben for the first time was in the starting 11 and immediately earned award man of the match scoring one goal in 2-1 win.Robben also scored the third goal in the semi-finals for 3-2 win over Uruguay. Still, Robben's not fully fitness probably was one of the reasons why Netherlands missed the chance in the final against Spain.
The Headcoach
Before he took over the national team, Bert van Marwijk spent even 22 seasons in various Dutch teams. These were mostly low quality teams, of course all except Feyenoord where Marwijk spent five seasons on two occasions, from 2000-2004 and 2007-2008. He was also in the mean time in Borussia Dortmund but without success. From 2008 Marwijk took over Dutch national team and so far had good results.
Couple more interesting facts
With 40 goals for national team Patrick Kluivert is the top scorer of Netherlands. But what is interesting here is the fact that by many the best player ever, Brazilian Pele when a few years ago was asked for an opinion on the best striker ever, he mentioned exactly Kluivert as one of the best.
Interesting is also story about the color of Dutch team jersey. Although their flag colors are red, white and blue, jerseys are orange by the founder of the Dutch nation William of Orange (Dutch: Willem van Oranje). Therefore also the nickname of the team, Oranje. One of others nicknames is Clockwork Orange. Since they play an attacking style of football, they were given this nickname by the legendary film of Stanley Kubrick.
Given the good recent results, the Netherlands is definitely one of the favorites. Current odds for them to win EURO 2012 at Betfair are 8.40 which makes them as 3rd favourite right behind Spain and Germany.
Germany
Nickname: Die Mannschaft (The Team), Die DFB-Elf (The DFB-Eleven)
Head coach : Joachim Low
Captain: Philipp Lahm
Most caps: Lothar Matthaus (150)
Top scorer: Gerd Muller (68)
FIFA ranking : 2
Without doubt the most successful team on European championships and together with Brazil and Italy the most respected team in the world. The German Football Association (Deutscher Fußball-Bund –DFB) was founded in 1900 and so far they had 10 appearances on European championships. Three times they were winners, in 1972, 1980 and 1996. Germany also has won World Cup three times, the last time it was in Italy in 1990 when they had a great generation of players (Lothar Matthaus, Jurgen Klinsmann, Rudi Voller, Andreas Brehme and others). That was a team that almost certainly was one of the best not just when we are talking about Germany but overall one of best world teams ever.
Advantages/Disadvantages:
The main advantage of this team is fact that almost all players are in strong competition like Bundes Liga. Without couple exceptions like Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira (Real Madrid) as well Miroslav Klose (Lazio) all other players are members of best German teams. Also don't forget Joachim Low who is doing great job with these players. But something more about him later.
As regards to disadvantages, I really don't see a weak link, moreover I think this team is perfect and in my opinion it's time to Germany make something what all German fans have been waiting for 16 years. 16 years has passed since Germany the last time won some big competition.
The biggest star in the team:
Germany always had great players. If we look at the names of above mentioned players from 1990, as well on names of some previous generations, then we will always found four of five players of extra class. But this time this maybe is not the case. There are no players that can be compared with those of the past, there is no new Franz Beckenbauer in defense, Close and Gomez are great attackers but they are not even close to one Gerd Muller, there is no new Lothar Matthaus ... Still, these new guys are playing greatand the team is above the individual quality. But if I have to single out one, then it is certainly Thomas Muller. This 21 year old player of Bayern Munich already has played 26 times for national team and scored even ten times. For a guy of his age, these are already excellent numbers. I have a feeling that this guy will mark the upcoming European Championship, the same as it was two years ago in South Africa when he won the golden boot and earned award tournament’s best young player. At that time Muller was only 19 years of age but still scored five goals in six appearances.
The Headcoach
Joachim Low has not yet won anything with this team but no matter of this we can freely say that he had exceptional results. After he spent two years as assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann on German bench, Low assumed the role of the head coach in July 2006. The aim was championship title on EURO 2008. And they were very close but at the end Germans were stopped by the Spain in the final, 0-1. Two years later in South Africa World Cup, Germany again lost to Spain. Again it was 0-1 but only this time in semi-finals. It was good game from Germany, they had their chances and if they had just a little more luck, Germany would play in the final against Netherlands who frankly was only third best team back then. After South Africa, Germany’s road to Euro 2012 was impressive to say the least. They won all of their 10 matches in Group A, scoring 34 goals and conceding only seven and were together with Spain team who first secured place on EURO 2012. There is no anymore Joachim Low's famous lucky sweater, but the results of this team are still great.
Couple more interesting facts
About some more interesting facts, I can't find too much what can be said that has not been already well known. Maybe we can return for one moment to the successes from the past. As I already mentioned Germany is owner of three European and three World championship titles. They also had success with one runners-up and two 3rd places on last three big competitions (one European championship and two World Cups). But still it is a fact that they are waiting for the title for sixteen years already. In addition to Spain they are the greatest favorites of EURO 2012, and knowing that no team ever managed to defend the title from the previous European Championship, I feel it's time for Germany to rise.
Current odds for Germany to win EURO 2012 at Betfair are 4.30, which makes them for second favourite of the tournament.
Portugal
Nicknames: Seleccao das Quinas (refers to the five shields on flag of Portugal), Os Navegadores (The Navigators)
Head coach : Paulo Bento
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Most caps: Luis Figo (127)
Top scorer: Pauleta (47)
FIFA ranking : 5
The Football Association of Portugal was founded in 1914th and so far they had 5 appearances on European championships. The best result was when they were country host in 2004. Back then Portugal finished competition as runners-up, while in 1984 and 2000 they were in semi-finals. At EURO 2012 Portugal arrived after playoffs, where they demolished national team of Bosnia & Herzegovina, 0:0 & 6:2.
Advantages/Disadvantages
Speaking about the advantages and disadvantages of this team, in both cases probably will come to the same conclusion called Cristiano Ronaldo. Having in the team such a player that makes an obvious difference certainly is a big advantage. But at the same time it could be big disadvantages since too much depend on him. When Ronaldo is not in the mood, then it seems to me that Portugal can not cope with the most powerful European teams.
The biggest star in the team:
In the past, it was Luis Figo but also Rui Costa, Fernando Couto and Vitor Baia. It was a golden generation of Portuguese football led from the bench by coach Carlos Queiroz in 1990 in under 21 selection. Later all of these players have become superstars.
Today it seems there is only one name (Cristiano Ronaldo) and then a few empty seats. According to many, with Lionel Messi, Ronaldo is the most dominant player in the world. Like it or not, but everyone must recognize that this is a superb player. Early in his career, many have challenged him but Ronaldo proved he is a great player. The speed and excellent technique plus an incredibly powerful shot, these are features of this player. In his career, Ronaldo won many trophies while playing for Manchester United and now for Real Madrid, including UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Primera Division, Copa del Rey, FA Cup, Football League Cup, FA Community Shield as well FIFA Club World Cup. But with the national team there are no trophies yet and it will hardly ever be during the Ronaldo's career.
The Headcoach
Paulo Bento is the current head coach of Portuguese team. Together with Slaven Bilic (43, Croatia) Bento (42) is by far the youngest coach on this championship. Bench of Portuguese national team is only second job in his coaching career. After he spent five years in Sporting, in 2010 after World Cup in South Africa Bento was appointed as a replacement for Carlos Queiroz. With Sporting Bento won two times Portuguese Cup as well two times Supercup.
Couple more interesting facts
Although their Football Association was founded back in 1914, Portugal does not have too long tradition of participating in major competitions. The European Championships are played since 1960 but Portugal made first appearance no sooner than 1984. At the world championships first appearance was in 1966 although this competition has been held since 1930. But what is interesting here is the fact that in both cases, at the European as well at World Championship the Portuguese had an excellent debut: semi-finals in EURO 1984 and 3rd place in World Cup in 1966 when Portugal had great Eusebio.
Another interesting fact is that in the past was much irresponsible behavior when it comes to national team. For example in Mexico 1986 World Cup, between first and second game Portuguese players were on strike, dissatisfied with the promised rewards for a good result.
For the end let's take look at Portugal's chances in this championship through the eyes of bookies. The best current odds for Portugal to win EURO 2012 at Betfair are 22.00 making them the 7th favorite. Given that Portugal is in the strongest group (Group of Death together with Germany, Netherlands and Denmark), the odds are maybe set good. But we should not forget the fact about Portuguese current FIFA ranking (5th). The team who is considered to be the fifth in the world, in my opinion simply can not be only the seventh favorite in European competition. So, no matter of tough first stage, these odds on Portugal are maybe the best value.
Spain
Nicknames: La Roja (The Red), La Furia Roja (The Red Fury).
Head coach :Vicente del Bosque
Captain: Iker Casillas
Most caps: Iker Casillas (128)
Top scorer: David Villa (51)
FIFA ranking : 1
Spanish Football Federation was founded in 1909th and so far they had 8 appearances on European championships. The best results were in 1964 and 2008 when they were winners as well in 1984 when they were runners-up.
Spain is not only defending European champion from 2008 in Austria & Switzerland, but they also in the mean time had become the World Champion 2010 in South Africa. In South Africa Spain arrived after all 10 wins in the qualifiers, and the same they are repeated in qualifying for Euro 2012 when won all eight games in Group I. Spain was the first country (except the hosts) which secured the participation in EURO 2012. So obviously it's the top team that will again be one of the few major candidates for the title of European champion.
Advantages/Disadvantages:
The main advantages for them are: great experience they have after two consecutive big competitions won, then fast, attractive and efficient football with top midfielders and attackers. Also don't forget amazing Vicente del Bosque on the bench.
If we are talking about the disadvantages of this team, then it is very difficult to find them. Maybe but just maybe this is the defense, particularly after corners or free kicks. Also note Spain will be without its top scorer David Villa who has missed almost entire season after he broke his tibia in a Club World Cup match between his Barcelona and Al Sadd at the start of the season.
The biggest star in the team:
In team like Spain it is really hard to find the bigest star. It is difficult to tell whether it's Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta or Fabregas or perhaps, even goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Perhaps the most honest is to say that this is the team where every player is a super star. But if you need to find player on whom you should pay attention on this EURO 2012 then it's Atletico Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente who had amazing year and who will likely play next season in Barcelona.
The Headcoach
Vicente del Bosque's coaching career began back in 1985 in Real Madrd Castile. In 1994 he took over Real Madrid and won two times Champions League and Primera Division. In 2008 he became head coach of national team of Spain and made this team the best in the world. Beside Real Madrid and Spain del Bosque also coached Besiktas. Although he was one of the best defensive midfielder in the Real Madrid ever, many who know him well say that he is much better coach than he was a player. This is the best indicator of his coaching quality.
Couple more interesting facts
Did you know that Spain in July 2008 became No. 1 in FIFA rankings of top football nations, although at that time they still were without the title of world champion? Did you know that from then until today (with a few short exceptions of one-month intervals) Spain is still on first place?
Did you know that one of the most famous football fans in the world is from Spain? It's Manolo from Valencia who was present to all Spain's international matches since 1982. The only exception was the match Spain vs Paraguay in World Cup in South Africa. It is expected that Manolo will be again on Euro 2012.
Did you know that never happened to any team was able to win the title of European champion two consecutive times? Will Spain be the first one to succeed? Current best odds for Spain to win EURO 2012 are 3.75 at Betfair which makes them the biggest favorite.
Italy
Nickname: Azzurri (The Blues)
Head coach : Cesare Prandelli
Captain: Gianluigi Buffon
Most caps: Fabio Cannavaro (136)
Top scorer: Luigi Riva (35)
FIFA ranking : 12
Italian Football Association "Federazione Italiana Gioco Calcio" was founded in 1898th and so far they had 7 appearances on European championships. The best results were in 1968 when they were winners as well in 2000 when they were runners-up. But Italy also has even 4 titles of World Champions which makes them one of couple best football nations ever.
Advantages/Disadvantages
The main advantage of Italia is great defense. After all Italian football was always known by defense. Disadvantage could be the lack of real and typical attackers, as well lack of dominant player in the midfield that would be the team leader. Also Italian Seria A is never weaker I would say. There are no real super stars and this affects also the national team. Italian team missing players such are Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti or Roberto Baggio from the past.
The biggest star:
Perhaps the best indicator of the above mentioned is the fact that when you need to find the biggest star in this Italian team, then you need to choose goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon. Although he is already 34 years old, Buffon is still one of the best in the world. He made his debut for Italy with only 19 years of age and has accumulated 113 appearances so far which makes him the third in the history of Italian football right behind Fabio Cannavaro and Paolo Maldini. Mario Balotelli on the other hand, although young, he's definitely someone who has the potential to be a leader, but at this point he is not a player to whom Prandelli can rely on.
The Headcoach
Under Marcello Lippi Italy suffered a failure in the World Cup in South Africa, so that now under the leadership of Cesare Prandelli, Azzurri will try to record better results in EURO 2012. Prandelli has 22 years of experience on coaching job, but he never was in charge in one of Italian greatest teams, Juventus, Milan or Inter. The bigest teams that Prandelli has coached were Roma and Fiorentina. This could be a problem, although in the qualifications Italia played well and in competition with Serbia, Slovenia and Estonia easily finished on first place. Still on Euro 2012, Italy will have much harder job in the group C with teams of Spain, Croatia and Republic of Ireland.
Couple more interesting facts
Current best odds for Italy to win EURO 2012 at Betfair are 16.00, but I don't think that it is worth attempting since in my opinion Italy could be in problems to reach even the quarter-finals.
France
Nickname: Les Bleus (The Blues), Les Tricolores (The Tri-colors)
Head coach : Laurent Blanc
Captain: Hugo Lloris
Most caps: Lilian Thuram (142)
Top scorer: Thierry Henry (51)
FIFA ranking : 16
Football Association of France was founded in 1919th and so far they had 7 appearances on European championships. The best results were in 1984 and 2000 when they were winners as well two semi-final places, in 1960 and 1996. Undoubtedly the top team, but in recent years had major problems and has not played on the level of previous generations, what more they were far from it.
Advantages/Disadvantages
The advantage of this team is certainly a very large number of quality players. Beside in the national championship, there are French players in all the stronger leagues in Europe, Premier League, Primera, Bundes Liga and Serie A.
Until the previous major competition, disadvantage of this team was a bad coach and poor relations within the team (head coach - players as well some players with each other). But after the fiasco in South Africa and the departure of Raymond Domenech, things have changed. Yet there is a huge burden on the shoulders of players and new coach Laurent Blanc to return France on the top of European and world football. Such pressure is not good and it can be a big problem for this team.
The biggest star in the team:
Franck Ribery seems to be the best what Laurent Blanc has at this moment. The player of Bayern Munich is 29 years of age and this season can be one of his best. With Bayern he reached the Champions League final stage and will have a chance to lift the trophy in the finals that will be played in Munich on May 19. If Ribery keeps good form, then also the chances of France at Euro 2012 will be much greater.
The Headcoach
Laurent Blanc, 46 years old coach took over the French National team in a very bad time. During the era of Raymond Domenech, France has dropped to 27th position in the FIFA rankings. It was somewhere just after World Cup in South Africa. 27th position was the worst ever for France. During his time Domenech lost even 14 games and had only 51.9% winning games. This was by far the weakest score in last 24 years among all 7 previous coaches.
But Blanc already after a short period of time managed to build up the team form. In qualifying for Euro 2012, France ended up in the first place of Group D ahead of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Romania and so ensured direct visa for the final tournament. Current position of France on FIFA ranking is 16.
Couple more interesting facts
The best odds offered on France to win EURO 2012 at Betfair are 14.00. It wont be easy for the French team. They will compete in Group D with one of the country host-Ukraine, as well with England and Sweden.
England
Nicknames: Three Lions
Head coach : Roy Hodgson
Captain: Scott Parker
Most caps: Peter Shilton (125)
Top scorer: Bobby Charlton (49)
FIFA ranking : 7
The Football Association of England was founded in 1863 and so far they had 7 appearances on European championships and the best results were in 1968 (3rd place) and in 1996 when they were host (Semi finals). England is the only team among top favourites who never won this competition before.
They are a squad of outstanding players, but which still lacks a little more to make a good result. England's biggest success is from 1966 when they were World Champions, though it was on home ground. 1966's World Cup was the only major competition that England ever won. For a country where football originated, it seems like not enough.
Advantages/Disadvantages
The main advantages for them is strong league in which all members of the national team plays. Although they are without too big success, from the viewpoint of tactics, England has always played well on major competitions.
The bigest disadvantage is fact they don't have top player on position of goalkeeper. Also disadvantage could be new head coach Roy Hodgson who in my opinion was appointed too late as a replacement for Fabio Capello, only one month before start of EURO 2012. The best player Wayne Rooney wont be able to play in two first rounds of group stage (one of those two games is against France) due to the suspension from the qualifications.
The biggest star in the team:
Without too many doubts, it's above-mentioned Wayne Rooney. This player born in Liverpool made ??his first football steps in Everton. For a long time he is best player of Manchester United. Rooney has an unbelievable feeling for goal, he is always in the right place at the right time. He is excellent in one on one play, it is not easily to take the ball from him. When on all this we add the outstanding speed and powerful shot, then it is clear why Wayne Rooney is No. 1 in English football.
The Headcoach
Roy Hodgson will lead England at the European Championship. Before he takes the national team on May 14, Hodgson will be for the last time on the bench of his current team, West Bromwich Albion. This is not his first job on the bench of some national team. Before England Roy Hodgson was head coach of Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Finland.
The Hodgson's main problem will be lack of time since until the start of EURO 2012 there is only one month. It's interesting that this coach had much more success when he was on the bench of Copenhagen or Fulham then when he led the greats like Inter Milan and Liverpool.
Couple more interesting facts
Not only by football, but in many other aspects England is different from the rest of Europe. They drive the left side of the road, eat strange food and drink too much. Many consider them to be arrogant, but we must also recognize that they have a great tradition, especially in football since they are a country where it all began about football.
Did you know that it is still unknown who will be the captain on England in EURO 2012? Scott Parker is only interim captain until new head coach Roy Hodgson chooses the new one.
Did you know that the England had missed the first three world championships in football (1930, 1934 and 1938) claiming that they are too serious team for all others? And maybe even they were at that time, but because of this arrogance, today with only one title of world champion and one third place in Europe, England is not considered for one of the couple best countries when it comes to football.
As always on big competitions England will have a great support from their fans. We can expect thousands of Englishmen who will come to cheer their team, regardless of whether they have tickets or not. And this is what makes this competition special.
Can England win the European Championship for the first time? If you ask me, hardly. In any case the best current odds for them at Betfair are 12.00, which makes them a 4th favorite of EURO 2012.
Russia
Nickname: Sbornaya
Head coach : Dick Advocaat
Captain: Andrei Arshavin
Most caps: Viktor Onopko (109)
Top scorer: Vladimir Beschastnykh (26)
FIFA ranking : 11
Russian Football Union was founded in 1914th and so far they had 9 appearances on European championships. The best results were in 1960 when they were winners as well three runners-up places, in 1964, 1972 and 1988. Of course all these teams were called Soviet Union (USSR) while after breakup of the Soviet Union Russian biggest success was semi-finals on previous European championship 2008 in Austria & Switzerland.
Russia at Euro 2012 arrived from the qualifying group B where they finished as first-ranked team in front of the Republic of Ireland.
Advantages/Disadvantages
Very strong league where all players from the national team play except Pavel Pogrebnyak from English Fulham. Also very experienced coach on the bench. A good draw for the first phase of the competition is certainly something that also goes in favor of the Russian team. Looking at other groups, it appears that group A is by far the weakest. In competition with the host Poland, then also Greece and Czech Republic, seems that Russia should have great chances to advance to the next round (QF). Anything above that would be a great success.
The biggest star in the team:
Andrei Arshavin, the captain and one of the players with most caps in this generation (68 games & 17 goals) is the first star of the team. At this point he is officially still a member of London's Arsenal but playing on loan at the Russian Zenit St.Petersburg. In the last decade one of the best Russian players, and undoubtedly the best in Zenit. In period from 2000-2009 with Zenit Arshavin won everything possible including UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup as well all the trophies in the Russian league: Russian Premier League, Russian Premier League Cup, Russian Super Cup. Beginning of 2009 he is member of Arsenal while in last two months Arshavin is in Zenit on loan.
The Head coach:
The great experience is behind this expert. In the 21-year-long coaching career Dick Advocaat was on 16 different tasks. Russia is his 5th national team bench. Earlier he was in charge in Netherlands (4 times, twice as assistant coach and twice as head coach), United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Belgium. On Russian bench he is from 2010 but spent much more time in Russia since in period from 2006-2009 Dick Advocaat was on the bench of Zenit. Besides the UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup in a coaching career Advocaat also won four times national championship (two with Rangers and one with PSV and Zenit).
Betfair offers odds 27.00 on Russia to win Euro 2012. With these odds Russia close the circle of the eight biggest favorites. With not so difficult first stage "Sbornaya" could be one of the biggest surprises on the tournament.
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You can check on my blog one more preview. This time it's Denmark: http://maradona-footballfactory.blogspot.com/2012/05/olsen-gang-in-group-of-death-of-euro.html
Hi HRSPORT, thanks for the comment, some interesting thoughts there. However I think you misunderstood something. The task was to write about football related topic and to be genuine, which in my opinion I succeeded very much. And the most important I think I made this article interesting to read. I did it my way, while if you want a more detailed view of each team, tactics and everything else, then you should look in the section bettingtips where it will be more interesting picks as Euro 2012 is coming, but also already now you can find some interesting thoughts. Finally, I just wanted to briefly go back to Thomas Muller. I think that is obviously wrong to judge a player by its impact during the season. How much a player was good or not during the season, will not have much affect when big competition start. Is not Messi the best example of this. No matter of years of great success on club level with Barcelona, his form in national team never was on the same level. There were of course many examples in the opposite direction. For example, before World Cup in Italy 1990 who considered Salvatore Toto Schillaci for a top player? The guy was lucky that was in the team at all. It was a combination of fortunate circumstances that he was selected for national team at all. But he took the chance and became the top scorer. Two years ago in South Africa Muller was only 19 years old kid. Talented, but still just a kid. Probably no one expected him to be one of the best players in the tournament. So now when he maybe had weaker season, it does not mean that Muller will be in the same bad form when EURO start. In any case thanks once again for your comment and good luck to your team, Croatia. Serbia unfortunately not participate this time, so that like someone who was born in Germany, this time I will cheer for "Die Mannschaft".
Hey Vladan! Nice and detailed Blog. Some thoughts of mine to your blog/prime candidates. I would have wished me a little more game analysis of the canidates and less more history. Especially for Germany I think you missed some points. E.g. Thomas Müller is playing (to be honest and I am a Bayern Munich fan) a horrable season, thats not the Müller from the WC or even 2010! I think Germany has got a (bigger) disadvantage on the left or/and right defensive side. It depends on which side P. Lahm will play the EURO. IMHO there is a lack of quality. E.g. Schmelzer from Dortmund, Aogo from HSV and so dont have the international experience and quality. Also in the middle there are some issues. Mertesacker missed nearly the last 6 weeks at Arsenal, Hummels played a great Bundeslia season, but showed some obvious weakness in the CL, so you have Badstuber and Boateng which both played (maybe) to much games this season. I personally see Germany as one of the biggest favorites for the Euro 2012 BUT the group stage is much more dangerous then at the WC 2010 or the EURO 2008, they have to show great games from the beginning!
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Reads like a wiki-page to me. Where's the "deeply analyzing each team" bit you promised? I just want to know who's going to win and why :-)