With the draw finished, at last, we can analyze how much luck held for the 16 participants.
Group A
As mediocre as it gets. Probably the three weakest teams in the tournament ended in a group that could lead to the craziest conspiracy theories. Poland, the weakest of the top seeds, will hope to win at least one game in the tournament, against the puny Greece and Czech Republic. We have to highlight the incredible luck of the Czechs, who have a good chance of booking a ticket to the second round after being terrible in the qualifiers then facing Montenegro, the worst team in the playoff, and now the “Group of Luck”.
Favorites: Russia, no doubt.
Possible surprise: Who cares? They will be thrashed in the quarters anyway.
From total boredom to absolute excitement. Undoubtedly, this “Group of Death” will be the most entertaining group of the first phase. The whole world is rubbing their hands in advance with the matches between Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal, probably the second, third and fourth best teams on the planet at this moment. Despite the fact that Germany and the Netherlands are favorites, Portugal is not too far; they can scare anyone in their days. Although Denmark seems to be one step below, let’s remember that they beat the Portuguese when they played each other a couple of months ago. On the other hand, Portugal missed three of their four top defenders, Carvalho, Coentrão and Pepe. Including this they were influenced by a number of injuries, when Denmark oppositely lined up with a full squad.
Favorites: Germany, even with opponents like van Persie & Co and Ronaldo & Co.
Possible surprise: Portugal, which will have to be at their best if they want to advance. I'm setting my finger on them as number two, considering the fact that their new coach, Paulo Bento, has made it tremendous well so far. But of course, we have to see if it will hold against "The Flying Dutchmen" and "The Red and Whites"...
In principle, the opening match between Spain and Italy will define the winner of a group where the two Latin teams seem to be well above the others. Vicente del Bosque's side is after all favored, but we have to remember that when the two teams met in August, Prandelli’s boys won deservedly. Though, Croatia is above Ireland, but Trapattoni will make things difficult with his organized and solid Irishmen for “The Blazers” to proceed.
Favorites: Spain, but it won't be a walk in the park.
Possible surprise: Croatia. They will make themselves hard for everyone to crack, with one genius of a playmaker in the middle: Luka Modrić.
All those who believed in a conspiracy theory after watching Group A can now hide it wherever they please. Hosts Ukraine will have to overcome a couple of heavyweights and a middleweight on their way to the second round. France and England have to be considered as favorites, but both have weaknesses that can be exploited. In principle, I think Capello's side is more talented, especially if Jack Wilshere recovers in time for the tournament. The French are one step above the hosts and Sweden, but I would not bet my money on them to advance past this group stage based on their lack of experience.
Favorites: England, but yet I'm not 100% convinced, as this is a very open group.
Possible surprise: Ukraine. They are competitive and will be playing at home.
Forecast: 1. England, 2. France, 3. Ukraine, 4. Sweden
With the draw finished, at last, we can analyze how much luck held for the 16 participants.
Group A
As mediocre as it gets. Probably the three weakest teams in the tournament ended in a group that could lead to the craziest conspiracy theories. Poland, the weakest of the top seeds, will hope to win at least one game in the tournament, against the puny Greece and Czech Republic. We have to highlight the incredible luck of the Czechs, who have a good chance of booking a ticket to the second round after being terrible in the qualifiers then facing Montenegro, the worst team in the playoff, and now the “Group of Luck”.
Favorites: Russia, no doubt.
Possible surprise: Who cares? They will be thrashed in the quarters anyway.
Forecast: 1. Russia, 2. Czech Republic, 3. Greece, 4. Poland
Group B
From total boredom to absolute excitement. Undoubtedly, this “Group of Death” will be the most entertaining group of the first phase. The whole world is rubbing their hands in advance with the matches between Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal, probably the second, third and fourth best teams on the planet at this moment. Despite the fact that Germany and the Netherlands are favorites, Portugal is not too far; they can scare anyone in their days. Although Denmark seems to be one step below, let’s remember that they beat the Portuguese when they played each other a couple of months ago. On the other hand, Portugal missed three of their four top defenders, Carvalho, Coentrão and Pepe. Including this they were influenced by a number of injuries, when Denmark oppositely lined up with a full squad.
Favorites: Germany, even with opponents like van Persie & Co and Ronaldo & Co.
Possible surprise: Portugal, which will have to be at their best if they want to advance. I'm setting my finger on them as number two, considering the fact that their new coach, Paulo Bento, has made it tremendous well so far. But of course, we have to see if it will hold against "The Flying Dutchmen" and "The Red and Whites"...
Forecast: 1. Germany, 2. Portugal, 3. Holland, 4. Denmark
Group C
In principle, the opening match between Spain and Italy will define the winner of a group where the two Latin teams seem to be well above the others. Vicente del Bosque's side is after all favored, but we have to remember that when the two teams met in August, Prandelli’s boys won deservedly. Though, Croatia is above Ireland, but Trapattoni will make things difficult with his organized and solid Irishmen for “The Blazers” to proceed.
Favorites: Spain, but it won't be a walk in the park.
Possible surprise: Croatia. They will make themselves hard for everyone to crack, with one genius of a playmaker in the middle: Luka Modrić.
Forecast: 1. Spain, 2. Italy, 3. Croatia, 4. Ireland
Group D
All those who believed in a conspiracy theory after watching Group A can now hide it wherever they please. Hosts Ukraine will have to overcome a couple of heavyweights and a middleweight on their way to the second round. France and England have to be considered as favorites, but both have weaknesses that can be exploited. In principle, I think Capello's side is more talented, especially if Jack Wilshere recovers in time for the tournament. The French are one step above the hosts and Sweden, but I would not bet my money on them to advance past this group stage based on their lack of experience.
Favorites: England, but yet I'm not 100% convinced, as this is a very open group.
Possible surprise: Ukraine. They are competitive and will be playing at home.
Forecast: 1. England, 2. France, 3. Ukraine, 4. Sweden