Group A
The Czech Republic have a history of overachieving at the Euro's, and being drawn into the weakest group should help continue that trend. Defence will be the key to success in this group, and manager Michel Bilek can count on Petr Cech to hold down the fort with the help of strong collection of defenders. It might be close, but the Czech's should top the group.
Greece might be mocked and condemed by the masses for playing "anti-football", but it would be unwise not to play to your strengths. The Greeks always will live and die by their defensive capabilities, although, offensive-minded players like Sotiris Ninis and Theofanis Gekas should lead the champions of 2004 into the quarterfinals.
The co-hosts may have an entire nation pushing them forward, but Poland are really thin deph-wise which will cause problems. The combo of Wojsiech Szczesny and Lukasz Piszczek on defence, combined with the service of Jakub Blaszczykowski in support of Robert Lewandowski up front wont be enough to save the Poles.
Mental fatigue and physical exhaustion will derail the Russian freight train, despite having the best collection of players compared to their group opponents. The vast majority ply their trade in the domestic league, making cohesion relatively easy. However, Russia prove to be unpredictable and coming off the back of an 18 month long season will take its toll.
Prediction: 1. Czech Republic 2. Greece 3. Poland 4. Russia
Group B
The Germans are built for success and are ready to reap the benefits of over a decade-long reconstruction of their football program. This is one of the deepest squads in recent memory, Manuel Neuer puts to bed any question marks about a weak back line, while the midfield has too many weapons to name that will provide adequate service to target-men Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez.
The Dutch come into the tournament with another group of highly skilled and extremely lethal individuals that usually steam-roll through the group stage. Bert van Marwijk will not find goals hard to come by with Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as options, complimented with a start-studded midfield will be more than enough to steer Netherlands into the next round.
The one glaring issue that has plagued the Portuguese is the absence of a true number nine within a squad that is overflowing with wingers and midfielders. Keeping the ball out of the net is going to come easier than scoring goals, Cristiano Ronaldo carriers much of that weight. Lots of creativity but not enough finish to climb over the mountain.
Denmark are the interesting wildcard, sitting in the background and overshadowed by the superiority of their opponents. Not much is expected and for good reason, they are simply outclassed and a little unlucky. The Danes are made up some great parts; Cristian Erikson being the most skilled and sought after in the squad. Playing spoiler is their unfortunate reality.
Prediction: 1. Germany 2. Netherlands 3. Portugal 4. Denmark
Group C
Like a matador waving a red flag to get the attention of the bull, La Furia Roja have a firm bullseye on their back and favoured to make history by repeating as champions. Questions might be raised about fatigue, but not every weapon is going to malfunction. Built off the back of Iker Casillas, Spain have tremendous depth that should be able to compensate for key injuries and out-gun the opposition into submission.
In what will be his final tournament as manager of the national team, Slaven Bilic has put together a side fully capable of becoming a serious obstacle for the touted favourites. A sturdy defensive core should manage to keep the ball out of the net, and a variety of options moving forward, none more deadly than team engine Luka Modric providing service. Croatia should be considered a dark horse.
Marred in another match fixing scandal, any notion of Italy mirroring the results from 2006 are seriously misguided. Mario Balotelli is a ticking time-bomb that is capable of greatness but ends up being more of a liability. Defensively, the Azzurri have seen a dip in quality, with the midfield becoming a point of strength. Keeping focus amid all the controversy will be their downfall.
Giovanni Trapettoni has done a tremendous job guiding the Irish through qualification and into their first European Cup in 24 years. Unfortunately, they are over-matched in every department, with Shay Given being their most important asset. Respectable results are expected, but nothing more.
Prediction: 1.Spain 2. Croatia 3. Italy 4. Republic of Ireland
Group D
The French are odds on favourites to win the group and for good reason. Laurent Blanc has a potent attacking force, starting up front with Karim Benzema, continuing in midfield and on the wings by a star-studded collection of players. Spearheading the assault are Franck Ribery, Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Valbuena, with Hugo Lloris making sure France will outscore their opponents to come out on top.
With expectations plummetting faster than the injury list is filling up, getting out of the group would be seen as a miraculous achivement for Roy Hodgson. Despite the obvious obstacles, England do have enough quality to grab the remaining qualification spot, but barely. Results will be hard fought and ugly, anticipate low scores. Joe Hart
Ukraine has two weapons; rabid home support that will do their part to get behind the team and good chemistry within the squad. Unfortunately, neither will be enough to get them into the knockout round. A close consolation will come by way of Andriy Shevchenko scoring on home soil to cap off his illustrious international career.
The Swedes are full of fire power, lead by goal machine and kung-fu expert Zlatan Ibrahimovic, complimented by great distributors Kim Kallstrom, Sebastian Larsson and Christian Wilhelmsson. However, Sweden tends to fold under pressure and never produce on the same level as in qualifying.
Prediction: 1. France 2. England 3. Ukraine 4. Sweden
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