A look ahead to the Euros
The European Football Championship, other wise known as ‘The Euros’ starts on the 8th June 2012 and the current favourites to win are Spain.
England
The England team has yet to appoint a manager, though caretaker manager Stuart Pearce has been asked by the FA to select the team for the Euros and many believe that he will retain this role. With so much uncertainty surrounding the national team, now might be an excellent time to place a bet on one of the many online betting sites, including Party Casino bonus. The FA is expected to approach the Spur’s manager, Harry Redknapp at the end of the UK football season in May
Another problem for England players is the recent announcements by the FA confirming that any player selected for the Euros will not be allowed to play in the Olympic Team GB side. This announcement has angered English club managers, especially Sir Alex Ferguson with a projected 10 Manchester United players on the Team GB list.
England’s chances of victory are further diminished due to the team’s problems in trying to select a captain. John Terry’s recent problems have written him off and Rio Ferdinand isn’t interested. Steven Gerrard is a possible choice, as are Frank Lampard and Scott Parker, but the England national side is currently lacking both a manager and a captain and the odds on the team winning Euro 2012 look slim.
Germany
Germany has traditionally performed well at the Euros and faces Denmark, the Netherlands and Portugal in their group B games. The German national squad manager, Joachim Loew has stressed that certain prominent players, including Miroslav Kloser and Bastian Schweinsteiger, the stars of the German 2008 side, must prove their mettle before he makes his final selection, both of these players have suffered from injuries during the current domestic season. Loew has many other players to choose from and both Marco Reus and Andre Schuerrle have performed well this season.
Italy
Cesare Prandelli, the Italian coach has confirmed that the Manchester City maverick genius, Mario Balotelli will be playing for Italy. Prandelli has also confirmed that despite recent heart surgery, the AC Milan star, Antonio Cassano will be included in the Italian squad.
Spain
Spain does look set to retain its Euro Champions title and will be fielding a strong side. The country has won all of its eight qualifying matches and the manager, Vicente Del Bosque, has many players to choose from, including David Villa, Xavi Hernandez and the former Arsenal star, Cesc Fabregas. ‘La Furia Roja’ (The Red Fury) will meet Italy on the 10th June in Gdansk.
Poland and Ukraine
The local hosts, Poland and the Ukraine have the home advantage though their chances are not highly rated. Franciszek Smuda coaches the Polish team and despite the selection of Arsenal player Wojciech Szczesny and Dortmund Borussia players Piszczek and Lewandowski in the Polish squad, few of the Polish players have played together as a team.
The Ukrainian team has not had to qualify to take its place at the Euro 2012 table, hosting the tournament has earned them automatic qualification and commentators believe that this team doesn’t have the necessary international experience to do well in the forthcoming tournament.
