Russia (13), Greece (15), Czech Republic (27), Poland (62)
Average FIFA Ranking: 29.25
Also dubbed "The Group of Life" there is no real stand-out candidate that high about the others. That being said, Russia are still clear favorites to come out on top. With Zenit St. Petersburg club-connections through the midfield Russia should have a very clear passing game and if they can keep their attack plan in mind their possession should win them 1 or 2 of their games and enough to move them out of the group. They've also got good attacking substitution options in Pavlyuchenko and Pogrebnyak which should prove to be an important opportunity as it's not a high-scoring group.
Don't expect Greece to pull the same win they did in 2004; the Greeks aren't even the team they were in South Africa two years ago. While they did exceptionally well and went undefeated in the qualifying round it will most likely end up to be just that--an exception. The only hope they have is to play to their strength in the back and sneak the odd goal off of a less-structured team like Poland or the Czechs.
The Czechs have one of the worst set-ups going into the tournament. Their biggest scoring option comes in their captain, Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky, who admittedly plays better for his national team thanks to being played in a more favorable position in the middle behind the aging Milan Baros. To be honest I haven't seen a stat on this but I'd imagine they're the oldest starting 11 going into the tournament by far.
Poland's biggest reason for advancement will come through the fact that they're one of two host-nations. Crowds can sway judges and energy will be high for the home-team. Lewandowski helped lead Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga title this season with a great goal-scoring record. At the back Szczesny has been further establishing himself as a top-class keeper for Arsenal this season over Fabianski, coincidentally also Polish.
Final Prediction: Russia to advance with maybe the Poles thanks to a call or two going their way. Most likely the Greeks defense keeps them at draws when they need it and they take second over Poland.
Group B
Germany (2), Netherlands (3), Denmark (9), Portugal (10)
Average FIFA Ranking: 6
By total contrast, "Group of Death" has never looked to be so true. Germany, considered favorites by many, have what looks to be the best 11 and arguably the best 23 of any team in the tournament. The Germans present too many amazing scoring options in Gomez, Podolski, Muller, Ozil, Klose, and, if he plays, Gotze. Not to mention the Bayern Munich club-connection is great through the starting 11. On top of all of this the most recent 5-3 loss to Switzerland playing without any Bayern players could be just the injection needed to get those other players playing like they should. Their one problem will come at most likely right back as it looks that Lahm will be played on the left and Mertesacker isn't fit yet.
Holland boasted the most points scored in qualification for the tournament and will hope to keep that high-scoring run going. They also have something to prove after such a dismal performance in the World Cup final just two years ago. We know the team are capable of scoring some fantastic goals but they'll need some good performances at the back to really keep them in the tournament until the end. However, possibly the worst defense in the group they'll need Huntelaar, favored by van Marwijk, to keep scoring like he did for Schalke this season.
While the Danes don't have as many household names as their cohabitants in the group they've certainly got a fine team made up of very talented and able players. That being said, it makes it so much harder to give such a good team such little hope of getting out of the group. Nicklas Bendtner, who has a very good international goal scoring record, should lead the team to a win but I just can't see them have enough to make it over such challenging opponents.
While the Dutch sport the worst defense in the group, I'd give Portugal a shout for the best. Because they so barely qualified in the playoff against Bosnia I see this team really trying to prove that they still deserve to be taken seriously on the international level. Their starting game against Germany will be crucial in keeping some of that drive alive. Assuming their defense holds I think the Portuguese confidence will be high enough to carry them out. Ronaldo will of course be the player to watch, particularly on those set-pieces from 20-30 yards out. The biggest downfall I can see in this team is Helder Postiga being just a tad too old to play the lone up-front position and some crosses going just beyond his reach.Final Prediction: By all accounts the Germans and the Dutch should make it out of this tournament but given the nature of the group and how tight it will be I don't see both of them doing it. With that in mind my vote would be for Germany to win and Portugal to clinch second. But of course as it is the "Group of Death" it's impossible to write off a Dutch win with Denmark taking second.
Group C
Spain (1), Croatia (8), Italy (12), Republic of Ireland (18)
Average FIFA Ranking: 9.75
Considering they are defending Euro champions and won the last World Cup it's a surprise to most they they're not favorites by most to win (by most accounts, it's Germany). If they were to pull it off they'd be the first international side to ever win three consecutive majors. Everyone knows what the Spanish team can do and how they'll play so their biggest downfall will most likely be the predictability of what to expect. Given that they will also be without the goal-scoring machine David Villa as well as one of their most solid competitors Barca captain Carlos Puyol, they'll need players like Llorente and Negredo to make up for the lack of goals and Barca-prospect Jordi Alba to fill in defensively.
I'm admittedly not too knowledgeable about the Croatian team. From their Premier League time I've seen what playmakers Modric and Corluka can be. New-on-the-scene Jelavic has also been incredible for Everton after coming down late in the season from Rangers. The percentage of his goals that have been first-touch is unprecedented; something like 34 out of 34 this season for 'Gers and Everton combined.
Aging Italians might have some sort of a chip on their shoulder given the lack of faith the press seem to have in them. They do have a good understanding of each other and various club connections through the whole pitch; many of them currently at Juve. If Balotelli can hold it together through the tournament he'll get the playing time and if he gets the playing time he'll do some brilliant things.
The only ones giving Ireland much hope seem to be the Irish. Their fans will show up and make the games fun for both sides involved but it's hard to see what this team would have to do to make it beyond the group. I'm most excited to see if Sunderland's young James McClean get some international play as I think he's really something special.
Final Prediction: I'd go for Spain to comfortably win the group and Croatia to move on possibly on the head-to-head game against Italy.
Considering they are defending Euro champions and won the last World Cup it's a surprise to most they they're not favorites by most to win (by most accounts, it's Germany). If they were to pull it off they'd be the first international side to ever win three consecutive majors. Everyone knows what the Spanish team can do and how they'll play so their biggest downfall will most likely be the predictability of what to expect. Given that they will also be without the goal-scoring machine David Villa as well as one of their most solid competitors Barca captain Carlos Puyol, they'll need players like Llorente and Negredo to make up for the lack of goals and Barca-prospect Jordi Alba to fill in defensively. I'm admittedly not too knowledgeable about the Croatian team. From their Premier League time I've seen what playmakers Modric and Corluka can be. New-on-the-scene Jelavic has also been incredible for Everton after coming down late in the season from Rangers. The percentage of his goals that have been first-touch is unprecedented; something like 34 out of 34 this season for 'Gers and Everton combined. Aging Italians might have some sort of a chip on their shoulder given the lack of faith the press seem to have in them. They do have a good understanding of each other and various club connections through the whole pitch; many of them currently at Juve. If Balotelli can hold it together through the tournament he'll get the playing time and if he gets the playing time he'll do some brilliant things. The only ones giving Ireland much hope seem to be the Irish. Their fans will show up and make the games fun for both sides involved but it's hard to see what this team would have to do to make it beyond the group. I'm most excited to see if Sunderland's young James McClean get some international play as I think he's really something special.Final Prediction: I'd go for Spain to comfortably win the group and Croatia to move on possibly on the head-to-head game against Italy.
Group D
England (6), France (14), Sweden (17), Ukraine (52)
Average FIFA Ranking: 22.75
The rankings are deceptive through this group. England are hardly far and away the best team as the numbers would have you believe. Roy's boys have a "new manager high" and might be able to cruise through on that alone. It'll be interesting to see how Rooney comes into the squad after the second game, most likely for Carroll so he and Welbeck can play up front. Solid defense and physical play are of course to be expected from the English so that reputation alone might be one of their best tools to pull something over on another team.
The French team has something interesting going for them in that while they haven't lost in 21 matches, there's still no "best team" in the mind of Laurent Blanc. This isn't a terrible problem for a manager to have if they're winning but to play a good tournament Blanc will need to establish a side with little changes. Cabaye should add to the attack in those few established players up front in Ribery and Benzema.
Another team I'm not too familiar with outside of the glaringly obvious presence of Zlantan. Larsson's feeds to Ibra will be by far the best thing going for this team but it won't be enough to get them into the quarter-finals.
The host nation of the final will have plenty of buzz but most likely little bite. As a huge fan of club connections I have to mention the number of Dynamo Kiev players in this squad. The highlight of the tournament will be if 35 year-old veteran Andriy Shevchenko scores a goal in front of a stadium filled with crazed Ukrainian fans.
Final Prediction: While France's undefeated streak might come to an end, I still see them topping the group with the English not far behind.
The rankings are deceptive through this group. England are hardly far and away the best team as the numbers would have you believe. Roy's boys have a "new manager high" and might be able to cruise through on that alone. It'll be interesting to see how Rooney comes into the squad after the second game, most likely for Carroll so he and Welbeck can play up front. Solid defense and physical play are of course to be expected from the English so that reputation alone might be one of their best tools to pull something over on another team. The French team has something interesting going for them in that while they haven't lost in 21 matches, there's still no "best team" in the mind of Laurent Blanc. This isn't a terrible problem for a manager to have if they're winning but to play a good tournament Blanc will need to establish a side with little changes. Cabaye should add to the attack in those few established players up front in Ribery and Benzema. Another team I'm not too familiar with outside of the glaringly obvious presence of Zlantan. Larsson's feeds to Ibra will be by far the best thing going for this team but it won't be enough to get them into the quarter-finals. The host nation of the final will have plenty of buzz but most likely little bite. As a huge fan of club connections I have to mention the number of Dynamo Kiev players in this squad. The highlight of the tournament will be if 35 year-old veteran Andriy Shevchenko scores a goal in front of a stadium filled with crazed Ukrainian fans.Final Prediction: While France's undefeated streak might come to an end, I still see them topping the group with the English not far behind.
