EURO 2012
GROUP C
Colin Cowan
Croatia
Squad: Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (FC Rostov), Danijel Subasic (AS Monaco), Ivan Kelava (Dinamo Zagreb)
Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Tottenham), Josip Simunic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan Strinic (Dnipro), Gordon Schildenfeld (Eintracht Frankfurt), Domagoj Vida (Dinamo Zagreb), Jurica Buljat (Maccabi Haifa)
Midfielders: Danijel Pranjic (Bayern Munich), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Tomislav Dujmovic (Zaragoza), Luka Modric (Tottenham), Milan Badelj (Dinamo Zagreb), Niko Kranjcar (Tottenham), Ivan Perisic (Borussia Dortmund), Ivo Ilicevic (Hamburg SV).
Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo Da Silva (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Everton), Nikola Kalinic (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk)
How the qualified: Croatia faced the task of overcoming Euro 2004 champions Greece in the qualification for Euro 2012 in a group that also included Israel, Latvia, Georgia and Malta. Croatia finished second in the group, two points behind the Greeks, meaning they would have to qualify via the play offs. Turkey stood in the way of the Croatians in the play offs but the tie was won in the first leg as Croatia travelled to Turkey and came home with a 3-0 victory. The second leg ended 0-0 confirming Croatia’s place in Euro 2012.
Key player: Nikica Jelavic: The Everton striker ended the season with 28 goals for both Rangers and Everton so he comes into the European Championships in great form. He shocked many people after his January transfer move from Rangers to the Toffees by going on to score 11 goals in 16 games. This is one of the reasons many people think he could be an outside bet for the top scorer at Euro 2012. He is vital if Croatia are to qualify for the knockout stages.
My Prediction: I think that Croatia will need to get off to a good start against the Republic of Ireland to have any chance of qualifying. If they can win that game and then get a result against Italy then they have a great chance of making it through to the knockout stages of the tournament. However, if they do make it through I can’t see them making it past the quarter finals
Croatia
Squad: Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (FC Rostov), Danijel Subasic (AS Monaco), Ivan Kelava (Dinamo Zagreb)
Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Tottenham), Josip Simunic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan Strinic (Dnipro), Gordon Schildenfeld (Eintracht Frankfurt), Domagoj Vida (Dinamo Zagreb), Jurica Buljat (Maccabi Haifa)
Midfielders: Danijel Pranjic (Bayern Munich), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Tomislav Dujmovic (Zaragoza), Luka Modric (Tottenham), Milan Badelj (Dinamo Zagreb), Niko Kranjcar (Tottenham), Ivan Perisic (Borussia Dortmund), Ivo Ilicevic (Hamburg SV).
Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo Da Silva (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Everton), Nikola Kalinic (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk)
How the qualified: Croatia faced the task of overcoming Euro 2004 champions Greece in the qualification for Euro 2012 in a group that also included Israel, Latvia, Georgia and Malta. Croatia finished second in the group, two points behind the Greeks, meaning they would have to qualify via the play offs. Turkey stood in the way of the Croatians in the play offs but the tie was won in the first leg as Croatia travelled to Turkey and came home with a 3-0 victory. The second leg ended 0-0 confirming Croatia’s place in Euro 2012.
Key player: Nikica Jelavic: The Everton striker ended the season with 28 goals for both Rangers and Everton so he comes into the European Championships in great form. He shocked many people after his January transfer move from Rangers to the Toffees by going on to score 11 goals in 16 games. This is one of the reasons many people think he could be an outside bet for the top scorer at Euro 2012. He is vital if Croatia are to qualify for the knockout stages.
My Prediction: I think that Croatia will need to get off to a good start against the Republic of Ireland to have any chance of qualifying. If they can win that game and then get a result against Italy then they have a great chance of making it through to the knockout stages of the tournament. However, if they do make it through I can’t see them making it past the quarter finals
Thumbs up for Everton's Nikica Jelavic
Italy
Squad: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (SSC Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain FC).
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (US Città di Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (SSC Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino FC).
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna FC), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus) Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (ACF Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain FC), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus).
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City FC), Fabio Borini (AS Roma), Antonio Cassano (AC Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese Calcio), Sebastian Giovinco (FC Parma).
How they qualified: Italy were given a rather easy group for qualification for Euro 2012. They were in a group alongside Serbia, Estonia, Slovenia, Northern Ireland and the Faroe Islands. Italy topped the group with ease, ending up 10 points clear of Estonia who finished in second place. The key game for the Italians was the 3-0 home win against the Estonians which all but secured their place in Poland and Ukraine.
Key player: Gianluigi Buffon: The Italian stopper comes into what may well be his last major tournament for the Italians off the back of winning the Serie A title with club side Juventus. He has the experience of winning a World Cup in 2006 and will need to show some of this if the Italians are to have any success in the European Championships.
My prediction: I think the Italians have a great chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of Euro 2012. Although it may depend on whether they let the latest Seria A betting scandal affect them. If it does, the Italians will be leaving Poland at the group stages and will have had a poor tournament. But if not then they could easily make it to the quarter final/semi-final stage of the tournament.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (SSC Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain FC).
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (US Città di Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (SSC Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino FC).
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna FC), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus) Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (ACF Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain FC), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus).
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City FC), Fabio Borini (AS Roma), Antonio Cassano (AC Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese Calcio), Sebastian Giovinco (FC Parma).
How they qualified: Italy were given a rather easy group for qualification for Euro 2012. They were in a group alongside Serbia, Estonia, Slovenia, Northern Ireland and the Faroe Islands. Italy topped the group with ease, ending up 10 points clear of Estonia who finished in second place. The key game for the Italians was the 3-0 home win against the Estonians which all but secured their place in Poland and Ukraine.
Key player: Gianluigi Buffon: The Italian stopper comes into what may well be his last major tournament for the Italians off the back of winning the Serie A title with club side Juventus. He has the experience of winning a World Cup in 2006 and will need to show some of this if the Italians are to have any success in the European Championships.
My prediction: I think the Italians have a great chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of Euro 2012. Although it may depend on whether they let the latest Seria A betting scandal affect them. If it does, the Italians will be leaving Poland at the group stages and will have had a poor tournament. But if not then they could easily make it to the quarter final/semi-final stage of the tournament.
Italian veteran, Gianluigi Buffon.
The Republic of Ireland
Squad: Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall).
Defenders: John O'Shea (Sunderland), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Stephen Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Sean St Ledger (Leicester City), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Paul McShane (Hull City).
Midfielders: Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Keith Andrews (West Bromwich Albion), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moskow), Darron Gibson (Everton), Paul Green (unattached), Damien Duff (Fulham), Stephen Hunt (Wolverhampton Wanderers), James McClean (Sunderland).
Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Long (West Bromwich Albion), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Simon Cox (West Bromwich Albion).
How they qualified: The Republic of Ireland were given the tough task of being drawn in a group with Russia. They did, however, have a great chance of finishing second and qualifying for the play offs as they also faced Armenia, Slovakia, Macedonia and Andorra. The Irish finished second and qualified for the play off where the faced Estonia. The first leg look place in Estonia and the Irish killed the tie off with an outstanding 5-0 victory. The second leg ended 1-1 but the Irish didn’t mind as their place at Euro 2012 was in the bag.
Key player: Robbie Keane: Now playing in the MLS for the LA Galaxy, Keane is still a world class player as he has shown throughout his career. He will need to show the same form for Ireland that he showed back in the 2002 World Cup if the Irish are to make it through the group stages.
My prediction: I think that the first game for the Irish is key. If they can get three points against Croatia then I think they have a great chance of finishing second in the group behind Spain. They do have the tough challenge of overcoming the Italians to qualify and I feel this may be a step too far for the Irish. I would, however not be surprised to see them make it into the quarter final stage.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall).
Defenders: John O'Shea (Sunderland), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Stephen Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Sean St Ledger (Leicester City), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Paul McShane (Hull City).
Midfielders: Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Keith Andrews (West Bromwich Albion), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moskow), Darron Gibson (Everton), Paul Green (unattached), Damien Duff (Fulham), Stephen Hunt (Wolverhampton Wanderers), James McClean (Sunderland).
Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Long (West Bromwich Albion), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Simon Cox (West Bromwich Albion).
How they qualified: The Republic of Ireland were given the tough task of being drawn in a group with Russia. They did, however, have a great chance of finishing second and qualifying for the play offs as they also faced Armenia, Slovakia, Macedonia and Andorra. The Irish finished second and qualified for the play off where the faced Estonia. The first leg look place in Estonia and the Irish killed the tie off with an outstanding 5-0 victory. The second leg ended 1-1 but the Irish didn’t mind as their place at Euro 2012 was in the bag.
Key player: Robbie Keane: Now playing in the MLS for the LA Galaxy, Keane is still a world class player as he has shown throughout his career. He will need to show the same form for Ireland that he showed back in the 2002 World Cup if the Irish are to make it through the group stages.
My prediction: I think that the first game for the Irish is key. If they can get three points against Croatia then I think they have a great chance of finishing second in the group behind Spain. They do have the tough challenge of overcoming the Italians to qualify and I feel this may be a step too far for the Irish. I would, however not be surprised to see them make it into the quarter final stage.
Ireland's 'Mister Dependable' Robbie Keane
Spain
Squad: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina, (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)
Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Chelsea)
Forwards: Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla)
How they qualified: Spain had no problem qualifying for Euro 2012, winning all eight games in a group that included Scotland, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Lichtenstein. The key result for the Spanish was the 2-0 win away against the Czechs.
Key player: Andres Iniesta: The Barcelona midfielder holds the key alongside Xavi in the Spanish midfield. He can also pop up with a goal or two, as he did in extra time in the 2010 World Cup Final as he scored the winning goal as the Spanish beat Holland 1-0 in extra time. He will be key if Spain are to retain the European trophy.
My prediction: The Spanish should have no problem making it out of the group stages and should easily make it to the semi-finals. My only worry for the Spanish is that they are missing two of their most influential players in David Villa and Carles Puyol. They also don’t seem to have very much depth in the forward department with Villa injured and the strange decision not to include Valencia’s Roberto Soldado in the 23 man squad. Because of this I think Spain will make it to the semis/final but will just come up short. Saying that, this is a Spanish side that have dominated World football for the last four years so I would not be surprised if they went home victorious yet again.
Looking for more medals, Spain's Andres Iniesta.
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