EURO 2012 preview. Group B

So UEFA's national team competition starts this Friday.

An event, which like the FIFA World Cup, comes around every four years.

Today we'll do a close inspection of Group B. A group which many have dubbed 'The Group of Death'...I'd have to agree.

There's Germany [3x winners, 2x runners up], Netherlands [1x winner], Denmark [1x winner] and Portugal [1x runner up].

That's just their history...we'll follow that up by having a look at some of the key players for each team. Who has missed out due to injury and who I think will do what in the group.

Denmark became European Champions in 1992 with the likes of Peter Schmeichel in their side. 20years on and we have another Schmeichel in the setup. Kasper, son of the Great Dane. To many, this Denmark side are the most unlikely to progress from this group and if you consider how easily a rather under-strength Brazilian side outplayed them a few weeks ago, you may not be far off. There are a few Danes who are highly spoken of around Europe though. The likes of Simon Kjaer, Daniel Agger and veteran Dennis Rommedahl

My One to Watch is Christian Eriksen.

Christian was the youngest player at FWC 2010. Move on two years and this player has continued to mature at both club level [for Ajax Amsterdam] and for the national side. The 20year hold has bags of creative ability and could be the silver lining for Denmark in this tournament.

Injuries/Absentees
Thomas Sorensen was forced to withdraw with a back injury, which allowed Kasper Schmeichel to take his place.

Prediction: 4th

"What's a gun doing in your trousers?"
"It's for protection."
"Protection from what? Zee Germans?"

Three time winners. 100% record in qualifying. 3rd place at FWC 2010 with most of that squad now 2years more mature and a few new additions to improve even that outfit. I can understand why Tommy needed a gun. [Not a tommy gun]

The key players are Mesut Ozil and Mario Gotze, creative minds in midfield. Will it be Kroos or Khedira in the central holding role? There's also the question of who will start upfront. Gomez is the form player, if we look at his exploits at Munchen this season. However, Klose is a goal-machine for the national side and there's the likes of Poldi to consider too.

The Germans are now not only controlled and calculated, they possess the kind of flair many top sides would dream of. Could we be looking at the 2012 Champions?

 My One to Watch is Andre Schurrle

21year old Schurrle has just come off his first season at Leverkusen. He was signed from Mainz 05 and scored on debut. He only managed 6goals in the league this season. A key reason for this average showing was that he was played down the wing, rather as a frontman. Andre has two good feet. Impressed by his dribbling and strength on the ball, I'd pencil him in as a player to look out for.
Injuries
None. Bastian Schweinsteiger was a doubt, but has now been passed fit.

Prediction: 1st

Holland, known as perennial underachievers. They have to go as far back as 1988 to remind themselves that they too have won the European Championships. The Dutch were quite sublime in qualifying, with 9wins from 10played. The runners-up at FWC 2010 also have the bulk of that squad to look to for glory in Poland/Ukraine.
The build up to this tournament has seen the Oranje continuing where they left off with their last result a 6-0 thumping of Northern Ireland.

There have been little problems this season for forwards van Persie and Huntelaar, both having exceptional seasons at Arsenal and Schalke04 respectively. Sneijder, the creative mind in midfield needs a bit of a boost though, and it will be difficult for them to play if he isn't conducting the orchestra.

That being said, this Dutch side are not short of talent. I reckon they could go all the way. Finally.

My One to Watch Jetro Willems

With Gio van Bronckhorst now retired, we have a young lad from PSV Eindhoven most likely to start at LB. At only 18years of age, Jetro has had a rather impressive season at Eindhoven and now looks to continue that form with the national side.

Others to look out for are midfielder, also from PSV Eindhoven, Kevin Strootman who sits infront of the back four [probably alongside van Bommel]. Luuk de Jong, striker at FC Twente and linked with a few sides in the EPL. Ibrahim Afellay the tricky wing/forward has recovered well after sustaining a knee injury, which kept him out for most of this season. Afellay scored twice against Northern Ireland.

Injuries
None. Sneijder had a bit of a scare, but is fit to play.

Prediction: 2nd

The only side in this group not to win this tournament. They ended runner up in 2004, losing at home to Greece.
Qualification wasn't all plain sailing though, a draw and a loss to start their campaign, then Paulo Bento took over, which saw Portugal win five on the trot before losing their final game to Denmark [who they now share a group with].

The problem with Portugal is that for the longest time they've struggled to find a decent/quality striker, which means Cristiano has to play that role, where i think he is more effective starting from a wide position.

They do have a number of talented players though, but i feel that they could come up short in this group.

My One to Watch Ruben Micael

In 2009, Micael was voted 'revelation of the year' in Portugal, while still playing for Nacional. Three years later he is now at Atletico Madrid having been signed along with Falcao. Ruben spent the season on loan at Zaragoza and started 33/38 games for the club.

We may also see the likes of Ricardo Quaresma, finally turn up for the national side.

Injuries

Carlos Martins sustained a muscle injury, which means Hugo Viana is the man to replace him.

Prediction: 3rd

Fixtures

09 June 2012

Holland vs Denmark

Germany vs Portugal

13 June 2012

Denmark vs Portugal

Holland vs Germany

17 June 2012

Denmark vs Germany

Portugal vs Holland

It's set up to be a cracking group.

Thanks for joining me, check back tomorrow as we look at Group C.