Euro 2012 preview Group A

"Sup Footie nuts? So after about two years and almost 250 qualification games, Euro 2012 kicks off in less than 5 days! Are you nursing a semi? I am!

Here at the FootieCall offices, we have decided to give you a break down on what exactly will be happening from the very first group game, right down to the final. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you: 

FootieCalls Euro2012 Preview Group A

Group A is possibly the most even group on paper. Just looking at the teams at a glance over, sort of reminds me of plain yoghurt. Nothing special, nothing to write home about, but it does serve its purpose.

The 4 teams haven’t exactly set the world alight with their wonderful styles of Football, however, there is something about these teams that caught my attention.

The Greeks, don’t have many fans outside of Greece, in fact before Euro 2004 they never managed to win a single game at the Euros. But then the impossible happened, Otto Renhagel’s men adopted a score early, defend for your lives approach, which handed Greece their first ever Euro crown. However under their new Portuguese gaffer (please read that word carefully) Fernando Dos Santos, things have … stayed exactly the same! Defend deep and rely on Set pieces seems to be the Dos Santos philosophy. They’ve only conceded 5 goals en route to the finals. A clear indication that they won’t be push overs in this group.

Key player: Kyriakos Papadopoulos – The Schalke CB is by far Greece’s most notable player. Having had a great season in the Bundesliga, he will be key in keeping the Greeks tight at the back.

His Jaw... he has TWO! 

To the co-hosts now… Poland. The lowest ranked team at this year’s Euros are somewhat of a dark horse in this tournament. This is only the poles’ second ever Euros. Having gone out in the first round in Euro 08 where the best result was a draw before running home with their tales between their legs. In their last nine friendlies Poland have only managed eleven goals but only conceded eight. Their most notable results have been draws against Germany and Portugal. A huge home support will be instrumental in getting the hosts up and running for their opener against the Greeks on Friday. Having said that, I think that they will be the surprise package of the group and tournament. Reason? See Key Player(s)

Key player(s):  Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Błaszczykowski – These 2 were massive for German Bundesliga champions this past season. Two very exciting players who are not only technically gifted, but also capable of creating something when there is nothing.

The dougie, you doing it wrong!

Russia seems to be slight favourites in Group A and for good reason. Dick Advocaat’s side come with a wealth of experience with players who have “been there and done that” in club circles. The spine of the Russians come from Russia’s two major Football clubs. CSKA Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg. Between the two giants, they have no less than TWELVE representatives. The one thing to be admired about Dickie, is the fact that he is able to get the best out of aging players who are more technically gifted as opposed to naturally gifted. The problem I foresee with the Russians (as with the other teams in this group) is their inability to score goals. They’ve only managed to scrape together 11 goals in qualifying. But it’s their defence that has been the real standout. They only conceded FOUR goals in 10 qualifying games! This is largely due to his use of two defensive midfielders sitting in front of his powerful back four.

Key Player(s): Andrei Arshavin – The Arsenal flop has been something of a revelation since his loan move to Zenit, having scored one and assisting in four goals in eleven games since February.

Arsen-who?

The Tsek republic (on paper) looks likely to run away with this group. With star players on almost every part of the pitch, they hardly seem likely to not advance to the knock out phase. That could be the problem though. The Tseks seem to be their own worst enemies when coming to tournaments. Apart from the final loss to Germany in Euro 96, they really have managed to underperform when they were really expected to excel. Goals for, is the problem really for the Tseks. Scoring only fourteen goals in their qualifying games.

Key Player: We all know of Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky, the latter finding some form since March for the Gunners, but it’s actually a little known 22 year old who plies his trade at CSKA Moscow who is the one to watch out for. Tomas Necid. Top scorer and Euro u/17 and u/19 in years gone by. Look out for him to score some goals.

Luckily, looks doesn't count...

Prediction:

Tough one to call. But seeing as I am an unfounded Football expert, I can guarantee you that, it will be the Russians to top the group and Poland to finish second. Unless of course I'm wrong, but that's because I am an UNFOUNDED Football expert.